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Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom. It used to be associated as an industrial center, but now it attracts a considerable number of tourists with its atmosphere and attractions. What is worth seeing there?

Birmingham is the city of diversity so everyone will find something for themselves. Are you into shopping? A piece of cake! A walk in the historic district sounds better for you? Here you go! Or maybe you prefer active recreation? Done!

If you’re looking for the most picturesque places of the city, you should definitely see the canals running alongside Gas Street. Until 1960 they were used for loading and unloading goods transported by the river. Now you’ll find lots of atmospheric restaurants and clubs by the canals which have turned into a place of rest, hanging out, and all-night fun. While being there, take the boat ride – small brick-built Victorian houses look even more beautiful from this perspective. Interestingly, Birmingham can boast more canals than Venice.

The origins of Birmingham go back to the Middle Ages. Kings Norton – the complex of buildings with, e.g., historic school and the Merchant’s House – dates from the medieval age. Saint Martin's Church was established at the same time. Today it stands… at the heart of the city’s biggest shopping center, The Bull Ring. It’s been built at the location of the 12th-century marketplace. In Birmingham there are also several fine cathedrals, e.g., the Anglican Cathedral of St. Philip, Catholic St. Chad’s Cathedral, and Greek Orthodox Cathedral dedicated to Theotokos and St Andreas as well as Aston Hall with well-preserved interiors, dating back to centuries ago. And if you love art, step into Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery housing the rich collection of works by Edward Burne-Jones, the great Pre-Raphaelite painter.

If, as a child, you dreamed of visiting a factory of the most delicious product in the world – which is, of course, chocolate – you just must go to Birmingham! Not far from the city, the Cadbury World is located. During the three-hour tour not only will you observe the process of making chocolate, but also you’ll try various cocoa treats. After such an intense experience, you can relax in one of the urban parks. The most special one, Sutton, is the world’s biggest Nature Reserve placed in the city space. Spend some time by the lake, do some sports or just laze on the grass – all from 9 a.m. to dusk.

Located in the northeastern part of England, Newcastle upon Tyne enraptures with Gregorian architecture, great art galleries, and rich nightlife.  In this neighborhood will fall in love not only lovers of history and entertainment but also water sports, as there are perfect conditions for doing windsurfing.

First notes about this town are dated back to times of reign of the emperor Hadrian. It was then, around 1^st century B.C. when the Hadrian’s Wall was erected, that was the border of the Roman Empire back then and alter on a wall separating England from Scotland. To this day, its remains can be seen, for instance, around the metro station Wallsend. In the 11^th century A.C. on that area was erected a wooden and in the 12^th century a stone castle. In the following centuries, the town became an important marine port. Nowadays, Newcastle is an important cultural and university center of Great Britain.

What attractions does it offer to tourists? You can see there the best examples of Gregorian architecture in Europe. It is worth to go especially to the heart of the city, for instance, Gray Street, Grainger Street, and Clayton Street. Over there you can find characteristic, mostly multi-storey buildings with slender towers and vertical dormer windows, like Grainger Market or Theatre Royal. Lovers of the old architecture should also see the 11^th century-cathedral of St Claus, a medieval castle Blake Gate and a steel bridge Tyne bridge from the beginning of the 10^th century

What is worth to eat there? Dishes characteristic for that region originate from the working class tradition. Even though they are not very fancy, it is really worth to try them. Local specials are, for instance, pan haggerty, a gratin from slices of potatoes, onion and cheddar cheese, and saveloy dip, which is dipped in thick sauce bun with paste from green pea and sausages with mustard. A must try is also stotties, a rounded, flat bread with a thick consistency, as well as sinngin’ hinny, wheat pies with blackcurrant. Where to eat? We recommend, among others, Starks Kitchen, The Bridge Tavern, and Blackfriars Restaurant.

Are you fond of marine tales, especially those about pirates? Do you want to feel the atmosphere of a typical English pub? Or maybe you prefer sightseeing? You need to go to Bristol – this port city has many faces!

In the past, Bristol was the most important English port from which not only ships under the British flag were set to sail, but also… the pirate ships. Currently, on site of old docks by River Avon, the Bristol Harbor was built. It’s the great relax zone with a countless number of pubs located on the moored, climatic barges. You should go there for your evening stroll and give a visit to one of the taverns – where beer comes with fun for free!

King Street, running through the center, is also an interesting place where you’ll find the city’s oldest traditional English pubs. The towers of the 12th-century Bristol Cathedral dominating over the city (free admission) are really impressive together with Wills Memorial Building, currently occupied by the University. Despite the crowd of students in front and inside, we advise you to climb the tower and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city. Great views are also awaiting those who come to see the biggest attraction of Bristol – the monumental Clifton Suspension Bridge.

By the river, you’ll see the world’s largest passenger steamer, the SS Great Britain from the first half of the 19th century that sailed to the United States. At present, there is a museum in its perfectly reconstructed interiors. The art and nature lovers will undoubtedly be pleased by watching the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery exhibitions (free admission), while fans of science will enjoy exploring At-Bristol Museum. If you are fascinated by the Gregorian period, check out the Gregorian House Museum with its rooms faithfully reconstructed according to the spirit of the epoch.

If, instead of touring the city with a guide and a map in your hand (or on your smartphone), you prefer absorbing the local atmosphere and observing the inhabitants, go to one of the parks. On warm days – and these are the most probable in Bristol – all the social life takes place here. Bristolians spend their evenings and weekends in city parks, enjoying their fast meals and sometimes drinking beer on lawns, benches, and walls.

Located on the northern East shore of Scotland, Aberdeen is known mainly for typical for that region granitic architecture and beautiful beaches. Thanks to the oil industry, for which that region is famous for, the city is still developing and getting rich and broadening culinary and touristic offer result in growing each year number of people that want to get to know it better.

The historic characteristic spot of the city is very well preserved ruins of the old town, which is Old Aberdeen. Typical for Aberdeen granitic buildings, thanks to which the city is often referred to as silver or grey one, can be seen, for instance, alongside the main street – Union Street. Over there are located, for e.g. buildings of Town and County Bank, Music Hall and Trinity Hall. A walk in search for granitic pearls of architecture is worth to be continued also via streets Castle Street, King Street, and Castlegate. A must see is also Rosemount Viaduct, Marischal College, the cathedral of St Machar and stone bridges like Bridge of Dee, Wellington Bridge.

Aberdeen is famous as well for located in the city’s center park Union Terrace Park and sandy beach (Aberdeen Beach), at which are restaurants, funfair, cinema and even a gym and shopping mall. It is a perfect spot for romantic walks at the sunset! It is worth also to go to the Victorian premises of Aberdeen Art Gallery and to Aberdeen Maritime Museum, which is the marine museum. Due to perfect connections to other parts of Scotland, you can treat the city as the starting point for trips to outskirts of the region, for instance, to distillery of whisky, to moors or to castles built on cliffs.

What is worth to eat there? The specialty of the region are steaks from beef Angus Aberdeen and fried fishes from the Northern Sea (for e.g. sea bass). A must try are also cullen sink (a thick soup of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions), ham hock, cock-a-leekie soup (soup of leek and chicken). In search for local tastes, we recommend a trip to Union Square Aberdeen, where you can find many really worth recommending eateries. Scottish dishes can be tried for sure in restaurants Native, Howie’s and Angus and Ale.

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland and the third one most populated in the whole Great Britain. It came a long way from a small settlement to the biggest port in the United Kingdom. During the Industrial Revolution, Glasgow became a main centre of engineering and industry, especially shipping one, as along the river many shipyards were established.

Today, when one thinks Glasgow, art, science or sport come to his mind. All because of the city’s massive transformation after the demise of the shipping industry. Glasgow is now looking nothing like a sad and bland industrial centre; it has become a capital of culture and fashion, that sets worldwide trends and fascinates with its outstanding architecture. It has the University of Glasgow, which is one of the most prestigious higher education school in Great Britain drawing in numerous students from all over the world.

Football fans mainly associate Glasgow with premises of clubs, such as Celtic F.C. Its main stadium – Celtic Park – is an obligatory visiting point for fans of this sport discipline.

The city provides a great vibe for spending a lazy afternoon or evening, while taking delight in excellent tea or well-known in the whole world Scottish whisky. It also tempts with seafood, award-winning types of cheese, and for those hungry for new tastes, it can offer famous “haggies” made from lamb’s giblets or “scotch broth”, soup based on ram’s head.

Glasgow is a fine option for people focused on sightseeing while travelling. Worth visiting are definitely the city council’s building and the Glasgow School of Art, considered to be a masterpiece of secessionist architecture. Glasgow is full of modern buildings standing by narrow, charming, old streets. The city has something to offer to live music fans as well – we recommend going to King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, where everyday gigs take place, both of local bands and those more popular ones.

Leeds is the largest city in the county of West Yorkshire and the UK’s second largest metropolitan borough by population. It reached its peak of prosperity in the Victorian era due to the development of the textile industry. In Armley – a district in the west of Leeds – there is the museum of industrial heritage, the Armley Mills. Going further west along the river, you’ll see the 12th-century ruined Cistercian monastery, Kirkstall Abbey, and the Abbey House Museum – the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

If you head to the east instead, you’ll get to the former inland port and the Royal Armouries Museum. The majestic, multi-story building is home to Britain’s national collection of arms and armor. In addition to galleries, the museum also includes the crossbow shooting range. In the city center, the most interesting spot is the City Square with a great number of monuments, e.g., Black Prince.

Are you into shopping? Leeds won’t let you down. It’s the largest commercial center in this part of England. But it offers much more than just another mall. In the city center, you can enjoy shopping in a unique setting of the impressive historic arcades with old buildings and walkways. The Queen’s, Thornton's, and Grand Arcades are all next to one another.

If you need to catch a breath after a long day, step into a traditional English pub. It’s a great place to grab a pint and listen to local stories. You can also try typical English food, such as fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, or Sunday roast – a main meal consisting of roasted meat, potatoes, and selection of accompaniments. Where to head first? In Leeds, you can find nice eateries at every turn, but we recommend that you start from The White Swan on Swan Street or The Hourglass at 112 Briggate – both are in the heart of the city. If you want to experience an authentic atmosphere of the local pub, leave the Old Town behind and check out The Broadway on Dewsbury Road, The Garden Gate on Whitfield Place, and The Rodley Barge which plays live music on Town Street.