10 Of The Best Small Cities in England For A Weekend Break

Brighton, East Sussex

Probably one of the less obscure small cities on this list, but a seaside weekend in Brighton is the ultimate British getaway! Brighton feels more like a large town than a city, and I try and get down at least once a year to get my fill of sea air and vintage shopping.

Although super busy in the summer, it’s an incredible time to visit as the beach is just lovely, and of course, the pier is a must-visit!

Brighton has a reputation for embracing diversity, and you can book a guided tour to find out how it became known as the UK’s most LGBTQ+ friendly city. Once dusk hits, the city has a thriving nightlife scene, with lively bars and clubs alongside iconic venues and delicious restaurants.

Top 3 things to do in Brighton

• Take a walk along Brighton Pier, a traditional British seaside promenade with arcade games, rides and views along the South England coastline.
• Get lost in The Laines, a quaint and creative shopping area running through the narrow alleyways. Join a Brighton food tour to visit some of the city’s most-loved independent eateries.
• Royal Pavilion

Where to stay in Brighton

• Budget: The Ibis Brighton City Centre is one of my favourite affordable stays in Brighton. Comfy beds, and a central location right next to the station, with a well above average buffet breakfast!
• Mid-range: Another of my favourite places to stay in Brighton is the Artists Residence, a creative boutique hotel with stylish rooms and sea views.
• Fancy: Enjoy 5* luxury on the seafront at No.124 by GuestHouse.

Bristol

Looking for a cultural weekend city break in a charming and lively city? Check out Bristol!

Bristol is a city driven by creativity, which was part of the reason I immediately felt at home when I visited. A weekend in Bristol takes you to the centre of the city’s vibrant art scene, from impressive galleries to colourful street art on every corner.

If music’s more your vibe, it runs in Bristol’s veins, with plenty of live shows and festivals to throw yourself into. Independent cafes, restaurants and shops line Gloucester Road, the place to head for all your indie shopping needs.

Top 3 things to do in Bristol

• Walk across Clifton Suspension Bridge, an impressive feat of engineering designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
• Explore Bristol’s culinary scene on a Bristol food and drink tour. The tour takes you to local favourites and hidden gems, and includes wine and coffee tasting sessions.
• Take the Bristol Ferry for a trip around the harbour, with a hop-on-hop-off service visiting some of the top sights in the city, including Underfall Yard (a working boatyard) and Spike Island gallery.

Where to stay in Bristol

• Like Brighton, Bristol is also home to an Artist Residence hotel, with stylish rooms a short walk from Cabot Circus.
• For a touch of countryside luxury, Berwick Lodge is a grand country house just 20 minutes drive from Bristol city centre.
• For budget travellers, boutique hostel The Bristol Wing offers affordable private rooms and dorm beds in a former police headquarters.

Norwich, Norfolk

Growing up in Cromer, Norwich was my closest major city, and spent most of my weekends frequenting the local pubs. Speaking of pubs – at one time, the city was famous for having 365 pubs within the city borders!

With one of the best preserved medieval city centres in England, Norwich has plenty of history and heritage to dig into. Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral are both must-see landmarks, and Norwich Market is one of the UK’s largest and oldest outdoor markets. A student city with a thriving arts scene, Norwich is ideal for a laid-back weekend city break.

Top 3 things to do in Norwich

• Visit Norwich Castle, a medieval royal fortification founded by William the Conqueror.
• Explore the medieval streets of Elm Hill and Tombland, where you’ll find boutiques and cosy cafes. The ‘Stranger in Norwich’ game is a great way to get to know the city’s highlights.
• Norwich is also a great starting point for exploring the Norfolk countryside. Kayaking on the Norfolk Broads was one of my favourite things to do growing up!

Where to stay in Norwich

• The Maid’s Head Hotel is an independent 4* hotel in Norwich’s Cathedral Quarter with period features.
• The Castle Pub is Norwich’s longest-running LGBTQ+ venue, and also offers simple lodging rooms for an affordable price.
• The Marlborough Hotel is perfectly located for exploring Norwich riverside, and very close to the train station.

York, Yorkshire

York is perhaps one of the better known cities on this list, and having visited on multiple occasions, it’s absolutely worth a weekend trip. Often considered one of the prettiest cities in Northern England, York was founded in 71 AD. Its well-preserved historical sites reflect Roman, Viking, and Norman influence; alongside medieval and more modern architectural elements.

There are loads of great things to do in York, including climbing the York Minster tower and walking the city walls. Sweet-tooths can discover the history of chocolate production in Yorkshire; and the JORVIK Viking Centre is an immersive way to learn about the Viking Age.

Top 3 things to do in York

• Visit York Minster, one of England’s most magnificent cathedrals. This 7th century structure is the centrepiece of York, and
• Join a ghost tour to discover York’s spooky side! The tour I took on my last visit was the Mad Alice Bloody York Tour, and I’d definitely recommend it.
• Explore The Shambles, one of the most photographed streets in Britain! The overhanging timbered buildings here date back to the 1300s, and the facades contain a multitude of independent shops.

Where to stay in York

• The Fat Badger is a small hotel in the city centre that hits the mid-range price point perfectly. The hotel’s twelve bedrooms incorporate modern style with antique features, and the attached pub serves food and local craft ales.
• For uniquely rustic rooms just outside of the city centre, check out Clementine’s Guest House.
• Budget travellers can check into the Bristol branch of Safestay Hostels, which offers plush-looking dorms and private twin, triple and quadruple rooms.

Canterbury, Kent

I went to Canterbury in Kent a few years back, and consider it a bit of a hidden gem on the England small cities trail. It’s a really lovely, historical place, with some stunning architecture and amazing little rivers and canals weaving around the city.

You can even hop on board a boat and see the small city from the water – a bit like a ye olde English Venice! It’d also be a great place to go as a family with plenty to do for all ages, like the Canterbury Tales Experience. There are also some lovely independent shops selling all kinds of unusual and handmade gifts, food and homewares.

For somewhere filled with both heritage and fun, Canterbury’s a great choice for a day out.

Top 3 things to do in Canterbury

• Take a boat tour along the river to discover the hidden secrets of historic Canterbury, a UNESCO Heritage Site.
• The Canterbury Tales Experience is an immersive exhibit bringing to life Geoffrey Chaucer’s Middle England stories.
• Visit the spectacular Canterbury Cathedral, one of England’s oldest cathedrals, founded in 597AD.

Where to stay in Canterbury

• Set in the peaceful grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge is the perfect location for city exploring.
• Church Street House offers simple, cheap and cheerful lodgings in a central location.
• If you’d prefer more a countryside hotel, Howfield Manor is set in a picturesque location around 6 minutes drive from the city centre.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Okay, technically, Stratford-upon-Avon is a large town rather than a city. However, it’s one of the most charming places I’ve been to in England, so I just had to include it! There’s more than enough to do here to fill a weekend break, and it offers the perfect taste of quintessential medieval England.

The birthplace of the world’s most famous writer, Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit UK market town for anyone with even a passing interest in William Shakespeare! Beyond the Bard, you can also explore the charming riverside paths, and take a peek into what life was like here in the Tudor times.

Top 3 things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon

• Explore the history of one of the world’s best-known playwrights on the Shakespeare Trail.
• Go back in time to the 16th century at Tudor World, an immersive exhibit on one of the most-talked-about eras in history. If you’re feeling particularly brave, check out their lantern-lit ghost tours!
• Hire a rowing boat and head out onto the River Avon.

Where to stay in Stratford-upon-Avon

• Budget: The Queens Head is a bed and breakfast in an old-word inn, right in the centre of town.
• Mid-Range: We stayed at The Welcombe Golf and Spa Hotel, a stunning 4* Jacobean style country house on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Fancy: Hotel Indigo is an upmarket hotel in a 1500s with boutique style decor, a short walk from Stratford’s main sights.

Portsmouth, Hampshire

Portsmouth is another city I know very well – I spent four years living there for Uni. I fell in love with its compact size and seaside charm, spending many an evening in Southsea’s quirky pubs and independent restaurants.

A weekend break in Portsmouth offers the opportunity to take a deep dive into the city’s extensive maritime history. Home to some of the most famous naval vessels in England, the Historic Dockyard is a must-visit attraction. Close by, the modern Gunwharf Quays complex is home to one of the UK’s best viewing platforms at Spinnaker Tower.

Top 3 things to do in Portsmouth

• Explore Portsmouth’s maritime history at the Historic Dockyard – exhibits include Nelson’s HMS Victory and the HMS Warrior.
• Go shopping at the Gunwharf Quays complex, and make your way up Spinnaker Tower for amazing views over the Hampshire coast.
• Head to Southsea for vintage boutiques, quirky pubs and the classic seaside charm of Southsea Pier.

Where to stay in Portsmouth

• Becketts of Southsea is a charming boutique hotel with cosy rooms close to the seafront. Make sure you grab breakfast here – they make some of the best avocado toast I’ve ever had!
• The Ibis Hotel Central Portsmouth is within easy walking distance of the city’s main attractions.
• Southsea Rocks is an affordable, simple hotel near the seafront with shared lounge and garden.

Oxford, Oxfordshire

This wouldn’t be a list of the best small cities in England without including a tourist favourite! Oxford lives up to its nickname of ‘the city of dreaming spires’, with elegant towers of the University buildings creating a romantic, fairytale city skyline.

Home to one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, Oxford has a rich history in academia and culture. The Bodleian Library, founded in 1602, is home to the second-largest collection of texts in England. Wizarding World fans may also recognise some of the locations as movie sets, including the Divinity School and New College Cloisters.

Top 3 things to do in Oxford

• Learn more about one of the world’s most famous educational institutions with a guided tour of Oxford University.
• Discover 1000 years of city history at Oxford Castle and Prison, a medieval castle that housed prisoners until 1996.
• Oxford is a brilliant gateaway to the beautiful surrounding countryside, and you can join a day tour to the Cotswolds to wander through charming English country villages.

Where to stay in Oxford

• Budget: EasyHotel Oxford offers basic budget rooms in the Summertown suburb.
• Mid-range: The Porterhouse Grill & Rooms offers boutique style rooms a short walk from the city’s main sights. Breakfast is included with your stay!
• Fancy: For a luxury stay in the heart of historical Oxford, the 5* Old Bank Hotel is a beautifully restored building with elegant rooms and city views.

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Another of the UK’s most notable university cities, Cambridge is an upmarket student city with ample green space and a small-town feel. Popular landmarks include King’s College Chapel, Trinity College and the Mathematical Bridge.

I actually visited Cambridge on a hen party, and a return trip is definitely on the cards! We spent a gorgeous summer morning punting on the River Cam, followed by a wander through Cambridge’s cobbled streets and a picnic on Parker’s Piece common.

Top 3 things to do in Cambridge

• Go punting on the River Cam for a quintessentially Cambridge experience.
• Take a guided tour of Cambridge University to learn more about the history of this academic institution from the people who know it best – all guides are alumni or current students.
• Cambridge is a city with some beautiful green spaces. One of the best can be found at the Cambridge Botanic Garden, which has over 8,000+ plant species from around the world.

Where to stay in Cambridge

• Budget: YHA Cambridge offers dorm beds in a newly-refurbished hostel.
• Mid-range: Clayton Hotel Cambridge offers mid-priced rooms close to the train station and around 20 minutes walk from the city centre.
• Fancy: Immerse yourself in the collegiate surroundings with a stay at Westminster College Hotel.

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

I visit Nottingham regularly to see family and friends that live there, and it’s definitely one of England’s best underrated cities. Best-known for its links to Robin Hood, there’s a legendary quality to Nottingham, with ancient buildings alongside modern amenities.

If you’re looking for nightlife and great places to eat, Nottingham is filled with unique, independent pubs and restaurants. From the lively historic streets of the Lace Market to the green expanse of Wollaton Park, there’s plenty to fill your weekend with in Notts!

Top 3 things to do in Nottingham

• Visit Nottingham Castle to learn more about the city’s history.
• Have a drink in the name of history at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, one of the country’s oldest pubs.
• Take a short bus ride to see Wollaton Hall & Deer Park, which was used as a filming location in Batman: The Dark Knight Rises. It’s also home to the Nottingham Natural History Museum, and extensive outdoor grounds.

Where to stay in Nottingham

• The Lace Market Hotel offers inviting rooms in the heart of the Lace Market district.
• Mercure City Centre is a 4* hotel, housed in a historic building dating back to 1822.
• Mama’s Inn Boutique Guest House is a cosy, characterful guesthouse. Each room’s decor is inspired by a different city around the world.

More places to visit in the UK:

• Pottery & Primates: The Best Things To Do in Stoke-On-Trent
• A Weekend in Edinburgh: The Perfect 2 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
• 12 Awesome Things To Do On a Day Out in Greenwich, London
• 5 Perfect Places To Take A Cottage Break In Cornwall
• Why West Suffolk is Perfect for a Weekend Break