For a taste of quintessential British charm, take a trip to one of these small cities...

York
Perfect for a cultural getaway, romantic weekend break or family day out, York is renowned for its exceptional architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets, world-class museums and vibrant café scene. Not to mention the iconic cathedral, York Minster. Small enough to explore in a day, kids won’t have a chance to get bored with the wealth of attractions on offer in the city, not least Jorvik Viking Centre. Built on the site of one of the most famous discoveries of modern archaeology – the Viking Age city of Jorvik – the authentically reconstructed houses and workshops at the centre are complete with the smells of cooking and the cesspit to really make visitors feel like they’ve stepped back in time 1,000 years.
www.visityork.org

Cambridge
Home to one of the best (and most picturesque) universities in the world, an ancient town centre and the beautiful river Cam, Cambridge is a compact city that’s small enough to get the most out of on foot, making it easy to explore with kids. Simply strolling through the pretty medieval streets and taking in the stunning college quads, gardens and bridges is a highlight in itself, but Cambridge’s pubs, restaurants, cafés and independent shops are great, too. The museums and art galleries in Cambridge are first-rate and the theatre scene is excellent. One of the city’s chief attractions is punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat steered by a long pole – pack a picnic and hit the water for a fun and relaxing way to spend a sunny day.
www.visitcambridge.org

St Albans
Located north of London, St Albans is a city with a wealth of heritage from over 2,000 years of human occupation. Home to the celebrated St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church and outstanding museums, wandering among the historic streets packed with boutiques, markets, pubs, cafés and restaurants is a treat. If the weather is fine, a few hours relaxing in the green and tranquil Verulamium Park, close to the heart of the city, is a must. Kids will love the Verulamium Museum, which is known as the museum of everyday life in Roman Britain, which houses award-winning displays of re-created Roman rooms. The exhibitions include interactive touch screens, hands-on discovery areas, excavation videos and fascinating collections of glass, pottery, jewellery and coins as well as mosaics, wall paintings and reconstructions of Roman rooms.
www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Dip into English heritage
In Britain, we’ve been embracing the healing and relaxation powers of natural spa waters for thousands of years, and some of our most charming towns and cities have developed up around mineral-rich springs as a result.

Cheltenham 

• Sample the therapeutic spa waters at Pittville Pump Room – the grandest surviving of the town’s many spa buildings.
• Explore the sweeping lawns and ornamental lakes of Pittville Park.
• Wander around the town centre and take in the impressive regency architecture.
• Visit the famous annual music, literature or horse racing festivals.

Bath

• Visit the best-preserved Roman bath complex in the world at the Temple of Sulis Minerva.
• Stroll around the stunning city centre, with its spectacular 18th century architecture – the whole city has been granted World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
• The completion of the Thermae Bath Spa – Britain’s only natural thermal public spa – means you can have a dip in therapeutic waters.

Harrogate

• Visit the magnificent Royal Pump Room Museum to discover the town’s illustrious heritage and test the healing properties of the spring by tasting the smelly sulphur waters.
• A trip to the Victorian Turkish Baths featuring elaborate arched roofs and Arabic mosaics, is a must.
• Check out the Royal Horticultural Society Harlow Carr gardens and enjoy an English high tea at the legendary Betty’s Tearooms.

Pictures: shutterstock