Discover the gems hiding among England’s cities...
ENGLAND’S cities are packed with fascinating attractions just waiting to be explored. Here
MELISSA BROBBY turns the spotlight on four that don’t always top the tourist must-see list.
CARLISLE, CUMBRIA
CONSIDERED to be Britain’s happiest city, this former Roman settlement still has remnants of its historic past dotted around.
Top of any list must be its castle, where you can learn more about its turbulent past as you visit the tower where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned, explore the castle’s exhibition, and uncover the mysterious stone carvings in the castle keep.
Art-lovers should pay a visit to the Tullie House, home to a nationally important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art by painters including Rossetti and William Morris. If you’re a fan of the late David Bowie, then a visit to the Thin White Duke bar, named after the singer and with many musical references, is a must. Its menu includes treats such as roast belly pork and ale-battered haddock.
LIVERPOOL
THE city’s bustling streets shower its visitors with cultural riches – and there’s also plenty of vibrant nightlife and Beatles history to enjoy.
You can also explore the central role played by the city in the Titanic disaster. Visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum to see Titanic And Liverpool: The Untold Story, an exhibition about the sinking of the liner in 1912. Displaying previously unseen photos of crew survivors, letters from passengers and the only surviving first-class ticket, it offers new insights into the liner’s construction, voyage, sinking and the aftermath, unpicking some mysteries surrounding the tragedy, told from a Liverpool perspective.
TRURO, CORNWALL
THIS Cornish gem offers a heady dose of English heritage and country charm. Make your way along its cobbled streets towards its imposing cathedral, whose Gothic towers dominate the city’s skyline. Truro is a great city for markets, and its farmers’ market is a major draw for foodlovers on the lookout for lip-smacking local grub. Looking for something more varied? Head to the award-winning Lemon Street Market in the centre for delicious coffee, gifts and local art. After a day exploring the city, enjoy a stay at the National Trust’s romantic The Water Tower cottage in nearby Trelissick, where you’ll feel as if you’re in your own fairy tale as you mount the stairs up to your bedroom.
PLYMOUTH, DEVON
THIS vibrant waterfront city provides easy access to the coast and the countryside right from the heart of the city, and is full of unusual gems such as the 16th Century Elizabethan Garden, tucked away in the back streets of Plymouth Barbican, where its secluded location will ensure some tranquil time. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Royal Citadel located between Plymouth Hoe and the Barbican, a 17th Century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch that is still used by the military today. It’s easy to walk past it without realising but once you notice it, its presence will take your breath away.