Spring break ideas

From the world-famous Blackpool Tower Illuminations on the promenade to the Houndshill Shopping Centre only a short walk away from the city centre, Blackpool is a town bursting with character and history. While the town really does light up at night, there’s plenty to do during the day, too –  the shopping outlet village Affinity Lancashire is just a 50-minute scenic tram ride away from the city centre, or you could visit the Abingdon Street Market near the seafront. In the evening, enjoy live bands at the Bootleg Social club or dance the night away at the Flamingo Club.

One of the UK’s most well-known and beloved natural spaces, the Lake District is home to scenic lakes, forests, fells and even waterfalls. Perfect for long-distance hikes and discovering fascinating wildlife with the kids, the Lake District is also home to fun outdoor activities like drone-flying festivals and paintball tournaments.

London is a bustling centre of fun-filled activities, with gorgeous scenery, top attractions and walks along the River Thames to boot. With brilliant high street shops along Oxford Street, tasty food markets at Leather Lane or Kerb near King’s Cross, and major sightseeing destinations like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tower of London, there’s almost too many things to do in one trip.

As one of the major cultural capitals of the north, it’s no surprise that Manchester is brimming with fantastic places to visit. See the home of Manchester United at Old Trafford stadium, look forward to big laughs at a comedy gig in the Manchester Apollo, or visit the HOME theatre for thought-provoking dramatic performances. Plus, there’s tons of new foods and flavours to discover at Manchester’s famous Altrincham Market.

Perfect for a seaside escape, Brighton mixes the best parts of a coastal break with all the exciting attractions of a city. Jutting out along Brighton beach, Brighton Pier is a cultural icon packed full of rides, arcades and sweet treats. Further down the coastline there’s crazy golf, ziplines and even an electric mini-railway if you fancy a bit of sightseeing around the promenade. Brighton is also home to majestic theatres like the Brighton Dome and the Theatre Royal Brighton, as well as architectural marvels like the Royal Pavilion and Preston Manor.

Once the largest city in England, Norwich is the UK’s best-preserved medieval city and you can almost feel the history and heritage running through Norwich’s cobblestone streets. Ancient buildings sit alongside more modern attractions – the historic Norwich Cathedral first built in the 11th century is a few minutes’ walk from a bustling high street and markets. Norwich is also the only city in the UK based in a national park – the famous Norfolk Broads, which are about a 25-mile drive from the centre of Norwich.

Plymouth is an amazing harbourside town and the second largest city in the south-west. Breathe in the fresh sea air and enjoy fantastic cliffside views from atop Hoe Park. While you’re there you could visit Smeaton’s Tower, one of the UK’s most famous and historic lighthouses. Bargain-hunters on a coastal retreat can explore Drake Circus and the Armada shopping centre for great high-street brands and gifts. There’s also plenty to explore at Dartmoor National Park, which is only a short drive away from Plymouth’s city centre.

Home to the longest pleasure pier in the world – 1.3 miles, to be exact, complete with its own train – Southend-on-Sea is a historic coastal town along the Thames estuary with buckets of character and wonderful sandy beaches. Along the pier there’s crazy golf, amusement arcades and exciting rides at Adventure Island. Further into the town the Victoria and The Royals shopping centres have great high-street brands and chain shops to pick up great souvenirs and mementos of your seaside break.

Swansea’s recently renovated marina and waterfront create the perfect backdrop for one of the biggest cities in Wales. Built in 1106, Oystermouth Castle features dazzling views that overlook the Gower Peninsula and Swansea Bay. In the city itself the Uplands market, ranked as one of the 10 best street markets in the UK, serves personalised gifts, specialist world-foods and other interesting finds. The Quadrant is a two-tier shopping centre with over 90 high-street stores and outlets as well as full food courts. You’ll find great nightlife there, too – Popworld is dedicated to all things pop, and the lively Bambu Beach Bar nightclub is only half a mile from the city centre.

Glasgow is perfect for a city break in Scotland, thanks to its unique mix of stunning world-class architecture, high-street chain shops, rugby stadiums and festivals. George Square, Glasgow Cathedral and the Glasgow Necropolis are historic, architectural feats dating back as far as 1100 that are still integral to the city today. Glasgow was named the first ever UNESCO City of Music and it continues to live up to that name with lively gigs at the SSE Hydro arena and the Barrowland Ballroom. For shoppers, Silverburn shopping centre houses over 100 premium brands and high street favourites. Glasgow’s iconic Barras market also serves up authentic Scottish food and Glaswegian specialties in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere.