This weekend we were up in Manchester for a friend’s 40th birthday party. I’ve been to Manchester a handful of times over the years, and it got me thinking about the UK cities that I love and those that I’m not so keen on. So, as I nurse the remains of a hangover, I thought I’d do a little rundown.
UK cities I love
London
Perhaps obvious, since I live here, but London has always felt like home to me. Even before I moved here, when I’d visit, it just felt like the place I was meant to be. I’ve been here since 2011 and while I know it won’t be forever (I crave more space), I wish it could be. Damn you London property prices.
Norwich
Pre-pandemic when we were living in a one bedroom flat with no outside space we used to go on a lot of weekend trips, both in the UK and abroad. We used to use Secret Escapes a lot to get some really good deals on hotels in places we might not have otherwise visited. One of those places was Norwich. We had the best weekend, we went kayaking on the river, followed a dragon statue trail, strolled the city and went for dinner at what became one of our now favourite restaurants – Benedicts. We return to Norwich on an almost annual basis now and it’s one of the few cities I could really see us living in one day.
Bristol
This was another pre-pandemic Secret Escapes getaway for us. We loved Bristol. We had a great time exploring the city, we brunched, went to look at the Clifton Suspension Bridge, hunted for street art and Banksys in Stokes Croft, soaked up the posh village vibes in Cliftonville and took in the harbour. It was a city that we could have seen ourselves living in. The only downside are the house prices (not that far off London prices really) and how far away from our families it is without being as well-connected by trains to home.
Sheffield
The Beatles said that they were born in Liverpool but grew up in Hamburg. Personally, I grew up in Sheffield. It was where I became an adult and I’m grateful that my husband also spent time living in Sheffield and loves the city. We haven’t been back in far too long and that’s something to try and remedy soon. I follow a number of Sheffield-based Instagram accounts and from what I understand, there’s been a fair bit of gentrification in our absence, particularly Leah’s Yard and the Kelham Island area.
UK cities I don’t love
Manchester
I have been to Manchester a number of times over the years, starting from when I was 17 and went to visit the university as a potential option. I didn’t like the city then and ended up not applying there, and despite a number of visits over the years, I’ve never found the love for Manchester. I don’t know what it is that doesn’t vibe with me, but I don’t rule out the possibility that if I spent more time there that I would fall in love with it. I used to not be mad keen on Paris but it’s grown on me as we’ve visited more, so maybe I just need to find my Manchester vibe. For now though Sheffield > Manchester every single time.
Nottingham
Nottingham perhaps suffers a bit from being the nearest city to my hometown, and proximity and familiarity can taint your view of somewhere, but it has never been a city that I particularly loved. It’s developed more of a food and independent business culture basically since I left (typical, places tend to gentrify whenever we move away from them) but at least while I was there it always felt very much like the sort of city that very much was centred around your generic high street shops and chains, with the annoying addition each year of a summer ‘beach’ in the city centre and a tacky English-style Christmas market and ice rink in the Ole Market Square. I’ll always have an affection for it though as a city I knew well and worked in for a few years at the start of my career.
Birmingham
I must admit that I’ve only ever been to Birmingham for work, which has possibly tainted my view of Birmingham, but it’s another city that I’ve never vibed with. Possibly one I just need to spend more time in.
Southampton
I’ve had reason to stay overnight in Southampton a few times and I have struggled to find the charm in the city. I know port cities tend to not be the most charming places to be, and maybe I’ve missed or overlooked some lovely quarter, but it’s another city I’ve just never particularly liked.
