While England isn’t a huge country there’s more than just the obvious tourist locations to visit. When people think of England, it’s usually of London and Big Ben more times than not and while London is a tourist hotspot for a reason, there’s many English cities and towns that are also worth the visit. Travelling outside of the busy city to some of these amazing but underrated locations can provide a unique experience away from the chaos of the tourist loaded streets of London.
Here are eight overlooked cities in England.
1. Pluckley
Pluckley is a small, old village in Kent. Historically a parish, Pluckley has a couple of great reasons why it’s worth a visit. Pluckley is most well-known for its Guinness Book of Records entry for the title of the ‘Most haunted village in the UK’. The village boasts a total of 12 ‘official’ ghosts, making it a must-visit for supernatural enthusiasts. If trying to sight a headless horseman, or the ghost that haunts a highway isn’t your cup of tea, Pluckley has another claim to fame. Throughout the late 1990’s the British TV series, ‘The Darling Buds of May’ was filmed within the village. The series, which featured Catherine Zeta Jones, is still held in high regard, with photos of filming featuring in many places throughout the village.
2. Penrith
The busy market town of Penrith sits just outside the Lake District National Park. This makes it a great place to stay for visitors who are interested in the National Park. Other more central locations are often busier and are quite expensive, and so Penrith makes for a nice alternative option.
Penrith itself has a range of sights, including the ruins of Penrith Castle, Beacon Hill, and Mayburgh Henge and King Arthur’s Round Table, two ancient henge sites. The town market is a great place to live like a local, where you can pick fresh, local produce.
3. Lincoln
The City of Lincoln in Lincolnshire County may be one of the most underrated cities in England. Just two and a half hours east of Manchester, the city has plenty for tourists to see and do, even if it’s just for a day trip.
The Lincoln Cathedral is a great feat of architecture that is truly worth a visit. From 1311 – 1549, the cathedral was the world’s tallest building for a reported 238 years. It’s a classic example of English Gothic architecture. There are also other significant buildings to visit such as the Lincoln Castle and the Medieval Bishop’s Palace.
4. Nottingham
Nottingham and the entire county of Nottinghamshire are famous for one of the oldest Legends in England, Robin Hood. The Sherwood Forest is one of the most notable ties to the story, as well as the villain known as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Nottingham is home to England’s oldest pub, ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ which is surely worth a visit.
Other popular tourist stops can be found in the historic Lace Market area, where the redbrick warehouses have been renovated into apartments, bars and restaurants.
5. Sheffield
If you want a change of scenery, away from historical sights and old pubs, Sheffield is definitely worth the visit. The city has a large student population which gives it a trendy and modernised culture. Pair this with its classic English architecture and you have one of the nicest places in the UK. The city is full of great places for tourists. See the past and present famous residents along the Sheffield Walk of Fame and visit theatres, museums and greenspaces.
6. Chester
This city is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. Close to the Wales border and on the River Dee, tourists will be transported to a different era, surrounded by the historical Victorian streets that make up Chester. The city also has several medieval sites along with Chester Cathedral, Chester Castle, The Rows and the town hall, which are all popular city landmarks visited by tourists.
7. Whitby
At the mouth of the River Esk, and in the most visited county in England, Yorkshire, sits the seaside town of Whitby. There’s plenty of sites in the surrounding county, which is why its visited so much, but Whitby has its own history as a maritime town. Once upon a time, in the 1700’s the town was the third largest shipbuilder, however this declined after the introduction of iron ships. The last wooden ship built in Whitby sailed out in 1871. The ruins of Whitby Abby are also a famous, picturesque site.
8. Newcastle
Newcastle sits on the banks of the River Tyne, as it’s full name, ‘Newcastle upon Tyne’, suggests. Newcastle is quite a large city and has enough things to see and do to keep you busy. If you’re looking for a party, Newcastle’s nightlife is commonly ranked among the best in the UK. The city also has a reputation as being a poetic centre with theatres, festivals and events offering a strong sense of culture. The country’s fourth largest football stadium is also home to the Newcastle United football club.
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