Five Picture Perfect UK Towns

Many people who visit the UK only have one destination in mind: London. Ask any Brit and they'll cheekily inform you that London, contrary to popular belief, is not representative of the entire United Kingdom.

Instead, when you make your grand visit to London, build in a side trip to one or more of these lovely cities as well:
 

York, England

The county of Yorkshire recently made Lonely Planet's list of top regions to visit in 2014. Make your time there count by visiting the most beautiful town of all: York, built around a beautiful old town and anchored by the York Minster, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals. York is also home to the Shambles, a narrow street filled with shops, as well as a surprisingly rich Viking history.

Quintessential Experience: Visit the York Minster for the Evensong service, even if you're not religious. The choir of men and boys will spellbind you with their perfect harmonies within the ideal acoustics of the cathedral.
 

Conwy, Wales

Just over the border from England and perched on top of the sea, Conwy makes a lovely afternoon getaway to the beautiful Welsh landscape. Conwy – pronounced Conway – is most famous for its eponymous castle, built in the 13^th century to defend the city and harbor and, today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quintessential Experience: Have fish and chips at a harborside restaurant for lunch, and then visit the world’s smallest house, reaching your hands outward and touching each wall.
 

Chester, England

Rome. Athens. Jerash and… Chester. Believe it or not, the little town of Chester in northwest England, a 30-minute ride from Liverpool, is home to some of the best preserved Roman ruins in the UK. But that's not all the city has to offer – it's also one of the most beautiful Tudor towns in the UK; black and white buildings dominate the center, protected by walls that you can walk along.

Quintessential Experience: Dress up in your finest, pop on a fascinator, and attend the Chester Races, cheering on your horses to victory with the crowd.
 

St. Andrews, Scotland

While St. Andrews might be best known as the birthplace of golf, these days it might be more famous for being where Prince William and his wife Kate met and fell in love. It couldn't be a more beautiful setting, with Scotland’s trademark stone architecture, ruins, and a seaside location with an endless stretch of white sand (incidentally, where the beach running scene in Chariots of Fire was filmed!).

Quintessential Experience: If you're a golf fan, don’t miss the chance to play the Old Course at St. Andrews, one of the world's first golf courses, before tucking into a haggis lunch.
 

Bath, England

Bath is more of a city than a town, but even though it's one of the larger urban centers in southern England, it retains a friendly, small-town feel.

The Romans originally founded Bath as a thermal spa, and the baths still exist to this day. Bath's Georgian architecture is the perfect pairing with the ancient baths, and today the city center itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quintessential Experience: Climb the 212 steps to the top of the Abbey Tower for views of the city from above, and then relax with a soak in the thermal baths. In no time, you’ll see that the Romans certainly knew what they were talking about.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.