A weekend in THE CITY

Treat yourself to an indulgent Christmas break with a trip to one of these standout UK cities

- JASH PATEL

LONDON

England’s capital can be Marmite-like, depending on how you feel about crowds, public transport and expense, but nowhere else can beat it for the sheer variety of food and drink, activities and sights.

WHAT TO DO: Markets are big news in the capital at this time of year. Borough Market (boroughmarket.org. uk) is open daily, with various stalls offering an excellent range of seasonal fare and produce. Also worth a visit is the South Bank Winter Market, with pop-up eateries, mulled wine, and craft stalls – excellent for gift shopping. If you’re in the east, head for Spitalfields Market (spitalfields.co.uk),close to Brick Lane. It’s great for clothes, crafts, and eateries. There are countless green spaces to take advantage of in the city, from Hyde Park to Hampstead, while shoppers can’t miss visits to Harrods, Harvey Nichols or Selfridges.

DON’T MISS: The ice rink at the National History Museum is open daily until 16 January 2022. Why not combine your visit with the Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature exhibition? Until 3 January; nhm.ac.uk

WHERE TO STAY: If impressive views are your thing, you can’t find better than Royal Lancaster London. Located next to Hyde Park, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of London’s famous skyline. Rooms from £245; royallancaster.com.

MANCHESTER