This is going to be hard for a Londoner to take but, ultimately, Manchester is where it’s at. Lonely Planet travel editors named the northern gem as the UK’s only must-visit city on their list of Best Places to Visit in 2023.
And really, who can blame them? Manchester is looking pretty good at the moment, between its shiny museum refurbs, burgeoning new districts, and rejuvenating industrial-chic architecture. Throw in a vibrant arts and music culture, globetrotting food scene, and A-class hotels (including its own Soho House, coming soon) and the city’s weekender appeal is bigger than ever. If you’ve not yet paid pilgrimage, now’s the time.
