5 Cities You Should Visit in the UK

Let’s be honest: you’re not just coming to London to study English. After all, the UK is one of the top 10 most visited destinations in the world for a reason. And who doesn’t deserve to do a little adventuring after all that studying?

Here are our recommendations for the best cities to visit beyond London.

Brighton

Sun, sea and sand. Doesn’t sound like the UK? Think again. Even though Brighton is only about one hour by train from London’s city centre it seems like a different world. The quaint city has everything you could be looking for in a study break: cute coffee shops for catching up with your classmates, a beautiful beach to study stress free for your upcoming IELTS exam, a fun fair on the world-famous pier to help you blow off some steam, and a fabulous chocolate store called Choccywoccydoodah (true story!) where you can stock up on your study snacks.

How to get there? Take a direct train from London Bridge, St. Pancras or Victoria. Return tickets from £11.80.

Cambridge

Walk in the footsteps of famous scientists, prime ministers and poets while enjoying a day in beautiful Cambridge, just one hour north of London. The university’s impressive list of alumni (Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin to name a few) is matched by its historical architecture. A stand out example being the chapel belonging to King’s College, regarded as one of the most beautiful chapels in the UK, and which houses the world-famous King’s College Choir. If you’d rather spend your study break outdoors, you can try punting on the river Cam – it’s not just fun but also a great opportunity to see the colleges from a different perspective. In case you fall in love with Cambridge and can’t seem to leave – we wouldn’t blame you - they require an IELTS score of 7.5 if you want to study, for instance, at their faculty of law.

How to get there? Take a direct train from London Kings Cross or Liverpool Street. Return tickets from £16.80.

Oxford

Just walking through Oxford’s beautiful streets is enough to make you feel a little bit smarter – so what better place is there to enhance your language skills in England? Oxford University is the world’s second oldest (surviving) university and, alongside Cambridge, is considered one of the best unis world-wide. This isn’t the reason we’re so fond of Oxford though; home to the real Alice in Wonderland and serving as a film location in Harry Potter, Oxford is truly magical. So, why don’t you take your English books, find a nice tree on Christ Church Meadow and get motivated to study English in a city that’s inspired world-famous writers like J. R. R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia).

How to get there? Take a direct train from London Marylebone or London Paddington. Return tickets from £25.60. Or take the coach from Victoria – return tickets from £10!

Portsmouth

Portsmouth maybe isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of taking a day trip, but why not? Only 1.5 hours from London by train, Portsmouth is, in our opinion, well worth a visit and perfect for taking a break from all your studying. The sun worshippers among you will be happy to know that the city possesses a beach and two piers, perfect for soaking up the sun and replenishing your Vitamin D. The historic dockyard, home to the famous HMS Victory, is an ideal place to learn a little bit more about Britain’s maritime history. If ships aren’t your thing then not to worry, Gunwharf Quays sits just next to the docks, and houses countless retailer outlets, making it a haven for all shoppers. If you’d rather enjoy some scenery you can always go up Spinnaker Tower for an amazing view of the city – and if you fancy yourself as a bit of a thrill-seeker you can even abseil from the top! Since Portsmouth is the gateway to the Isle of Wight, it’s a brilliant place to start a weekend on the south coast of England with some of your school mates!

How to get there? Take a direct train from London Bridge or Waterloo. Return tickets from £29.50.

Bath

If you’re interested in the cultural and historical side of England, Bath is a great place to visit - especially if you combine your stay with a trip to Stonehenge. Even if it’s relaxation you’re after there may be no better place, considering the city’s 2000 year history as a spa break destination (you can still visit the original Roman baths today!) Aside from history Bath boasts beautiful architecture and a variety of shops to indulge your shopping desires; you can treat yourself for all that studying you’ve done. Gather some of your new found friends and immerse yourself in Britain’s history by visiting not one, but two UNESCO world heritage sites in one day! We regularly offer combined trips to Stonehenge and Bath with our social programme.

How to get there? Take the more expensive but fast (1.5 hours) train from London Paddington. Return tickets: £ 57.50. You can take the coach from Victoria for only £14 return (3 hours). Otherwise, take a tour with Twin and visit Bath and Stonehenge together for £49.00.