On the Broads, Norfolk etc – King's Lynn is intriguing in its centre: very old and includes the sole remaining building in the UK that was part of the Hanseatic League (now the registry office).

Just come back from Durham myself this week. Its a small city of two halves though.The cathedral side is very nice with some nice bars and eating places. The other side though (North Street) is a bit rougher looking and some people might not like it.

We've just had a lovely break down in Twickenham, stayed at Travelodge which is right next to the station and travelled into London on the train, only £8.90 for day travelcard which you can use on bus, train and tube. I had no idea what a lovely place Twickenham was, especially down by the Thames and there's a multitude of restaurants, pubs and other eateries.

Liverpool is also a great place for a city break, great history, culture and shops if you're into that. The museums are excellent as are the regenerated docklands, been a few times and would go back definitely.

My mate went to University in Durham and I visited him one weekend. We went in the pub over the road from his digs (bit rough looking) and met some really freindly people and had great cheap beer. He had never been in before as all his housemates were terrified of the Durham locals.

Thanks guys some really good ideas here.

Impossible to find a pub showing RL though !!!!

I would reccommend Lincoln as being well worth a weekend. Historic with some lovely little boozers and restaurants.

Ely is similar.

Hereford is well worth a visit and if you have wheels not too far to Hay On Wye with al it's bookshops. I could spend a weekend just going around the book shops.

Bristol is interesting and Gloucester is similar to Hereford.

If it's pubs you are looking for St. Albans is good. 20 mins to London on train if you get bored. Or 6 minutes to Harpenden.

If it's pubs you are looking for St. Albans is good. 20 mins to London on train if you get bored. Or 6 minutes to Harpenden.

Canterbury is nice

Anyone mentioned Stratford-upon-Avon?

'twas mentioned way back.

And they have RL on in quite a few pubs..O'Neills for one, you could even visit the mighty St.Albans centurions whilst you're down
Nice Saturday market in St.Albans and good shops/pubs/restaurants, Hatfield House and the Galleria not far away either for more outlet/retail therapy if you fancy it. And as Dally says on the doorstep of London.
There are some very pretty villages round and abouts mid Herts.

If you really fancy splashing some cash there's Brocket Hall, nice restaurant there. My fave place to eat when I'm in that there London is the Michelin starred 'pied a terre', you can get a 6 course offer menu for lunch or early dinner for only £49(until end of March)..absolute bargain!! std 2 course for £27.50 which is just silly cheap really.
I love going there for early nosh before going into town..the service is absolutely immaculate and being in the industry myself I'm a stickler for these things.

I'd recommend Exeter - small historic city with quayside in easy walking distance, excellent award winning museum, lots of decent local ales. Further afield you have Dartmoor and Exmoor on the doorstep, plus lots of nice seaside towns like Exmouth and Sidmouth.