York

York is among Europe's most stunningly preserved medieval cities, with craggy city walls and the Gothic grandeur of York Minster making a dramatic first impression. You can while away hours getting lost in its maze of winding alleys, which are lined with chic fashion boutiques, treasure-filled antiquarian bookshops and homely pubs serving locally-brewed craft beers.

But York is by no means stuck in the past, with a cosmopolitan population fuelling thriving theatre and live music scenes, and cutting-edge galleries showcasing the work of innovative local artists.