7 great UK breaks a short hop from Cork

LONDON

Ryanair/Aer Lingus flights from Cork daily to Gatwick/Heathrow/Stansted/Luton

The three main London airports can all whisk you by rail into the city fairly quickly, and even the furthest away, Luton, will get you to the capital in a shade over half an hour.

I lived in London for two years at the turn of the millennium, and have been a regular visitor ever since.

Naturally, all first-time visitors will want to see the major landmarks - Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the London Eye, Downing Street - and many of these are within walking distance, or a taxi or bus, apart.

Bus tours are a great way of seeing most of the main attractions if you’re only in town a day or two.

However, the Tube is the best way to travel in London. Cheap, quick, and fairly easy to navigate once you get your bearings. A tip: Work out all the stations and lines you need in advance of any trip - and make a note of the final stop in each journey to allow you to check you are (literally) on the right lines.

If it’s just you and other adults, you can use your bank card to go through all the Tube checkpoints and this will work out at a cheap rate. If you have children, that kids under 11 go free on the Tube. For those aged 11-17, check out the Oyster card options.

More frequent visitors to London might want to explore places off the beaten track.

My best advice here is to walk when you can and just follow your nose. For instance, did you know you can stroll from Covent Garden to Leicester Square, to Trafalgar Square, to Horse Guards Parade, to St James’ Park, to Buckingham Palace in about half an hour? All while enjoying some of the most stunning architecture London has to offer.

If the crowds get too much, head for one of the large London parks.

As for the big attractions such as the London Eye, Hampton Court, Madame Tussauds, and the London Dungeons, look into purchasing tickets before you fly, to save on the queuing.

Oh, and you might want to avoid your visit clashing with UK school holidays too, as the tourist attractions can get mad busy then. The many city museums were heaving one time I was there on the children’s half-term.

BIRMINGHAM

Ryanair flights from Cork, Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun

It may have a bad rap from Peaky Blinders, and be seen as an industrial hub, but England’s second city has much to offer, and has been extensively renovated in recent years.

There is still the feel of an old, architecturally beautiful city there, but it is now blended with a modern vibe.

Birmingham is pleasantly walkable for its size, and the Broad Street and canal area are where it’s all happening, including theatres and outdoor performances.

The famous Bullring has recently been modernised and is a great place for shopping - four floors and 1,585,000 square feet, that’s more than four times the size of Mahon Point!

The Bullring is close to New Street railway station, and there are also museums around this area too. Some of Birmingham’s museums include Cadbury World, and the National Motorcycle Museum.

In a nod to the Cillian Murphy TV series, there is also a Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour - bring your hat for that one.

Dog fans will be interested to know that the annual Crufts event takes place at the INEC in Birmingham right beside the airport. This year’s event runs from March 6-9, and visitors can see samples of every single breed on show amongst the stands and exhibits.

Food-wise, Birmingham’s culinary scene is a reflection of its cultural vibrancy, but the Indian curry houses are definitely worth a visit.

BRISTOL

Aer Lingus Regional flights from Cork, daily except Sunday

People flying into Bristol can often use it as a stepping stone to elsewhere - perhaps the wilds and beaches of south Wales, or the tourist attractions of Stonehenge or Bath.

But the city itself has plenty to offer on a weekend break.

A walking tour called Blackbeard to Banksy gives a clue to the identities of two of the city’s natives (actor Cary Grant was born here too).

Bristol has long enjoyed naval links with Cork, and marine fans will enjoy a visit to Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain - billed as the ship that changed the world.

Visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on board for Victorian engers and crew, and also descend underwater below the glass ‘sea’ to touch the world’s first great ocean liner.

Similarly, the Bristol Ferry Boats tour offer a waterbus voyage through the harbour, and you can stop off for shopping visits and meals when you want.

Engineers and anyone interested in construction is advised to visit the landmark Clifton Suspension Bridge - another product of the imagination of Brunel.

Some 702ft long and 250ft high, it boasts panoramic views and great walks, and a visitor centre reveals the story of this marvel of engineering.

Another great attraction is Cabot Tower, set in a scenic park with views of the surrounding cityscape.

There are museums and galleries aplenty in Bristol too, as well as an aquarium, while there are an array of great eateries - the city is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant and several more that have been awarded a Bib Gourmand, Green Star or Michelin Plate.

EDINBURGH

Ryanair flights from Cork, daily

A hugely popular city to visit for a vast variety of reasons.

It is brimming with history and fabulous architecture, as well as a variety of attractions, along with having a modern vibe. The ‘feel’ of Edinburgh is Celtic and unique, but is one that Irish visitors will have an affinity with.

For visitors, all roads start in the Old Town and its main thoroughfare - The Royal Mile.

It runs from Castle Rock, on which the famous castle is located, to Holyrood Palace. On the Royal Mile, there are attractions such as St Giles Cathedral, The Scotch Whisky Experience (the tipple is spelt without the ‘e’ over there!), and the World of Illusions.

Did I mention the castle? A must-see, of course, for any visitor, it was built on volcanic soil and has served as a royal palace and garrison castle for centuries.

Today, the castle houses a number of museums, such as the National War Museum. You can also see the Scottish crown jewels here, visit famous rooms such as the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel, and learn about Scottish monarchs and garrisons who have lived here for years. Do book your tickets in advance.

Another royal checkpoint in Edinburgh is the stunning Palace of Holyroodhouse, and highlights here include the Great Gallery, the King’s Gallery and the Palace Gardens.

The best viewing point of the city, and The Firth of Forth beyond, is Calton Hill, 100 metres above sea level high, and home to a number of monuments constructed in a classical style, giving the hill the name of the ‘Athens of the North’.

Time your visit in August, and take in the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Over three weeks, the city welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe.

The city has plenty to offer for a long weekend, but if you fancy a day trip from there, there are boat journeys on the Firth of Forth, or you can visit the Scottish Highlands and its sharp mountain peaks and famous lakes, such as Loch Ness.

LIVERPOOL

Ryanair flights from Cork, Mon, Fri

It’s no coincidence that those Ryanair flights to and from Liverpool coincide with weekends, when trips to Anfield for many Cork fans of the Reds will be on the cards.

However, as soccer-mad as Liverpool is (and spare a thought for long-suffering Everton fans here, who move into a new stadium by the Mersey next season), the city has many more attractions up its sleeves for the weekend visitor.

Like that other north-west city, Manchester (see below), Liverpool has regenerated in recent decades, and pivoted away from its dockland and industrial past to become a modern, thriving, and buzzing city.

Socially, the pubs, clubs, and restaurants offer a great night out, and the natives do tend to be a friendly, chatty bunch, especially when they hear an Irish accent.

You won’t move far in Liverpool before you see a reference to their most famous export - the Beatles. There is a Magical Mystery Tour (what else?) that tells the stories behind some of the songs, and also a Beatles Story Experience. Walking tours also embrace the Beatles legend, as well as some of the history and heritage of this city, a popular destination for centuries for Irish emigrants.

For a unique view of the city, embark on the 50-Minute Mersey River Cruise, and soak in the riverside scenery and landmarks that have put Liverpool on the map.

For a different view, literally a bird’s eye view, take the tower tour of the famous landmark Liver Bird building on the docks.

The city has two cathedrals for the main Christian faiths, both of which are worth a visit, and there are plenty of museums and art galleries to browse.

Fittingly, the National Museum of Popular Music is based here, where visitors can learn about the last 70 years of British music, with video interviews, displays of memorabilia, and interactive areas where you can dance or try to play popular songs yourself.

MANCHESTER

Ryanair flights from Cork daily

Again, a popular destinations for fans of both United and City on match days, which both also have tours and museums to visit, but Manchester offers a vibrant choice of activities for everyone.

There are a great choice of walking tours here, and foodies will enjoy the Manchester Cheese Crawl, as you visit a selection of local haunts that offer delicious cheese samples.

Along the way, find out fun facts about cheese, take part in games, meet cheesemongers, and, of course, try delicious cheese accompanied by fizz. Or head to the city’s China Town for a bite to eat.

Like Liverpool, Manchester has had its fair share of music greats - from the Smiths to Joy Division, Oasis to Simply Red, and the Rock and Goal Manchester Walking Tour combines this with the city’s football heritage, as well as offering insights into places of historical importance - from women’s rights to ending slavery.

The city’s social scene has much to offer, and the trams are great for ferrying revellers about, while one quirky recent attraction is the Alcotraz Pruson Cocktail Experience, where you wear an orange jumpsuits and drink in real metallic cells! A more staid experience is promised at the Craft Beer Tour of Manchester.

GLASGOW

Aer Lingus Regional flights from Cork, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun

Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbour 50 miles east, Glasgow in recent years has developed a vibe of its own that is in many ways a match for Edinburgh.

It has some amazing cultural highlights such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, home to an array of 8,000 exhibits, spanning everything from a World War II Spitfire to Salvador Dalí’s mesmerising Christ of St John of the Cross.

The Burrell Collection is one of the greatest art collections ever amassed by one person, consisting of more than 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history. It includes work by artists Rodin, Degas and Cézanne.

There are plenty of walking tours, and one of the most eye-catching is the Invisible Cities Tour, run by people who have been affected by homelessness.

At Glasgow Botanic Gardens, you can wander 50 acres of leafy parkland in the heart of the west end, and visit Kibble Palace, a magnificent wrought iron-framed Victorian glasshouse filled with exotic tree ferns. Step inside the 11 other balmy glasshouses to see rare orchids and a collection of begonias.

Whiskey-lovers should see The Clydeside Distillery, the first dedicated Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery in the city for more than a century. Or how about a trip to Glasgow’s Women’s Library - the only accredited museum in the UK dedicated to the stories, history and achievements of women. Girl Power!