Whether you're looking for a relaxing retreat, active adventure or coastal escape on your next weekend jaunt, you're bound to find just the town or city in Britain. We take a tour around the country to discover urban centres (both big and small) that make for a brilliant weekend away. Read our full guide to the best bits in Britain here.

Despite its somewhat dreary and industrial reputation, Hull is a vibrant and creative city. It was named the 2017 UK City of Culture for good reason. The maritime city has two fantastic theatres, absorbing galleries and museums and a lively festival scene including the Humber Street Sesh in August. its historic area is well worth a mooch for its atmospheric cobbled streets and ancient pubs – there are plans afoot to make a bid for UNESCO World Heritage site status. Read our guide here.

Set on the Firth of Tay, Dundee is a pretty coastal city with a lot to recommend it for a weekend away. It has an exciting restaurant scene (many on the regenerated waterfront) and a host of excellent galleries. Don't miss the Dundee Contemporary Arts and The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum. Plan your visit in autumn and you'll get to explore Scotland's first design museum. The brand new V&A will open and looks set to confirm its status as one of Scotland's cultural hotspots. Read our guide here.

Pick up a picnic in the 18th-century covered market then find a spot in Oxford's gorgeous botanic gardens, the oldest in the UK, to feast. Then you might take a punt down the Thames or enjoy a pint in an historic pub, no doubt an old haunt of one of Oxford University's illustrious alumni. The wonderful Ashmolean Musueum of Art and Archaeology deserves at least a half day and be sure to poke your nose into some of the famous colleges. Once you've seen all the must-dos, head to hip suburb Jericho for a meal. Read our guide here.

This famous party town has pubs aplenty, but Newcastle also has an increasingly vibrant food scene to match. Don't miss a meal at Peace & Loaf in Jesmond, run to great acclaim by innovative chef Dave Coulson. The 19th-century Grainger Market has recently been revamped and is a fantastic place to sample local produce. For a fascinating history lesson, book a tour of the Victoria Tunnel, which runs beneath the city from the Town Moor down to the Tyne, for a glimpse of its past. It was built in 1842 to transport coal to the riverside. Read our guide here.

It's hard to do justice to this vast, vibrant and eclectic capital in a single weekend. So why not stick to one manageable area at a time? London is a city best explored by foot. The South Bank is fantastic for sightseeing as you stroll: begin your explorations with a hearty breakfast at bustling Borough Market then head west along the Thames. You'll pass landmarks such as the Golden Hinde, the Globe and Tate Modern. Nip over the Jubilee Bridge to St Paul's or keep going to the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall, a hub of activity. Read our guide here.

Music lovers, culture vultures, and partygoers all find plenty to love about this soulful northern city. In fact, with many excellent boutique hotels to base yourself in and world-class galleries to explore, you may find it hard to tear yourself away. For a walk through British pop, don't miss the excellent British Music Experience on Liverpool's historic waterfront and be sure to catch a Beatles tribute show at the iconic Cavern Club. Read our guide here.

With a budding urban whisky distillery scene, fantastic restaurants, and cutting-edge creative art and music scene, Glasgow is definitely up there with some of Europe's coolest city break destinations. If the weather's kind you can also explore the waterside city's many parks and woodland. Its original Gaelic name, Glaschu, means "green place" and it's fair to say the locals are spoiled when it comes to open spaces. Read our guide here.

Wales' fun-loving capital has seen its weekend break appeal strengthen in recent years with the regeneration of its port, Cardiff Bay, as an attractive waterfront space with shops and restauarants galore. In the centre, cocktail bars and cool boutiques sit cheek-by-jowl with traditional Welsh wool and antique shops. Be sure to wander through its beautiful Victorian shopping arcades and allow time to explore the magnificent medieval castle. Read our guide here.

From grand Victorian buildings and shopping arcades to old mills, there's a wealth of history to discover in this dynamic Yorkshire city. But there's plenty of modern appeal too from a happening dining scene – led by avant-garde chef Michael O'Hare's Michelin-starred restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain – to a jam-packed music festival scene. There's always something on at Millennium Square during the summer, whether it's live music, screenings or a festival. Read our guide here.

Real ale lovers are in for a treat in this East Midlands city, which has some fantastic pubs, local brews, and beer festivals. Be sure to order a pint at the oldest one in town, Ye Olde Dolphin, which dates back to 1530, then take a stroll along the River Derwent to the historic Silk Mill, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Stop in to try some more local ales at The Silk Mill Ale & Cider House next door. For those who'd like to see beyond the end of a beer glass, the university city is a stone’s throw from the rugged Peak District National Park, which simply has to be explored. Read our guide here.

As the ancient capital of the Saxon kings, the city of Winchester is a must-visit for anyone interested in Anglo-Saxon history. Ditch the car and explore the compact centre by foot, stopping to admire its many medieval and Georgian buildings and spotting monuments to commemorate King Alfred as you wander. It also has links to other famous English figures such Jane Austen, who is buried in the 11th-century cathedral and spent her last weeks in a house nearby. Read our guide here.

Cool, creative and confident, northern powerhouse Manchester has lots to recommend it for a weekend break. Take your pick from some fantastic hotels, indulge in its diverse restaurant scene, browse its interesting boutiques and party the night away in its bustling bars. It has a plethora of cool art spaces, innovative breweries and indie music venues too. Music has long been part of Manchester's DNA, as has football of course – football lovers shouldn't miss the National Football Museum. Read our guide here.

Built around an enormous 12th-century cathedral in the far west of Wales, Britain's smallest city punches above its weight when it comes to desirable places to stay and eat. As well as the cathedral and ruins of the 13th-century Bishop's Palace, there's another pressing reason to linger for a few nights – the glorious Pembrokeshire coast. Pick up a picnic of local produce at the lovely high street deli and stroll to nearby Whitesands Bay to tuck in. Read our guide here.

There aren't many cities in Britain where you can take a quick cruise out to see dolphins, seals, minke whales and puffins. But in Scotland's most northerly city, Inverness, you can. Dominated by a castle, whose lofty viewpoint offers wonderful views of the city and countryside, it's steeped in Scottish culture. Listen to traditional folk music, take a dram of the local whisky and learn about Highland life at the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, then get out to explore the enchanting landscape. Read our guide here.

North Yorkshire's elegant spa town is famed for its handsome historic buildings, spring flower festival and tearooms. It's a genteel place for a weekend break. Make like the Victorians and visit the beautifully-restored Victorian Turkish Baths for a spa treatment. Potter around the pretty Montpellier Quarter, packed with cafés and enticing independent stores, and don't miss a Fat Rascal at Bettys Tearooms. Walk it off in nearby Nidderdale AONB or the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Read our guide here.

Snuggled within the bucolic hills of the South Downs National Park, Lewes is a little gem of a town that's all too often bypassed for Brighton down the road. Linger and you'll discover an interesting high street, a tumbledown castle, a network of narrow medieval streets (known as twittens) and plenty of good pubs. Visit the handsome hillside town on 5 November and you'll see the town's revolutionary spirit in full force – it hosts the country's biggest and most riotous bonfire celebrations. Read our guide here.

Do as the locals do and explore this compact city by bike. It's the best way to bypass its tourist and traffic-clogged streets. The world-famous university city is steeped in history with a wealth of places to stimulate curious minds such as the Fitzwilliam Museum. It might be a cliché but nothing beats a punting trip down the River Cam on a lovely day. End with a picnic in the stunning Cambridge University Botanic Gardens or head to Cambridge institution Fitzbillies to sink your teeth into a chelsea bun. Read our guide here.

As with much of the south coast, Ramsgate has been quietly reinventing itself as a vibrant and artsy place. Once an important maritime port and favoured retreat of Queen Victoria, it's now attracting creative types to both live and visit for a weekend of seaside fun and frolics. A clutch of stylish hotels and B&Bs have cropped up in its grand Georgian terraces and the pretty marina has some great places to eat. But you can't beat fish and chips on the beach, followed by a tour of the Ramsgate Tunnels, built during WWII. Read our guide here.

Set on a lovely stretch of the River Avon, this small and ancient Warwickshire town is definitely a looker. And as the birthplace of the Bard and the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), it's a magnet for tourists. Even if you're not watching a play, a visit to the RSC is a must with its various exhibitions and prop displays, not to mention a rooftop cocktail bar where you can drink in river views. Stroll along the water's edge to the Dirty Duck pub to see if you can spot any thespians between performances. Read our guide here.

It might be best known as the home of Scotland's oldest university and most prestigious golf course, but St Andrews also has an atmospheric ruined castle, impressive cathedral, fascinating museums and a glorious coastline to offer weekend visitors. It's also within striking distance of some of the best places to eat in Scotland, such as renowned restaurant-with-rooms The Peat Inn, with its proudly Scottish-produce-only menu. Definitely worth the trip. Read our guide here.

With an enchanting medieval centre, ancient church, stone bridges, meandering river, atmospheric pubs and an assortment of independent stores and tearooms, the quintessential Cotswold town Bradford-on-Avon ticks all of the boxes for a British mini-break. Once a prosperous wool town, this Wiltshire beauty is surrounded by glorious countryside too, perfect for a post-scone stroll. You can also hop on a boat or walk to nearby Bath where more historic gems await. Read our guide here.

This Sussex bolthole could just be the perfect seaside escape. An easy train ride from London, it has none of the crowds of Brighton, Hastings or Margate but plenty of class. As a popular Edwardian beach resort, Bexhill's promenade boasts some of the finest seaside architecture on the south coast. The modernist De La Warr Pavilion, for example, is now a celebrated arts centre. There's also a clutch of tasteful gift shops, a gelataria, some charming cafés and a mighty fine stretch of sand to keep you entertained. Read our guide here.

Quite possibly the most eccentric place in Britain, a weekend in this whimsical Italianate village on the north Wales coast promises to be a memorable one. Designed by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who was inspired by pastel-hued Portofino, the pretty village is set among woodland and has incredible coastal views. Stay overnight to enjoy the charms of Portmeirion after the hordes of day trippers leave. There's plenty to occupy you along the Llyn Peninsula too and more magical scenery awaits in Snowdonia National Park. Read our guide here.

A perfectly preserved Georgian market town, Stamford owes its handsome architecture to its geographical position. Set on the Great North Road between York and London, it was once a prosperous staging post for the wool trade. Today's travellers are treated with a thriving real ale scene in its myriad pubs and some excellent places to eat and shop. Be sure to stop off at Burghley House, a grand 16th-century country with Capability Brown-designed grounds that's starred in numerous films and period dramas. Read our guide here.

As the outdoor capital of the UK, hiking, climbing and biking are the main reasons you come to stay in Fort William, which has a prime position in the spectacular Highlands. But if you'd rather a more sedate getaway, there are whisky distilleries and castles to wander around. Or you can take a cruise along the Caledonian canal and hop aboard a vintage Jacobite steam locomotive to get out among some of Scotland's most majestic scenery. Read our guide here.