Manchester

Manchester revels in its reputation as one of England's coolest, most cosmopolitan cities. It's a vibrant cultural melting pot, with a colourful Chinatown, a mind-blowing Indian dining scene, and one of the UK's largest LGBT communities. The neo-Gothic grandeur of Manchester Town Hall offers a reminder of the city's illustrious industrial past, and serves as a striking counterpoint to recent additions to the skyline, like the dazzlingly futuristic Beetham Tower.

The nightlife is thrillingly eclectic, with all manner of trend-setting live music venues, chic cocktail bars and pulsing dance clubs to scope out. And football fans flock here in their droves to witness their idols in action at Old Trafford and the Etihad stadium.