York

York is about as big a city as you'll find on this site.  It makes our list because of its walled-in medieval feel, cobblestone pedestrianized old-town, and multitude of fascinating sites, all within walking distance of each other.

York Minster (Cathedral) is, in our opinion, one of England's finest, second only to Cantebury.  It's the largest cathedral in Northern Europe and you get that sense wandering around inside.  Try to catch a concert to experience an extra dimension of its mystical power.

Betty's Tea Room is famous across England.  Expensive but worth it.  (For cheaper fare there is a handfull of pubs that do 2 for £10 specials and serve pretty decent food)

Walking the three miles atop the medieval City Wall is a great way to get a feel for York's layout, work in some exercise, capture a unique view of the cathedral, and experience the city's medieval roots.

The pedestrianized Old-town is chockablock full of small shops, street performers, fine restaurants and tea rooms, and old buildings.  Have a stroll and imagine you are living 700 years ago.

York's Train Museum, housed in the spectacular train station, is the best and biggest of its kind in England.  If you are into trains do NOT miss it.

The many Ghost Walks on offer in York play up the city's history of hauntings.  Well worth the tenner it will cost you.

Recommended Hotel: The Bar Convent lies just outside one of the city gates and is the real deal.  Still a convent but the nuns are all so old now that they need an extra source of income, so they turned to hospitality.  The chapel and glass-roofed courtyard where they serve tea and breakfast are alone worth the stay.  Choose a room named after your favorite saint (we chose Laurence, the patron saint of students and barbecues), but book in advance as this is a popular place to stay.

Recommended Reading:

Liverpool

Beatles fans, ahoy!  Liverpool is a lively city on the rise with a moody wharf (or quay, pronounced "key"), full of restaurants, shops, and all things Beatles.  You can tour the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, too, but you'll need to book those tours in advance.  They're not too expensive, there's just limited space.  Liverpool Cathedral has some of the most impressive bells in the country, so be around for the chiming of the hours if you want to have a listen. 

Snowdonia National Park

What a spot!  Nestled among the "mountains" of Snowdonia National Park, North Wales is a collection of the most charming little towns, all unpronouncable: Betws-e-Coed, Llanwrst, Llangglen, you get the idea.  The area has a rich heritage of both Welsh and English history, and astounding castles everywhere!  In Conwy, for example, you can visit one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Europe - complete with the entire Medieval fortress wall around the tiny town (you can walk around on top of the wall).  North Wales is also famous for its ice cream, male choirs (prepare to be blown away), and sheep.  Many of the towns were built on the slate industry -- and you can tell that slate was their major natural resource.  The fences, homes, and grand buildings are all made of thin pieces of stacked slate.  It is a place of natural beauty and haunting scenery, and the seriously cool Welsh language, which is alive and well!