Where To Eat and Stay in Newcastle, Liverpool, York and Bath

Weekend away with the Mr or Mrs? Fancy a night out with the ladies or gents? Here’s our pick of four cities and where you should be scoffing and quaffing in them.

Liverpool

Did you know Liverpool has the biggest single collection of Grade I listed buildings and more national museums and galleries than any other city outside London?

Eat: For cocktails and small plates, head to Maray. Situated on the historic Albert Dock, it has spectacular views across the water. maray.co.uk

Stay:  2 Blackburne Terrace is a Grade II listed Georgian Townhouse, set high up on the hill amid an unexpected enclave of grand Georgian architecture. This swanky B&B only has four rooms, all offering a slice of luxury. 2blackburneterrace.com

Newcastle  

It’s got world-class culture, vibrant nightlife, award-winning dining and plenty of Geordie charm. Newcastle is a city that should be on every city slickers’ must-visit list.

Eat: House of Tides is the only Michelin-star restaurant in Newcastle, by celebrated chef Kenny Atkinson. He offers two set menus for lunch, on Friday and Saturday, (menu one, £80 and menu two, £55). Dinner, Tuesday to Saturday, is again two set menus (£90 or £65).

Check out his sample menus at houseoftides.co.uk

For Pan-Asian cuisine, an opulent setting and a unique cocktail list, head to The Muddler on Grey Street. Small plates are between £3 and £8, with mains from £14. themuddlernewcastle.co.uk

Stay: Vermont Aparthotel, located at Newcastle’s thriving Quayside, has 11 luxury apartments, including the Dom Perignon Penthouse Suite. vermontaparthotel.com

York

Imagine a city with Roman roots and a Viking past, where ancient walls surround contemporary independent shops and vibrant eateries. Now head to York.

Eat: Skosh is without a doubt one of the best restaurants the city has to offer. Neil Bentinck is a culinary wizard and his dishes will wow your taste buds. skoshyork.co.uk

Stay: At The Grand Hotel, which is slap bang in the centre and the perfect base to go gallivanting. Tuck into food at the Rise restaurant or try afternoon tea at Hudson’s, both situated within the hotel. thegrandyork.co.uk

Bath

Bath’s honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight out of a Jane Austen novel. There’s plenty to see and do in the city, with traditional Roman baths and the modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. Outside the city, attractions include Stonehenge, Avebury and Longleat Safari Park.

Eat: “My roots in Vietnamese food run deep. I started cooking from a very early age. As an eldest daughter I had to. My first experience was shopping for food for my four siblings and making us all rice in a Hong Kong refugee camp, whilst my parents went to work. We’d recently left Vietnam in a boat and I was seven years old.” Noya Palwyn is the owner of Noya’s Kitchen, at 7 St James’s Parade. At the popular Vietnamese café she brings her culture to life. noyaskitchen.co.uk

Stay: The Bath Priory is a peaceful haven in the heart of a bustling city – and is just a short stroll from the city centre. There are 33 bedrooms, many overlooking the beautiful gardens, a spa to preen in and a 3 AA Rosette restaurant featuring a modern French menu. thebathpriory.co.uk