@tig said:
there's Northumbria [Northumberland and Durham] [chez moi] - one of England's best kept secrets - with world-heritage-sites, history, fine-coasts, forests, dramatic-moors, night-life etc etc
Totally agree, my favourite part of the UK. I am infact having my stag party in Northumberland (it's not a stag in the traditional sense - lots of walking, battlefield tours and real ale pubs etc). There is of course Holy Island too, one of the most amazing places I have ever been to.
You could do a lot worse than visiting my home town of York too - steeped in history, from Roman, Viking, Norman, Medieval and right up to the present day. The Minster is mightily impressive and there are other hidden gems too. You;re also only an hour away from the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors.