Hotel Insiders Reveal the Hidden Places Tourists Miss on Three of Britain’s Most Beautiful City Breaks

Britain’s best-known city-break destinations may attract millions of visitors, but some of their most rewarding experiences are still hiding in plain sight.

Hotel managers in Edinburgh, Cambridge and Bath have revealed the viewpoints, neighbourhoods, walks and historic places they believe visitors too often miss.

The three destinations were recently included in Time Out’s list of the world’s most beautiful cities. But the people who welcome visitors throughout the year say their appeal extends well beyond the familiar landmarks and busiest tourist routes.

BWH Hotels GB asked general managers from its premium Stays Worth Discovering collection to share the places they would recommend to a friend who wanted to experience more than the standard guidebook itinerary.

Their suggestions include a little-known Cambridge rooftop view, peaceful university gardens, an Edinburgh neighbourhood filled with independent businesses and one of Europe’s oldest residential streets.

Edinburgh

Set in the leafy Bruntsfield neighbourhood, WorldHotels Elite Bruntsfield Hotel offers visitors a quieter base from which to explore Edinburgh beyond its busiest tourist routes.

General Manager Alistair Bruce recommends Inverleith Park for a different perspective on two of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. “Inverleith Park has brilliant views towards Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, but it is somewhere many visitors overlook.For another memorable view, I would recommend walking across the causeway to Cramond Island, where you can look out towards the Forth Bridge.”

For visitors who want to spend time in the city’s local neighbourhoods, Alistair recommends exploring Bruntsfield and Morningside.

Both areas are known for their independent shops, cafés and restaurants and offer a more relaxed experience away from the busiest parts of the city centre.

For an early-morning view, Arthur’s Seat remains one of the city’s most memorable experiences. However, visitors looking for a less demanding climb can head to Calton Hill at the east end of Princes Street for panoramic views across Edinburgh.

Overlooking Bruntsfield Links, WorldHotels Elite Bruntsfield Hotel puts guests in one of Edinburgh’s most characterful neighbourhoods, with stylish interiors and the city’s independent shops, restaurants and cafés on the doorstep.

Bath

Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel, provides a base for exploring Bath as well as the historic towns, countryside and waterways surrounding the city.

General Manager Mark Manley recommends that visitors who have already explored Bath’s best-known attractions travel to the nearby City of Wells and walk along Vicar’s Close, just behind the cathedral.

Built more than 650 years ago, it has a claim to being Europe’s oldest purely residential street and was originally created to house the Vicars Choral connected to Wells Cathedral.

Mark said: “Most people photograph Vicar’s Close from the entrance and then move on, but it is worth walking its full length. It is an extraordinary historic place and, once you move beyond the entrance, you can often have much of it almost to yourself.”

Within Bath itself, Mark recommends Alexandra Park for views across the city. While many visitors stop at the main viewpoint after climbing the park’s steep steps, he says the best experience comes from continuing further around the park to see across Widcombe Crescent and Lyncombe Vale.

For a slower-paced day beyond the city, he recommends the canal around Bradford-on-Avon. “Walking beside the Kennet and Avon Canal takes you past narrowboats, historic locks and beautiful countryside.

Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel features an on-site spa, nine-hole golf course and extensive grounds, for a relaxing countryside retreat to return to after a day exploring the city and surrounding countryside.

Cambridge

Cambridge Bar Hill Hotel, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, gives visitors access to Cambridge while providing a base away from the busiest streets of the city centre.

General Manager Scott Girling recommends exploring the university’s lesser-known gardens and grounds.

Newnham College’s gardens are free to visit and offer a peaceful escape from the busier parts of Cambridge, while Downing College is known for its architecture and open spaces.

Scott said: “Visitors naturally gravitate towards the most famous colleges, but some of the quieter university spaces are equally beautiful. Newnham and Downing offer an opportunity to enjoy the architecture and gardens without the same crowds.”

Visitors can also attend one of the free college chapel services, offering an opportunity to experience the historic colleges from inside without joining a formal tour.

For an unexpected view across the city, Scott recommends the café at the top of John Lewis. “The rooftop terrace at The Varsity Hotel is well known for its views across Cambridge’s spires and rooftops, but the café at the top of John Lewis also offers a surprisingly impressive perspective over the city.”

Visitors looking to experience Cambridge like a local can head to Mitcham’s Corner, an area filled with independent restaurants and cafés reflecting the city’s international community.

Among the city’s most overlooked historic sites is the medieval Leper Chapel on Newmarket Road, one of Cambridge’s oldest surviving buildings.

With spacious grounds, a health club and leisure facilities, Cambridge Bar Hill Hotel, BW Signature Collection by Best Western offers the space to slow down and unwind away from the bustle of central Cambridge.

BWH Hotels GB’s premium Stays Worth Discovering collection brings together distinctive hotels chosen for their character, hospitality and connection to their destinations.