Britain has many towns that don’t exactly spring to mind when it comes to visiting as a tourist. But with a whole host of cool new attractions, a holiday in Hull, retreat in Rotherham, weekend in Wakefield or break in Bradford isn’t quite as silly as it may initially sound.
From cutting edge galleries and museums to giant aquariums and brewery tours, we’ve picked out the best that Britain’s uncool towns and cities have to offer.
The Deep
Where: Hull
Billed as the world’s only submarium, The Deep is a little bit more than a bog standard fish zoo. Aside from the massive tanks filled with sharks, rays and other aquatic monsters, there’s the world’s only underwater lift and a whole section devoted to the joys of slime.
At the end of the journey, there’s a futuristic science-fiction style lab in which visitors can simulate driving along the ocean floor. It’s all very good fun and kids in particular will love it.
Bletchley Park
Where: Milton Keynes
The great unsung heroes of World War II were the workers of the national codebreaking centre at Bletchley Park. Through perseverance and sheer genius, the chaps and chapesses at the top secret centre managed to intercept and break German codes, saving thousands of lives as a result. They invented the world’s first computer in the process.
The machinery is now on display, alongside exhibitions about the fascinating codebreaking story and the National Museum of Computing.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Where: Wakefield
On a 500 acre estate, this is arguably Britain’s biggest exhibition space. A walk in the country can be combined with the opportunity to take in sculptures from Britain’s best sculptors, including Henry Moore, Anthony Gormley and Barbara Hepworth.
Some of the works are permanent, while others are installed temporarily. This can mean one month the grounds are filled with giant rabbits, another month something entirely different.
The National Space Centre
Where: Leicester
At the National Space Centre, wannabe astronauts can learn about the planets, watch hi-tech multimedia shows in a massive dome and visit a mocked-up satellite station.
There are also plenty of exhibitions on orbiting earth, space travel and the star systems – most of which involve lots of lovely buttons to press.
MAGNA
Where: Rotherham
Billing itself as a science adventure centre, MAGNA allows kids (and big kids) to operate a JCB, make explosions in a quarry and get soaking wet in a water-themed outdoor adventure playground.
It’s all about making learning about the earth fun, and just about everything is interactive.
The National Media Museum
Where: Bradford
This was formerly known as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, which better describes what it’s about but doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue. It houses one of the best photography collections in the world, a five storey IMAX cinema and exhibitions such as the one on make-up in the Hammer horror films.
Black Country Living Museum
Where: Dudley
For a museum that explores life in one of England’s grimmest areas, this is surprisingly good fun. It has an olde worlde fairground, a cast of characters demonstrating what life was like in the past and even the chance to venture into an underground coalmine.
The National Waterfront Museum
Where: Swansea
A museum about Welsh industry may not immediately seem all that gripping, but it’s done in such a high tech, whizz bang, interactive way that it really grips.
For more literary types, Swansea is also home to the Dylan Thomas centre which explores the iconic Welsh poet’s life and works.
Marston’s Brewery Tour
Where: Burton-on-Trent
Burton became rich on the back of brewing, so it’s only logical that one of Britain’s best brewery tours can be found in the Staffordshire town. The Marston’s tour explores how the beers are made and stored, while there’s also the all-important chance to do some sampling at the end.
MIMA
Where: Middlesbrough
In a shiny new glass building, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art has quickly become one of the best galleries in the country. It has an ever-rotating roster of exhibitions, while the permanent collections house plenty of pieces that will divide opinion, start conversations and make cynics look at modern art in a different way.
