One of our daugters lives in Canbridge and it is a lovely city
We are due to go to Ely at the weekend which has an amazing catherdal
I once vowed to visit every cathedral in the UK and we arent doing bad but Ely and Winchester are two of our favourites
Plus St Pauls
Quote from: sunburywhite on July 02, 2026, 08:57:11 PMOne of our daugters lives in Canbridge and it is a lovely city
We are due to go to Ely at the weekend which has an amazing catherdal
I once vowed to visit every cathedral in the UK and we arent doing bad but Ely and Winchester are two of our favourites
Plus St Pauls
Ely Cathedral as you've stated is amazing,and next door to it Oliver Cromwell's old house.
Ely is a great place to Live.
Lincoln's a lovely place to visit and has an amazing cathedral if you haven't been there yet.
Quote from: Eton White on July 02, 2026, 10:07:48 PMLincoln's a lovely place to visit and has an amazing cathedral if you haven't been there yet.
It is indeed.
The Cathedral in Lichfield is jaw droppingly beautiful as is the one in York, my favourite though is in Cologne.
Seville is a great city with a historic cathedral, the Alcazar, some fantastic tapas bars and it's very sunny ☀️ most of the year.
Cologne cathedra is remarkable. All around it was bombed heavily during WWII but the cathedral somehow untouched. My favourite uk cathedral city is Durham, and city worldwide is Montpellier.
Liverpool you get a win double Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral....plus up the road your spoilt for choice with Port Sunlight, Another place at Corby and Chester
Quote from: H4usuallysitting on July 02, 2026, 10:32:31 PMLiverpool you get a win double Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral....plus up the road your spoilt for choice with Port Sunlight, Another place at Corby and Chester
Yes. Liverpool has rich pickings for cathedral fanciers. The neo-Gothic Anglican job is, arguably, the finest building erected in England in the 20th century. Majestic and beautifully detailed.
At the other end of Hope Street 'Paddy's Wigwam' attracted a deal of criticism for its rather gimicky 60s flash. It still catches the eye today, particularly now it's been cleaned up. The interior is quite breathtaking. I'm not religious but it rather grabbed me. It's a triumph of use of space.
Down by the pierhead, in the Museum of Liverpool, is what might have been. There can be found a gigantic model of the Catholic cathedral Lutyens designed. It's not difficult to see from this that it would have been probably the most magnificent building in the land. When the groundwork had been done the Hierarchy realised they couldn't squeeze another penny from the impoverished masses who were being asked to pay for it.
I visited Paris a couple of weeks ago - my first time there not work related, so managed to see most of the sights.
Notre Dame was incredible, even more so considering the terrible fire damage it suffered a few years ago. The restoration work they've carried out is amazing. It's well worth a visit, as is Paris itself. A fantastic city.
Quote from: Whitestone on July 02, 2026, 10:23:17 PMSeville is a great city with a historic cathedral, the Alcazar, some fantastic tapas bars and it's very sunny ☀️ most of the year.
Agree Seville is a great city as is the Cathedral where Christopher Columbus's remains are buried.
Have visited a number of Cathedral's in various cities and some notable ones were Rome with the Vatican, Paris and Notre - Dame,Santiago da Compostela Cathedral and Barcelona's Sagrada Familia.
Though not a Cathedral Porto's Church of Saint Francis is amazing and is known as the 'gold church' as its whole interior is completely covered in gold leaf.
Porto is fantastic too.
The Metropolitan Cathederal in Mexico City is a wonderful building in a delightfully crazy city. I'm sure the England fans will enjoy the place win or lose.
Quote from: Eton White on July 02, 2026, 10:07:48 PMLincoln's a lovely place to visit and has an amazing cathedral if you haven't been there yet.
I can recommend it, I live there.
Strasbourg, Bruges, St. Augustine FL (oldest US city),
Vancouver BC. (Vancouver Island), any city in Alaska.
I am obviously biased but Bangkok is brilliant and has the best 2nd hand bookshop. Bruges and Paris rank highly. Shenyang is good. London, what more can be said about it.
As far as Cities go,the wife and I visited Edinburgh two years ago.
The centre ranks with anything,Princes Street a mile long lots of great shops and cafes one side,then the other side of the road you have the beautiful floral gardens,and of course the Castle towering above it all.
I can understand why the Maestro retired to there.
Wells Cathedral in Somerset very nice as well.
English city .Really like Bristol.
York?
I'm not into cities. I had to go into Exeter last night and it was difficult to park. Now there's a place that was wrecked by the Luftwaffe, though a few pleasant fragments survive.
As to favourite cities, in UK York and Lincoln are nice but I'd pick Salzburg, Prague and Munich as favourites. Planning to visit Vienna in the autumn which I expect to eclipse all of them.
Quote from: Deadcowboys on July 02, 2026, 11:22:53 PMThe Metropolitan Cathederal in Mexico City is a wonderful building in a delightfully crazy city. I'm sure the England fans will enjoy the place win or lose.
I certainly enjoyed it 40 years ago in 1986 at the World Cup.
Stayed down there for a couple of months after it finished after meeting a lovely lass.
Who was serving beer at the Azteca .
Quote from: ron on Today at 08:21:46 AMYork?
Hate it, had my XR3i stolen from there, found in Sunderland and they also nicked my Fulham scarf to add insult to injury.
Quote from: Holders on Today at 08:29:22 AMI'm not into cities. I had to go into Exeter last night and it was difficult to park. Now there's a place that was wrecked by the Luftwaffe, though a few pleasant fragments survive.
As to favourite cities, in UK York and Lincoln are nice but I'd pick Salzburg, Prague and Munich as favourites. Planning to visit Vienna in the autumn which I expect to eclipse all of them.
Holders you will love Vienna.
It is a beautiful city with amazing architecture,museums,art galleries and restaurants.
If you get time visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace,St.Stephen's Cathedral,Opera House,the famous ferris wheel as used in the film The Third Man and if you you like cakes a visit to Cafe Central is a must.
Vienna is also home of the Spanish Riding school and Lipizzaner horses.
While I was there I managed to cram in a day trip to Bratislava which is only an hour away by train
Personal favourites in Europe- Vannes in Brittany- not many medieval walled cities as nice as this one, Split in Croatia and Middleburg in Netherlands (where family are from).
In England, Bury St Edmonds is a lovely place, not entirely sure it's a city though.
My favourite by a country mile is Sydney NSW . I've been lucky enough to have visited a lot since my daughter emigrated there 30 years ago . If there's any drawback I'd have to admit it's a tad expensive . The ferry ride from manly to circular quay really wants some beating .
Quote from: Holders on Today at 08:29:22 AMI'm not into cities. I had to go into Exeter last night and it was difficult to park. Now there's a place that was wrecked by the Luftwaffe, though a few pleasant fragments survive.
As to favourite cities, in UK York and Lincoln are nice but I'd pick Salzburg, Prague and Munich as favourites. Planning to visit Vienna in the autumn which I expect to eclipse all of them.
Just came back from Salzburg and Vienna. Vienna is magnificent if a little crowded. The architecture in the older museums, opera house etc is stunning
There are many magnificent cathedrals in the UK and around the world that I have been fortunate enough to visit, lots mentioned above but the place I would always return to is Cordoba and the Mezquita.
Some beautiful cities already mentioned. Quick shout for Jerez.
Quote from: Jim© on Today at 09:57:14 AMPersonal favourites in Europe- Vannes in Brittany- not many medieval walled cities as nice as this one, Split in Croatia and Middleburg in Netherlands (where family are from).
In England, Bury St Edmonds is a lovely place, not entirely sure it's a city though.
Bury St Edmunds is a city,and it is a lovely place,and apparently the safest
place to live in the UK.
Quote from: Jim© on Today at 09:57:14 AMPersonal favourites in Europe- Vannes in Brittany- not many medieval walled cities as nice as this one, Split in Croatia and Middleburg in Netherlands (where family are from).
In England, Bury St Edmonds is a lovely place, not entirely sure it's a city though.
Split is fantastic with the old town being Diocletians Palace.
So much to see and great restaurants and bars.
Also very close to many beautiful island's.
My family are from here and in my opinion far nicer than the very overcrowded Dubrovnik.
Salisbury cathedral,closely followed by Wells Cathedral.
Quote from: spikey norman on Today at 11:17:35 AMSplit is fantastic with the old town being Diocletians Palace.
So much to see and great restaurants and bars.
Also very close to many beautiful island's.
My family are from here and in my opinion far nicer than the very overcrowded Dubrovnik.
Agree, it's very underrated. The place is properly alive at night too and as you say, jump on a boat and you're on some stunning islands in less than an hour.
Quote from: SG on Today at 10:26:59 AMThere are many magnificent cathedrals in the UK and around the world that I have been fortunate enough to visit, lots mentioned above but the place I would always return to is Cordoba and the Mezquita.
The Mezquita in Cordoba is fabulous, as is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the cathedral in Seville. Cologne, Notre-Dame and St Peters are also spectacular. My favourite in the UK is York.
Quote from: Twig on Today at 10:57:05 AMSome beautiful cities already mentioned. Quick shout for Jerez.
I have visited Jerez each year for the past 28 years - I love it and Cadiz so much. Sometimes it's only for a few days but often for a week or so .
This is a great topic - and I have been fortunate to visit many of the place s already mentioned. Would also like to give a shout out to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo and Helsinki. All beautiful and the simplicity of many of the cathedrals and churches ( particularly Gothenburg ) is breathtaking
I've always liked Auckland for the dichotomy of young and vibrant/ old and staid.
Sydney NSW is great. And as HV71 says: Jerez. Lived up the road from there for many years.
Quote from: spikey norman on Today at 09:41:41 AMQuote from: Holders on Today at 08:29:22 AMI'm not into cities. I had to go into Exeter last night and it was difficult to park. Now there's a place that was wrecked by the Luftwaffe, though a few pleasant fragments survive.
As to favourite cities, in UK York and Lincoln are nice but I'd pick Salzburg, Prague and Munich as favourites. Planning to visit Vienna in the autumn which I expect to eclipse all of them.
Holders you will love Vienna.
It is a beautiful city with amazing architecture,museums,art galleries and restaurants.
If you get time visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace,St.Stephen's Cathedral,Opera House,the famous ferris wheel as used in the film The Third Man and if you you like cakes a visit to Cafe Central is a must.
Vienna is also home of the Spanish Riding school and Lipizzaner horses.
While I was there I managed to cram in a day trip to Bratislava which is only an hour away by train
Thanks, Spikey. It's been on my bucket list for years and we're planning to go in the autumn to miss the worst of the crowds. We also want to take in a dance or two where we can do the Viennese on its home turf, hopefully in one of these historic venues. The plan is to fly to Zurich and get the transalpine train to Vienna, flying back from there so a trip to Bratislava as well is a great suggestion.
Quote from: Jim© on Today at 09:57:14 AMPersonal favourites in Europe- Vannes in Brittany- not many medieval walled cities as nice as this one, Split in Croatia and Middleburg in Netherlands (where family are from).
In England, Bury St Edmonds is a lovely place, not entirely sure it's a city though.
Vannes is nice, we were there last year and there's another just as good nearby, the name of which I forget. But if you're talking walled cities, nowhere touches Glurns in Suedtirol, in my opinion.
Another impressive walled city is Carcassonne
Not a city but the village of Rocamadour is stunning
Ciutadella which was the old Capital of Menorca is a beautiful city especially of an summers evening. Like a lot of small cities can get a bit steamy hot if there during the day.
Seen Split mentioned a few times which I have not really explored as I tend to head to Okrug Gornji & Trogir which I would recommend to anyone flying into Split only 10mins - 15mins away.
Have a soft spot for Palma gorgeous city as is majority of that Island.
Quote from: JimmyConway on Today at 12:05:37 PMCiutadella which was the old Capital of Menorca is a beautiful city especially of an summers evening. Like a lot of small cities can get a bit steamy hot if there during the day.
Seen Split mentioned a few times which I have not really explored as I tend to head to Okrug Gornji & Trogir which I would recommend to anyone flying into Split only 10mins - 15mins away.
Have a soft spot for Palma gorgeous city as is majority of that Island.
Ciutadella truly is a great place, as is the
rest of Menorca.
Quote from: JimmyConway on Today at 12:05:37 PMCiutadella which was the old Capital of Menorca is a beautiful city especially of an summers evening. Like a lot of small cities can get a bit steamy hot if there during the day.
Seen Split mentioned a few times which I have not really explored as I tend to head to Okrug Gornji & Trogir which I would recommend to anyone flying into Split only 10mins - 15mins away.
Have a soft spot for Palma gorgeous city as is majority of that Island.
Trogir is really nice as is the whole of the Dalmation coast.
Quote from: spikey norman on July 02, 2026, 11:05:46 PMQuote from: Whitestone on July 02, 2026, 10:23:17 PMSeville is a great city with a historic cathedral, the Alcazar, some fantastic tapas bars and it's very sunny ☀️ most of the year.
Agree Seville is a great city as is the Cathedral where Christopher Columbus's remains are buried.
Have visited a number of Cathedral's in various cities and some notable ones were Rome with the Vatican, Paris and Notre - Dame,Santiago da Compostela Cathedral and Barcelona's Sagrada Familia.
Though not a Cathedral Porto's Church of Saint Francis is amazing and is known as the 'gold church' as its whole interior is completely covered in gold leaf.
Porto is fantastic too.
So many great places mentioned in this thread. (Don't read further if you're easily bored)
My son studied languages at University and I was excited when he told me that his 'Spanish' year abroad was Santiago. I'd never been to Chile but was brought a bit back to earth when I realised it was Santiago da Compostela. Galicia in NW Spain is a dramatically beautiful place and SdC Cathedral allegedly contains the remains of St James, thus the end of the so called Camino Way(s) pilgrimage. My son actually studied at the Lugo campus about 60 miles from SdC the only city in the world to be surrounded by completely intact Roman walls. I spent a week in Lugo and one night in the Hotel de Los Reis Catolicas next to SdC Cathedral and it cost me more then the entire time in Lugo!
Cathedrals can be intimidating as well as beautiful.
I always think the massive St.Colman's Cathedral, looming over, and massively out of scale with, the little harbour of Cobh (Ireland) below, sends the message "you all know who calls the shots around here."
(https://blog.fotaisland.ie/wp-content/uploads/COBH-scaled.jpg)
London, it's my home
Jajce, Bosnia & Herzegovina - wonderful place, picturesque countryside, tranquil with a large waterfall in the centre of the town
Check out Ljubljana, Slovenia if you get the chance. It reminded me of both Paris and Vienna on a smaller scale.
Quote from: Holders on Today at 11:48:43 AMQuote from: spikey norman on Today at 09:41:41 AMQuote from: Holders on Today at 08:29:22 AMI'm not into cities. I had to go into Exeter last night and it was difficult to park. Now there's a place that was wrecked by the Luftwaffe, though a few pleasant fragments survive.
As to favourite cities, in UK York and Lincoln are nice but I'd pick Salzburg, Prague and Munich as favourites. Planning to visit Vienna in the autumn which I expect to eclipse all of them.
Holders you will love Vienna.
It is a beautiful city with amazing architecture,museums,art galleries and restaurants.
If you get time visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace,St.Stephen's Cathedral,Opera House,the famous ferris wheel as used in the film The Third Man and if you you like cakes a visit to Cafe Central is a must.
Vienna is also home of the Spanish Riding school and Lipizzaner horses.
While I was there I managed to cram in a day trip to Bratislava which is only an hour away by train
Thanks, Spikey. It's been on my bucket list for years and we're planning to go in the autumn to miss the worst of the crowds. We also want to take in a dance or two where we can do the Viennese on its home turf, hopefully in one of these historic venues. The plan is to fly to Zurich and get the transalpine train to Vienna, flying back from there so a trip to Bratislava as well is a great suggestion.
We also squeezed in a day in Bratislava but went by boat along the Danube. Bratislava old town is well worth the visit and boat times allow for it. Certainly recommend it.