Ryanair UK Routes : Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford

lc180

Considering a quick 1 or 2 night getaway(possibly solo) to the UK next month and all these airports come in around €30 return which is cheaper than me getting a bus to Donegal and even when you factor in airport waiting time its a little quicker!

One thing putting me off the idea is the fact that I can't think on one touristy thing to do in any of these destinations.
Just wondering has anyone been and can recommend one for a day away.

I'm guessing these routes are used mostly by stag/hen partys looking for a wkend away on the lash and ex pats living abroad.

Any advice would be great,

Cheers

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

lc180 wrote: »

Considering a quick 1 or 2 night getaway(possibly solo) to the UK next month and all these airports come in around €30 return which is cheaper than me getting a bus to Donegal and even when you factor in airport waiting time its a little quicker!

One thing putting me off the idea is the fact that I can't think on one touristy thing to do in any of these destinations.
Just wondering has anyone been and can recommend one for a day away.

I'm guessing these routes are used mostly by stag/hen partys looking for a wkend away on the lash and ex pats living abroad.

Any advice would be great,

Cheers

Rule out East Midlands - it's not really anywhere near a major city. From the others, I liked Bristol, although was only there for a night myself so can;t recommend anything specific. Not on the list, Edinburgh, should also be considered. Lovel picturesque sity.

EB_2013

Yeah if you can get cheap flights to Edinburgh then I'd recommend there too. Ryanair fly to Prestwick for Glasgow so it might be worth transfering from there to Edinburgh. Don't really think Glasgow has much in the way of tourist attractions.

I wouldn't bother with Birmingham unless you like shopping. The same with Leeds too.

lc180

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Rule out East Midlands - it's not really anywhere near a major city. From the others, I liked Bristol, although was only there for a night myself so can;t recommend anything specific. Not on the list, Edinburgh, should also be considered. Lovel picturesque sity.

Been to Edinburgh 3 times, one of my favourite cities! I've heard Bristol is nice, must look it up. If you remember anything good about it let me know.

Cheers for your help!

EB_2013

They do an open top tour bus so there must be plenty to see. The suspension bridge at Avon is probably the biggest attraction.

Only spent half a day there a few years ago while waiting for a flight back so didn't explore much. Seemed a nice spot though with canals and river walks.

spurious

National Media Museum in Bradford is worth a visit.
Also curries and more curries - very yum.

jjbrien

Why not try Liverpool Ryanir fly there its great craic there and lots to do for a tourist

Lapin

I've been to all those airports / cities a few times.

Glasgow is the only one with a steady flow of stag / hen weekend traffic but having said that, it would be number one choice on the list from the others. Especially if you can take in Edinburgh.

East Midlands serves Nottingham, Leicester and Derby. Of the 3 Nottingham has the most going for it but not a huge amount.

I could never warm to Birmingham or Bristol.

If you get a good price for a flight to Newcastle, the place is well worth checking out.

lc180

jjbrien wrote: »

Why not try Liverpool Ryanir fly there its great craic there and lots to do for a tourist

Yeah been there too, good spot but wasnt a huge fan of Liverpool or Manchester but going over in February for a premiership game so will be check one of them out again then.

lc180

Lapin wrote: »

If you get a good price for a flight to Newcastle, the place is well worth checking out.

Prices for Newcastle are little more expensive but in the long run might be worth it compared to somewhere smaller.

Thanks for the advice on the others, much appreciated!

athtrasna

Forget Glasgow (Prestwick is soooooooooooooo far out) & East Midlands (just eugh) for starters.

Of the rest, Birmingham would be my favourite, depending on what you're interested in, here's a few things....

• Shopping - The Bull Ring
• Eating - amazing Asian Food
• Unique non touristy touristy stuff - it has to be CADBURY WORLD
• Museums - http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Eponymous

Leeds/Bradford has a lot going for it.

If you're so inclined, the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach and there are some fantastic walks.

Leeds itself is a good town for a couple of nights visit. It's steeped in history and there are loads of museums etc to visit during the day, great shopping if you like that and there are so many great bars there, it's a brilliant spot for nights out.

Add to that, it's a great uni town, so there's always something on.

schemingbohemia

You can get to Bath very easily from Bristol (less than 15 minutes by train) and it's supposed to be a lovely town, but stay in Bristol as it's a lot cheaper to stay.

robinph

Depends what you are looking for, but there is plenty to do in Bristol:
http://visitbristol.co.uk/

Or if you want some Roman thermal baths then try Bath (guess how it got it's name):
http://visitbath.co.uk/spa-and-wellbeing/history-of-baths-spa

Whatever you do though never hire a car and try driving to Bath as you'll be stuck in traffic for hours trying to get anywhere, take the train from Bristol and have a wander around the city.

Marcusm

Eponymous wrote: »

Leeds/Bradford has a lot going for it.

If you're so inclined, the Yorkshire Dales are within easy reach and there are some fantastic walks.

Leeds itself is a good town for a couple of nights visit. It's steeped in history and there are loads of museums etc to visit during the day, great shopping if you like that and there are so many great bars there, it's a brilliant spot for nights out.

Add to that, it's a great uni town, so there's always something on.

I wouldn't put Bradford in anything like the same league, however.

OldRio

Leeds/bradford Airport is 11 miles from Leeds and 7 miles from Bradford.
If you hire a car I would head for Harrogate (12 miles from Airport)
Its a spa town and very genteel. Very near to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales.

lc180

Cheers folks! Some great advice, thanks

Fratton Fred

Birmingham would also be the nearest airport to Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle.

Banjoxed

schemingbohemia wrote: »

You can get to Bath very easily from Bristol (less than 15 minutes by train) and it's supposed to be a lovely town, but stay in Bristol as it's a lot cheaper to stay.

Good frequent train and bus service between Bristol and Bath but have a serious look at accommodation in Bath. It's worth it.

Eponymous

Marcusm wrote: »

I wouldn't put Bradford in anything like the same league, however.

I only mentioned Bradford in the context of it being part of the name of the airport!

I lived in Headingley almost 20 years ago and was never inclined to visit Bradford...

Lemming

EB_2013 wrote: »

Don't really think Glasgow has much in the way of tourist attractions.

You would be rather surprised at what Glasgow has in the way of attractions. If you are expecting Edinburgh castle; then go to Edinburgh castle. But that's not to dismiss what Glasgow has.

Plus it's very easy (and pretty quick) to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh via train anyway. Which leads me on to the next bit ...

athtrasna wrote: »

Forget Glasgow (Prestwick is soooooooooooooo far out)

You have got to be kidding me .... It's more effort to get to Glasgow city centre from Glasgow airport then it is from Prestwick - what is it? 45 mins direct on the train (station at Prestwick airport btw) into Central station?

East Midlands isn't great, but it's got decent rail connections. But if you're going further afield, you'd be best served flying more direct anyway. Can't comment on the other airports, although having worked in Leeds for three & a half years I can say it's a rather nice city, and being in Yorkshire - rent yourself a car and go visit places like York.

ScottSF

Bristol is worthy of a weekend city-break. You can always find restaurants, pubs (they have good cider), parks, museums, scenic walks, historical buildings, ... whatever of interest in a medium size city for a couple of days. I agree that you can stay in Bristol and take the train to Bath to save on hotel costs - switch in Temple Meads station from the airport. Bath is one of the most popular and beautiful cities in England for many reasons. From Bristol you can also take a train or bus to Cardiff in Wales if you want to add one more city to your list of places visited.

As for Leeds which I found a bit dull, you can take a quick train to York which is also one of the most popular tourist towns in England. Fun, very old city with loads of character and history. You can walk the city walls. Unfortunately a few stags/hens but don't let that get in your way.

I also think Glasgow is worth visiting and had an enjoyable weekend. You can take a day trip to Stirling to see the castle and town which is a big attraction. Plus you can drink Scottish whisky which unlike the Irish kind is missing the letter 'e' Prestwick Airport is fine. Just leave the airport, walk to the train station, and you're in city centre in no time.

dak

East Midalnds is a 25 minute Bus Journey to Nottingham. Plenty to see/do in Nottingham- Castle, Theatre , Ice rink, Caves but many of the nicer places would probably require a car. Lived there for 7 years!

East Midlands Airport is right beside Donnington Race track if you are into motor racing . Lovely hotel called The Priest House Hotel in Donnington if you want a quiet weekend with the other half .

http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/priest-house/

Aglomerado

ScottSF wrote: »

.

I also think Glasgow is worth visiting and had an enjoyable weekend. You can take a day trip to Stirling to see the castle and town which is a big attraction. Plus you can drink Scottish whisky which unlike the Irish kind is missing the letter 'e' Prestwick Airport is fine. Just leave the airport, walk to the train station, and you're in city centre in no time.

+1. Stirling is just half an hour away ex Queen Street Station. There's lots to see, like the Castle, Argyll's Residence, and the Wallace Monument (complete with Mel Gibson inspired William Wallace statue ) There's also a nice Victorian spa town called Bridge of Allan just north of there which has some lovely bars and cafes, pleasant for a day trip. (I lived there a few years back and look forward to returning for a break soon.)