As far as city breaks in the UK go, you can’t do much better than York. You can’t necessarily guarantee the weather, but it still offers the perfect blend of culture and romance for your city break. You’ll need a hotel (York has plenty) because there is simply too much to do in one day.

The small and historical city is unrivalled in the UK. There are mazes of narrow, cobbled streets lined with small, independent shops as well as the nation’s big players. There’s also some seriously impressive architecture in the form of York Minster and several cafes and bars to relax in on the riverside.

The city’s heritage includes influences from the Romans, the Viking and Medieval times and as a result the city has some great museums, including the Jorvik Viking Centre and the York Dungeons. But there’s always the National Railway Museum for a more modern day out.

Away from the centre and your hotel, York is close to the dales and some stunning countryside. One venue worth visiting for the green fingered is nearby Harewood house whose exquisite gardens have recently been nominated for an award by a BBC magazine.

Regardless of the season, there’s always something going on in the city. The city plays host to a variety of fairs, festivals and exhibitions. Well known examples are the historical festivals, the railway show and the regular markets.

When it comes to finding a hotel, York has great choice. Probably the most luxurious hotel York has is the Alwark Manor Hotel which is set in a beautiful Victorian house. The hotel has a spa and golf course too, for relaxing after a hard day taking in the sights.