You’ve got £100 in your wallet. Forget one night out in London – try a weekend trip to one of these cities and you’ll have change to spare.

Manchester

You’ve probably heard the Mancs are ‘madferit’, and you heard right. From football to Britpop, there’s little Mancunians won’t shout about. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em with a trip to the National Football Museum, which has free entry, or for £16 you can head to Old Trafford for a tour of Manchester United’s stadium and museum.

For something less, er, football-y, take a stroll around Castlefield, a conservation area that offers a pretty canal, attractive restored warehouses and intricately designed bridges. 

Get there: London to Manchester from £5 each way (uk.megabus.com). 

Sleep: Hatters Hostel on Newton Street offers beds from £16.50pn (). EAT: Line your stomach with pie and mash for £5.50 at Pi. 

Drink: The funky Font Bar serves cocktails for a mere £2.

Liverpool

Another city full of footie and music, a trip here isn’t complete without a Cavern Club Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. The £15.95 fee includes entry into the evening’s show at Cavern Club, featuring a Beatles tribute act, naturally.

The tour of Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium costs from £12, while some freebie outings could see you taking a stroll around the Albert Dock heritage site, visiting the Tate, or the aquarium, planetarium and big house at the World Museum. 

Get there: London to Liverpool from £5 each way (uk.megabus.com). 

Sleep: The YHA Liverpool offers beds from £13pn.

Eat: Every Friday The Peacock hosts a free barbecue, 6pm-8pm. 

Drink: Get in cocktails for £3 at Slaters Bar.

 

 

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York

York is one of England’s most attractive and culture-rich towns. It’s worth spending nearly half your budget on a York Pass(£48) as this offers you two days of free access to more than 30 attractions, including museums, historic houses and castles, plus a range of discounts.

Or get freaked out on a city ghost walk (£5) and a trip to York Dungeon (£11). In truth, though, just taking a free stroll around this gorgeous, olde-worlde-style place is all you need. 

Get there: London to York from £8 each way (uk.megabus.com).  

Sleep: The Ace Hotel offers beds from just £16pn.

Eat: Willow’s ‘early bird’ menu, on offer until 10pm, lets you have one course for £5.95 or two for £7.95. 

Drink: The Stone Roses may have originated in Manchester, but who are we to argue with The Stone Roses Bar when they serve trebles for £2.50?.

Cardiff

Doctor Who geeks rejoice; you can have an interactive experience with ‘the Doctor’ for just £13 (sounds kinkier than we meant it to).

The beautiful Cardiff Bay area is great for a midday stroll, while history buffs should take a look around Cardiff Castle for £11 and St Fagans National History Museum, which offers free entry.

Get there: London to Cardiff from £4 each way (uk.megabus.com). 

Sleep: Bunkers Hostel offers beds from £10pn, which includes entry to onsite club and 10 per cent off drinks.

Eat: Fill up on veggie curry, daal, poppadums, Indian breads, sweets and more for £6.25 at the Vegetarian Food Studio.

Drink: For a cheap night, head to 10 Feet Tall for free entry and 2-4-1 cocktails before 10pm.

 

Photos: Getty, TNT