7 UK cities you should visit this spring

Spring has officially sprung, which means longer days, lighter evenings, and better weather is just around the corner. It also means lots of the UK’s top cities are ripe for exploring – with outdoor attractions reopening after the winter, and special events lined up for this season. To wave goodbye to winter in style, we’ve rounded up the top UK cities to visit in spring, and the events you won’t want to miss there. Get to each of them by coach with megabus and you’ve got yourself a spring road trip, without any of the driving or parking hassles.

1. Whet your appetite in Leeds
As the name suggests, the Sausage and Cider Festival is set to tempt foodies to the city of Leeds this spring, and it all happens on Saturday 6 May. The Royal Armouries Museum provides the venue on the scenic banks of the River Aire, with live music and DJ sets lined up alongside a list of tasty sausages and touring ciders. There are craft beers and a gin bar, too, if you fancy an alternative tipple.

2. Set sail on a boat tour in Bristol
The city of Bristol is best explored from the water, and lots of Bristol Packet Cruises kick off in spring as the weather warms up. Our vote goes to the pub lunch cruise, which runs from May and takes you along the Avon for a pit-stop at Hanham Mills. There are cream tea cruises, too, which start running from March onwards, and city docks tours that set sail all year round.

3. Spend the King’s Coronation in London
The King’s Coronation takes place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, and London will be a hive of activity for the bank holiday weekend. Head to the area around Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of The King’s Procession, and book a ticket to see Crown to Couture while you’re in town. The biggest exhibition ever staged at Kensington Palace is set to be a royal treat.

4. Wander through the daffs in Cardiff
Cardiff’s gardens really come to life in spring, so now is a great time to visit and soak up the scenery. Bute Park in the city centre is well worth a wander through all year round, but the magnolia trees are something else in spring. And wherever you’re walking, expect plenty of sunny yellow daffodils – the national emblem of Wales.

5. Run the streets of Manchester
Billed as the UK's fastest, flattest and friendliest major marathon, Manchester Marathon hits the streets of the city on Sunday 16 April. It starts and finishes at the Emirates Old Trafford, so you can either sign up and get involved, or turn up and support the marathon runners from the sidelines. A whopping 28,000 runners are due to head to Manchester to pound the pavements along the 26.2-mile route, so there’s going to be a real buzz.

6. Go on a treasure hunt around Birmingham
Ditch the winter coat and make the most of the spring weather with a walking tour around Birmingham. Treasure Hunt Birmingham takes you to Centenary square, the canalside, the Georgian jewellery quarter and the business district via cryptic clues and treasure maps, and the itinerary is really chilled. If you want to nip into a shop or take a breather in one of the city’s cafés along the way, that’s all part of the fun.

7. Sip an al fresco pint in Glasgow
The start of warmer weather in Glasgow means a chance to sample the city’s al fresco bars and beer gardens, and there are plenty of them. Our top pick goes to WEST on the Green – the beer is brewed in the brewery opposite, the German-inspired food hits the spot, and the big beer garden is all set up for springtime. Plus, there’s plenty of space inside the stylish beer hall if the weather takes a turn for the rainy.