Overview
Located in the North West of England, Manchester has many claims to fame, it is widely acknowledged as being one of the first industrial power bases due to manufacturing in the city. More recently and over the 20 years in particular, it has been successfully transformed by regeneration into the shining metropolis it is today.

Highlights
Manchester Central Library
The Central Library is one of Manchester’s most famous and best loved landmarks. For generations of Manchester residents and students, it has been not only the place to study but also somewhere to meet friends. It is open to all.

The Lowry gallery
The Lowry houses two main theatres and studio space for performing arts (1,730, 466 and 180 seats respectively) presenting a full range of drama, opera, ballet, dance, musicals, children’s shows, popular music, jazz, folk and comedy and gallery spaces (1,610 metres of floor space); showing the works of LS Lowry alongside contemporary exhibitions.

University of Manchester
University of Manchester is a prestigious university that was involved in splitting the atom as well as creating the modern computer. It is the largest campus in the United Kingdom and is known as “Britain’s #1 Student City.” Whether you are going to tour the beautiful campus or you enroll in the esteemed classes, the University will not disappoint.

Exchange Square
The IRA bombing in 1996 ruined the City Center. Its redevelopment has created a large, impressive shopping area. Dozens of shops, such as the largest Marks & Spencer in Europe, combine with the comfortable open space of the Square, making it the perfect setting for the avid shopper. A new entrance to the Manchester Arndale Centre and the upscale Triangle are all found in or around Exchange Square.

Best Way To Get Around:
Manchester has an excellent integrated transport network, which includes the Metrolink tram system which services Manchester airport, the city centre and the local boroughs.

London is the place where the historic past and the vibrant present come alive. A blend of history, ground-breaking architecture and culture has created an amazing and constantly evolving city.With countless museums, galleries and entertainment options throughout the city there has never been a better time to come and find out just how much it has to offer.

London has the greatest concentration of major attractions in Britain and boasts four World Heritage Sites. 238 attractions that are free to enter, so there’s nowhere else in the world where you can see so much for so little.

Take your pick from the top ten below, based on 2004 visitor numbers.

1. National Gallery: The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world.

2. British Museum: The imposing British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times with collections drawn from all around the world.

3. Tate Modern: The impressive Tate Modern is Britain’s national museum of modern art.

4. The London Eye: The British Airways London Eye forms a major feature of London’s skyline. It is the world’s highest observation wheel and offers passengers spectacular views of over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes.

5. Natural History Museum: As well as the permanent dinosaur exhibition, the gallery boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world.

6. Science Museum: See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years at the largest museum of its kind in the world.

7. The Tower of London: Take a free guided tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around one of the most famous fortified buildings in the world.

8. The Victoria & Albert Museum: The V&A celebrates all things art and design, and is home to 3000 years worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world’s richest cultures.

9. The National Portrait Gallery: The gallery features portraits in all mediums depicting well known British people.

10. National Maritime Museum: This is the largest maritime museum in the world with a collection of over two million objects relating to seafaring.

Best Way to Get Around:
Underground (The Tube): The London Underground, or ‘the tube’ as it is universally known to Londoners, is normally the quickest and easiest way of getting round London.

Bus: Buses are a quick and convenient way to travel around London, providing plenty of sightseeing opportunities en route.

Banbury is the main town serving North Oxfordshire. It is a very small town with a population of approx. 40,000 people and is twinned with Ermont in France and Hennef in Germany. The M40 highway which connected to Banbury in 1990, now provides easy access to London, Birmingham and the North and has made Banbury a very desirable town to be situated in.

Highlights:
There are a number of small and independent shops in the town centre as well as the big chains you can find in any town. There is a market on Thursdays and Saturdays as well as a Farmers Market on the First Friday of Every Month.

The Banbury Cross, which is located on a roundabout in the middle of the town, was erected in 1859 to celebrate the wedding of Prince Frederick of Prussia to his bride, the original cross having been pulled down some 250 years earlier.

Banbury Cakes, a special fruit and pastry cake, are still produced. At one time they were being sent as far afield as Australia, India and America.

Best Way to Get Around:
Bicycle: The best way to get around Banbury town will be bicycle.