As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make itself known, many of us seem keen more than ever to explore everything the British Isles has to offer, instead of further afield, and so, the team of editors at the travel arm of the renowned media company have joined forces to give their opinions on the best UK cities to hit up in 2022.
This year, a total of 13 of the country’s cities have been singled out for praise in the list, with Manchester proudly taking the sixth spot.
Last year, Manchester nabbed the fifth spot – but we’ll take it.
Each of the cities have been given a tagline that encapsulates the best they have to offer, and Manchester has been named “the foodie city” after being said to have upped its culinary game over the past few years.
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Explaining why Manchester has been awarded sixth place on the list, Rick Jordan – from the team of editors at Condé Nast Traveller – said: “Recent openings include Dishoom, the four-storey Ivy Spinningfields, with a rare rooftop bar and separate Asian restaurant, and Mana, from ex-Noma chef Simon Martin, with reindeer moss and bark on the menu.”
Nearby Stockport was also given a bit of praise, thanks to The Produce Hall in its Victorian market and for the “wonderful, tasting-menu-only” When The Light Gets In.
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Manchester has been named “the foodie city” after being said to have upped its culinary game over the past few years / Credit: Unsplash (Josh Taylor | Chris Curry)
As well as shouting out the region’s extensive selection of eateries, a number of the city centre’s finest hotels and accommodation options have also been highlighted too.
“The city’s recent biggest openings include the Dakota Manchester hotel, dressed in designer black near Piccadilly, with a seriously grown-up bar and restaurant and terrace views of the canal, and Ducie Street Warehouse, on the edge of the Northern Quarter – a former goods warehouse that’s also home to Native Manchester hotel,” Rick Jordan added.
While it’s always great to hear that people love Manchester as much as we do, where should Mancunians be heading for their city staycations this year then?
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So many places to visit in the UK, so little time. These are the top cities to add to your travel wish list for 2022. https://t.co/AagH1si0ZC
The “wide-awake city” of Glasgow, with its wide-open outdoor spaces, architecture and full-throttle nightlife singled out to “steal your heart”, has this year been knocked off its top spot and moved down second place in favour of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.
After almost two years of muted activity, Condé Nast Traveller said it’s heartening to see that the pandemic hasn’t affected Edinburgh’s “ability to wow visitors”.
The “screen-favourite city” of Belfast takes the third spot, while “the independent city” of Bristol, and “the architectural city” of Cambridge take the fourth and fifth spots to round out the top five.
Fellow northern cities Newcastle and Liverpool also proudly feature in the top 10.
Featured Image – Unsplash
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Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Family-friendly LGBTQ+ festival returns to Manchester Pride 2026
Danny Jones
Exactly what it says on the tin, Proud Fest returns to Manchester for 2026, promising plenty of fun for all ages away from the main hustle and bustle this summer.
Best part of all? It’s completely FREE.
Taking place in the heart of the city centre, it offers a viable alternative to many who want to avoid the major crowds that flock to Gay Village’s Pride party every year.
Just the second year that this LGBTQIA+ festival has been set up, making its colourful debut in 2025, there’ll be everything from live music, games and other interactive opportunities for all ages, arts and crafts, plus workshops and plenty more; there’s something for everyone here.
Championing “entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, creativity, and plenty of Pride spirit”, the 2026 edition of Proud Fest is set to be one of the biggest ever.
Based around Great Northern Warehouse just off Deansgate and Peter Street, it’s set to be hosted by drag queen ‘Aida H Dee’, as well as Sara Gosney-Hughes, best-known for her travel expertise and work as a broadcaster and producer at nearby station Hits Radio.
With both calling Manchester home, alongside lots of other organisers behind the free festivities, you can expect plenty of hometown passion and pride – pun very much intended.
Set up in partnership with Proud 2 b Parents (P2bP), mums, dads and more will also be able to enjoy the official Pride parade from a viewing area in the dedicated Community Hall, where they’ll get a perfect spot to watch the floats and performers go down the strip.
Canal Street is already gearing up for those sublime, sun-soaked evenings at the end of August.
Speaking ahead of the latest iteration of the annual festival, Founder and CEO of P2bP, Matt Taylor-Roberts, told us in a statement: “Proud Fest is about creating the spaces many of us wished existed when we first became parents.
“It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ families in all their diversity and a reminder that every family deserves to feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
At its core, this is about creating a safe and friendly option for families to still feel connected to the queer community and play their part in the wider celebrations.
You can grab your completely complimentary tickets right HERE.
And if you’re looking for other great days out for the family in Manchester this summer, there’s another free event happening at Circle Square earlier in the month.
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2022 
