CITY BREAKS When you think of eco-travel, visiting a city perhaps doesn’t naturally spring to mind. Instead you might think of camping, glamping or staying in a rural idyll miles away from anywhere rather than a trip to Leeds, York or Durham. For over three years the team here at Daisy Green has been likened to ‘Sex and the City’ meets ‘The Good Life’ so we thought it was time to rethink the UK city break.
York
Durham
The City Durham is a stomping ground of the Daisy girls and we know it well. Offering the best of both worlds, the majestic skyline brings together medieval heritage and urban innovation. Stroll along the banks of the River Wear and visit the iconic Cathedral and castle. Durham is easily accessible by train and lies on the East Coast rail network.
York may be a small city but you will find everything a city should be concentrated within its boundaries. It combines a sense of timelessness with the contemporary, presenting both locals and visitors alike with something to relish and to want to revisit. Make sure you take the time to wander the streets and take in the Shambles, one of Britain’s prettiest thoroughfares.
Visiting cities can be one of the most environmentally friendly travel options; you can ditch the car altogether, arrive by public transport, and then zip around on foot reducing your eco footprint and increasing your fitness footsteps! We have searched high and low to find you somewhere to eat, shop and stay in each of these three great cities…
Eat Oldfields The food at Oldfields is staunchly British. Prepared from locally farmed, seasonal produce and cooked simply and well. Housed in the former headquarters of The Durham Gas Company, built in 1881, it provides the perfect ambience for a classy dining experience. Oldfields Noted Eating House, 18 Claypath, DH1 1RH oldfieldsrealfood.co.uk Café No.8 Bistro A small restaurant that blends period features with modern décor. Providing a menu that changes seasonally, using fresh and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ cafeno8.co.uk
Leeds
Also on the East Coast mainline, York is easily accessible by train. Leeds is the only English city outside London with its own repertory theatre, opera house and ballet company. There are more listed buildings in Leeds than in any English city outside London, with highlights including the Victoria Quarter and Corn Exchange. Leeds is also a Fair-Trade city. Again, easily accessible by train, no need to brave the busy city roads!
Browns Leeds The bar and restaurant are set in the imposing 1930s banking hall of the former Leeds Permanent Building Society which was converted in 2001. Ever since, they have been delivering delicious food (sourced locally) and great drinks in the spacious restaurant and atmospheric bar area. The Light, The Headrow, LS1 8EQ browns-restaurants.co.uk