• Publish Your article
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Thursday, October 9, 2025
No Result
View All Result
UK Herald
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Sports
    England rugby stadium Twickenham given new name after more than 100 years in shock new deal

    England rugby stadium Twickenham given new name after more than 100 years in shock new deal

    Peter Morgan dead at 65: Former Wales and Lions rugby star who became a politician passes away as club pays tribute

    Peter Morgan dead at 65: Former Wales and Lions rugby star who became a politician passes away as club pays tribute

    Horse racing tips: Unexposed Group 1 contender can stun the big guns at 14-1

    Horse racing tips: Unexposed Group 1 contender can stun the big guns at 14-1

    Woman ‘raped seven times by two French rugby stars who left her riddled with bite marks & with horror injuries’

    Woman ‘raped seven times by two French rugby stars who left her riddled with bite marks & with horror injuries’

    Horse racing tips: Gary Moore’s charge can gain revenge after falling last time out

    Horse racing tips: Gary Moore’s charge can gain revenge after falling last time out

    Ian Buckett dead at 56: Former Wales rugby star who was ‘admired and feared equally’ dies as tributes pour in

    Ian Buckett dead at 56: Former Wales rugby star who was ‘admired and feared equally’ dies as tributes pour in

    Horse racing tips: Bash the bookies with these longshots including 9-1 fancy

    Horse racing tips: Bash the bookies with these longshots including 9-1 fancy

    Shayne Philpott dead at 58 – New Zealand All Blacks rugby legend dies after suffering ‘medical event’

    Shayne Philpott dead at 58 – New Zealand All Blacks rugby legend dies after suffering ‘medical event’

    Horse racing tips: This 7-1 chance appears to have been laid out for race he won last year

    Horse racing tips: This 7-1 chance appears to have been laid out for race he won last year

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • food
    • Health
    • Travel
    Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

    Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

    Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

    Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

    What is Bleach or Facial, Best for Skin?

    What is Bleach or Facial, Best for Skin?

    Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

    Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

    An ESTA change has just made travelling to America more expensive for Brits

    An ESTA change has just made travelling to America more expensive for Brits

    The best Maldives alternatives that are cheaper — and three are in Europe

    The best Maldives alternatives that are cheaper — and three are in Europe

    Italy strikes for Gaza: What tourists need to know amid travel disruption in Rome and Milan

    Italy strikes for Gaza: What tourists need to know amid travel disruption in Rome and Milan

    ‘Dystopian’ cruise ship divides travellers — and gives a glimpse into the future

    ‘Dystopian’ cruise ship divides travellers — and gives a glimpse into the future

    Airline launches flights from £9 to European hotspots including Majorca, Alicante and Seville

    Airline launches flights from £9 to European hotspots including Majorca, Alicante and Seville

    I feel like a stranger in the UK after 21 years abroad

    I feel like a stranger in the UK after 21 years abroad

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Crypto
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Sports
  • More
    • Press Release
UK Herald
No Result
View All Result

This eclectic UK city has so much more to offer than its main tourist attraction

by Justin Marsh
March 31, 2024
0
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterReddit


Evelyn surrounded by Belfast art
Belfast is so much more than a sunken ship (Pictures: Evelyn Richards)

Before travelling to Belfast for the first time, I knew it was famous for three things: friendly locals, Guinness, and the Titanic.

So when I realised that the Titanic Museum – and, frankly, any trace of the Titanic – was missing from my itinerary from Tourism Ireland, I wondered what else I was meant to do over the weekend (other than relax in one of the hundreds of pubs).

But this omission of the famed tourist attraction taught me that there is a lot more to Belfast than the sunken ship.

Little did I realise, the Northern Irish capital is a hub of arts and culture, making it the perfect UK staycation.

After unloading my bags at the Room2 hotel, situated at the heart of the city and so convenient for getting around by foot, I made my way to my first activity.

Room2 Belfast room
The hotel was colourfully decorated (Pictures: Evelyn Richards)

Traditional Irish music and dancing

At the foot of the Albert Memorial, I met with musicians Maria and Joe, two life-long Belfastians with a palpable passion for traditional Irish music.

The pair took me for a short wander around the city, pointing out locations of musical significance, including the exact spot where the historic 1792 Harp Festival took place.

After our tour, we went into the back room of a small pub where Maria pulled out her Irish flute and Joe his guitar.

The pair played a repertoire of traditional Irish music, including jig, slip jigs, and reels.

Do I remember the difference between the three? Not exactly. But I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, a clip of which you can see below.

{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T3M38S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/01\/26\/15\/80508797-0-image-a-25_1706283311404.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2024-01-26T15:31:55+0000″,”description”:”Why you should visit this underrated city in the UK.”,”contentUrl”:”https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2024\/01\/26\/3893119092663928998\/480x270_MP4_3893119092663928998.mp4″,”height”:270,”width”:480}

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

window.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {
if (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {
return;
}
var player = data.detail.carousel.el_;
var container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);
var placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);
container.removeChild(placeholder);
container.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);
});

We were then joined by an Irish dancer, who put on a stunning display before inviting me to have a go.

As you can see from the below video, my enthusiasm didn’t proportionately translate to dancing abilities. I’ll stick to the robot next time.

{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T27S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/01\/26\/15\/80508807-0-image-a-3_1706283341546.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2024-01-26T15:33:57+0000″,”description”:”Why you should visit this underrated city in the UK.”,”contentUrl”:”https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2024\/01\/26\/6927794606162751872\/480x270_MP4_6927794606162751872.mp4″,”height”:480,”width”:270}

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

window.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {
if (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {
return;
}
var player = data.detail.carousel.el_;
var container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);
var placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);
container.removeChild(placeholder);
container.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);
});

To cool off after cutting some shapes, I took a walk to the Botanic Gardens, taking in the beauty of the river along the way.

Palm House

In the park, I stumbled across Palm House, a stunning Victorian greenhouse erected in 1828.

The structure, very similar to the famous Palm House at Kew Gardens, is free to visit and instantly transports you to somewhere far-flung and exotic with an array of tropical plants to get lost in.

A welcome breath of fresh air in a hustling bustling city, offering a quiet moment for meditation and reflection. I very much recommend a visit if you’re in the area.

That night, I had a scrumptious meal at Home restaurant, which uses local homegrown sustainable ingredients and with dishes including roast celeriac, chickpea and spinach korma, and crispy fried cauliflower, caters very well to vegetarians too.

Belfast Palm House
The Palm House reminded me of Kew Gardens – only this one is free (Pictures: Evelyn Richards)

Belfast street art

The following day, I was booked in to do a walking tour of the street art of Belfast.

The art is not merely an aesthetic expression; it is a poignant reflection of Northern Irish heritage and the complex narratives that have shaped the region.

Dating back to the Troubles, a period of conflict that spanned from the late 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the city’s walls became canvases for political and cultural statements.

Murals sprung up, illustrating the struggles, hopes, and resilience of the communities affected. These artworks played a pivotal role in conveying the emotions and stories of a divided society, making the streets of Belfast an open-air gallery of shared history.

In the post-Troubles era, street art has evolved into a symbol of reconciliation and remembrance. The murals not only depict the strife of the past but also celebrate the progress towards peace and unity. The significance of these murals lies in their ability to foster dialogue, encouraging locals and visitors alike to engage with Northern Ireland’s complex heritage.

As I explored the streets of Belfast, I found the vibrant colors and powerful imagery guided me through a journey of history, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of the people.

Belfast Street Art
There is so much hope in the art (Pictures: Evelyn Richards)
Belfast Street Art
Inspirational quotes line the streets (Pictures: Evelyn Richards)

If you’re interested, there is an interactive map of all the street art in the city.

The art tour marked the end of my time in Belfast – but not the end of my education.

In the taxi ride back to the airport, the friendly driver explained the changes he had seen in the city during his lifetime.

He said: ‘It’s crazy to think that anyone would build hotels there. When I was a lad, those streets were littered with bombs.



Getting there:

  • Stays at Room2 hotel start from £109 per night.
  • Flights from London to Belfast on Skyscanner start from £30.

‘Now there are lavish hotels and boutique shops. I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me as a child.’

As you can tell, although the Titanic was missing from my itinerary, I wasn’t necessarily missing the Titanic.

The city is so full of art, culture, cuisine, and life that speak so much more to the heritage and identity than a tragic sinking over 100 years before.


MORE : I accidentally ended up on a Saga holiday – aged 30


MORE : Jealous of Dua Lipa’s jet-setting? How to get the most of your 2024 holiday allowance

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below





Source link

Related Posts

Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

by Justin Marsh
October 7, 2025
0

The move is designed to make the boarding process quicker (Picture: Getty Images) American Airlines has announced a significant change to its carry-on baggage rules, designed to speed up boarding. From Monday, 6...

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

by Justin Marsh
October 4, 2025
0

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has won a slate of awards (Picture: SOPA Images) With domed glass ceilings, tropical gardens, and twinkling lights, Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) gives the 65...

Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

by Justin Marsh
October 1, 2025
0

{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Man's work commute is never what it seems","duration":"T53S","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/10\/18\/09\/91004847-0-image-a-8_1729241313916.jpg","uploadDate":"2024-10-18T09:48:19+0100","description":"When you live and work in China's mountain city of Chongqing, you can never be too sure about how high up you are when you...

An ESTA change has just made travelling to America more expensive for Brits

An ESTA change has just made travelling to America more expensive for Brits

by Justin Marsh
September 28, 2025
0

America just made the ESTA more expensive (Picture: Getty Images) If you’re travelling to America anytime soon then your trip just got a little more expensive. Whether you’re setting sail on a...

The best Maldives alternatives that are cheaper — and three are in Europe

The best Maldives alternatives that are cheaper — and three are in Europe

by Justin Marsh
September 25, 2025
0

A trip to the Maldives doesn’t come cheap (Picture: Getty Images) Lunar white sand beaches, turquoise water and tropical temperatures — it’s no wonder the Maldives is one of the world’s most...

Italy strikes for Gaza: What tourists need to know amid travel disruption in Rome and Milan

Italy strikes for Gaza: What tourists need to know amid travel disruption in Rome and Milan

by Justin Marsh
September 22, 2025
0

People gather near Termini train station during a nationwide strike called “Let’s Block Everything” in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and demanding a halt to arms shipments to Israel, in Rome (Picture:...

Next Post
New build homes for sale: Manchester’s highest rated

New build homes for sale: Manchester’s highest rated

Popular News

Clive Lewis: ‘Robin Cook showed us politics at its most serious. Labour has lost that balance’

Clive Lewis: ‘Robin Cook showed us politics at its most serious. Labour has lost that balance’

October 8, 2025
Nobel Prize of Physics to 3 American Scientists for Energy Level Search

Nobel Prize of Physics to 3 American Scientists for Energy Level Search

October 7, 2025
Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

October 7, 2025
Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of 'Peripheral Immune Tolerance'

Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of 'Peripheral Immune Tolerance'

October 6, 2025
Obama in London: Have Starmer and Labour already shown they were listening?

Obama in London: Have Starmer and Labour already shown they were listening?

October 6, 2025
Week-in-Review: The calling of Keir Starmer

Week-in-Review: The calling of Keir Starmer

October 4, 2025
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

October 4, 2025
UK Herald

All Rights Reserved © UK HERALD - The Voice of UK

Important Links

  • Publish Your article
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • Advertise

...

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • UK News
  • Business
  • Science
  • National
  • Entertainment
  • Gaming
  • Sports
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Food

All Rights Reserved © UK HERALD - The Voice of UK