New England

'I don't want to change the world, I'm not looking for a new England', So sang urban troubadour Billy Bragg. Today's traveller can fınd a ne\v England on this tour of the country's revitalised cities.
Start in Bristol (p247), once a poor cousin to grand neighbour Bath, but now a city with fierce pride, rich history and a music scene to rival hip northern outposts. Next stop, Birmingham (p453), formerly famous for bland 1960s architecture, today oozing transformation with renovated waterside, energised museums and space-age shopping centre. Nearby is Nottingham (p488), formerly famous for men in tights, but renowned today for some very merry nightlife.
Then north to fashionable Leeds (p582), Yorkshire's shopping heaven, dubbed thc Knightsbridge of the North, and voted UK favourite city by rcaders of Conde Nast Traveller. Retail not your thing? No problem. Head for Manchester (p641), England's second city and long-time hotbed of musical endeavour, with a thriving arts and club scene, galleries a-go-go, fine dining, dramatic new architecture and - oh yes - a rather famous football team. Nearby is Liverpool (p662); the Beatles may be done to death, but here's a rich and genuine musical heritage, not to mention another well-known football team.
And to finish, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (p727), now promoted to the outside vvorld along vvith its neighbouring city as Nevvcastle-Gateshead - a perfect blend of to-the-hilt party-town and 21st-century cultural renaissance.