CITY BREAKS WITHOUT THE CROWDS

From William Wallace's battle site and Richard III's grave to striking architecture and urban natural beauty, discover the lesser-explored UK cities offering travellers a wealth of rewards

- By Emily Wright

LONDON, Edinburgh, Oxford and Brighton — their landmarks and monuments fill postcards, and their attractions draw millions. But all too often their iconic beauty spots come with queues, inflated prices and that unmistakable feeling of a well-trodden path.

Yet look beyond the selfie sticks and souvenir shops and the UK is home to a richer, quieter beauty. From Scotland's castle-topped medieval streets to the rugged coastline of Wales, travellers who are prepared to venture a little further afield will find themselves rewarded with sights more gratifying or surprising than any "must-see" itinerary in typical travel guides.

STIRLING

THIS compact city in central Scotland is rich in history, full of character and quiet compared with Edinburgh and Glasgow. Going there feels like discovering a well-kept secret. "It's very similar to the Royal Mile in terms of the architecture and historic appeal, although much quieter and off the beaten path," says Geoff Morrison, founder of Stirling Old Town Jail.

Stirling was once the beating heart of Scotland. Its strategic location made it a key player in everything from the Wars of Independence in the late 13th and 14th centuries to the Jacobite rebellions several centuries later. Today, you can still sense that legacy in its medieval streets and skyline-dominating stone castle, which is one of the country's grandest fortresses with a £12million refurbished royal palace, costumed guides and views that stretch from the Highlands to the Lowlands.

Elsewhere, the Old Town Jail offers immersive history tours and escape rooms for crime and punishment enthusiasts, while climbers who ascend the National Wallace Monument can gaze out at the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory.

LEICESTER