Lancaster's North face of history and charm

Nestled in Lancashire, with its charming Georgian buildings and quaint cobbled streets, is the city of Lancaster.

- By AMY JONES

The often-overlooked UK city is bursting with history, a thriving high street and a city centre Christmas ice rink and giant Ferris wheel.The compact yet characterful high street, resembling a village more than an urban area, is packed with popular chain stores alongside independent shops, cosy bookstores and inviting coffeehouses, such as The Coffee Hopper.

While it may have one of the shortest high streets in the country, stretching a mere 160 metres, Lancaster delightfully boasts more than 170 independent businesses.

Despite its size, the city boasts a thriving food scene, featuring independent cafes, bakeries and restaurants, with street food also at the heart of its flavours.