Prime Time's KEN BENNETT suggests the ideal way to get away from it all is a city break at one of the 30 English cities featured in the new Visit Britain brochure

BATH first became a favourite recreational spot for the Romans. They wallowed in its natural hot springs and turned them into a series of regal baths offering health cures.

Now a World Heritage site, the famous spa is being restored and will open as the country's only state-of-the-art mineral rich Thermae Bath Spa later this year. A stunning new contemporary building will house the Sacred Cross Bath and an open-air roof-top pool will boast the best views of this lovely city.

Birmingham, though much-maligned, is an unusual treat. Gone is its drab, unwashed feel with the famous 1960s Bullring now glittering centre stage in a stunning £500 million makeover underpinning its status as Europe's biggest retail outlet. There are more than 100 shops, cafes, restaurants and, of course, a remarkable avant-garde Selfridge's store.

But for a different slant on Brummie life, a trip on one of the canals - they have more than Venice - brings a whole new perspective into play.

There is a fascinating mix of architecture from the Italianate Council House with its gold-tipped copula and lions as a centrepiece, to the fine Georgian terraces of St. Paul's Square.

Against an impressive backdrop of art and picture galleries, the Jewellery Quarter, which has bustled along since the 14th century, is the best place to find classic or modern designer pieces.

Brighton was once where fashionable society used to pour to take the 'seawater cure.' Now the resort is a heady mix of cool cafes and cockles, windsurfers and artists, beach volleyball and bookstalls, fresh fish and funky T-shirts.

Dip into The Lanes, the famous 17th century fisherman's cottages, now converted into smart shops selling antiques, jewellery and designer clothes.

Leeds provides a real counterpoint. The city's Victoria Quarter in the car-free centre features stylish lanes of sculptured ironwork and glass arcades offering sophisticated shopping.

Look out for bargains in Kirkgate's Market Hall, the largest covered market in Europe. It was here that Michael Marks of Marks & Spencer fame set up the Penny Bazaar market stall in 1884.

For me though, the Royal Armouries Museum is an absolute must. Besides its breathtaking displays of ancient weapons, there are thrilling lively jousts by 'knights' on horseback and Wild West gunfights.

Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, is rocketing up the popular city break destination charts too.

There is, of course, the obligatory Beatles tour, the city's greatest musical asset, but don't miss a trip on the Yellow Duckmarine - a Second World War amphibious craft that roars around historical sights before making a splashdown in Albert Dock.

With a stunning line-up of reasonably priced hotels, it's an ideal place to visit.

Manchester is where you can go mad for cows and music. This Summer the Cow Parade promises a new art spectacle with 100 life-sized fibreglass cows decorated by local artists, designers and architects and put out to 'pasture' in local streets and parks.

Home of the internationally famous Halle Orchestra, who perform to packed houses at Bridgewater Hall, you could see new bands and top theatre productions at the Palace Theatre and Opera House too.

Newcastle, always known for its nightlife, is now being celebrated for its architecture. The area has suddenly exploded into life - placing it at the cutting edge of jaw-dropping architecture headed up by the iconic Angel of the North and innovative BALTIC, a centre for contemporary arts at the Quayside.

Packed with cool, trendy eateries and bars, the quays at Newcastle and Gateshead offer a happy alternative to the area's all-action, full-on clubs.

l For further information on these and other cultural English cities, call 0845 458 0072. If you are planning a holiday in England and need some ideas, obtain a free Holiday Planner 2004 on 0845 456 3456 or click on www.visitbritain.com

Or try these dedicated city websites for further information: Bath: www.visitbath.co.uk or www.southwest.co.uk; Birmingham: www.shortbreaks.org.uk or www.visitheartofengland.com Brighton: www.gosouth.co.uk Leeds: www.leeds.gov.uk or www.yorkshirevisitor.com; Liverpool:www.visitliverpool.com or www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com Manchester: www.visitshortbreaks.destinationmanchester.com; Newcastle: www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com or www.visitnorthumbria.com; London: www.visitlondon.com

Get the best flight deals

THERE has never been a better time for the availability of cheap flights helping to make every corner of expanding Europe an ideal weekend destination.

Prime Time advises how to find the best bargains.

* Surf the net: Some of the best deals around are to be found on the websites of all the big name flight operators. Visit www.ryanair.com, www.easyjet.com and www.go-fly.com for a great selection of deals. All sites are easy to navigate and contain numerous, sometimes spectacular deals with one way flights on offer for as little as 99p (See Ryanair.)

* Book early: Contrary to popular belief you can actually save quite a bit of money by booking as early as possible. As the flight fills up prices rise meaning a flight which you could have booked for £25 in one month could easily rise to £150 if you leave it till the days before you intend to fly..

* Be flexible: Remember prices quoted on these websites are for specific days, dates and flight times. The more flexible you can be the more chance you have of bagging a bargain.

* Be aware that flight taxes are often not included in the flight price indicated and could add about £12 -£15 to the price of a flight.