Sheffield
The Winter Garden houses plants from around the world, and the striking Millennium Galleries has four galleries and regularly hosts exhibitions from the London Tate and V&A Museum. Graves Art Gallery has British and European art from the 16th century to the present, including works by Picasso and Cezanne, while the Site Gallery showcases contemporary art. The Crucible Theatre stages productions from Shakespeare to panto and there's more to see at Sheffield City Hall. Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and Weston Park Museum are just a few miles from the city centre.

Nottingham
Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery is great for kids and the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard covers 300 years of history. Tales of Robin Hood is a fun journey to the past, while it's gruesome fun learning about the city's judicial system and punishments at the Galleries of Justice - and you could end up before a judge. The Museum of Costume and Textiles has clothing from the 18th century, tapestries and lace, and there's also the Lace Market close to bustling Old Market Square and a hundred stores in the Victoria Centre.

Chesterfield
Derbyshire's largest church St Mary and All Saints is famous for its landmark crooked spire: 228ft high and leaning nearly 9ft off centre. Other historic buildings nearby include Revolution House, Bolsover Castle, Renishaw Hall Gardens and Hardwick Hall. There's plenty to see at Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery and the Pomegranate Theatre, while bargain hunters will enjoy the market with over 200 stalls.

Lincoln
The Cathedral Quarter has Lincoln Cathedral and Castle, Medieval Bishops' Palace and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. The Cultural Quarter offers heritage and entertainment, including The Collection for art and archaeology and Lincoln Drill Hall for performing arts. It's Brayford Waterfront for bars and restaurants and the High Street Quarter for great shopping - and don't miss Europe's biggest Christmas Market.