From London
Bath and York, with different departure stations and different activity budgets.
From your city
Start with the city you leave.
A city-break shortlist is useful only when it fits the journey from home. Start with your departure station, then choose the destination.
Two origins, deliberately different shortlists
From London, compare Paddington–Bath Spa and King’s Cross–York. From Manchester, compare Piccadilly–Liverpool Lime Street and Victoria–York. Include the journey from home to the correct departure station in each plan.
Set a return deadline first
Write down when you need to be home and work backwards through your planned return journey and transfer. Use that deadline to trim the Sunday plan. Check both directions before committing to a room.
The selection
From Manchester
Liverpool and York, with a station-specific starting point.
Friday or Saturday
Choose the extra-night decision on cost and usable time.