Some of Scotland’s biggest gigs happen well away from Glasgow and Edinburgh, in communities as far flung as Stornoway and Ullapool, places for which there is no alternative but to take the scenic route

Much of the Welsh capital’s indie scene is beyond the centre. But there are some real gems when it comes to music, nightlife and food – if you know where to look

The coast from Southend to Sheppey is an atmospheric landscape of big skies, historic forts and nature reserves. And the Thames Estuary Path makes it easy to walk an area that inspired painters, Dickens and Dr Feelgood

From DH Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe to Shane Meadows and the Sleaford Mods, Nottingham has a culture of rebelliousness that runs through its energetic music, arts, nightlife and bars

‘Something about the Black Mountains lends itself towards myth and magic, folklore and fiction. What exactly, I’m not sure,’ says Oliver Balch. With author and poet Owen Sheers as his guide, he aims to find out

The subculture that always existed beyond Northern Ireland’s old divisions has come to the fore in Belfast, energising the city’s music, food, drink and art scenes

Glenn Patterson heads from Belfast to the shores of Strangford Lough to sip and soak up the work of a new generation of distillers who are resurrecting the craft

Bristol projects its irreverent spirit and powerful sense of identity through its cutting-edge music, arts, clubs, bars, street festivals and food scenes

At the wheel of her old MG, Emma John zooms past the clogged up Cotswolds to enjoy stately homes and less-trodden hills in the west Midlands counties

The Edinburgh festival may dominate the headlines every summer, but all year round there’s a tight-knit local scene of off-beam music, grassroots art and theatre, and a stupidly good range of affordable grub and booze

The path may be flat but there are plenty of high points for walkers, from riverside villages and pubs to abundant wildlife, fascinating history and landscape – and that huge epic sky

Beyond the shiny, high-profile regeneration projects, independent, left-field Manchester is still thriving, as our guide to its vibrant bars, restaurants, music venues and creative arts scene proves