Why Toronto is the Perfect Getaway for British Travellers
For British travellers seeking an unforgettable North American adventure that feels surprisingly familiar, Toronto extends a warm welcome. As Canada's most populous city, it boasts a character defined by its multicultural identity, where diversity is celebrated as its greatest strength. The Greater Toronto Area, encompassing regions like York and Durham, along with municipalities such as Pickering and Whitby, presents a landscape that will feel like a home from home for visitors from Northern England.
The city's unique appeal lies in its embrace of all sexualities, colours, creeds, and classes, creating an inclusive ethnic melting pot that warmly welcomes every British visitor. Currently, with the pound performing strongly against the Canadian dollar and direct flights from the UK taking approximately seven hours with the award-winning airline Air Transat, there has never been a better time to explore this welcoming corner of the maple leaf country.
Where to Stay: The Drake Hotel
Unconnected to the rapper who popularised the neighbourhood's '6ix' nickname, The Drake Hotel nevertheless strikes a similarly cool chord. This accommodation is all about that base, offering a welcome warmer than a summer swim in Etobicoke Creek. Ideally positioned in the beating heart of vibrant Queen West, the hotel provides much more than just a place to rest.
Modern and classic wings combine creative charm with community culture, earning this hostelry a place in TripAdvisor's Toronto top ten. With over 50 art-filled rooms complemented by outstanding hospitality, including elevated dining options, it serves as a cornerstone of the local art scene. The hotel hosts live events for clubbers keen to experience its Underground venue.
Bolstering breakfasts feature eggs on sourdough, served with coffee stronger than Midhurst muscle man Mitchell "The Moose" Hooper. The Saturday brunch is an event in itself, hosted by the country's longest-serving drag host Miss Moço and fellow flamboyant female impersonators, creating a vibrant atmosphere of gender-bending exuberance.
Unmissable Toronto Experiences
For culture enthusiasts, Odessa Paloma Parker's West End Art/Design Tour showcases eclectic galleries and haute couture boutiques, while the Chinatown & Kensington Market Food Tour by Culinary Adventure Co—hailed by Forbes as "one of best food tours in the world"—offers tastes from dim sum to Vietnamese street food and Jamaican patties.
Burdock Brewery's tour celebrates "brewing beers we want to drink every day," featuring session lagers, pales, and wine-inspired grape ales. Culture vultures flock to Soulpepper Theatre, staging 16 striking productions this season, while the Art Gallery of Ontario attracts one million aesthetes annually with its collection of over 120,000 indigenous and contemporary pieces.
The Toronto Harbour Champagne Cruise provides stunning skyline views dominated by the CN Tower, which soars 533 metres and offers panoramic views from its 360 Restaurant. For thrill-seekers, the outdoor ledge EdgeWalk delivers an adrenaline rush. For something completely different, Bar Mordecai features exclusive karaoke rooms themed around musical eras, perfect for belting out Britpop classics.
Culinary Adventures Across the City
Waterworks Food Hall spans 55,000 square feet within a sympathetically restored 1930s heritage site. This European-style hall houses 15 diverse culinary artisans, from Japanese ramen to Pakistani naans, centred around three bars and illuminated by a striking spheres installation.
Peter Pan Bistro offers gastronomic adventures in a landmark restaurant restored to its 1930s grandeur, where executive chef Noah Goldberg blends French bistro classics with local produce. General Public presents an upscale English pub with an American brasserie heart, the latest venture from influential restaurateur Jenn Agg.
For Italian dining, the Michelin Bib Gourmand bistro Wynona offers minimalist Scandi-inspired space with chef Jeba Sritharan's weekly rotating menus featuring dishes like charred pepper and ricotta ravioli. Linny's steakhouse delights with comfort classics and a jazz soundtrack, while Ayla Upstairs provides a cinematic dining experience fusing Hong Kong and Caribbean tastes.
Speakeasy splendour awaits at Charlemagne Cocktail Bar, an inky-panelled Parisian-style bar above Cafe Renée, where mixologist Gus Edmundson concocts classic and bespoke cocktails. Meanwhile, Suite 115 creates bespoke beverages based entirely on customers' flavour profiles.
Travel Essentials for Your Toronto Adventure
The Drake Hotel offers rooms starting from £189 per night. Air Transat, voted the World's Best Leisure Airline 2025 by Skytrax, provides direct flights to Toronto year-round from London Gatwick, Manchester, and Glasgow, plus seasonal services from Dublin. Return Economy Class fares start from just £407 per person, making this diverse Canadian city an accessible and compelling destination for British travellers seeking their next great adventure.
