Thinking about going up for a night just after Christmas with the Mrs for my birthday. I have the impression it's kind of olde worlde with lots of cosy pubs selling good ale. After a nice central hotel so no need for taxis. Any good clothes shops I can maybe drag her into? She's mentioned London but don't know if I can be arsed and fancy somthing different.
Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

I worked up there for a few months and its pretty much as you described it. Lots of impressive architecture and some very decent pubs/local breweries. if you're just thinking of a night I reckon it's probably a better bet than London, but it's not somewhere you'd stay for more than say, two/three nights.