Plan a Great British short break with our guide to 10 of the best tried-and-tested UK weekend break ideas, featuring historic cities, coastal escapes, foodie favourites, unspoilt countryside and more.
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Although I love travelling the world, there’s no place like home, and I try to explore as much of my own country as I do others. For a small place, Britain really packs a lot in. Within a few hours you can go from world-class cities to quaint country villages, from historic towns to wild coastline. And its size means they’re easily accessible for a weekend.
So if you’re looking for inspiration for your next Great British weekend break destination, here are 10 of my favourite, tried-and-tested UK weekend break ideas, with all the details you need, from what to do and where to eat, drink and stay to how to get there – and there’s a downloadable PDF version of the guide the end so you can save them for later.
10 of the best UK weekend break ideas
1. London
‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’ Samuel Johnson was right, London’s a hard place to get bored. From museums and Michelin-starred dining to street art and hipster cafés, there’s a London for you.
SEE & DO
London’s free museums are the city’s best bargain – head to South Kensington for Science, Natural History and V&A design museums, Bloomsbury for the British Museum with its treasures from around the world and Greenwich for the National Maritime Museum. Or try something more unusual like Sir John Soane’s Museum or the Horniman Museum.
Take a walk along the South Bank of the Thames past famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Tower Bridge. Or get on board a Thames Clipper commuter boat for a bargain river cruise.
If the sun’s shining, head to Hyde Park for boating on the Serpentine or picnic with a view on Primrose Hill. There are plenty of places to find that perfect panorama of the city, from the top of the Shard to the Sky Garden, an indoor garden at the top of a City skyscraper.
EAT & DRINK
Taste your way around the UK and beyond at London’s foodie markets – Borough is best-known but there’s also Broadway in the east and Brockley in the south. London has made afternoon tea into an art form. The Ritz is the classic tea-lovers’ destination, but Claridges and Fortnum & Mason are just as decadently delicious. Or how about dinner with a view at a high-rise restaurant like Duck and Waffle or Aqua or Hutong at the Shard?
THE DETAILS
London has thousands of hotels (though they aren’t cheap) – a few of my favourites are Resident, Point A and Z Hotels, which combine central locations and reasonable prices. London’s a huge transport hub, with major airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stanstead and Luton, connected to the city by bus or train. There’s also the Eurostar for international trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam as well as train links across the UK.
Read more London posts
2. Cambridge
Punts on the river, honey-coloured buildings, ornate bridges and students on bikes – Cambridge is where period drama fantasies come to life. Live the student dream on campus, if only for the weekend.
SEE & DO
The university is the heart of Cambridge, and many of the 31 colleges spread around the city are open to visitors. The most famous three are King’s, Trinity and St John’s – King’s for its Gothic chapel and choir, Trinity for the Wren Library and St John’s for the Bridge of Sighs.
It’s well worth exploring some of the smaller and less-well-known colleges too, like Christ’s or Newnham. You can also see art and antiquities from around the world at the Fitzwilliam Museum and get a bird’s eye view of the city from Great St Mary’s Church tower.
Punting is a Cambridge must do, and is a relaxing way to see the college gardens and bridges. You can either hire your own punt or get someone else to do the hard work for you on a guided punting tour,* which is often led by a current or past student.
EAT & DRINK
Dine at the Cambridge Chop House for comfort food overlooking King’s College, or stop off at Michaelhouse Café for lunch in a converted medieval church. You can also follow in the footsteps of scientists Crick and Watson, who announced they’d discovered DNA in The Eagle pub on Benet Street. Or call into Fitzbillies for afternoon tea, a café opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum famous for its sticky Chelsea Buns – a student favourite for decades.
THE DETAILS
The Varsity* is Cambridge’s most stylish spot, a boutique hotel on the River Cam with a wow-factor roof terrace and luxury spa. Or get a taste of student life with a B&B stay in college buildings through University Rooms. Cambridge is an hour by train from London, and if you’re flying the nearest airport is London Stanstead, 30 minutes by train.
Read more: A weekend in Cambridge: 2-day Cambridge itinerary
3. The Cotswolds
A contender for Britain’s prettiest region, the Cotswolds are postcard-perfect England. Hunt your fantasy country house, explore gorgeous gardens, and eat and drink from delicious local food producers.
SEE & DO
The Cotswolds is a beauty parade of picturesque villages – if you’re looking for the most beautiful spots, head to Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Castle Combe, Stanton and Snowshill, as well as the wonderfully named Upper and Lower Slaughter.
Explore castles and historic houses at Sudeley Castle and Blenheim Palace. Or take a walk through Painswick Rococo Gardens or Cotswolds Lavender’s springtime fields of purple. Get out among the unspoilt Cotswold countryside by walking a stretch of the Cotswold Way – a 102-mile walking route which runs from Chipping Campden to Bath.
Check out the fantastic views from Cleeve Hill, Crickley Park and the Broadway Tower – all of which are part of the Cotswold Way. Or take the easier route on board the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire steam railway which runs from Cheltenham to Broadway.
EAT & DRINK
The Cotswolds is an unexpected foodie hotspot, and you’ll find some of the best local produce at Stroud’s Saturday farmers’ market, rated one of the best in the UK. The area’s also the home of the cosy country pub – the Green Dragon in Cowley and the Bell at Sapperton are a couple of my favourites. There are some great restaurants in Cheltenham too, from new Michelin-star awardee Lumière to cosy French restaurant Petit Coco.
THE DETAILS
Traditional Cotswold stone pub meets contemporary style at The Old Stocks Inn* in Stow-on-the-Wold. Or go grand at Cowley Manor*, a luxurious country house and spa. It’s easiest to get around the Cotswolds by car, but there are train stations at Cheltenham, Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh. The nearest airports are an hour away in Bristol or Birmingham.
Read more: A weekend in The Cotswolds: 2-day Cotswolds itinerary
4. Bristol
The southwest’s coolest city mixes a historic harbourside with a quirky, alternative feel. Packed with street art and a hub for independent shops, bars and restaurants, it’s been voted the UK’s most livable city.
SEE & DO
Take a bike tour around the harbour with Cycle the City for a peek into Bristol’s industrial past, then find out more at MShed, a free museum surrounded by old cranes which tells the story of Bristol. Walk past some of Bristol’s most colourful buildings on your way to the SS Great Britain, Brunel’s historic ship which was once the world’s longest passenger ship.
Go Banksy spotting on a street art tour through Stokes Croft. Or head to upscale Clifton Village, a smart neighbourhood which is full of boutique shops and restaurants.
Visit Bristol’s most famous landmark, the 76-metre-high Clifton Suspension Bridge – catch the best of the views at sunset, even better when seen from a hot air balloon ride. Or take a dip and relax in the spa on a summer’s day at the historic 1850s Clifton Lido.
EAT & DRINK
Bristol is all about the independents, so it’s a great place to try something new. Head to St Nicholas Market, the oldest in the city, for food stalls from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Or try Cargo at Wapping Wharf, with restaurants in converted shipping containers. Bristol’s the heart of cider country so don’t miss a tasting at Bristol Cider Shop. Or Riverstation is another favourite, serving classic European dishes on the waterfront.
THE DETAILS
Berkeley Suites* in Clifton is part hotel part apartment, with suites with mini kitchens plus access to the Berkeley Square Hotel facilities. Or for something more unusual, how about a vintage Airstream caravan? Brooks Guesthouse* has three on its roof, with en-suites and fab city views. Bristol Temple Meads, the city’s main station, is 90 minutes by train from London. And Bristol’s airport is 30 minutes out of the city on the Airport Flyer bus.
5. St Ives
A seaside town with an arty side, St Ives is well worth the trek down to the far reaches of Cornwall for its golden sand beaches, pretty harbour, world-class galleries – and of course the tasty Cornish pasties.
SEE & DO
If you’re looking for a UK weekend break by the sea, St Ives has everything you need. The town is surrounded by a string of sandy beaches – try Porthmeor for surfing, Porthminster for swimming and sandcastles, or the Harbour Beach for families. Or follow the South West Coast Path out of town in either direction to find your own perfect stretch of sand.
St Ives is Cornwall’s artistic hub, with an outpost of London’s Tate Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, Bernard Leach Pottery and lots of independent galleries. You can even give it a try yourself with an art or sculpture class from a local artist.
Explore narrow streets full of cafés and unusual shops, tucked in between cute whitewashed cottages. Or if you’re visiting in September, the whole town is taken over for two weeks of music, arts and literature for the St Ives Festival, with events, exhibitions and open studios.
EAT & DRINK
St Ives knows how to do a good beach café, and both the Porthmeor and Porthminster Beach Cafés combine delicious food with a perfect position on the sand. As you’d expect from its location, St Ives is a great place for seafood – try the Porthminster Kitchen or the Seafood Café, where you choose your own fish and how you want it cooked. And of course you can’t leave Cornwall without having at least one Cornish pasty and cream tea.
THE DETAILS
The Pedn-Olva* hotel looks out over Porthminster beach with an outdoor pool and sea view terrace. Or Trevose Harbour House* is a family-run guesthouse with six stylish rooms and tasty cooked breakfasts. St Ives is 5.5 hours by train from London – or there’s the overnight Night Riviera sleeper train. The nearest airport is 40 miles away in Newquay.
6. Cardiff
Europe’s youngest capital has been polished into a Welsh gem. Cardiff might be small, but it packs a lot in, with something for everyone – from history and culture to sport, food and nightlife.
SEE & DO
Take a guided tour around Cardiff’s most famous building, its city centre castle. The castle has been everything from a Roman fort to a WWII bomb shelter over the years, so it has plenty of stories to tell – and don’t miss a tour of the ornate Castle Apartments.
Explore the nearby Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades with their beautiful historic architecture and mix of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. And take a walk around the art and natural history galleries at the National Museum Cardiff.
Just outside the city centre, Cardiff Bay’s old industrial docklands have been restored and redeveloped. Now it’s a mix of old and new, home to the Senedd (Wales’ parliament) plus the Millennium cultural centre, red-brick Pierhead building and wooden Norwegian Church – plus a few locations which might look familiar to Doctor Who fans.
EAT & DRINK
Wales has some of Britain’s tastiest produce, and shows it off in Cardiff’s restaurants. Try the Potted Pig for modern British dishes using local ingredients (and an epic gin list). Or shop and eat your way around Cardiff Market’s street food stalls – Ffwrnes’ Neapolitan pizzas and Bao Selecta’s vegan buns are two of our top pics. And you can’t visit Wales without trying some of the freshly cooked Fabulous Welshcakes in Cardiff Bay.
THE DETAILS
The Hotel Indigo* is a smart modern hotel in the heart of the city with colourful nods to Welsh culture in the décor and a top-floor bar and restaurant. Cardiff is two hours by train from London. It also has an airport, connected to the city by a bus service (40 minutes) or a shuttle to nearby Rhoose station, 30 minutes by train from Cardiff Central.
7. Chester
On the England-Wales border, Chester has been pulling in visitors since the Romans. As well its historic side it’s the perfect place to celebrate the finer things in life, from designer shopping to a day at the races.
SEE & DO
Head back in time to Roman Chester (or rather Deva Victrix as it was known them) with a walk around the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Gardens. Then follow the two-mile route of the old Roman city walls past castles, medieval gates and towers.
Look out for the Eastgate Clock – an ornate clock on a bridge which overlooks the main street and is the perfect photo vantage point. Shop the Rows, Chester’s unique take on a medieval shopping mall with two layers of black and white shops on top of each other.
Take to the water with a boat trip along the River Dee or a walk along the Shropshire Union Canal, which is lined with narrowboats and red brick mill buildings. Or meet the locals at Chester Zoo, one of the UK’s largest zoos with a focus on conservation.
EAT & DRINK
Steak lovers head to New York-style Upstairs at the Grill, which specialises in dry-aged local meat. Or try tapas dishes alongside Spanish sherries, wines and cavas at Porta under the Northgate Bridge. Local favourite bistro Chez Jules puts a puts a Gallic spin on a traditional Sunday roast in a historic former fire station building. And don’t miss afternoon tea in the genteel surroundings of The Grosvenor hotel, who’ve been serving tea since 1882.
THE DETAILS
Modern apartment-style Roomzzz* near the racecourse has rooms with kitchens and takeaway breakfasts. Or go old-school glam at the Grosvenor*, where doormen in top hats welcome you into a lobby decorated with chandeliers. Chester is two hours by train from London. The nearest airports are in Liverpool and Manchester, both 1.5 hours by train.
8. The Lake District
The gorgeously green Lake District is one of Britain’s top destinations for walkers, with a stunning rural landscapes of tarns, fells and forests that’s inspired writers from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter.
SEE & DO
The Lake District covers a huge 912 square miles, so choose a section to focus on. It’s paradise for hikers, with walks varying from the gentle to the extreme. Ease yourself in with the 45-minute walk up Orrest Head Fell for fantastic views over Lake Windermere.
More adventurous visitors can tackle the peaks of Helvellyn and Scafell Pike. And you can’t visit the Lakes without getting out on the water, so take a boat trip from Ambleside to Bowness-on-Windermere or hire a rowing boat and do it yourself.
Explore picturesque Lakeland villages like Grasmere, Keswick and Cartmel. And if the British weather’s not playing ball, there’s the World of Beatrix Potter, her house at Hill Top and Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage to visit, plus plenty of pubs to warm up in.
EAT & DRINK
The Lake District is packed with country pubs – try the Black Bull in Coniston, Punch Bowl in Crosthwaite and Drunken Duck in Ambleside. It’s not all pub food though, there’s also the Michelin-starred L’Enclume. And don’t miss the Lakes’ sweet treats, from Grasmere Gingerbread and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding to Kendel Mint Cake.
THE DETAILS
Wheatlands Lodge* in Windermere is a period property perfect for a romantic break. Or bag a bargain at the refurbished Keswick YHA, with dorms and private rooms. It’s easiest to get around the Lakes by car, but there are train stations at Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme (2.5–3.5 hours from London), and branch lines to Kendal and Windermere. The nearest airports are Manchester and Leeds Bradford, both around 2 hours by car or train.
9. York
From the Vikings to the Victorians, York is a history textbook come to life – and a beautiful one too, with cobbled streets, cosy tea rooms, museums and minsters to explore. Even the ghosts can’t stay away.
SEE & DO
A walk around the Roman city walls takes you on a two-mile circuit of York’s historic heart, with plenty of pretty views along the way, including of the Minster. York Minister is one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals and towers over the city centre. Check out its stained glass windows and undercroft, and climb the spiral staircase to the top of the bell tower.
York has some great museums, from the Castle Museum (one of my favourites with its Victorian Street and random mix of exhibits) and train-lovers’ heaven at the National Railway Museum to a trip back in time at the Jorvik Viking Centre.
York is also known for its haunting history, so don’t miss an night-time ghost tour* where you can discover the tales of the city’s spooks and spectres after dark.
EAT & DRINK
Go British at fine-dining favourite Melton’s, with a menu featuring local Yorkshire produce, or French at Rustique for tasty bistro dishes. Betty’s Café is an afternoon tea institution, but I don’t think it can compete with tea on board vintage train carriage the Countess of York at the National Railway Museum. And call in for a drink at the Roman Bath, probably the only pub in the world which has an authentic Roman bathhouse in its basement.
THE DETAILS
See York in style at Clementine’s Town House*, a Victorian gentleman’s residence turned hotel with antique furniture in leafy Bootham. Or if you’re on a budget, The Fort* is a stylish boutique hostel in the city centre with dorms and private rooms. York is around two hours by train from London, or the nearest airport is Leeds Bradford, 30 miles away.
Read more: A weekend in York: 2-day York itinerary
10. Edinburgh
From Hogmanay to the Fringe festival, the Scottish capital knows how to throw a party, and a city packed with as much history, culture and charm as Edinburgh is well worth celebrating at any time of year.
SEE & DO
Our final UK weekend break idea takes us to Edinburgh, the Festival City. Take a wander down the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s most famous street, past buskers and bagpipers. At one end you’ll find 7th-century Edinburgh Castle*, towering over the city from the top of an extinct volcano. Tour the grounds and museums, and listen out for the One o’Clock Gun.
And at the other of the Royal Mile, the grand Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s residence in Scotland. Edinburgh’s volcanic hills make great viewpoints – catch sunset at Calton Hill or climb to the top for the top of Arthur’s Seat for views stretching 60 miles.
Explore Edinburgh’s weird and wonderful history at the National Museum of Scotland and the underground streets of Mary King’s Close. Or head out of the city centre to the Georgian New Town with its pretty mews houses and leafy walk along the Water of Leith.
EAT & DRINK
Visit the teeny Gardener’s Cottage at the base of Calton Hill for seasonal food using produce from the garden outside. Or head to Stockbridge to stock up on local produce at the Sunday market followed by brunch at The Pantry or lunch at award-winning gastropub the Scran & Scallie. Edinburgh has stacks of great bars too – underground speakeasy Panda & Sons, Pickles wine bar and Heads & Tales gin bar are just a few of my favourites.
THE DETAILS
The Witchery by the Castle* is a lavish, Gothic hotel on the Royal Mile with roll-top baths and four-poster beds. Or Motel One* have two good-value hotels in convenient central locations on Market Street and Princes Street. Edinburgh is 4.5 hours by train from London – or you can take the overnight Caledonian Sleeper train. It also has an international airport, which is connected to the city by a 30-minute tram or bus journey.
Read more Edinburgh posts
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Save for later
Dan
Friday 3rd of January 2020
Hi Lucy.
A friend of ours suggested Whitstable, just north of Canterbury. While I trust her opinion, I'd like to hear what you have to say. I'm told it's a cute town on the water. My wife and I would like to spend a day just hanging out, away from the crowds of London.
Lucy
Monday 6th of January 2020
Hi, Whitstable is lovely, I've only spent the day there but really enjoyed it and would like to go back for longer, it's got some great food and a really nice feel.
Maurice Roberts
Saturday 21st of September 2019
Ahhhh your post makes me want to take a break. I haven't visited Cambridge so this now needs to go on my to do list and it looks visually stunning.
Lucy
Monday 23rd of September 2019
Thank you, it's a beautiful place!
Anna
Sunday 26th of May 2019
I LOVE this stuff! When I was a kid we'd often take our dog(s) with us on holiday and just explore places we could reach with our car - I saw so much of the nearby villages, places and nature. It was great.
I'm actually going to the Cotswolds tomorrow, it's my first time there and I'm well excited - especially about the rolling cheese! And I was in the Valleys in Wales the other month, definitely gonna add the Lake District to my bucket list as well!
It's such a shame when people miss out on all the fun they can find in their back gardens, isn't it!
Lucy
Sunday 26th of May 2019
Thanks so much – and we definitely have some amazing places in the UK. Hope you enjoy the Cotswolds – I live really close but there's still so much of the area I need to explore!
Morten Krogstad
Wednesday 9th of January 2019
Great info! Having seen Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury and of course London, I have a hard time deciding were to go next. We prefer staying at one place at a time. Driving is not vacation for me. As a Norwegian couple in the 50's we love a mix of historical town and shopping, eat&drink to keep us busy for 2-3 days. Any suggestions are welcome.
Lucy
Monday 14th of January 2019
Ooh there are lots of great places – some of my favourites are Oxford, York and St Andrews in Scotland, all have a good mix of things to do, history, culture and great food.