12 Best Weekend Trips in the UK

Posted on 03/12/2019

I just love a staycation in England! Exploring my home country England is one of my favourite things to do and I always try and fit at least one staycation in a year when I am planning my travels. I wanted to share with you five places in England that are perfect for a staycation.

I love enjoying adventures across the country and taking the opportunity to explore what is on my back door. From hiking in Yorkshire to a city break in our capital city, there are so many places to visit in the countryside and in the city.

The UK is so underrated when it comes to its natural beauty. Featuring some of the most awe-inspiring and beautiful locations in the world, so many people have yet to discover it.

If you’re looking for a staycation this year in the UK and you’re looking for either a relaxing break or one that involves plenty of walking/hiking, then an escape to the country is bound to go down a hit.

If you’re lacking some inspiration, here are my favourite weekend trips to visit in England.

Contents

Cornwall

Are you looking for a weekend staycation in the UK? Use this Cornwall itinerary! And make a weekend break in Cornwall top of your list. There are so many places to visit in Cornwall, so this guide will help you decide where to go to Cornwall, where to stay in Cornwall, where to eat in Cornwall and much more. Use this guide as a Cornwall itinerary for your weekend in Cornwall.

Cornwall is the ultimate UK summer staycation with its mild climate, breathtaking scenery and long stretches of sandy beaches. Located on the southwestern tip of the United Kingdom, it offers tourists moorlands, beaches, cliff faces, great cuisine and much more.

The county of Cornwall culminates at the promontory Land’s End, with views out to the Atlantic Ocean. The south coast is often dubbed the Cornish Riviera, due to its temperate weather, longer summers and picturesque harbour villages.

Shere, Surrey

Shere is a beautiful little village in Guildford that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Set in the heart of the countryside, the moment you arrive in this quaint little village you’ll be in awe. Despite its small size, there is plenty to do for a long weekend, from a winery tour at Albury Vineyard to a long walk around the village.

It also has two pubs to choose from (that have delicious menus!), a few shops dotted around, B&Bs, a breath-taking church and more. It’s no surprise that it was used as a setting for numerous films and tv shows – including The Holiday, The Wedding Date and Four Weddings & A Funeral.

Jersey, Channel Islands

For my last trip of 2018, me and Theo flew for a weekend in Jersey! We spent 48 hours exploring this wonderful island, including three days and two nights. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, between England and France and even though it is a self-governing dependency, it still sits within the United Kingdom.

The island is a real mix of British and French cultures, with streets signs in French and English, many towns named after French phrases and lots of French-inspired cuisines. The island is known for its beaches, cliffside walking trails and historic castles and there’s just so much to do on this tiny yet wonderful island.

The island is possibly most famous for the Jersey War Tunnels complex, in a former hospital excavated by slave labour, which documents the island’s 5-year German occupation during WWII. So what are you waiting for? Get booking those flights and get planning that weekend in Jersey…

The Lake District, Cumbria

This might not come as a surprise, but it’s definitely worth a mention. Set in Cumbria, the Lake District national park is abundant with beauty. Boasting chocolate-box villages, a rich history and plenty of walking routes, there is lots to keep you busy whether you go for a long weekend or a week.

Often regarded as one of the UK’s most popular countryside locations, it’s a perfect choice for solo travellers, families and those travelling with their partner. There’s also plenty of accommodation options available, from holiday cottages to yurts and hotels.

Choose from dozens of pretty towns and villages, from the bustling Windermere to Ambleside and Keswick. With something for everyone, you’ll never have a dull moment there.

York, Yorkshire

At the start of December me and my best friend Katie headed up north for a weekend break in York; our third adventure together in 2018! York is a city with Roman roots and a Viking past, almost exactly halfway between London and Edinburgh. Combining the best of its heritage with modern British life, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time as you amble down intertwining streets lined with 13th-century walls, but its thriving cultural scene will bring you right back to the present.

We had 48 hours explore this incredible city and made the most of our visit by getting the York Pass, which gives you free access to over 40 York & beyond attractions and it is the only ticket you need to experience and explore York! It also includes discounts on evening entertainment such as ghost walks, escape rooms, plus money off offers at numerous cafes and restaurants across the city.

Whilst we on our weekend break in York we stayed at the wonderful Staycity York and then spent 48 hours exploring the Christmas markets, taking a ghost walk, learning at JORVIK Viking Centre, eating cake at the famous Bettys Tearoom and staring at York Minster. Come along and find out what else we got up to and why you should visit york….

Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

If you’re looking for a countryside break outside of England, then why not hop on a plane or ferry and head over to Northern Ireland. The Causeway Coast has rugged cliffs, the captivating landmark of Giant’s Causeway and fascinating walks to enjoy.

Frequently listed as one of the best places to visit, it’s simply a stunning part of the world. If you want a break from the countryside for the day, it’s close enough to Belfast for you to indulge in a few hours in the hustle and bustle.

Isle of Wight

I visited the Isle of Wight last summer for the first time but within hours I had fallen in love with its relaxed atmosphere, the smell of sea air, and stunning views from every corner of the island.

We stayed at Darwin Escapes’ Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, which was the perfect base for our long weekend away. Unlike the old-style holiday parks, Darwin Escapes offers 5* luxury cabins with incredible views, and cabins with everything you could need for a weekend retreat. The cabin we had had two bedrooms, sleeping 4 people, an open plan kitchen lounge area, plus a decking area out the front for dining on those warm summer evenings.

We then spent four days exploring the island, from kayaking at Freshwater Bay with Adventure Activities and dining at The Cow Co, to zip-lining at Tapnell Farm and dressing up at cowboys at Blackgang Chine. We had so much fun over the weekend and I really fell in love with this wonderful little island. More posts coming next week about our trip, as well as a video diary!

Brighton & Hove

Last summer we drove down to Brighton for the weekend, and my we picked a corker of a weekend to visit. The sun was out, it was around 26 degrees and we even managed a quick dip in the sea! We arrived on Saturday, and after checking into our room at Ibis Brighton, we headed on down to the seafront, where we grabbed an ice cream, and a beer on the beach.

We started out to the sea, wondering why we don’t live anywhere near to the sea back at home, in awe of its beauty and calming atmosphere. And if you need ideas of things to do during a trip to Brighton I love this list of quirky things to do in Brighton.

Then we headed on down the beach, taking a stroll down the Brighton Pier. Arabella was in awe of all the slot machines, and we had a go on some of the slots before Theo attempted to win a minion toy on the pick up machines, like in Toy Story. Brighton Pier is amazing, with lots of do, places to eat and such a wonderful British tradition. There were lots of tourists but you’ve got to expect that in mid-summer on a scorcher of a day.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is a magical place. And only two hours from London, it’s hard to remember the hustle and bustle of the city, when you’ve entered the peaceful villages of The Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is one of my calm places.

If you want to discover the true beauty of the English countryside, then The Cotswolds is a great choice every time. Known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds has bustling market towns, picturesque hills and a unique charm that’s unlike anything else in the UK.

Although the Cotswolds is spread across six of England’s counties, there are certain market towns that are particularly popular for tourists to visit, from Bourton-on-the-Water to Stow-on-the-wold. It is also becoming a foodie capital of the country with amazing pubs, restaurants and cafes popping up all over the region. Whether you fancy a good walk, pub lunch, or a pamper at a spa, there is no better place than The Cotswolds.

Yorkshire

If sightseeing, walking or cycling is your goal, then look no further than the Yorkshire Dales. During your getaway here, relish in undulating hill-scapes, lush fields for as far as the eye can see, charming pubs and more.

During your break, you can choose from one or several of the dales – including Rawthey Valley, Widdle and the Ingleton Glens. For accommodation, you can choose from log cabins, B&Bs, hotels, etc.

I headed off out in the car to the nearby town of Richmond for a beer and a walk around this quaint town. Richmond is often known as the jewel in the heart of North Yorkshire and the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Richmond is a beautiful Yorkshire Dales market town, with Norman castle, large cobbled market place, and magnificent scenery. And just down the road, you can also find the historic town of Harrogate.

London

I have a love-hate relationship with London, always have and always will. But recently I really wanted to give it a chance again – explore the city, and especially some of the lesser-known areas. London is one of the most prestigious cities in the world and it certainly has a lot to offer tourists, but what about those of us who live close by, and want to explore without the crowds and chaos?

London is home to historical sights, world-class shopping, top-notch sporting, and wild nightlife. I’ve done the tourist attractions multiple times, and when I decided to head to London last weekend we picked four places we wanted to explore more: Hackney, St Katharine’s & Wapping, Hoxton and Soho.

Aberdeen

What a city Aberdeen is! I love Scotland’s biggest city outside the central belt, and we were in awe of both the history and beauty of this wonderful city.

Aberdeen is both a former fishing and farming settlement, and now boasts a world-renowned university, as well as some of the most beautiful castles within a 45-minute drive of the centre. Despite its reputation as the ‘grey city’ due to its granite architecture, there are so many things to do in Aberdeen and beyond.

And it’s also super close to the Cairngorms National Park, which means there are a ton of outdoor-based things to do in Aberdeen. Here’s an introduction to my favourite things to do in Aberdeen.

Dorset

At the beginning of the summer and my best friends headed down to the coast for a weekend by the sea and a well-needed catch-up. For our holidays in Dorset, we stayed just outside the beautiful town of Bridport, in an adorable cottage on a working dairy farm, through accommodation provider Classic Cottages.

We spent the weekend driving around Dorset, up and down the coastal roads, spending the morning at Durdle Door, the afternoon at Lulworth Cove, and then sunbathing in the sunshine in the morning at Hive Beach Cafe just down the road.

Dorset is a county with a long history and provides visitors with the best of both, the countryside and the ocean. You can venture to inland Dorset, with its hamlets of thatched cottages, wooden-beamed pubs and watermills and then within minutes, you can be looking out to sea, with the pebbled beaches and ice cream huts dotted along the beaches.

My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

To book flights, I always use flight search engine, Skyscanner, I regularly use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest places to travel. It’s how I get to travel so much all around the world. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals.

Accommodation

For accommodation, I usually book most of my hotels or hostels through Booking.com. I love using this platform as it provides me with some amazing deals for accommodation all around the world. Or if you prefer, I also recommend using Airbnb. If you haven’t signed up with Airbnb already, you can use this link to get £25 off your first visit!

Photography and Technology

Here is a list of the technology I always travel with:

Travel Insurance

Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner. World Nomads is an affordable option that I personally recommend. BOOK HERE

12 Best Weekend Trips in the UK

Cornwall

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to a Road Trip in Cornwall

Shere, Surrey

Jersey, Channel Islands

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to Weekend in Jersey

The Lake District, Cumbria

York, Yorkshire

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to a Weekend Break in York

Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

Isle of Wight

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to a Weekend Break in the IOW

Brighton & Hove

READ MORE: How to Spend 48 Hours in Brighton

The Cotswolds

READ MORE: How to Spend a Weekend in The Cotswolds

Yorkshire

READ MORE: A Weekend in Yorkshire at Brompton Lakes

London

READ MORE: A Guide to 48 Hours in London

Aberdeen

READ MORE: 10 Things to do in Aberdeen

Dorset

READ MORE: Spending a weekend in Dorset