There are so many beautiful places you can go on a weekend or a short break to the UK that will fit anyone’s tastes. From National Parks to beautiful old towns, you could plan a trip with your car, by public transportation, or being more adventurous and go with a campervan! Book your car HERE and save up to 15%! 

We have gathered for you some of the favorite places expert travelers share with you today so you can get inspired and plan your next trip to the UK.

Barnard Castle, England

Barnard Castle in the northeast county of Durham takes its name from the 12th-century castle located within the town. Both the castle and the town are set above the River Tees and are known as the gateway to the stunning Teesdale area, in one of England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The town has seen its fair share of famous visitors over the centuries – Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, and Barnard Castle School have famous alumni including British rugby internationals Rob Andrews and the Underwood brothers.

Barnard Castle and Teesdale are great places to spend a short holiday in the UK – with plenty of activities. There’s a traditional market each Wednesday on the “cobbles” in the Market place, a farmers market on the first Saturday of each month, and the local butchers and delicatessens supply produce from the area, including the famous Cotherstone Cheese.

Be sure to visit the English Heritage maintained Castle and the glorious Bowes Museum, considered one of the most important in the country outside of London and don’t miss the picturesque waterfalls High Force, Low Force, and Cauldron Snout. The areas at the top of the dale are renowned for being Dark Skies locations and a perfect location to see the sky at night.

When to visit:
The best time to visit is during Spring, Summer, Autumn

Recommended Hotel to stay in Barnard Castle
The Old Well, built into the Castle Walls

Contributed by Sarah Carter from ASocialNomad 

 

Castleton Peak District, England

The UK’s first national park, the Peak District, is the perfect place for a short vacation. From rock climbing and mountain biking to caving and hiking, the Peak District National Park is full of outdoor activities to keep you busy.

The best place to base yourself is the quaint and charming village of Castleton in Hope Valley. Castleton village is home to Mam Tor also known as Shivering Mountain, which is one of the most famous hikes in Derbyshire. Castleton is also home to three of the best UK show caves and caverns, Speedwell Cavern, Peak Cavern, and Treak Cliff Cavern.

If history is more your thing you can visit the 11th century Peveril Castle which overlooks the village and is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. After you’ve worked up an appetite you can head to the village center and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea or a pub lunch.
Castleton is easily accessible by train via Sheffield and is only 2 and a half hours away from London.

When to visit:
The best time to visit is during Autumn when the leaves change color

Recommended Hotel to stay
One of the best value places to stay in the YHA Castleton Losehill Hall, a Grade II listed Gothic mansion, that has been newly renovated and is situated just a few minutes outside of Castleton village.

Contributed by Roshni from The Wanderlust Within 

 

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is an ideal city to visit for a short trip.

You can easily spend 2-3 days wandering about the different areas (we don’t call them neighborhoods), visiting historical attractions, learning about local culture and art at the city museums, enjoying short hikes and diving into the foodie and drink scene.

The most popular area to start is Edinburgh’s Old Town. At the top of the Royal Mile you have Edinburgh Castle and at the bottom, the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood Park. Attractions worth visiting on, or close to, the Royal Mile include Camera Obscura, St Gile’s Cathedral, the Storytelling Centre, and Holyrood Palace.

Holyrood Park is home to a popular walk-in Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat. This urban hike takes around one hour. Hikers are rewarded with city views over to the Kingdom of Fife. Another aspect that I love about the Old Town is that its tiny closes connect the Royal Mile to other streets and gardens. You could easily get lost seeing what is at the other end of each close for an afternoon.

Other popular places in the Old Town include the Grassmarket (Saturday market), Victoria Street (Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley), and the Meadows (city park).

For those who just want to spend a weekend mooching about independent shops and coffee houses, check out Stockbridge. From here you can walk along the Waters of Leith to the hip Leith is which has cobbled streets, cool pubs and lots of food options.

When to visit:
You can visit all year round, avoid August if you don’t like crowds

Recommended Hotel to stay in Edinburg
The Raeburn Hotel

Contributed by Gemma Armit from Everything Edinburgh  

 

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is a great city to visit for a short vacation because it combines the best of city sightseeing and urban adventure with the stunning surroundings of the Scottish Highlands and endless green spaces. In Glasgow, you can spend your morning at a trendy brunch cafe, go for a hike in the afternoon and return for a hearty dinner at a street food market and a dram (whiskey) in a traditional pub.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and is located only 45 miles from Edinburgh near the west coast. However, the two cities could not be more different. Glasgow is famous for its mix of modern and Victorian architecture, the beautiful medieval Cathedral, numerous free museums, and its thriving music community. The food scene is mouthwatering and the locals are known to be super friendly and welcoming. There is a cool street art trail through the city and lots of out-there guided tours that are about more than dry facts and history – from women’s history walks to exclusive access tours to the underground platforms of the city’s central train station. Glasgow offers so much to do.

However, Glasgow is also an amazing home base if you want to escape into nature. The Gaelic name of the city means “Dear Green Place” and Glasgow is indeed dotted with beautifully landscaped parks and more natural country parks. A trip to the stunning shores of Loch Lomond, a walk around the ruins of Bothwell Castle and a day of island hopping to Arran, Bute, or Great Cumbrae are some of my favorite day trips from Glasgow and they’re all doable on public transport.

Being able to experience so many different aspects of Scottish culture from one central location makes it a fantastic place to visit for a short trip.

When to visit:
Glasgow is a great destination year-round, but I love visiting in Spring and Summer (April to September).

Recommended Hotel to stay in Glasgow
I recommend staying near the city center, so you have the best in the city and surrounding areas at your doorstep. The new Motel One is great, but I also love the historic Grand Central Hotel

Contributed by Kathi from Watch Me See 

 

Isles of Scilly, England

The Isles of Scilly offers a holiday of yesteryear. Even during the height of summer, the five inhabited islands are quiet with few visitors. There are lots of beaches, some walkable, others reached only by boat. There is little or no crime, only a handful of cars, the main mode of transport is by foot or by bike. Highlights include swimming with seals, paddle boarding, and kayaking or simply enjoying the solitude.

Each island has its unique features and attractions. The main island of St Mary is great for a family holiday to the Scilly Isles. It has a good range of accommodation, shops, and restaurants. If you’d like an upmarket experience, the island of Tresco is perfect: luxury accommodation and the famous Abbey Gardens along with ruins to explore and great water sports. The other three islands are best for a more escapist experience, they feel remote and feature empty beaches and beautiful scenery.

The Isles of Scilly can be reached by ferry from the Cornish port of Penzance or by flight from Exeter in Devon and several small airports in Cornwall. It’s important to book accommodation as far in advance as possible as there is a limited supply available and a strong repeat group of people who return to the islands each year.

When to visit:
The best time to visit is during summer

Recommended Hotel to stay in the Isles of Scilly
Karma St Martin

Contributed by Annabel Kirk from Smudged Postcard  

 

 

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides islands, located off the west coast of Scotland. It is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland and is the perfect place to go for a short holiday in the UK.

From rugged coastlines to jagged mountainscapes, tumbling waterfalls, historic castles, and picturesque villages, the Isle of Skye have it all. There is plenty to see and do on this incredible island and you could spend weeks exploring. However, you can easily visit the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh in 2 days to cover the main highlights.

The Old Man of Storr is perhaps the most iconic feature on the Isle of Skye. These impressive rock pinnacles require a short hike but are well worth the effort.

Continuing north along the east coast of Skye from here, you’ll discover Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls crashing onto the beach below. Traveling further north still, is Quiraing. Another scenic hike taking you impressive rock features.

To the south are the enchanting Fairly Pools with their mesmerizing turquoise waters as well as the incredible geography at Fairy Glen. For more culture and history, head west to Neist Point Lighthouse or one of Skye’s castles.

When to visit:
The ideal month for visiting the Isle of Skye is during May. At this time of year, there is typically less rainfall, more sunshine and longer daylight hours to give you ample time to explore

Contributed by Sophie from Wedreamoftravel.com  

 

Jurassic Coast, England

Jurassic Coast is an excellent location for a short holiday and its extraordinary beauty has been proclaimed UNESCO heritage site.

Jurassic Coast is located on the southern coast of England, and it stretches from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset. It’s 2.5 hours away from London and 1 hour away from Southampton, and the best way to get there is to rent a car.

Take an epic hike along the coast taking in some stunning views of white cliffs, green fields, and turquoise sea. Visit Durdle Door, which is a natural limestone arch and a very iconic place! Walk from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove for more gorgeous views. The village is very picturesque, and it has that English coastal vibe to it with cute souvenir shops and ice creams places. From here, you can take a boat ride along the coast or if you’re more of an adventure-seeking type, take part in coasteering and other activities including archery, mountain biking, orienteering, and bushcraft.

When to visit:
The best time to visit Jurassic Coast is from late spring to early autumn (April to September). If you visit during the week and outside of England school holiday (July to August) the area will be much quieter.

Recommended Hotel to stay in Jurassic Coast
A great place to stay in the area is Durdle Door Holiday Park, where you can rent a cool skylight cabin!

Contributed by Mal from Raw Mal Roams 

 

Oxford, England

Oxford is located just a little over an hour from London and is a wonderful place for a short break in the UK. Whilst most tourists will only visit for a day or a weekend, there’s plenty of stuff to do in this beautiful city for a few days. From coffee shops to culture to colleges, there’s something for everyone.

Oxford is a walking city and its many beautiful buildings are best admired from outdoors, which is why summer is the best time to visit. You can admire the City of Dreaming Spires from the top of University Church of St Mary the Virgin, go punting on the river Cherwell, picnic in Christ Church Meadows, pet wild horses in Port Meadow, and more. For indoor activities, there’s the brilliant Ashmolean Museum, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Oxford University library tours.

Many people will say that Oxford University resembles Hogwarts and they’d be right. Many magical filming locations can be found in this city so if you’re looking for all things Harry Potter in Oxford then you’ll want to add Christ Church, New College, the Bodleian Library, and the Divinity School to your list of places to visit.

In terms of food, Oxford has a growing cafe scene, and institutions like The Missing Bean, the Handlebar Cafe, and Kitchen, and Turl Street Kitchen are packed with locals and students alike. In fact, the oldest coffee shop in England is located in Oxford so look out for The Grand Cafe as you wander down the main high street.

When to visit:
The best time to visit is during summer.

Recommended Hotel to stay in Oxford
Old Bank Hotel

Contributed by Laura from What’s Hot?  

 

St Ives, Cornwall; England

One of the best holiday destinations in the UK is the picturesque town of St Ives in South West Cornwall. St Ives is famous for its four stunning beaches, surfing, booming art scene, and galleries.

St Ives is a great place to base yourself for a walking holiday. The St Ives area is part of the South West Coast Path, a 630-mile walking trail around South West England from Poole Harbour in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset. You can either walk towards the beautiful viewpoint of Clodgy, overlooking Porthmeor, and continue on towards the village of Zennor or walk along the coast to the neighboring town of Carbis Bay and the vast beach of Porthkidney.

St Ives is also a fantastic place for a more chilled out holiday. Laze your time away on one of the many beaches and eat at the delicious beach bars. In the evening, I recommend the Rum and Crab Shack, a small bar and eatery with wonderful views over St Ives harbor and amazing cocktails.

St Ives is a perfect destination to take the kids. Swim in the calm waters on Porthminster beach or learn to surf on Porthmeor beach. Most of the restaurants and cafes are very child friendly and the beach bars have plenty of kids options. St Ives is also the perfect place to base yourself to explore more of Cornwall on day trips or visit one of the many attractions.

When to visit:
The best times to visit are between April-June and September/October.

Recommended Hotel to stay in St Ives
The Porthminster hotel | It overlooks Porthminster beach and features a spa and amazing restaurant.  You can check HERE the best offers for Hotels to stay in St Ives 

Contributed by Sylvie from Travels With Eden 

 

Yorkshire, England

Yorkshire is perfect for a short vacation in the U.K as the region is packed with diverse natural and historical attractions. The green rolling hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales offer beautiful waterfalls such as Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force, brewery and vineyard tours as well as historic castles and abbey ruins such as those at Skipton Castle and Bolton Abbey.

Take a trip underground to visit England’s largest show cave, White Scar Cave, or stay above ground to hike one of the area’s scenic trails. Visit the 230-foot high natural amphitheater at Malham Cove and the unusual geological features at nearby Gordale Scar. The historic city of York gives visitors a chance to visit Roman, Viking, Victorian and Georgian sites all in walkable distance from each other. Visit the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster, walk the city’s medieval walls (which are the longest city walls in England), or just wander the charming cobbled streets of the pedestrianized city center.

Savor a Fat Rascal cake from the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms or pop into one of the city’s friendly pubs to try a savory Yorkshire Pudding. Visit one of the city’s world-class museums such as the Jorvik Viking Centre or York Castle Museum or enjoy a relaxing cruise along the pretty River Ouse. Drive across the barren, rugged Yorkshire Moors stopping to visit the farmers market in Helmsley or the train station at Goathland which doubled as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter movies.

Stroll along the enormous sandy beach at the seaside town of Whitby on the dramatic North Yorkshire coast. From Whitby, walk a section of the stunning North Yorkshire coastal path which leads to the charming car-free fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay.

When to visit:
The best time to visit is during spring or summer. The Yorkshire landscape will be bursting with spring wildflowers and long light summer days are ideal for sightseeing.

Recommended Hotel to stay in Yorkshire
The Buck Inn at Malham

Contributed by Sinead from bestinyorkguide.com