Looking to get out of town for the weekend? You’re in luck: the UK offers a wealth of options for memorable short vacations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It's an easy task to plan a good weekend trip from London (or any other major UK city), whether you're seeking a countryside getaway or a city break in a different region.
Whether you’re a diehard urbanite hungry for a cultural buzz, a beachgoer who likes nothing more than sunbathing on an idyllic stretch of white sand, or an intrepid hiker looking to break a sweat amid dramatic scenery, here's where to go for a weekend trip.
England’s’s largest national park, the Lake District serves up picturesque views by the boatload, from rolling hills in vibrant shades of green to charming villages and those 16 crystalline lakes. No wonder luminaries like William Wordsworth wrote odes to the area’s beauty.
While the national park is relatively close to cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, it’s worth spending a weekend based in a local small-town hub like Windermere or Keswick to really soak in its beauty. From Beatrix Potter–inspired excursions to lake-hopping jaunts, there are plenty of ways to partake in outdoor activities.
If you class yourself as an outdoorsy type, there are few better weekend getaways than the Brecon Beacons. The wild and windswept mountain range in South Wales is a choice destination for hikers, spelunkers, and rock climbers, while trails such as the Beacons Way are the stuff of weekend walking holidays.
Feeling intrepid? Explore the range’s waterfalls, gorges, and climb its high point of Pen-y-fan. As one of the best Dark Sky Sites in the UK, the region is also ideally explored in the dark.
Related: The 11 Best Places to Go Stargazing in the UK and Ireland
At a squint, Cornwall’s white, sandy beaches and turquoise waters look almost Mediterranean. The county, located in England’s far southwest, isn't quite a day trip from London, but it is a perfect weekend break.
The destination is flooded with visitors seeking beachy relaxation during the summer months (not to mention surfers, who flock to to northern Cornish destinations including Newquay to hang ten).
But while the region is certainly lovely in the summertime, there’s plenty to do all year long, from exploring arty St. Ives and soaking up the student energy in Falmouth to sampling the region’s exquisite seafood restaurants.
Every August, when the Fringe Festival (the world’s largest arts festival) comes to town, Edinburgh swells with visitors. So August might be one of the best times to visit the city, particularly if you like street art, but Scotland’s cultural hub wows throughout the year.
Soak up its historical splendor on an excursion to the hilltop Edinburgh Castle; dig into its lore on a walking tour of the Royal Mile; and be sure to visit its top-notch museums and bustling food scene, including whiskey bars. And if you fancy a nature escape, Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands are just a short road trip away.
Within convenient driving distance of Belfast—and located on the eastern edge of Northern Ireland’s highlight Causeway Coast—Ballycastle is the ideal base for a weekend of exploring. (It also helps that the seaside town is plenty charming in its own right.)
When in town, head to the Blue Flag–certified Ballycastle Strand beach, or hop a ferry to neighboring Rathlin Island. And when out adventuring, journey to the region’s famed Giant’s Causeway, plus the ruins of medieval castles such as Dunluce and Dunseverick—not to mention the area’s Game of Thrones filming locations.
If it’s awe-inspiring scenery you’re after, it’s hard to do better than the Isle of Skye. The largest island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, Skye is renowned for its rugged peaks, craggy coastlines, mirror-like lochs, and historic ruins.
From a base in Portree, the island’s largest town (and home to a range of cute inns and B&Bs), you can explore its picturesque castles and villages, see top sights such as its fairy pools and Kilt Rock—and even stop for a dram of whisky at Talisker Distillery.
An island just off the coast of northern Wales—and separated from the mainland by a suspension bridge—Anglesey offers picture-perfect beaches, outdoorsy pursuits, nature reserves, and walking trails aplenty.
In between sunbathing or swimming (if the weather holds), head on a self-led excursion to see its highlights, or embark on a coasteering adventure to get your blood pumping. And if you do wish to hop over to the mainland, highlights including Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, and Snowdonia National Park are just a quick trip away.