If you plan to take a break from your busy lifestyle, don’t overthink about a month or a week’s holiday. Utilize the weekend to refresh your body and soul. Yes, a weekend trip when scheduled well in advance, can be enjoyable and restful.
The UK has many exciting locations to explore, for instance, Bath, Cornwall, Isle of Skye, Kent, and New Forest, to name a few. These are well-known destinations among locals as well as tourists because of the preserved history and culture in castles, gardens, and museums. They also have relaxing spas, beaches, and adventure activities like hiking and glamping.
Modern transportation is easily available by car, train, or flight. For local commutes, people rent a car or a bicycle. Accommodations range from Airbnb to budget-friendly and luxury hotels, with a wide range of amenities for every season.
So, here’s the perfect guidebook on how to book a hotel, pack essentials, arrange transportation, and much more for a memorable weekend getaway in the UK. Also, learn about Reasons to Visit Cumbria in the UK by reading this article.
Choosing Your Destination
Gardens, lakes, tea time, castles, and spas- all these define UK holidays. And there are a plethora of activities to do like taking country walks, enjoying the local cuisine, spending quality time with loved ones at the beach, etc.
The most loved weekend destinations in the UK are in this list:
- Lake District – Explore Windermere’s longest natural park and quaint cafés nearby, visit the Muncaster Castle and Wordsworth Museum, or see the daffodils blooming in the spring in Glencoyne Bay.
- Cotswolds – Bourton-on-the-Water’s historic stone brides are the most popular. Blenheim Palace, built in 1705 was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The Cotswold Water Park has over 150 lakes. The market town of Moreton-in-Marsh has many family-friendly attractions.
- Cornwall – The place is world-famous for its white sandy beaches of St. Ives and watersports in Widemouth Bay. Check out the Tintagel Castle to visit the Merlin’s Cave or stroll through the Lost Gardens of Heligan or watch a performance at Minack Theatre.
- Kent – The closest one to the city and perfect for a day trip is the idyllic countryside of Kent. Explore the numerous beach towns, wine bars, and cool record stores. There are interesting Vineyards, Michelin-starred pubs, and pizza shacks on the beach.
- Isle of Skye – This Scottish land has a stunning landscape, the craggy landscape of Cuillin mountains, Dunvegan Castle, and is a perfect place for hiking, bird-watching, and boat cruises.
- New Forest – When in the mood for horse riding, visit New Forest, which has the largest unenclosed forest with over 220 sq miles of pastureland. Enjoy cycling through the narrow lanes and spot wildlife.
- Bath – This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman baths and temple complexes. Don’t miss the Georgian architecture of The Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge, the Jane Austen Centre, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy
DO YOU KNOW?
In the UK, there are an estimated 800 medieval castles and 1,500 country houses that speckle the countryside, some dating back a thousand years.
Booking Your Accommodation
Your weekend trip is going to be comfortable with the diverse accommodation facilities available in the UK. From backpackers to solo travelers, local families to pet-friendly places, and luxury hotels to stay in a castle, there is something for everyone here.
While booking a stay, you can look for hostels, bed and breakfasts, log cabins, vacation rentals, glamping, and cottages as well.
Many modern hotels like the Sonesta have exciting offers for visitors as they collaborate with travel sites to provide the best amenities. They have mouth-watering delicacies as well as space for special events, meetings, and weddings.
USEFUL TIP
Traveling during Britain’s “shoulder season” (May, September, and early October) is easier and less expensive than in peak season.
Planning Your Activities
There is a lot to plan for a weekend, but the best way to enjoy it is not to rush or try to cover all the popular tourist spots. We are giving a basic itinerary to help you plan your activities in the UK.
- Create an itinerary: For a weekend getaway, you only have three days, which includes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. To make the most out of these days, you can book a three-day tour that covers most of the popular tourist spots. Or if you plan to explore attractions on your own, keep it limited to two or three activities a day. It is recommended to mix adventure activities with the last day in a spa, to give rest to your body and mind.
- Register or book for events and tours in advance: There are many popular tourist spots in the UK, so be prepared for long queues. Always book tours in advance to major attractions and the opera and ballet events should be booked a month before to be well-prepared. Bring your walking shoes when in the UK because there are many places with cobbled stone streets and markets that you will want to explore on foot.
- Save on local fares: Visiting many museums and art galleries is free for locals and tourists, so take advantage of that. If you want to withdraw money, opt for fee-free ATMs at Supermarkets. Carrying a travel credit card is a good idea but also carrying cash and especially coins come in handy at many stores.
- Be prepared for the weather conditions: For locals as well as international tourists, it is always recommended to carry seasonal clothes. But also be prepared for changing weather conditions. Take advantage of the sale on many online stores and invest in portable, wrinkle-free, weatherproof clothes.
Bringing a jacket and a hat or a cap is a good idea to save your skin from harsh temperatures. Carry a compact raincoat or waterproof boots just in case you have to cross the marshy landscape.
FUN FACT
To get a glimpse of that modern-day fairy tale, visit Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, Kensington Palace, Sandringham Palace, and the Tower of London.
Arranging Transport
Choose one or two modes of transportation for your weekend trip. You can rent a car to drive to and from your location. Another excellent option is to take bus tours to visit the iconic sites with enough time to visit, rest, and eat.
- Travel by train: The UK has an efficient railway interconnectivity, with lower fares and luxury trains excellent for sightseeing. Always book a train in advance or avoid busy days to get cheaper tickets.
If you are under 26, over 60, traveling as a family or as a couple, or have a disability, you can get a railcard. Or get an Oyster Card, which works like a smart card and can be used for local commutes in tubes and trams. You can also pick delicious snacks from nearby restaurants or order onboard meals to enjoy the ride.
- Travel by flight: There is a vast network of domestic flights available in the UK, especially between Scotland and England. The regional airports for direct flights include – Exeter, Gloucester, Birmingham, Manchester, East Midlands, Nottingham Robin Hood, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
The capital city of London has six major airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Gatwick, Southend, and the London City Airport. The remote areas of Scotland are accessible by flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or Inverness.
DO YOU KNOW?
The Barra Airport on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland is the only airport in the world where flights use a beach as a runway!
Packing Essentials
- Pack according to the weather – December and January are the coldest months in the UK, whereas July and August have long days with nice, warm weather. Summers can be extreme with the side effects of climate change. May, September, and early October are considered off-season with very few visitors, less crowd, and cheaper on the pocket.
- Electronics – Though it’s just a weekend trip, don’t forget to pack your tech gadgets such as a charger, power bank, smartphone, or tablet.
- Toiletries and other items – Keep all your cosmetics and other skin care items in small refillable bottles to save space in your luggage. Also, pack them in a separate pouch so if they spill, they won’t spoil the other clothes. Remember to pack your IDs, a small first-aid kit, credit cards, keys, and emergency numbers. Don’t litter and follow the rules of the local area.
Making the Most of Your Time
“I fall in love with Britain every day, with bridges, buses, blue skies…”
– Pete Doherty, English musician, songwriter, actor, poet, writer, and artist
The best way to make the most of your weekend getaway is to be well-prepared, but also leave room for any changes. Book all the transportation and event tickets in advance, or simply book a tour to visit all the popular tourist spots.
Always reserve accommodation at a comfortable hotel with a wide range of amenities to offer. Traveling, after all, should be hassle-free and therefore, we hope this article will help you enjoy your weekend trip to the UK.
