The Best Weekend Breaks in England
I have learned to appreciate weekend breaks in England. It’s that in-between a night out and a vacation where the weekend break fits, the perfect getaway when you are on a budget or running low on vacation days from work.
Not only do these weekend breaks work for people in England, but tourists too!
I know, I know… you want to stay in London the whole time because there’s sooooo much to do.
Well, there’s so much to do around the country! So why don’t you take a weekend break away from London?
The Best Weekend Breaks in England
Tips for your weekend break in England
- Local airports may be “international”, but they won’t have any major flights, so if you’re coming from the US, it will be easier to fly into a major airport and then take a train or plane to the smaller, local airport.
- Domestic flights can get more expensive than driving or taking the train, always check all routes to your destination!
- Plan ahead! Book any tickets for attractions in advance.
- I use TRAINLINE.COM for all my train bookings!!
- And you can’t go wrong with booking.com for the best deals on hotels
Bristol
Closest Airport: Bristol Airport
Closest Train Station: Bristol Temple Meads
We can start our weekend breaks in England with the trendy, urban city of Bristol.
If you’re into street art, great food, maritime history, and bustling city life, then Bristol is for you.
This is a ridiculously easy city to access and get around. There’s no need for a car because everything is so walkable and there are plenty of Ubers to go around!
A lot of city center hotels do not offer parking, so if you are driving here, make sure you read the fine print before you book a hotel.
If you are a big fan of Banksy, you already know he’s from Bristol, so why not take a street art tour?
Don’t miss the opportunity to walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, explore the SS Great Britain or take in the views at Cabot’s Tower.
If you love museums, then M Shed and the Bristol Museum are for you!
Read more about Bristol: Things to Do in Bristol
York
Closest Airport: Leeds Bradford Airport
Closest Train Station: York Station
I may be biased, but York is the perfect weekend break in England!
York is perfect for a romantic getaway or a catch-up session with your friends. There’s something for everyone.
Another easy city to navigate for first-timers, you can easily walk around the whole city. No need for Uber or buses.
Like Bristol, if you are driving into the city, make sure you check the hotel’s website to see if they have parking available.
Don’t miss out on climbing to the top of the Lantern Tower in York Minster, having a pint in one of England’s most haunted pubs (The Golden Fleece), or transporting yourself back in time at the Jorvik Viking Center.
Read more about York: Locals Guide to York
Canterbury
Closest Airport: London City Airport
Closest Train Station: Canterbury West & Canterbury East
Canterbury is also easily accessible by car and train. There are two train stations in the city and they are both equal distances from the cathedral, so it comes down to the cheapest ticket or fastest train.
Although Canterbury is an easy day trip from London, there’s so much more to this historic city! The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses the shrine of Thomas Becket. Canterbury became a focus for pilgrimage after Becket was murdered in the cathedral by Henry II’s knights… I’m sure you’ve heard of the Canterbury Tales, right?
If you go during the school year, it has a very “college life” feel to it, making it perfect for a weekend break with friends. If you go during the summer, you’ll see many families.
Don’t miss out on touring the Canterbury Cathedral, enjoying a cocktail and a magic show at Houdini’s, or getting an Insta-worthy photo outside the Old Weaver’s House.
If you want to explore more of Kent, then visit Whitstable, the White Cliffs of Dover, or “the loveliest castle in the world”, Leeds Castle.
Cornwall
Closest Airport: Cornwall Airport
Closest Train Station: St. Ives Station, Penzance Station & Looe Station
Ok, so all of Cornwall is a complete stretch! BUT you can pick one of the cute fishing villages or picturesque towns to stay in for your weekend break in England.
I highly recommend renting a holiday cottage for the weekend because it will greatly open up the places you can stay. You’re not gonna find a Premier Inn in Port Isaac.
Depending on how you get there could also influence where you stay. If you’re flying in, then maybe Newquay (or Perranporth) is your best bet. Taking a train? Maybe try Looe, St. Ives, or Penzance.
Cornwall is perfect for everyone… beach lovers, adventurers, families, hikers, couples, girl’s weekends… everyone!
If you love beaches, then stay on the Lizard peninsula and visit one of England’s most beautiful beaches, Kynance Cove.
If you’re a hiking fan, then stay in Penzance and hike to Pedn Vounder Beach or Lands End or walk to the top of St. Michael’s Mount. Mousehole is also close by and it screams Cornish fishing village!
Family weekend away? Check out St. Ives, there’s plenty to do in the town and lots of beaches around for the kids to enjoy.
If you want a more relaxing weekend, then stay in Looe and enjoy the beach, AMAZING fresh seafood, and even take a boat tour to the nearby village, Polperro.
If you’re driving and you want to isolate yourself in a Cornish Village for a romantic couple’s weekend, try Port Isaac (Doc Martin filming location), Mevagissey, Portloe, or Cadgwith.
Read more about Cornwall: Essential Tips for Your First Visit to Cornwall
English Riviera
Closest Airport: Exeter Airport
Closest Train Station: Torquay Station
I had no idea there was an English Riviera until I went there!
This is the perfect spring weekend break in England! It’s appealing to families and older couples.
The Riviera is a 22-mile stretch on the Devon coast, including the towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham.
I highly recommend staying in Torquay… Fawlty Towers fans will already know that a small Torquay hotel is where John Cleese got his inspiration for the TV show and Basil! Unfortunately, the hotel no longer exists.
Agatha Christie was born here in 1890 and the nearby Kents Cavern inspired Beatrix Potter.
You can easily walk around Torquay, but if you want to go to the other towns on the Riviera, you’ll have to take a taxi… don’t worry, there are plenty of taxis around!
Don’t miss out on taking the scenic steam train to Dartmouth, the steamboat on the River Dart, or exploring Agatha Christie’s summer house, Greenway!
Weymouth
Closest Airport: Bournemouth Airport
Closest Train Station: Weymouth Station
Weymouth is on the southern coast of England in Dorset.
This beach resort is on the Jurassic Coast and gives you perfect access to the famous Durdle Door!
Weymouth is the perfect weekend break for families, couples, hikers, and beach lovers. A lot of people opt to stay in nearby Bournemouth, but I think Weymouth is (sort of) less crowded and gives you better access to what Dorset has to offer.
AND I love this town so much, it has such an eclectic mix for everyone!
The bar scene is amazing and something is going on every night, but there are also plenty of beaches to relax on and plenty of things for the kids to do if you are traveling with your family.
Durdle Door Quick Tips
- GET THERE EARLY! By 11 am, the parking lot is getting very full, and beach spots are starting to become sparse.
- There is a steep hike down… or should I say a steep hike back up when you leave!
- Always follow the designated path and don’t jump off the arch!
- The beach is not sand, it’s tiny pebbles, so bring shoes!
- There are no trash cans, so take your trash with you!!
Don’t miss out on Durdle Door (obviously!), Lulworth Cove, Old Harry Rocks, Corfe Castle, or walking around the Blue Pool Nature Reserve.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Closest Airport: Manchester Airport
Closest Train Station: Windermere Station
The Lake District can be one of the most relaxing breaks or one of the most adventurous breaks out of all the weekend breaks in England.
Boasting some of the best walks in England, the Lake District is packed with 16 lakes and two accolades – the largest lake in England (Windermere) and the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike). It was also the home and inspiration for Beatrix Potter.
No matter what kind of hiker you are… there’s a walk for you! If you want a challenge you can brave the striding edge up to Helvellyn, for an easier descent, hike to Helm’s Crag, or stay on water level, stroll around Ullswater or one of the many lakes that make up the Lake District.
Bowness-on-Windermere is the perfect getaway for all ages and all types of travelers! The town has great food (breakfast recommendation is The Magic Roundabout!), great pubs, offers a great starting point for walks around the lake (or boat trips), and even has a Beatrix Potter experience for the kids (or YOU, I’m not judging!)
Don’t miss out on taking the boat around Lake Windermere, indulging in Grasmere Gingerbread, walking across the bridge over Aira Force, or admiring Derwentwater from the Surprise View.
Northumberland
Closest Airport: Newcastle Airport
Closest Train Station: Alnmouth Station
Northumberland is perfect for older couples, romantic getaways, and photographers.
Northumberland is a photographer’s paradise. Every beach, moor, or village you go to, you’ll get an Insta-worthy shot. Also, if you’re a big castle fan, you’ll be excited to know that Northumberland has the most castles out of any other county in England.
This is another weekend break that you will need to have a car, it’s just easier.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you will want to stay in Alnwick (a lot of scenes were filmed here for the first movie) and if you want a more seaside weekend break, I recommend staying in Seahouses.
Don’t miss out on taking the infamous “flying” picture at Alnwick Castle, discovering Rumbling Kern or Bamburgh Beach at sunrise.
Read more about Northumberland: Epic Places to Visit in Northumberland
Wells
Closest Airport: Bristol Airport
Closest Train Station: Castle Cary
Wells is England’s smallest city (and one of the most underrated), but that doesn’t mean you’re going to run out of things to do in the area… far from it!
Wells is packed with the charm of a tight-knit village community but takes center stage with its epic cathedral towering over the city.
There is no train station in the city and the closest airport is Bristol, so I definitely recommend driving here and then you will have more freedom to do activities in the area.
Wells Cathedral is no doubt the most dramatic cathedral I’ve seen in England, mainly because of its unique façade that dominates the Cathedral Green.
After a cathedral, walk down the oldest residential street in Europe, Vicars’ Close, watch the swans “ring the bell” at the Bishop’s Palace, and finish your day by recreating a scene from Hot Fuzz, ya know… for the “greater good”.
If you want a quirky morning trip, drive to Glastonbury and explore this new-age town. Make sure you hike up to the Glastonbury Tor, visit King Arthur’s grave at Glastonbury Abbey, and take a moment to chill with the healing water at the Chalice Well (also said to be the location of the Holy Grail).
Read more about Glastonbury: The Perfect Day in Glastonbury
Where’s your favorite weekend break in England? or are you planning a weekend break in England? Let me know in the comments below!
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