London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but that doesn’t mean that it is the only one. The city has lots of sights and sounds to soak in, and can easily take visitors weeks, if not months to fully explore. But with such a concentrated area of tourist attractions and London Hotel deals, travellers and locals alike might want some respite from the UK capital and its non-stop attractions.
Luckily enough, visitors can find fun and short trips all across the UK which, as a relatively small island, is easily navigable by train, plane and car. Whether you’re looking for some R&R from your busy city job or you have a weekend to kill during a longer London city break, a weekend trip is a perfect way to get to know the UK a little more intimately.
Despite London being the capital city of the UK, there’s more to the country than just royal palaces, Westminster and spa hotels in London. There are many other areas and places that can provide you with expansive insight into the culture, history and landscape of the country, and this list of weekend break options from the city are perfect examples of this.
Brighton
Brighton is located on the southeast coast of England in the county of Sussex. As a very popular tourist destination, especially for beachbound Londoners, you can expect to find a lot to do in Brighton. From the gaudy Asian inspired architecture of the Regency era Pavilion to the buzzing palace pier with its funfair and amusement arcades, Brighton is a primary example of a traditional beach promenade, all blended in with the modern, hip culture.
Oxford
Home to one of the oldest and best universities in Europe, Oxford is a beautiful city that is only 55 minutes from London. With its stunning architecture and tours of ancient colleges, the quaint bookshops and cafes and gothic spires of this medieval city provide more than enough to keep you busy for a weekend. For culture, make sure not to miss the absorbing Ashmolean Museum and shows at the Oxford Playhouse.
Norwich
Just an hour and a half outside of London Liverpool Street Station, Norwich is the county capital of Norfolk and is often overlooked due to its location in the East of England. Here you’ll find the stunning hill-hugging Norwich Castle, still available for tours, as well as cobbled shopping streets and pubs. The latter is an especially important aspect of Norwich, as there is said to be as many drinking establishments in the city as there are days in the year!
Cambridge
Surrounded by the lazy flowing canals of the River Cam, Cambridge is another town famous for its medieval era university. Take a tour through the gothic spired colleges or rent a punt boat to explore the waterways of Cambridge, but however you plan on spending your weekend in Cambridge, don’t forget to explore the botanical gardens and museums of the city.
Bath
Bath is a historic city that holds many secrets about the past of the UK. A registered UNESCO world heritage site, the museums and ruins surrounding the city tell a story of Roman expansion and worship, all with what was once a relaxing Roman Bath complex at the city’s heart, the same complex that lent itself to the very name of this West England city.
Manchester
Whilst the days of the Hacienda, New Order and Joy Division may be behind us, Manchester still holds the candle for the best – and most diverse – night out in the UK. If it’s not warehouse clubs and local music that takes your fancy, spend your weekend exploring the many museums, independent shopping arcades and Pennines-clad countryside around this industrial-era northern city.
Leeds
Another beautiful Northern city surrounded by serene countryside, Leeds provides a unique escape for Londoners in that it embraces both the rural and the ultra-modern. After a day exploring the nearby Yorkshire Dales, sit back and relax over a Yorkshire tea or a warming pint. There’s a lot of family activities to dive into as well, including museums such as the monolithic Royal Armouries and the Leeds Industrial Museum.
Newcastle
Whilst it might be the northernmost city in England, Newcastle is still easily reachable for guests at the Montcalm Hotel through a 5-hour train journey. Newcastle is well known for its stunning river and its many cultural attractions. These include the Beamish Living Museum of the North that transports you right back into the industrial past of the city as well as the Great North Museum. Make sure to take a wander into the Northumbria countryside, where you’ll find the ancient Hadrian’s Wall, which dates back to AD 122.
Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city is reachable in 6 hours by train or just over half an hour by plane and is home to the Scottish Houses of Parliament – Holyrood as well as the hilltop Edinburgh castle. This castle doubles up as a museum, where you can learn about the Scottish victims of the two world wars, as well as the long and tumultuous history of Mary Queen of Scots and her life in the castle. If you’re a London budget hotel looking to spend that extra money you saved on a long weekend away during August, then make sure to stop by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, one of the biggest arts festivals in the world. Here you’ll find world-class international comedians, theatremakers and live performers wowing audiences for a full month in Edinburgh.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are located northwest of London and is a beautiful area of countryside and bucolic calm. If ever there was a perfect summer retreat from the city, the Cotswolds comes rather close. The many villages, traditional pubs and hidden roman ruins make for fascinating weekends away and are just a stone’s throw from Oxford if you’re missing a certain city buzz. Make sure to stop by villages such as Chipping Camden, Bibury and Cirencester to explore the beautiful architecture, much of which is made from the distinctive Jurassic Limestone.
