Although exploring the world is fantastic, there is a lot to be said for exploring where you live as well. And so this post is dedicated to the best weekend trips in the UK. And all within easy distance from London. Read on to fall a little bit more in love with the UK!

This list of the best weekend trips in the UK includes a variety of city and countryside escapes, so there will be the perfect weekend escape for you!

1. The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds may be the most picturesque, quintessentially British place to visit. Crammed full of chocolate box villages and beautiful local towns. It is such a pretty part of the UK.

There are so many different parts of the Cotswolds you can head to. If you want pretty villages, visit Upper and Lower Slaughter, Burton-on-the-Water or Bibury. For pretty towns, Morton-in-Marsh and Broadway have a lot to offer.

Take the time to indulge in beautiful walks, pub lunches and also check out Blenhim Palace for that bit of history while you are in this part of the world!

Getting there: One hour and 30 minutes by train from Paddington Station to Moreton-in-Marsh or around two and a half hours by car.

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Interested in the Cotswolds. Click here to read more.

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2. Devon

This beautiful part of the UK is home to some of the prettiest coastal villages, as it uniquely has two coastlines.  Known for picturesque towns, charming villages, traditional harbours and beautiful beaches. Weekends in Devon have a lovely, laid-back back relaxed feel – so perfect if you need to unwind for a couple of days.

The villages along the train line from Exeter St Davids to Exmouth are definitely worthy of being one of the best weekend trips in the UK. They will provide the perfect tonic for a chilled seaside break. The little village of Lympstone has two lovely pubs, access to the estuary and countryside walks. Head down to the harbour, where you can see the washing lines out in the sea that the fishermen still use.

If you’re looking for stunning beaches, Budleigh Salterton lies within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Getting there:  A 3-hour train journey, with a change at Exeter or a 3-and-a-half-hour drive.

3. North Norfolk

One of the prettiest parts of the UK! This part of Norfolk has so much to offer. From pretty little coastal towns to beautiful villages filled with flint houses. There are stately homes to explore, steam railways to take and piers to wander down.

Home to some of the prettiest walks in England, as well as the setting for quite a few films – the ending of Shakespeare in Love was filmed on Holkham beach. The perfect weekend away, involving days on the beach, the coastal views you will see when you take a long bracing walk and then finishing the day in a local pub. This part of the country is renowned for some amazing local produce, meaning you are sure to have a truly delicious meal.

Try Wiveton Hall cafe for a lovely lunch, or head a bit further inland to the Gunton Arms, which is set in acres of Parkland.

Getting there: 2-hour train journey from London King’s Cross to Kings Lynn, then bus along the coast. 3 and a half hour train from London Liverpool Street to Cromer, with a change at Norwich. Around 2 and a half hours by car.

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Considering North Norfolk – take a look at this post covering Norfolk Coastal Villages you Need to Visit

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4. Cambridge

If you are looking for a bit more of a chilled city break in the UK, Cambridge is the place!

With punts on the river, home to one of the oldest universities in the world, honey coloured buildings – this is where period fantasies come to life.

It is definitely worth taking the time to explore some of the old university buildings; there are 31 colleges spread across the city, which are open to visitors. The most famous are Trinity, King’s and St John’s. Punting is a must-do as well. Either hire your own boat, or get one with someone who will put the effort in for you.

Also known for great places to eat, put on a summer’s day, one of the nicest things to do is to take a picnic down to the Millpond and sit along the banks of the river.

Getting there: A 1 and a half hour train from London King’s Cross or a 1 hour 20 minute drive.

5. Kent

Incredibly close to London, making this one of the easiest and best weekend trips in the UK. Known as the Garden of England and is ideal for taking a quiet break from city life. Kent has something to offer for every traveller. If you are after some Great British seaside charm, then Whitstable is the place. It is full of quirky shops, oysters and local beer

If you are still craving some city charm, then don’t miss the city of Canterbury. It has a UNESCO World Heritage city centre as well as the world-famous cathedral, which attracts visitors from near and far.

Getting there: 55 minutes from London St Pancras to Canterbury or 1 hour 25 by car.

6. The New Forest – best weekend trips in the UK

The New Forest is one of the largest remaining areas of forest in the South of England, despite being Britain’s smallest national park. Wildlife is abundant here – deer and the famous New Forest ponies, who have been protected over the years. They roam everywhere, so you don’t need to go to any specific place to see them.

When in the New Forest, you are spoilt for choice for country walks. There are over 140 miles of trails and paths, so there are options for all levels of difficulty. The New Forest website has lots of options for different routes and lengths, as well as choices if you want to cycle.

Also not to be missed are the picture-perfect villages of Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst. The latter has recently been named the most beautiful place to live in the UK!

Getting there: 90 minutes by train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst. In the car for around 1 hour and 45 minutes. When in the New Forest, it is easier to get around by car.

7. Winchester – best weekend trips in the UK

Known for its stunning cathedral, historic buildings, charming city centre, farmers’ markets and being a generally rich historical city. People have inhabited this area forever, and its population is around 45,000, which makes it one of the smallest cities in the UK. However, it is definitely one of the most beautiful.

If you visit at Christmas time, there is a very festive Christmas market which pops up at the base of the cathedral and will definitely get you into the festive spirit!

The High Street is one of the oldest in Britain, so this needs to be your first stop. Many of the shops still have historic storefronts, which display some fine examples of Elizabethan and Regency architecture. The city was also built on one of the first known grid systems, and as part of this, green spaces were incorporated -perfect to sit and relax in.

Getting there: 1 hour 10 minutes from London Waterloo or 1 hour 30 minutes by car.

8. Yorkshire Dales – best weekend trips in the UK

The Yorkshire Dales is one of the UK’s greatest treasures, and known as ‘God’s Own County’. The Dales have a distinctive scenery, known for rolling hills, high heather moorland, dry stone walls and all with beautiful walks and quaint country pubs.

Home to the beautiful Bolton Abbey, sleepy villages, the famous viaduct, towns such as Harrogate and Skipton, beautiful waterfalls and the home of Yorkshire tea. There is something for everyone.

Getting there: Train from London King’s Cross to York takes 2 hours. Drive in around 4 hours, although it is easier to have a car to explore when you are there.

9. Gower, Wales

The Gower region in South Wales is the ideal weekend break, with something to offer everyone. It was made the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, and for good reason!

It comprises over 380km of land with some of the most stunning coastlines you could imagine. Packed full of beautiful beaches, cute little towns, ruined castles, limestone cliffs, wooded valleys, quaint villages and rolling hills.

Check out the little town of Mumbles, packed full of Victorian charm. Discover castle ruins with ghost stories and folklore tales aplenty. Plus, stretch those legs with an endless option for beautiful walks you can take. On top of that, there are some marvellous eateries that need checking out to refuel after a long day exploring. You won’t want to leave!

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This post on Things to do in Gower for a wonderful winter weekend will help you plan your trip!

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Getting there: 3 hours by car from London.

10. The Peak District – best weekend trips in the UK

The Peak District became the first National Park in the UK in 1951 and covers an area of over 5 counties. With endless natural beauty, tons of adorable villages and where you can live out all your Jane Austen fantasies.  Chatsworth House was used as the setting for Pemberley in the 2015 Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Additionally, the nearby Haddon Hall has been used as Thornfield in more than one adaptation of Jane Eyre.

Early 19th-century literature aside, the Peak District is a paradise for walkers with walks varying in difficulty from gentle rambles to the more challenging hikes. Nothing better than a day of walking by ending up in one of the many local pubs.

Top Tip: The Peak District has some amazing walks, find the right one for you here: Best Walks in the Peak District, UK

Getting there: 3 hours from London Euston to Buxton, with a change at Stockport. 3 hours 15 by car.

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How many of these places have you been to? Are you a weekend break fan?

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