From the capital city of London to the medieval city of York, the UK has some incredible locations. And while they're all an excellent choice for a weekend getaway, some stand out as even better than others. Here are our picks for the best places in Britain for a weekend escape:
Liverpool
Liverpool is a beautiful city, with a rich history and more than enough to keep you occupied. There's something for everyone; whether you're into architecture, museums or galleries, nightlife or music festivals—you’ll be able to find something to entertain you in Liverpool.
Suppose you're looking for a Beatles tour of the city (and who isn't?). In that case, there are plenty of options that cover all things Fab Four: from visiting their childhood homes to learning about the most famous albums ever made at a museum devoted entirely to The Beatles' legacy. For example, after seeing John Lennon's house—where he penned his most famous songs, including “Imagine” and “Across The Universe”—you could head over to Mathew Street: home to the famous ‘Cavern Club’ where the Beatles performed in their early career.
Watching football is also another great way to explore this city full of culture; there are several teams within walking distance from each other, including Everton FC, who play at Goodison Park (just across Stanley Park), Liverpool FC, who play at Anfield Stadium (adjacent to Anfield road), and Tranmere Rovers who play at Prenton Park.
Oxford
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and has been a centre of learning since its founding in 1096. You can visit plenty of museums and libraries associated with Oxford University, or you can just wander through this prestigious city nicknamed ‘the city of dreaming spires’ and soak in the atmosphere.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a beautiful city with plenty to offer. It’s a great place to visit in the summer, full of museums and galleries, but it also has plenty of restaurants, bars and shops if you want to stay out later in the evening. Edinburgh often hosts festivals, such as the famous Edinburgh fringe festival.
If you’re visiting during wintertime, make sure you get up early in the morning so you can see Edinburgh Castle lit up by snowfall before breakfast at one of its many cafes or restaurants. Then spend some time exploring Princes Street or George Street before heading back into town for lunch at one of its many pubs or restaurants.
Canterbury
Canterbury is an excellent place for a weekend getaway. You can visit Canterbury Cathedral or Canterbury Heritage Museum, located on St Augustine’s Monastery site and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1986.
Cambridge
If you're looking for a place to recharge, Cambridge is the city for you. The picturesque town has everything from charming cafes and tea shops to unique boutiques—making it feel like a bustling hub of activity even on off-hours. There's also plenty of history: Cambridge University was founded in 1209, making it one of the oldest universities in the world!
The best part? It's just an hour outside London by train, so if you want to get away without sacrificing convenience (and still be close enough to visit your friends), there's no better spot than this charming English town.
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is one of the best places to stay in the UK. It's a small town with a population of about 10,000 people, but it has the charm and beauty of a much larger city. Aberystwyth has been called "the prettiest town in Wales," and we think that's pretty accurate.
Aberystwyth is located near Cardigan Bay and shares its coastline with several other towns like Cardigan and New Quay. All three are located along the same stretch of coastline called Cardigan Bay Coast Path (or Ceredigion Coast Path). This path offers some fantastic views of the sea and surrounding countryside that you won't want to miss!
If you're looking for things to do while staying at Aberystwyth, there are plenty: hiking trails above town offer panoramic views, whilst if you’re more interested in history or art, the national library of Wales or Aberystwyth Arts Centre are well worth a visit.
Inverness
Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands and is an excellent base for exploring this region. The city itself offers plenty to see and do: Inverness Castle is a major tourist attraction, as are nearby Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. You can also take advantage of several excellent golf courses in the area, including the St Andrews Links Golf Course near Dunbar and Royal Dornoch Golf Club on Scotland's east coast.
Inverness has plenty of restaurants—the city is known for its excellent seafood dishes—and many hotels with room rates ranging from moderate to expensive depending on how long you stay there.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of the Best Places in the UK for a Weekend Getaway. Whether you’re looking to party with friends or reconnect with nature, these destinations have something for everyone!