The Best British Weekend Getaways
L O N D O N. Arguably the greatest city in the world.
Along with its dynamic energy, cultural vibrancy progressiveness and diversity embedded in every corner; this capital of the world has as formidable transport system which ultimately makes travelling so easily accessible. Despite the many obvious perks of living in London, I’m not alone when I say we all need to escape the hustle, bustle and vastness of it all every now and then. With summer on our doorstep, I’ve rounded up the best weekend breaks and day trips around the UK that I’ve experienced since relocating here over two years ago.
So here they are, in no particular order:
1. BRISTOL
As the de facto counter-culture capital of the UK, Bristol is one of my all time favourite cities in the UK. Set on the border of Gloucestershire and Somerset, Bristol has harmoniously blended is commercial roots with an innovative and modern culture, fuelled by tech-based industries, a large student population and a lively music and arts community. Think London, but more compact and (dare I say it) cooler – or at least more committed to its offbeat counterculture. If I didn’t have such a deep love for London, or if we were to remain in the England permanently, we would definitely choose to live in this vibrant and buzzing city.
Whether you’re in search of a cocktail bar, a quiet space to sample high-quality whisky or a lively venue, Bristol has you covered. Grab a drink at the White Lion and take in the spectacular views over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or have a gastro-fare and cocktails by candlelight at Somerset House in Clifton…in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge fan of Clifton! Make sure you take the time to walk through this neighbourhood during your stay.
Getting there: Great Western runs direct trains from London Paddington Station to Bristol Temple Meads throughout the day. The cost will vary depending upon how far in advance you buy your tickets and what time you travel. National Express Coaches from London to Bath take about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Where to stay: Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin in Clifton. Book the Laurent Perrier Executive Suite for a bath with a view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and sample the wood-smoked delights of the new Goram & Vincent restaurant.
2. BATH, SOMERSET
Bath really is a head-turner. Just 12 miles from Bristol, Bath has a very different feel from its neighbour – more complacent, elegant and leisurely. It is one of Britain’s leafiest cities, ringed by wooden hills and split by the River Avon, and is home to one of the world’s best-preserved Roman bathhouses. As I stepped off the train, I was completely immersed by the city’s exquisite Roman and Georgian architectural treasures, by the sweeping terraced crescents and Jane Austen connections. Such beautiful surroundings are bound to attract creative types and there are an array of independent shops, markets and delicious eateries, including my favourite, Café Lucca (part of the Loft). With such a bountiful countryside close by, the city is brimming with semi-rural farm shops, artisanal coffee houses, vegan and vegetarian bistros, contemporary brasseries and gourmet restaurants.
Though Bath could easily be seen on a day-trip from Bristol, it really deserves a stay of a couple of days. There’s a rich concentration of museums to take in, but some of the greatest enjoyment comes simply from wandering the streets, with their pale gold architecture and sweeping vistas.
Getting there: Take the train from London's Paddington Station. Trains leave every 30 minutes and take approximately 90 minutes. Or you could drive the distance which would take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Where to stay: The Gainsborough Bath Spa or The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Roman Baths
3. THE CORNISH COAST
It’s time to let a little Kernow into your soul. You can’t get any further west than the ancient Celtic kingdom of Cornwall. Almost completely surrounded by sea, the Cornish coastline magnificently wraps around Cornwall for over 300 miles, along a wildly beautiful landscape where towns and villages, from St Ives to Padstow and Polzeath to Bude, huddle amongst the cliff faces to protect themselves against the sea.
With over 300 beaches to explore, there are plenty of opportunities for you to escape the London air and get your fix of sea and sunshine. There are coastal fishing villages with abundant harbours to discover, with seafood restaurants galore, and mostly deserted sandy beaches with pounding swells that provide a natural playground for water activities during the summer months. You can’t go past tasting a Cornish pasty and cream teas.
Getting there: It takes less than five hours to get from London to the heart of Cornwall by either train or car.
Where to stay: Anywhere between Padstow or St Ives. Stay in the luxurious Padstow Townhouse, or stylish St Petroc’s.
Padstow
Polzeath Beach
4. THE JURASSIC COAST, DORSET
I’d seen so many spectacular pictures of the Jurassic Coast and the Dorset coastline, and it certainly did not disappoint. To this day, it is my favourite part of the UK, and we only experienced a brief section of the 95 mile long stretch. The allure of cliffside walks, local ales, hidden coves and incredible scenery was so great that I’m ready to go back for round two! It’s a great place to spend the long weekend and even makes a great day trip. Have a picnic overlooking Lulworth Cove and then embark on the walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door. Over the course of the hour long stroll, you’ll pass dramatic towering white cliffs, the folded limestone rocks of Stair Hole and the iconic stone arches of Durdle Door. The Jurassic Coast rightly deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. So grab your walking shoes and explore some of the highlights of Dorset and the UK.
Getting there: Ideally, the best and easiest way to travel to the Jurassic Coast is definitely by car. The distance between London and Jurassic Coast is 137 miles (roughly 3 hours). If you have time and plan to spend a few days there, you could opt for the train which takes 2h 52m and costs £80 - £150, or there are coach buses available from London via Bournemouth.
Durdle Door
5. CAMBRIDGE
Abounding with exquisite architecture, exuding history and tradition and renowned for its quickly rituals; Cambridge is a deserved university town and has to be one of the prettiest cities in England. Tightly packed with 31 ancient colleges, the world’s greatest minds have famously been convening here for more than 800 years and, as a result, the area is home to some of the country’s best museums and galleries. The buildings here appear utterly unchanged for centuries, making it possible to wander the 31 college buildings and experience them the same way numerous prime ministers, poets, writers and scientists did. Many of the buildings here are extraordinarily beautiful, but the most famous is King’s College, whose magnificent King’s College Chapel is one of the great statements of late Gothic architecture.
One cannot visit Cambridge and not go punting on the River Cam. Head along the Backs – the area where several of the colleges back onto the river – and try your luck on the water (and try not to fall in). This is the best way to catch a glimpse behind the main facades of the colleges and into their back gardens. Keep your eyes out for the Bridge of Sighs and the quirky Mathematical Bridge. Once you’re back on dry land, try some caramel salted fudge samples from my favourite Cambridge Fudge Kitchen, check out the Gin Laboratory and see if you can spot the herd of cows happily grazing around the city centre.
Getting there: Great Northern/Thames Link Railway runs fast trains to Cambridge Station from London King's Cross every few minutes throughout the day. The journey takes between 50 minutes and an hour and a half.
Where to stay: A former University building, Hotel du Vin.
6. SEVENOAKS CIRCULAR WALK, KENT
The Garden of England is my favourite place for a long countryside walk. Not only will you explore the beauty of the rolling fiends of the Kentish countryside, you’ll discover two National Trust sites. There are a number of walking tracks in the area which are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The most difficult decision will be deciding your route. We chose the circular walk from Ightham to Knole Park, which begins at Stone Street and takes you through some of the highlights of the area. The route runs for a distance of about 15km and takes approximately 3 hours, making use of the Greensand Way and other public footpaths to visit Knole Park and Ightham Mote. The grounds of Knole Park are delightful and are home to 500 resident deer, ancient woodland, dry heathland, acid grassland and wood pasture. Knole House contains a world class collection of furniture and textiles from royal palaces and is also well worth exploring. The real glory of the walk comes next: a wonderful stretch of the Greensand Way which slowly climbs the escarpment of the Kent Downs with superb views over the Weald to the south. There are currently some lavender fields at the end of this section (closer to Godden Green) which are in flower from late June to July.
Getting there: There are several fast trains an hour from Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge to Sevenoaks. You can also get to Sevenoaks on slower Thameslink services from Blackfriars via Bromley South, which in May 2018 are due to become through services through central London. Either way, aim to start the walk as early as possible to get to Ightham Mote or the Chaser Inn comfortably in time for lunch. In spring and summer it is also possible to start an hour later, and have lunch in at the Bucks Head in Godden Green and then tea at Ightham Mote.
Knole House
7. WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, NORFOLK
Wells-next-the-Sea might not boast William and Kate as locals, or the famous Hoste pub that attracts celebrities and London weekenders alike, but it’s having a moment of its own. Having been awarded the runaway winner for the Beach of the Year by the Sunday Times, Wells-next-the-Sea boasts one of the finest beaches on this stretch of coast, with golden sand and pine-studded dunes.
Getting there: Greater Anglia trains depart London Liverpool Street and King's Cross every hour, arriving in just under two hours into Norwich or King's Lynn. From Norwich you can catch a regular train to Cromer or Sheringham, and from there and King's Lynn, there are connecting local bus services. It takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes to drive from London to Wells-next-the-Sea.
Where to stay: Bang in Wells is a stylish B&B and coffee shop on fashionable Staithe Street, or if you’re looking for something more luxurious, Barefoot Retreats will be able to accommodate all your needs.
8. BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX
This English coastal city evokes many images for the British. With a colourful, bohemian, hedonistic vibe, Brighton is where England’s seaside experience goes from cold to cool. Any trip to Brighton inevitably begins with a visit to its two most famous landmarks – the exuberant Royal Pavilion and the wonderfully tacky Brighton Pier, followed by a stroll along the seafront promenade or the pebbly beach. Just as interesting, though, is an exploration of Brighton’s car-free Lanes – the maze of narrow alleys marking the old town – or a meander through the quaint, but more bohemian streets of North Laine. If you’re craving seafood, head to Etch, the first restaurant by the winner of 2013’s MasterChef, Steven Edwards.
Getting there: It's just under an hour by train from London and only half an hour from London Gatwick Airport.
Where to stay: Hotel du Vin & Bistro Brighton.
9. SHERE, SURREY
When people ask for recommendations on where to have the best Sunday roast, I immediately tell them to head down to Shere and the White Horse. Having grown up absolutely adoring and being inspired by British films, it was only fitting that our first ever day trip out of London was to the quaint postcard village of Shere, where Hollywood descended for the filming of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and The Holiday (to name a few). In fact, once you’re inside of the White Horse, you just might recognise it as the pub Cameron Diaz and Jude Law met in The Holiday.
Exuding swoon village vibes with a riverside setting and surrounded by rollings hills, Shere is a beautiful and classically English village located between the towns of Guildford and Dorking. Home to two notorious pubs, the William Bray and the White Horse, as well as the Lucky Duck tea room and the long-time favourite restaurant Kinghams, there’s no excuse for an empty stomach.
Getting there: Located on the A25 between Guildford and Dorking in the picturesque Surry Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Shere is a mere hour drive from London.
10. RYE, EAST SUSSEX
This quintessentially English town is a picturesque jumble of cobbled streets with Tudor and Georgian buildings, and is one of the best-preserved walled medieval hill towns in England. It reminded me of a British costume drama set come to life. Here you’ll find unique antique outlets, boutique shops, historic pubs, including the Ship Inn (which serves the best beef roast I’ve ever tasted) and local restaurants instead of high street brand names and tourist attractions. It is quirky and has a fiercely independent character. Despite the town’s hill-top location, Rye’s size makes it best explored by foot. It is compact enough to discover at your own leisure.
Getting there: An hour and a half drive from London.
Where to stay: The Standard Inn or the Queens Head.
The Roast at the Ship Inn
11. WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER, KENT
If the White Cliffs of Dover are on your bucket list, why not escape the norm and experience seeing these symbolically British chalk cliff faces from a different perspective? We spent a relaxing and rejuvenating September weekend camping at Folkestone Camping Grounds in Kent. This camping and caravan site is set on a dramatic cliff-top with views of the sea and the Dover-Folkestone Heritage Coast, and is an ideal base to explore the villages and coastline of Kent.
Getting there: Just two hours from London by car, it is easiest to travel here by car. Follow the M20 from London, M2 from Caterbury, A20 from Dover or A261 from Hastings. If coming via the M20, continue onto the A20 and then exit and loop around on the A260. Continue onto Dover Road and West Bay Road, then follow the signs.
Where to stay: Folkestone Camping & Caravan Grounds.
12. CAMBER SANDS, EAST SUSSEX
Camber Sands is one of the sunniest places in the UK and is known as one of the best beaches in the country, which makes it the perfect place for a seaside summer getaway. Situated east of the ancient town of Rye, Camber Sands is a vast 8-mile long stretch of sandy golden beach and is home to the only sand dune system in the UK . if you’re in need of escaping the big smoke and looking for a place to get your fix of sea and sunshine, then this is the place! Bring a bottle of fizz and sprawl out with a picnic among the grass-topped dunes. You’ll find plenty of eateries situated just behind the dunes. Sit down for fresh seafood and daily specials at the Rye Bay Cafe or treat yourself to some fine dining beside the sea at The Gallivant.
Getting there: Camber is reached via Camber Road, a road leading off the A259 near Rye. If you’re travelling from the north or the east, the M20 (running between London and Folkestone) and the A2070 are the best roads to take before approaching the A259. From the west, the A27 travels all the way along the south coast from Portsmouth before becoming the A259. The nearest train station to Camber is 4 miles away in Rye. Trains to Rye travel from Hastings in one direction, and from Ashford International in the other. If you’re travelling from London, take the Eurostar from St Pancras and change at Ashford.
Where to stay: Camber is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Sussex, there are plenty of places to call home during your break here. Set yourself just a stone's throw from the sea at Camber Sands or within walking distance to the beach in Camber. For a luxury stay, look no further than The Gallivant Hotel, or if you’d prefer to literally wake up on the beach in a bigger house with your friends, Mulburry Cottages have a great selection of beach houses that you can rent for the weekend.
13. THE COTSWOLDS
The Cotswolds… one of my favourite areas in England to discover, primarily due to the fact that the entire region appears to have been completely frozen in time; I suppose technically speaking it is a relic, its architecture beautifully preserved. With rolling limestone hills that stretch across the counties of Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Somerset, the Cotswolds is perfect for a weekend getaway and just two hours’ drive from London. The picture-book villages of Bibury, Castle Combe and Bourton-on-the-Water, with their honey-coloured cottages with rose climbers and wisterias, stone slate roofs, low-ceiling rooms and lush gardens will give you a taste of true English country life.
Getting there: For practical purposes, it’s best to explore the Cotswolds by car. However, there are coaches and train services available, which can vary depending on which area you intend to visit.
Where to stay: Head to the charming and quintessentially English Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach. I highly recommend the steak board for two. If you’re looking for a luxury stay, check out the Manor House, Ellenborough Park or the Wood Norton.
Castle Combe
Bibury
14. HEMINGFORD GREY & ABBOTS, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
If you’re looking to venture to some picturesque and quintessentially English villages from London or Cambridge, look no further. Many people visit Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbotts to enjoy the river and the peaceful meadow walks. Much of the villages are within the ‘Conservation Area’; where there are many thatched and preserved 16th and 17th century cottages and barns, as well as architecturally significant buildings such as the Manor House, Old Rectory and Hemingford Park.
Enjoy a Sunday roast at the award-wining Cambridgeshire country pub, the Cock (also awarded the Good Pub Guide pub of the year for 2019) or relax with a drink in hand by the riverside setting at Houghton Mill & Waterclose Meadows or at Brampton Mill.
Getting there: The easiest way is by car. It’s a 30 minute drive from Cambridge and a 2 hour drive from London, making it the perfect escape to the countryside .
