21 Of The Best Weekend Breaks In The UK To Enjoy In 2024

Are you wanting to inject more adventure into 2024? Well you don’t have to hop on a long haul flight to enjoy somewhere new. These weekend breaks in the UK are the best places to go for relaxation, fun, freedom, good food and so much more. The only thing you need to decide is which one to try out first.

1. Leeds

Leeds is an incredible city. One that could be overlooked for other Northern cities such as Manchester or Newcastle. However, if you’re into you love a good independent coffee shop or enjoy a locally brewed beer, Leeds is the place to be.

Of course there’s great food too from the likes of Bundobust, Turk’s Head do a mean Sunday Roast (get the cauliflower cheese as a side, you won’t regret it), and you have to try the pasta at Sarto. In between all the eating and drinking (caffinated and alcoholic) take a walk through the many Victorian shopping arcades or visit the Royal Armouries down at Leeds Dock.

2. Manchester

I love Manchester. What an incredible fun city to spend the weekend in. Whether you like your weekends full of cool, down to earth spots or you want to treat yourself to fine dining and rooftop bars, Manchester can entertain anyone. Spend part of your weekend in the Northern Quarter checking out the street art and in the evening, venture to 20 Stories for amazing views of the city from above. If you like your museums, the Science and Industry Museum is one to visit and is great if you’re enjoying a weekend in Manchester with kids too.

Read More: Here’s Your Ultimate Guide For A 3 Day Weekend In Leeds

3. London

No ‘weekend breaks in the UK’ list would be complete without a mention of London. With world class museums, royal palaces, iconic streets and sights, London is a city visited by people from around the world. My top recommendations for a weekend in London would be wandering around Carnaby Street – enjoying the shopping and cool restaurants in the area, visiting the Natural History Museum, and taking a walk along southbank seeing the Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market along the way.

4. Malham

Malham is the perfect base for a weekend exploring the Yorkshire Dales. Base yourself in the Malham village and do the circular walk from Malham Cove via Janet’s Foss. Then spend the evening enjoying a well earned drink in one of Malham’s cosy pubs.

5. Yorkshire 3 Peaks

Unless you’re fit, and used to walking miles and miles across hilly countryside, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge might take a bit of preparation. The challenge is to climb Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent – Yorkshire’s 3 highest peaks – in under 12 hours.

Of course, you can take it slower than this but this time is more than doable with a few stops along the way. Plan to do this walking weekend when the days are long and make sure to take a picture at the top of each peak with your fellow walkers.

6. Surf In Polzeath

Polzeath in Cornwall is one of the county’s coolest surfing beaches. A vast expanse of sand gives way to rolling waves suitable for even the most novice of surfers. Surf schools are dotted along the beach if you need a lesson or two, or alternatively just bring your own board and jump into the ocean ready to ride some waves. If surfing isn’t your thing, enjoy a coffee, smoothie or ice cream in one of the surfside cafes or just relax on the beach for the weekend!

Read More: How To Spend A Day In Polzeath: One Of Cornwall’s Coolest Beaches

7. A Spa Weekend at Rudding Park 

One of Yorkshire’s best loved spas, Rudding Park near Harrogate is the ideal place to spend a luxurious relaxed weekend. Book yourself in for a Saturday evening to soak up the peaceful atmosphere and spend the rest of your time swimming in the rooftop pool, enjoying the relaxation room, and the sunlight therapy room for a dose of vitamin D. To top off your weekend, book in for a treatment of your choice.

8. Cosy Up In The Pentland Hills

Are you looking for a weekend away from it all? A place where you can switch off, go walking in the countryside, and enjoy evenings in a woodfired hot tub? Well Eastside, specifically Westside Woodshed in the Pentland Hills might just be the place you’re looking for.

This modern, scandinavian inspired cabin is the ideal self catering getaway for a cosy weekend in the Pentland Hills. You can go on beautiful walks straight from your doorstep, enjoy quiet time with a good book and a log burner, and best of all, it’s only 25 minutes from Edinburgh!

Read More: The Westside Woodshed Review: A Luxury Cabin Holiday In The Pentland Hills

9. Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is another place that’s perfect for a weekend break in the UK in 2024. It’s a great place for history buffs to visit with Edinburgh Castle looking across the whole city, as well as places like Calton Hill. If you’re not into your history though, take your time exploring all the different neighbourhoods of the city including Stockbridge, Leith and Haymarket.

10. Glasgow

Swap a weekend in historic Edinburgh for a cool weekend in Glasgow. This city feels the perfect place to enjoy a weekend of eating and drinking. Cosy old pubs blend into cool bars and restaurants such as Ox and Finch, a place where you have to eat dinner if you’re here for the weekend.

The Kelvingrove area of Glasgow is a must see around the university as well as the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, especially in the spring when flowers are coming into bloom.

11. Another Place, The Lake

One of the best hotels I’ve stayed at in the UK is Another Place, The Lake, on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District. It’s one of the most beautiful lakes in the area and Another Place, The Lake is the perfect place to base yourself for a weekend here.

Enjoy a spa treatment in the hotel’s very own spa, take a walk around Aira Force, a waterfall in ancient woodland just a short drive from the hotel, or spend your days paddleboarding and kayaking on Ullswater. These two activities can be organised through the hotel itself so you really don’t need to venture far at all to enjoy the area to its fullest.

Alternatively, relax in the pool, arguably one of Another Place, The Lake’s best features with its giant windows looking out towards Ullswater. 

Read More: Checking In At Another Place, The Lake in Ullswater

12. Whitby

If a weekend by the coast is what the doctor ordered, why not venture to Whitby? On the east coast of Yorkshire, Whitby not only has a beautiful long beach perfect for a quiet walk, or a spot of surfing, but there’s Whitby Abbey to explore too – the building that inspired the story of Dracula.

Enjoy fish and chips by the harbour – The Magpie is the place most people will recommend but you won’t go wrong enjoying a portion from any of the other chip shops in Whitby. To explore a little further afield, walk along the Cumberland way south to enjoy Robin Hood’s Bay or take the longer walk north to see Staithes.

13. York

I’ve spent many weekend in York and every time I see or experience something new. Whether it’s a visit to the newly renovated Clifford’s Tower with its great views across the city or a new independent coffee shop offering the ideal place to warm up on a cold winter’s day.

There’s the iconic Bettys to visit for a spot of afternoon tea (be prepared to queue though!) I would recommend grabbing a cake, specifically a Fat Rascal, to enjoy back at your accommodation! Or why not visit York Minster and climb its steps to enjoy York from above. There’s also the historic York walls which circle the city and cool bars like Evil Eye where you can enjoy a good cocktail.

If pubs are more your thing, there’s more than enough to enjoy a pub for each day of the year! Honestly, this city is worth more than a weekend of your time if you have the annual leave!

Read More: Discover York On A Budget: 12 Free Things To Do In York, UK

14. Halloween at Alton Towers

Alton Towers Scarefest is a brilliant time to visit the theme park. Yes it might be a bit colder in October but the theme park offers the perfect setting to get a bit spooked! Creepy characters are wandering around the park ready to give you a scare and there’s mazes which are guaranteed to give you a fright! There’s also all the rides too – give th13teen a go for a spooky queue and quite the surprise on the ride!

15. Watergate Bay

Another Place, The Lake’s sister hotel, Watergate Bay, is located on the beautiful Cornish coast near Newquay. With a gorgeous design, surf lessons you can book at the hotel and Zacry’s restaurant serving top notch food, I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t want to venture away from the hotel all weekend!

The pool here also has incredible views directly out to the ocean which will be hard to tear yourself away from.

16. North Star Club

North Star Club in North Yorkshire is a great place to enjoy a cabin stay in the woods. It may sound rustic but all cabins at North Star Club offer a level of luxury, with the main cabin offering a large copper bath and a sauna! Cook outdoors on the BBQ, then sip on hot chocolate and toast marshmallows in the central gathering point where you’ll find books and board games to wile the night away.

Read More: Review Of North Star Club, Yorkshire | A Luxurious Weekend Stay

17. Camping In Beadnell

For a wonderfully basic weekend away, go camping in Beadnell, Northumberland. This well kept,clean campsite is directly across from a sandy beach and just down the coast from Seahouses. From here you can enjoy the Farne Islands where you can go puffin spotting, drive to the historic Bamburgh Castle and Craster where you can eat fresh smoked kippers.

Inland you can easily access Alnwick Castle and its Gardens. The gardens are a great experience, including a visit to the Poison Garden, a locked area of Alnwick Castle where every plant could seriously harm, or even kill you! Enter if you dare!

Back at Beadnell Campsite, enjoy simple evenings playing games or in the nearby village pub before heading back to your tent.

18. Festival Weekend At Wilderness

Summer in the UK is the place to be if you enjoy a festival or two. From massive world renowned dance festivals to small tiny local festivals, Wilderness falls somewhere in that beautiful midpoint.

Big enough to attract huge names in the music scene, but small enough that you can experience it all. It’s not just music on offer here though, there are workshops, wild swimming, talks from authors and cooking events to round off a fun festival experience. Bring your tent or book into one of the more luxurious, pre-prepared accommodation on-site.

19. Outdoor Adventure Girls Weekend

Are you looking to spend a weekend with a like-minded bunch of people that enjoy the outdoors as much as you? Well Outdoor Adventure Girls might be just the place for you.

Created by Sophie, from Sophie’s Suitcase, Outdoor Adventure Girls is an adventure community which hosts weekends in the UK and abroad that are safe and inclusive for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors.

Current events and adventures include a ski weekend in the French Alps, a weekend in the Peak District and an adventure to Bali!

20. A Weekend at Unplugged

Have you ever wanted to return to a time where you didn’t have your phone 24/7? Well a weekend at Unplugged will let you do just that. With cabins in Manchester and around London, Unplugged offers you a weekend away to completely disconnect.

You arrive at their container cabins in the countryside and before enjoying your weekend, you lock your phone in a box so you can truly be present during your stay. Don’t worry, there’s an old school phone if you really need it, and you can always access your phone in an emergency but I reckon this is the perfect place for a digital detox.

Create memories with the instant camera provided, enjoy evenings by a log fire outside, and cook up scrumptious meals in the kitchen!

21. Liverpool

Another city in the north of the UK which is well worth a weekend away is Liverpool. If you’re split between Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, I’d argue that Liverpool is the place to visit first. The home of The Beatles, delicious restaurants like Art School, cool streets like Bold Street, a buzzing atmosphere, and plenty of cosy old pubs, Liverpool is just a friendly and fun place to spend a weekend away in the UK.

Read More: Dream Cabins In Scotland To Stay At This Year

So now you have a selection of weekend breaks in the UK, where will you be going next?