There are so many beautiful places you can go on a weekend or a short break to the UK that will fit anyone\u2019s tastes. From National Parks to beautiful old towns, you could plan a trip with your car, by public transportation, or being more adventurous and go with a campervan! Book your car HERE and save up to 15%!<\/a> We have gathered for you some of the favorite places expert travelers share with you today so you can get inspired and plan your next trip to the UK.<\/p>\n Barnard Castle in the northeast county of Durham<\/strong> takes its name from the 12th-century castle located within the town. Both the castle and the town are set above the River Tees<\/strong> and are known as the gateway to the stunning Teesdale area<\/strong>, in one of England\u2019s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.<\/p>\n The town has seen its fair share of famous visitors over the centuries \u2013 Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, and Barnard Castle<\/a> School have famous alumni including British rugby internationals Rob Andrews and the Underwood brothers.<\/p>\n Barnard Castle and Teesdale are great places to spend a short holiday in the UK \u2013 with plenty of activities. There\u2019s a traditional market each Wednesday on the \u201ccobbles\u201d in the Market place, a farmers market on the first Saturday of each month, and the local butchers and delicatessens supply produce from the area, including the famous Cotherstone Cheese<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Be sure to visit the English Heritage maintained Castle and the glorious Bowes Museum<\/strong>, considered one of the most important in the country outside of London and don\u2019t miss the picturesque waterfalls High Force, Low Force, <\/strong>and Cauldron Snout<\/strong>. The areas at the top of the dale are renowned for being Dark Skies locations and a perfect location to see the sky at night.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in Barnard Castle Contributed by Sarah Carter from ASocialNomad\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s first national park,<\/strong> the Peak District, is the perfect place for a short vacation. From rock climbing and mountain biking to caving and hiking, the Peak District National Park is full of outdoor activities to keep you busy.<\/p>\n The best place to base yourself is the quaint and charming village of Castleton<\/a> in Hope Valley. Castleton village<\/strong> is home to Mam Tor also known as Shivering Mountain, which is one of the most famous hikes in Derbyshire. Castleton is also home to three of the best UK show caves and caverns, Speedwell Cavern, Peak Cavern,<\/strong> and Treak Cliff Cavern<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If history is more your thing you can visit the 11th century Peveril Castle<\/strong> which overlooks the village and is one of England\u2019s earliest Norman fortresses. After you\u2019ve worked up an appetite you can head to the village center and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea or a pub lunch. When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay Contributed by Roshni from The Wanderlust Within\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Edinburgh, Scotland\u2019s capital, is an ideal city to visit for a short trip.<\/p>\n You can easily spend 2-3 days wandering about the different areas (we don\u2019t call them neighborhoods), visiting historical attractions, learning about local culture and art at the city museums, enjoying short hikes and diving into the foodie and drink scene.<\/p>\n The most popular area to start is Edinburgh\u2019s Old Town. At the top of the Royal Mile<\/strong> you have Edinburgh Castle<\/strong> and at the bottom, the Scottish Parliamen<\/strong>t in Holyrood Park. Attractions worth visiting on, or close to, the Royal Mile include Camera Obscura, St Gile\u2019s Cathedral, the Storytelling Centre, and Holyrood Palace.<\/p>\n Holyrood Park is home to a popular walk-in Edinburgh<\/a>, Arthur\u2019s Seat. This urban hike takes around one hour. Hikers are rewarded with city views over to the Kingdom of Fife.\u00a0Another aspect that I love about the Old Town is that its tiny closes connect the Royal Mile to other streets and gardens. You could easily get lost seeing what is at the other end of each close for an afternoon.<\/p>\n Other popular places in the Old Town include the Grassmarket (Saturday market), Victoria Street (Harry Potter\u2019s Diagon Alley), and the Meadows (city park).<\/p>\n For those who just want to spend a weekend mooching about independent shops and coffee houses, check out Stockbridge<\/strong>. From here you can walk along the Waters of Leith<\/strong> to the hip Leith is which has cobbled streets, cool pubs and lots of food options.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in Edinburg Contributed by Gemma Armit from Everything Edinburgh\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Glasgow is a great city to visit for a short vacation because it combines the best of city sightseeing and urban adventure with the stunning surroundings of the Scottish Highlands<\/strong> and endless green spaces. In Glasgow, you can spend your morning at a trendy brunch cafe, go for a hike in the afternoon and return for a hearty dinner at a street food market and a dram (whiskey) in a traditional pub.<\/p>\n Glasgow is Scotland\u2019s largest city and is located only 45 miles from Edinburgh<\/strong> near the west coast. However, the two cities could not be more different. Glasgow is famous for its mix of modern and Victorian architecture, the beautiful medieval Cathedral<\/strong>, numerous free museums, and its thriving music community. The food scene is mouthwatering and the locals are known to be super friendly and welcoming. There is a cool street art trail through the city and lots of out-there guided tours that are about more than dry facts and history \u2013 from women\u2019s history walks to exclusive access tours to the underground platforms of the city\u2019s central train station. Glasgow offers so much to do.<\/p>\n However, Glasgow is also an amazing home base if you want to escape into nature. The Gaelic name of the city means \u201cDear Green Place\u201d and Glasgow is indeed dotted with beautifully landscaped parks and more natural country parks. A trip to the stunning shores of Loch Lomond<\/strong>, a walk around the ruins of Bothwell Castle<\/strong> and a day of island hopping to Arran, Bute, or Great Cumbrae are some of my favorite day trips from Glasgow<\/a> and they\u2019re all doable on public transport.<\/p>\n Being able to experience so many different aspects of Scottish culture from one central location makes it a fantastic place to visit for a short trip.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in Glasgow Contributed by Kathi from Watch Me See\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Isles of Scilly offers a holiday of yesteryear. Even during the height of summer, the five inhabited islands are quiet with few visitors. There are lots of beaches, some walkable, others reached only by boat. There is little or no crime, only a handful of cars, the main mode of transport is by foot or by bike. Highlights include swimming with seals<\/strong>, paddle boarding, and kayaking or simply enjoying the solitude.<\/p>\n Each island has its unique features and attractions. The main island of St Mary<\/strong> is great for a family holiday to the Scilly Isles.<\/a> It has a good range of accommodation, shops, and restaurants. If you\u2019d like an upmarket experience, the island of Tresco<\/strong> is perfect: luxury accommodation and the famous Abbey Gardens along with ruins to explore and great water sports. The other three islands are best for a more escapist experience, they feel remote and feature empty beaches and beautiful scenery.<\/p>\n The Isles of Scilly can be reached by ferry from the Cornish port of Penzance or by flight from Exeter in Devon and several small airports in Cornwall. It\u2019s important to book accommodation as far in advance as possible<\/strong> as there is a limited supply available and a strong repeat group of people who return to the islands each year.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in the Isles of Scilly Contributed by Annabel Kirk from Smudged Postcard\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides islands, located off the west coast of Scotland. It is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland and is the perfect place to go for a short holiday in the UK.<\/p>\n From rugged coastlines to jagged mountainscapes, tumbling waterfalls, historic castles, and picturesque villages, the Isle of Skye have it all. There is plenty to see and do on this incredible island and you could spend weeks exploring. However, you can easily visit the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh<\/a> in 2 days to cover the main highlights.<\/p>\n The Old Man of Storr<\/strong> is perhaps the most iconic feature on the Isle of Skye. These impressive rock pinnacles require a short hike but are well worth the effort.<\/p>\n Continuing north along the east coast of Skye from here, you\u2019ll discover Kilt Rock<\/strong> and Mealt Falls<\/strong> crashing onto the beach below. Traveling further north still, is Quiraing<\/strong>. Another scenic hike taking you impressive rock features.<\/p>\n To the south are the enchanting Fairly Pools<\/strong> with their mesmerizing turquoise waters as well as the incredible geography at Fairy Glen. For more culture and history, head west to Neist Point Lighthouse or one of Skye\u2019s castles.<\/p>\n When to visit: Contributed by Sophie from Wedreamoftravel.com\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jurassic Coast is an excellent location for a short holiday and its extraordinary beauty has been proclaimed UNESCO<\/strong> heritage site.<\/p>\n Jurassic Coast is located on the southern coast of England, and it stretches from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset. It\u2019s 2.5 hours away from London and 1 hour away from Southampton<\/strong>, and the best way to get there is to rent a car.<\/p>\n Take an epic hike along the coast taking in some stunning views of white cliffs, green fields, and turquoise sea. Visit Durdle Door<\/strong>, which is a natural limestone arch and a very iconic place! Walk from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove<\/strong> for more gorgeous views. The village is very picturesque, and it has that English coastal vibe to it with cute souvenir shops and ice creams places. From here, you can take a boat ride along the coast or if you\u2019re more of an adventure-seeking type, take part in coasteering and other activities including archery, mountain biking, orienteering, and bushcraft.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in Jurassic Coast Contributed by Mal from Raw Mal Roams\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Oxford is located just a little over an hour from London and is a wonderful place for a short break in the UK. Whilst most tourists will only visit for a day or a weekend, there\u2019s plenty of stuff to do in this beautiful city for a few days. From coffee shops to culture to colleges, there\u2019s something for everyone.<\/p>\n Oxford is a walking city and its many beautiful buildings are best admired from outdoors, which is why summer is the best time to visit. You can admire the City of Dreaming Spires<\/strong> from the top of University Church of St Mary the Virgin, go punting on the river Cherwell<\/strong>, picnic in Christ Church Meadows, pet wild horses in Port Meadow, and more. For indoor activities, there\u2019s the brilliant Ashmolean Museum, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Oxford University library tours.<\/p>\n Many people will say that Oxford University resembles Hogwarts and they\u2019d be right. Many magical filming locations can be found in this city so if you\u2019re looking for all things Harry Potter in Oxford<\/a> then you\u2019ll want to add Christ Church, New College, the Bodleian Library, and the Divinity School to your list of places to visit.<\/p>\n In terms of food, Oxford has a growing cafe scene, and institutions like The Missing Bean, the Handlebar Cafe, and Kitchen, and Turl Street Kitchen are packed with locals and students alike. In fact, the oldest coffee shop in England is located in Oxford so look out for The Grand Cafe as you wander down the main high street.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in Oxford Contributed by Laura from What\u2019s Hot?\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One of the best holiday destinations in the UK is the picturesque town of St Ives in South West Cornwall. St Ives is famous for its four stunning beaches, surfing, booming art scene, and galleries.<\/p>\n St Ives is a great place to base yourself for a walking holiday. The St Ives area<\/a> is part of the South West Coast Path<\/strong>, a 630-mile walking trail around South West England from Poole Harbour in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset. You can either walk towards the beautiful viewpoint of Clodgy<\/strong>, overlooking Porthmeor, and continue on towards the village of Zennor<\/strong> or walk along the coast to the neighboring town of Carbis Bay<\/strong> and the vast beach of Porthkidney.<\/p>\n St Ives is also a fantastic place for a more chilled out holiday. Laze your time away on one of the many beaches and eat at the delicious beach bars. In the evening, I recommend the Rum and Crab Shack, a small bar and eatery with wonderful views over St Ives harbor and amazing cocktails.<\/p>\n St Ives is a perfect destination to take the kids. Swim in the calm waters on Porthminster beach<\/strong> or learn to surf on Porthmeor beach<\/strong>. Most of the restaurants and cafes are very child friendly and the beach bars have plenty of kids options. St Ives is also the perfect place to base yourself to explore more of Cornwall on day trips or visit one of the many attractions.<\/p>\n When to visit: Recommended Hotel to stay in St Ives Contributed by Sylvie from Travels With Eden\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yorkshire is perfect for a short vacation in the U.K as the region is packed with diverse natural and historical attractions. The green rolling hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales<\/strong> offer beautiful waterfalls such as Aysgarth Falls<\/strong> and Hardraw Force<\/strong>, brewery and vineyard tours as well as historic castles and abbey ruins such as those at Skipton Castle <\/strong>and Bolton Abbey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Take a trip underground to visit England\u2019s largest show cave, White Scar Cave<\/strong>, or stay above ground to hike one of the area\u2019s scenic trails. Visit the 230-foot high natural amphitheater at Malham Cove<\/strong> and the unusual geological features at nearby Gordale Scar. The historic city of York g<\/a>ives visitors a chance to visit Roman, Viking, Victorian and Georgian sites all in walkable distance from each other. Visit the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster, walk the city\u2019s medieval walls (which are the longest city walls in England), or just wander the charming cobbled streets of the pedestrianized city center.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Barnard Castle, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Barnard-Castle-ASocialNomad-Sarah-Carter-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best time to visit is during Spring, Summer, Autumn<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>The Old Well,<\/a> built into the Castle Walls<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nCastleton Peak District, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/castleton-village-Roshni-Patel-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Castleton is easily accessible by train via Sheffield and is only 2 and a half hours away from London.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best time to visit is during Autumn when the leaves change color<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>One of the best value places to stay in the YHA Castleton Losehill Hall<\/a>, a Grade II listed Gothic mansion, that has been newly renovated and is situated just a few minutes outside of Castleton village.
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nEdinburgh, Scotland<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Dugald-Stewart-Calton-Hill-Edinburgh-Two-Scots-Abroad-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>You can visit all year round, avoid August if you don\u2019t like crowds<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>The Raeburn Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nGlasgow, Scotland<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Glasgow-Cathedral-by-Kathi-Kamleitner-WatchMeSee.com-Kathi-Kamleitner-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Glasgow is a great destination year-round, but I love visiting in Spring and Summer (April to September).<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>I recommend staying near the city center, so you have the best in the city and surrounding areas at your doorstep. The new Motel One<\/strong><\/a> is great, but I also love the historic Grand Central Hotel<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIsles of Scilly, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Scilly-Isles-Annabel-Kirk.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best time to visit is during summer<\/p>\n\n
Karma St Martin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIsle of Skye, Scotland<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Isle-of-Skye-We-Dream-of-Travel-Sophie-Clapton-1024x767.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The ideal month for visiting the Isle of Skye is during May. At this time of year, there is typically less rainfall, more sunshine and longer daylight hours to give you ample time to explore<\/p>\nJurassic Coast, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_0519-Raw-Mal-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best time to visit Jurassic Coast is from late spring to early autumn (April to September). If you visit during the week and outside of England school holiday (July to August) the area will be much quieter.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>A great place to stay in the area is Durdle Door Holiday Park, where you can rent a cool skylight cabin!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nOxford, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_6332-2-Laura-Hartley-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best time to visit is during summer.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>Old Bank Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSt Ives, Cornwall;\u00a0England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Porthminster-Beach-Path-Sylvie-Simpson.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The best times to visit are between April-June and September\/October.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>The Porthminster hotel | It overlooks Porthminster beach and features a spa and amazing restaurant.\u00a0 You can check HERE the best offers for Hotels to stay in St Ives\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nYorkshire, England<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nomadicchica.com\/en\/productive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/uk-vacation-collab-Sinead-camplin-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n