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After months of calling myself a travelling nomad and returning to a more “normal” life, I planted roots in Manchester, England. I quickly discovered that the sense of adventure, the need to see new places doesn’t vanish. It’s why the weekends have become the time when I plan an England Weekend trip. It’s the best way to to see what this new home country has to offer.
I have enjoyed, exploring England by making weekend escapes. I get to see towns, villages and attractions that make the UK, the beauty it is.
Be you a local, new to a city or a returning visitor, you will be surprised at what you will discover.
See my list below of great England Weekend Trip cities to visit. I’m constantly updating this article so revisit this post to get ideas of where to visit in England.
England Weekend Trip Table Of Contents
Dreaming Of England? Book Your Weekend Trip
Planning escapes or staycations can feel overwhelming. When I plan my England weekend trip, these are my go to travel sites I use.
 Book Your Stay |  Rent A Car |  Travel By Train |  Book Tours & Activities |
| Booking.com | QEEQ | Omni | Viator |
England Weekend Trip – Cities To Visit
London
All England roads lead to London as this city is constantly evolving. Get your fix of London town than this is easily achieved from any part of England. It’s only a 2 hour train journey from Manchester and highlights can be easily done in 2-3 days.
See my full catalogue of articles dedicated to London.
Manchester
I’m constantly trying to explore the city I now call home. Especially, since I still have the ability to camouflage as a tourist, its easy to change hats from local and tourist in Manchester, England.
You come here for the football, music or just a good weekend out.
Must Do Activities Near Manchester:
| The Real Ale Trail | Explore pretty villages, travel by train and visit quintessential pubs, all while enjoying local ale’s. |
| Horse Races | Expats and tourist alike should experience horse races as they stamp their way through some of the quintessential activities in England. Think, fascinators, horse betting and cheering with pints or bubbly. The closest racecourse near Manchester is Haydock Park Racecourse and worth checking out. |
| Daytrip Canal Cruise | Taking a canal cruise from Manchester had been on my UK bucket list. Just an hour’s drive away, the 90-minute trip through a cute countryside offered highlights like sailing a narrowboat and enjoying afternoon tea. |
Have a look at the full library of articles dedicated to the city I now call home, Manchester;
Find things to do in Manchester.
Cornwall
Cornwall is a perfect place to hit the open road in England. Experience the scenic Cornish countryside, coastal villages, sea side towns and everything else in between in a road trip.
See my post on Cornwall.
Find things to do in Cornwall.
Bath
Bath in England is a perfect place to spend a weekend. Highlights include Stonegenge, Roman Baths and quaint towns like Castle Combe in the Cotswolds. Being just a short train ride/drive from London. I would recommend a stay.Get a sense of how it is to live outside of a metropolitan city in England.
See my post on the perfect Bath weekend.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh in Scotland is another example where multiple day trips can happen. I made the most out of a long bank holiday in the U.K. I saw all that Scotland has to offer. It’s really no surprise to see why many people from England continue to return and take trips here.
See my long bank holiday in Scotland post.
Find things to do in Edinburgh.
Glasgow
The Feel: Lively, full of character, kind of the “middle child” of Edinburgh. I’ve been twice for gigs and every time the city surprises me with new sights I have missed like the iconic Duke of Wellington’s statue with the permanent cone head.
Getting There: Easy by train from Manchester or anywhere in the UK. Just check schedules using Omio in advance.
Where To Eat & Drink:
- Ox & Finch – hands down one of my favorite food spots in the city. The neighborhood is fun to explore, so plan a stroll before or after your meal. Book ahead for food and drinks.
- Margo – right in the lively city center, which I think is the perfect location for a night out or as a base during your stay. Reservations are recommended.
- 111 by Modou, Ka Pao, Paseanos – these spots are all casual, flavorful, and perfect for a relaxed evening.
Neighborhoods & Exploring: Around Ox & Finch, there’s a great mix of streets to wander with coffee in hand. If you want the city buzz, the area where Margo is at is vibrant and full of energy.
Other Sights To See: Don’t miss the Riverside Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. If the weather’s nice, Glasgow Green is perfect for a walk.
Lake District
Where To Stay: Bowness-on-Windermere is my personal favorite base in The Lake District. I have visited here five times last year alone! Quaint village, tons of walks, and lakeside charm.
Getting There: either rent a car or hop on the train. If coming via train, be sure to book using Omio for the best rates.
Things To Do:
- Rent a self-drive boat in Bowness Bay to explore the lake at your own pace. My favorite way to enjoy the water without feeling rushed.
- Explore the cathedral area in the village. It honestly feels like stepping back in time.
- Take some of the scenic trails nearby for short or long walks.
Food & Pubs:
- Hole in t’Wall – the oldest pub in Bowness. It has hosted Charles Dickens and countless locals over the centuries. A true classic not to miss.
- Churchills Tavern – this pub retains its old‑world charm with a fireplace and pool table, which makes it perfect after a rainy walk or just to stay warm in the evening.
Luxury Stay: The Dome House is a real treat if you want a bit of a splurge and realize that at The Lakes, a little R&R is important. I’m talking sauna, pool, jacuzzi, and an in-house chef ready to make pizzas from their onsite stone oven.
York
A must see for any tourist exploring Northern England or just England for that matter. The medieval town of York is full of culture and history. Did I mention, it’s considered the best place for ‘Afternoon Tea’. York is where some of the best English tea comes from. If you happen to be a Harry Potter fan, this was a filming location. A theme shop can be found here too. Be sure to check out ‘Betty’s‘ for a proper ‘Afternoon Tea’ experience. If looking for tasty non-English grub head to ‘El Ambiente‘ for yummy Spanish tapas.
Dorset
During our visit to Dorset, we spent a few days exploring the stunning Jurassic Coast, staying in Poole, a charming town perfectly situated near all the major landmarks. It offers plenty of beachside accommodations and rentals.
Highlight of Dorset include Durdle Door and it’s two picturesque beaches, the striking Old Harry Rocks, Brownsea Island, which we did a self-drive boat trip and the near by sand banks . One of my favorite experiences was visiting Tyneham Village, an English ghost town near Durdle Door.
We enjoyed a cozy pub meal at The Castle Inn in West Lulworth and enjoyed starting our mornings by grabbing a bake and coffee at The Kitchen in Poole park. It offers lovely views of the lake which has an array of activities such a paddle boarding, kayaking or boating.
Newborough
The island of Anglesey in Wales is the perfect place to spend the weekend camping and enjoying the beach. Ensure you drive through “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”, the longest place name in Europe. It’s also the second longest official one-word place in the world. The name was invented for promotional purposes in the 1860’s to drive tourism. If you find yourself near, why not visit and say you’ve been here.
Find things to do in Newborough.
Pistyll Rhaeadr
Discover how a short drive from a city can find you in tranquillity and nature. Only a short 2 hour drive from Manchester. The Berwyn Mountains in Pistyll Rhaeadr in Wales is where the highest waterfall in Wales may be found. Beautiful and mostly secluded if not visiting during a bank holiday. Pair a visit to Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls with a visit to Lake Vyrnwy Dam for the perfect day trip.
Book your Pistyll Rhaeadr stay.
Find things to do in Pistyll Rhaeadr.
Alnwick
This market town in Northumberland, England can make any member in the family happy. Alnwick castle, for example, is another site for all things Harry Potter. And Alnwick garden is stunning – be sure to join the ‘Alnwick Poison garden’ tour while visiting. Be enchanted in the Alnwick Treehouse. Enjoy a tasty lunch with a side of books at the quirky ‘Barter Books‘. This was the former train station here. Be sure to pair this visit with some days exploring Farne Islands. Boat tours leaving from Seahouses. For a complete getaway, enjoy the beach side in the village of Alnmouth.
Kilfinan
A perfect nook in the Cowal peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. Go off the grid and unwinding from the day to day routine of hectic city living. Days can be filled doing hikes in the vast hillsides and strolling through the various loch’s (aka lakes). Visit the neighbouring towns of Otter Ferry, Portavadie and Inverary.
Find things to do in Kilfinan .
Chester
Chester, is an easy day trip for those in the Northwest part of England. This walled city in Cheshire near the Dee River was a former Roman fortress and a picturesque town today. It’s perfect for a Sunday. Spend your time strolling the park, visiting the castle, grabbing a proper pub meal and enjoying a cheeky 99 flake cone from a street vendor along the river.
Find things to do in Chester .
Want to discover more?
Explore my Travel Guides Section for more destinations near the UK like iRELAND and dENMARK.
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