Please note possible changes due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Peak District
This can be seen as the Lake Districts younger cousin, that being said it still has much to offer like Bakewell (yes the home of the Bakewell tart), miles of hills and the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire: Chatsworth. If the weathers on your side you can explore the national park in a long walk or cycle, stopping for some delicious food and real ale at Beeley.
Winchester
Always having the beauty but sometimes lacking in the character Winchester now has much to offer in the way of personality. Its become a very popular area for those around Hampshire somewhat suddenly. There’s fantastic food to be had alongside various craft brews. You can wonder around Jane Austen’s house in Chawton and take a tour around the UK’s oldest vineyard in Hambledon.
North Norfolk
It’s saturated with an eerie beauty that can be seen in its vast skies and waterways. At Blakeney Point, you can bare witness to seals and from there follow the traditional route that will have you enjoying delicious crab and grabbing some goodies from the farm shop. Theres a lovely pier to be enjoyed and the North Norfolk Railway that goes between Sheringham and Holt. For accommodation you can stay at The Chequers Inn in Thornham, a building that’s been there since 1499 and offers a gastropub with luxury rooms.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is the poster-boy for the great English countryside. Its completely saturated in vibrant greenery. With various counties ranging from Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. If you’re overwhelmed with the choice then stick to Gloucestershire where there are wonderful stone cottages and rockstars in retirement. During your stay get involved in various activities like clay pigeon shooting, leaf-peeping at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Bristol
An urban, trendy option for a weekend break. This is the west countries foodie capital so anyone with a passion for eating should consider visiting. Be sure to visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge with the wonderfully restored lido and Stokes Croft’s street art. Theres plenty of impressive street art around the city for you to admire. Also make sure you get to try the Exhibition cider in the Coronation Tap while you enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Oxford
Home to a well-renowned university, there’s much culture to be experienced and admired in Oxford. Theres literally history in every brick but not only this it’s also a young and thriving cultural hub. Theres plenty of great places to eat and drink such as Raoul’s Bar. Enjoy a day of shopping at the Covered Market or instead opt for a pint of Wychwood Hobgoblin at The White Horse on Broad Street, a filming location for Inspector Gadget. Then make yourself comfortable in a charming B&B or in the Artist Residence, a stylish pub with rooms just outside the city.
The Yorkshire Dales.
It’s probably the UK’s most famous national park, and for good reason – the Dales has staggering good looks and drama in spades. A weekend gives you plenty of time to roam the vast Bolton Abbey Estate near Skipton and be wowed by the Ribblehead viaduct and the natural amphitheatre of Malham Cove (see if you can spot the pair of resident falcons). The Dales are heaven if you live to stuff yourself silly – it’s well worth touring the Wensleydale Creamery, home of the famous cheese, and nosing around Theakston’s brewery. Speaking of pints, The Black Bull near Sedbergh is in a class of its own, with a fantastic, modern kitchen.
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