Coronavirus has swept across the world and limited international travel greatly. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the cities right on your doorstep. This is a guide to eight incredible weekend getaways in the UK with things to do and places to eat for a summer spent at home.
Edinburgh, Scotland
First on the list is the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. Filled with history in the Old Town and modern culture in the New Town, Edinburgh is a stunning city to visit for the weekend. Edinburgh is not short of things to see and do, this is just a brief list to make the most of your weekend in this historic city.
To do
· Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile: visit the castle and learn more about the history of Edinburgh. At the top of the hill you will get gorgeous panoramic views of Edinburgh below. The Royal Mile is a steep cobbled road leading down from the castle to Holyrood Palace at the bottom. You will find quaint souvenir shops and little cafes on the Royal Mile, a perfect tourist spot.
· Grassmarket: The Edinburgh Grassmarket is located in the Old Town and is a lively area with bars and pubs, a great place for an evening out.
· Arthurs seat: Climb the 251m extinct volcano for stunning views of Edinburgh and Fife.
· The Meadows: A large public park south of the city which is great for a picnic or leisurely walk.
· Dean Village: Dean Village is a rural village west of Princes Street. This tranquil area of gardens, streams and 19th Century buildings is another perfect location for a leisurely stroll away from the busy city.
· Princes Street and Gardens: Princes Street is one of the main shopping streets in Edinburgh running from the main central Waverly station to Haymarket station at the other end. Parallel to George Street you will find high street brands, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Princes Street gardens offer a green space away from the urban setting for a walk with the castle in the distance.
Places to eat
· Chaopraya – Thai restaurant and fine dining: 33 Castle Street
· The Dome – Bar and restaurant: 14 George Street
· Meltmongers – Café and takeaway: 80 Bruntsfield Place
· Urban Angel – Café and brunch: 121 Hanover Street
· Fazenda Rodizio – Brazilian bar and grill: 102 George Street
Seasonal activities
· Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Every August Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest arts festival with over 55,000 performances. There is something for everyone at the Fringe as performances range from comedy, magic, theatre, to dance, opera, and circus, and everything in between. Performances range from free indoor and outdoor shows to ticketed events. For the first time since opening the Fringe will not be running in August 2020 due to COVID-19. Details about the 2021 festival will be announced in the future.
· Christmas market: Each year, Princes Street Gardens is covered in Christmas lights and market stalls to recreate a German market in the Scottish capital. The festivities begin in November and go right through to new year after a huge street party on the 31st December for Hogmanay. Edinburgh is a great place to be during the winter months.
York, England
York is an ancient Roman city located in the north-east of England. The walled, medieval city is filled with history and culture that is perfect for a weekend getaway in the UK.
To do
· York Minster: York Minster has been coined as one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Visit the cathedral and learn about the Roman and Viking history in the city of York.
· Shambles: This old street dates back to the 14th Century. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. The narrow, cobbled street is lined with old buildings that have been transformed into cafes and shops.
· York’s Chocolate Story : This museum has been attracting visitors since opening in 2012. You will learn about York’s chocolate history including the headquarters of Rowntree’s and Nestle.
· York Castle Museum: York Castle Museum takes you on a trip to the past with the recreated Victorian streets. Guided tours will also take you through life in the cells of York Castle Prison. Expert tour guides will impress you with their acting to make it feel it an authentic trip to Victorian York.
Places to eat
· Thompsons Fish Restaurant – Seafood: Malton Road
· Los Moros – African and Moroccan: 15-17 Grape Lane
· Crumbs Cupcakery – Café: 10 College Street
· The Blue Barbakan – Polish café: 34 Fossgate
· Phranakhon Thai Tapas – Thai: 19 Grape Lane
Seasonal activities
· Christmas market: Every winter York becomes a festive wonderland with stalls, food stands and attractions for the perfect winter break. York was voted the UK’s Most Festive City in 2017 so it should definitely be on the must-see list.
Brighton, England
Brighton is a seaside town known for its vibrancy. There are many activities for all the family, especially on a nice sunny day.
To do
· The Lanes: This maze of cobbled streets is famous for the small cafes, shops, and boutiques. This historic quarter of Brighton is great for getting lost in and browsing the independent shops.
· Royal Pavilion: A stunning palace that you have no doubt seen on a postcard. You can pay to tour the inside of the palace or simply marvel at the regency-style garden filled with beautiful wildlife and flowers.
· Palace Pier: The pier is probably the most famous landmark of Brighton and is filled with fun for all the family. You will find rides, attractions, arcades, bars, food stalls and shops along the pier.
Places to eat
· The Chilli Pickle – Indian street food: 17 Jubilee Street
· Terre à Terre – Vegetarian: 71 East Street
· Donatello – Italian: 1-3 Brighton Place
· Lemon Tea Room – Coffee shop: 15A Madeira Place
Seasonal activities
· Pride festival: The first week in August you will see Brighton filled with festivals, events, and colour to mark the pride festival. Brighton pride has been names ‘one of the best international pride festivals’ so it definitely won’t disappoint.
· Ice rink: A Christmas the Royal Pavilion gardens turn into a magical winter wonderland with an ice rink and rink-side bar. This has been named ‘the south-east’s most beautiful open-air ice rink’ so it is a must see if you are visiting Brighton in the winter.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
As the largest city and capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast had to make the list. Belfast is most famously known as being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic which is remembered through Belfast’s dockyard and museums.
To do
· Titanic Belfast: Opened in 2012 and is now the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. Built at the dockyard where the Titanic was built is an informative and interactive experience taking you through the history of the Titanic before, during, and after its departure to New York.
· Belfast Castle: Located on the hills of Cavehill Country Park is this stunning castle with panoramic views of Belfast.
· Botanic Gardens: The Belfast Botanical Garden is a public garden stretching over 28 acres. The impressive range of trees, flowers and wildlife provides a great setting for the perfect day out with the family.
Places to eat
· Nu Delhi – Indian: 68-72 Great Victoria Street
· Darcy’s Belfast – Irish, British: 10 Bradbury Place
· Jumon – Asian: Unit 6 McAuley Street
· Reggies Stone Fired Pizza – Pizza: 1 University Road
Aviemore, Scotland
Aviemore is a small village located in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. If you are outdoorsy people, Aviemore is a great weekend away for you as an alternative to a big city. Aside from the list below, Aviemore is a great location for visiting stunning lochs and mountains in the Scottish Highlands and is just a 40-minute drive from the city of Inverness.
To do
· Loch Morlich water sports: This stunning beach located at the bottom of the Cairngorm mountain range is a great spot for having a picnic or paddling in the loch. The water sports centre also has facilities to hire kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and mountain bikes for a fun day for all the family.
· Cairngorm mountain and funicular: The Cairngorm mountain is the 6th highest mountain in Britain and the funicular is the highest railway in Britain. The funicular takes about five minutes to get to the top where you will get stunning views of the Scottish Highlands below.
· Whiskey Distillery: Aviemore and surrounding areas in the Cairngorms have several distilleries with the opportunity to have a tour and taste the whiskey. This is a great activity for the adults and the perfect way to experience a bit of Scottish heritage.
Places to eat
· The Winking Owl – Bar, British: 123 Grampian Road
· La Taverna – Italian: Grampian Road
· The Cairngorm Hotel – Bar, British: 77 Grampian Road
· The Druie – Café: Rothiemurchus Centre
Seasonal activities
· In the winter, the Cairngorm mountain becomes a ski slope with the ability to hire skis and snowboards. This location is a perfect place for a weekend skiing without travelling abroad.
Liverpool, England
Liverpool is a city in the northwest of England and was key for the trade and migration to Ireland in the past. Liverpool is a city filled with culture both in maritime history and music with the Beatles being a great part of Liverpool’s history.
To do
· Royal Albert Dock: This historic dockyard has been transformed to a social hub with restaurants, bars, and shops.
· The Beatles Story: The world-famous band formed in Liverpool in the 60s. To mark their success, Liverpool have built the award-winning museum to tell the story of the Beatles.
· British Music Experience: This interactive museum of pop culture and British music is great for all the family. Artefacts and memorabilia from The Beatles, The Spice Girls, Adele, Oasis and so many more can be found at the museum.
· Tate Liverpool: For a free activity, the Tate Liverpool is British and International modern and contemporary art museum.
Places to eat
· Churrasco Steak House – Barbeque: Aigburth Road
· La Parrilla Mexican Bar and Grill – Mexican: 57 Bold Street
· Saffron Waterloo – Indian: 92 St. Johns Road
· The Blackburne Pub and Eatery – Bar, British: 24 Catherine Street
· ChaBa ChaBa – Asian: 179-181 Allerton Road
Cornwall, England
Moving away from city breaks onto a more rural area for a weekend on the Cornish coast. The southwestern tip of England is lined with sandy beaches, cliffsides and stunning scenery.
To do
· Eden Project: This famous botanical landmark is in Cornwall. The Eden Project is a great day out with activities for everyone. The rainforest biome, Mediterranean biome, canopy walk, zip line, as well as cafes and restaurant make this the perfect day out.
· Land’s End: Visit the famous UK landmark and take a photograph at the end of England.
· Tintagel Castle: Tintagel castle is a medieval fort ruins with gorgeous scenery and a great way to immerse yourself in Cornish history.
· Pendennis Castle: This artillery fort has a rich history and its location on the headland provides a stunning picturesque day out.
· St Ives: Visit the picturesque harbour village and wander through the cobbled streets. Stop to look in the little boutiques or for some fresh seafood in one of the many cafes and restaurant open. Voted in TripAdvisor’s top 10 European beaches, St Ives is a must-see on your trip to Cornwall.
Places to eat
· The Seafood Restaurant – Seafood: Riverside, Padstow
· The Tolcarne Inn – Pub: Tolcarne Place, Newlyn
· The Wheelhouse – Seafood: Upton Slip, Falmouth
· Little Bay Café – Café: 33A West End, Pentewan
· WAX Watergate Bay – Bar, Pizza: Watergate Bay, Newquay
London, England
Last on the list has to be the largest city in the UK, London. You could easily spend weeks travelling around London and visiting all the attractions and parks. That being said, a weekend in London is also very possible if you prioritise what you want to do. London has many famous landmarks that are a must see if you have never visited London before such as the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben. The list below are several other attractions that still appeal to visitors all year round.
To do
· Royal Parks: London has eight large parks known as the Royal Parks including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Greenwich Park, and St James’s Park. The parks offer a large green space away from the busy city, a space for walks and picnics.
· Harrods: Spend the day wander around the world’s leading luxury department store. With over 5000 brands and cafes and restaurants it’s easy to lose yourself.
· West End: Visit London’s West End for award winning shows and performances. Many shows are on offer each week in the evening and matinee so there will certainly be something for all tastes.
· Warner Bros Studio: This popular attraction is great for all the Harry Potter fans among you. Take a tour around the exhibits that show an authentic behind-the-scenes into the making of the Harry Potter films.
Places to eat
As London is so diverse with its culture and cuisine it would be difficult to narrow down just a few restaurants to recommend, instead here are a few areas of London that are famous for their restaurants and bars.
· Covent Garden: Located in the West End, Covent Garden is well-known for its award-winning restaurants and bars including The Ivy, Frenchie Covent Garden, and Sushisamba.
· Brick Lane: Brick Lane is famous for its restaurants, particularly Indian restaurants. Bengal Village has been voted the best curry house in Brick Lane so definitely worth a visit.
· Borough Market: London’s older food market has been serving locals for over a thousand years. The historic heritage appeals to visitors from all over the world. The stalls, shops and restaurants reflect London’s cultural diversity.
Seasonal activities
· Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park: This is the biggest festive market in the city and attracts many visitors. With an ice rink, market stalls, food stalls, performances, and attractions, there is certainly something for everyone. Tickets sell out fast, so I recommend booking well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Comments