Best UK weekend breaks and how you can save on them

Who doesn’t love a weekend away? Whether you’ve been having a busy time at work or home, or you just fancy a change of scenery, booking a short break can be a great way to refresh your mind and spirit.

To help you plan the perfect weekend, we’ve put together a list of our favourite destinations across the UK, highlighting the reasons you might want to go there and whether they’re suitable for couples, families or even solo travellers.

Of course, you’ll also want to know whether you can save money on your break with your Boundless membership – so for each destination we’ve included any deals and discounts that you can take advantage of, to bring the overall price down.

Already a Boundless member? Simply log in to gain full access to all the offers and benefits included in your membership.

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. As well as getting access to exclusive events, Boundless members enjoy unlimited or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, plus year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

• Best weekend breaks in London & the South East
• Best weekend breaks in the South West & Wales
• Best weekend breaks in the Midlands & the East
• Best weekend breaks in the North
• Best weekend breaks in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Best UK weekend breaks in London & the South East

Credit: Getty Images

London

The perfect break for: absorbing culture

With so many cultural attractions to choose from, it can be a real challenge planning a weekend itinerary in London. Whether you’re a couple or a family, there’s so much to see and your National Art Pass is your ticket to unlocking it. From The Guards Museum to exploring Chiswick House & Gardens.

The big smoke is also awash with world-famous galleries, including the Tate Modern and the V&A South Kensington. And don’t miss your chance to catch a West End show – from old favourites like The Lion King and Wicked, to more recent productions such as Abba Voyage and Titanique, there’s plenty here to dazzle and delight.

Boundless offers:

• Boundless Plus members get access to all sites in the Historic Royal Palaces portfolio, which includes five London properties
• Boundless Plus members get access to the National Art Pass, which gives you free entry to over 250 cultural venues, and 50% off major exhibitions 
• All members save 10% when booking theatre seats through Boundless Tickets
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will give you money off lots of London attractions  
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Clacton-on-Sea

The perfect break for: coastal walks

Boasting 400 miles of spectacular coastline, the South East is the ideal destination for seaside strolls – and Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village in the Essex resort of Clacton-on-Sea provides the ideal base for families wishing to explore the region.

Located within pebble-skimming distance of the water, this scenic park offers a choice of accommodation, from caravans to safari tents; along with indoor and outdoor pools, a spacious entertainment venue and even a NERF Training Camp. With awe-inspiring attractions such as Colchester Zoo and Walton Pier also just a short distance away, there’s little chance of anyone getting bored during your break.

Boundless offers:

• All members save up to 20% on selected breaks with Haven 
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save 10% on entry to Colchester Zoo, plus money on lots of other local attraction
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Best UK weekend breaks in the South West & Wales

Credit: Getty Images

Bournemouth

The perfect break for: beach fun

Bournemouth’s seven miles of golden sands have been delighting visitors for decades, and whether you want to lay down your towel and do some sunbathing or get out your bucket and spade, and build some castles, this is the perfect place to while away a weekend. No short break at the seaside is complete without a visit to a pier, and Bournemouth’s is one of the best in the UK, offering everything from amusements to a highline aerial course.

Boundless offers:

• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will give you money off lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Bath

The perfect break for: being pampered

Nothing recharges the batteries like a visit to a spa – and where better to do this than in Bath? The famous Roman Baths that give the city its name are now for viewing only but, in terms of public use, they’ve been more than adequately replaced by the state-of-the-art Thermae Bath Spa just a short walk away.

Featuring an open-air rooftop pool, a wellness suite and a choice of luxurious treatments, it’s wonderfully indulgent and a great place to wind down with old friends. Bath has so much more to offer weekend visitors besides – from walking tours to world-class shopping, cosy coffee shops to cobbled streets. The only downside will be having to go home at the end of your break.

Boundless offers:

• All members can get 20% off a range of Bath experiences through Virgin Experience Days – from hotel and spa breaks to afternoon tea at the Jane Austen Centre 
• All members can save up to 10% at a range of high-street stores by buying a discount shopping card through Boundless
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will give you money off lots of local attractions  
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Forest of Dean

The perfect break for: outdoor adventures

Who said that holidays are only for relaxing? If you have plenty of energy to burn, then you’ll want a weekend break that’s packed with activities. In which case, look no further than Whitemead Forest Park – the Boundless-owned resort whose glorious woodland surroundings are simply crying out to be explored by foot or mountain bike.

Whitemead is handily located for other outdoor attractions, too, including Puzzlewood – whose gnarled trees and quirky caves were used in the filming of Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Clearwell Caves and, a little further afield, the dizzying heights of adventure theme park Go Ape. With a wide range of accommodation options and lots more to do on site, a Whitemead weekend is one you’ll never forget.

Boundless offers:

• All members save up to 20% on breaks at Whitemead Forest Park
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save 15% on entry to Go Ape, plus money on lots of other local attractions    
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Best UK weekend breaks in the Midlands & the East

Tamworth

The perfect break for: white-knuckle thrills

A thriving market town with a choice of shops and restaurants, Tamworth is well worth a visit in its own right. But you’ll definitely want to consider setting up camp here if you’re a fan of thrills and spills.

The area is home not only to the awesome Drayton Manor family theme park, with its white-knuckle rides, world-class live entertainment shows and zoo, but also the recently opened SnowDome, an indoor playground for skiers and snowboarders alike. If your appetite for fun is still not satiated, how about a visit to the ever-popular Alton Towers theme park, just an hour’s drive away? Just remember to scream if you want to go faster!

Boundless offers:

• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to Drayton Manor, Alton Towers and lots of other local attractions
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Bourton-on-the-Water

The perfect break for: feeling nostalgic

Do Mum or Dad love reminiscing about the past? Then treat them to a weekend in Bourton-on-the-Water, the picture-postcard village in the heart of the Cotswolds. With its traditional stone buildings, quaint footbridges and gorgeous independent shops, it’s like stepping back in time.

During your break, check out the Model Village, the Birdland Park & Gardens and especially the Cotswold Motoring Museum, an award-winning attraction whose vast collection of bygone gems provide a fascinating glimpse into days gone by. The Boundless-owned Cotswold Cottages, housed in an old mill building nearby, will provide a suitably nostalgic base for your visit.  

Boundless offers:

• All members save up to 20% on stays at Cotswold Cottages
• All members get free admission to the Cotswold Motoring Museum
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Norfolk

The perfect break for: observing wildlife

If the thought of peering at wildlife through a pair of binoculars makes your eyes light up, then a weekend in Norfolk is for you. The region is home to wetland centres WWT Welney and RSPB Ouse Washes, both of which provide a habitat for an extraordinary range of birds, animals and insects; Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, which boasts the most varied collection of deer and antelope in the UK; not to mention the always-brilliant Banham Zoo, which will bring you up close and personal with everything from Amur tigers to red pandas. With a huge range of accommodation to choose from in the area – from thatched cottages to converted coach houses – it’s a prime destination for couples and families alike.

Boundless offers:

• All members get unlimited free access to WWT Welney and all other WWT sites across the UK
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save up to 16% on entry to Banham Zoo, and get money off lots of other local attractions
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get 5% off UK breaks with cottages.com 
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Best UK weekend breaks in the North

Credit: Getty Images

Manchester

The perfect break for: football mania

With 21 Premier League titles between its two main clubs, Manchester has every right to consider itself the home of English football – and fans of the beautiful game will love spending a weekend here. Take a tour of City's and United’s stadiums, during which you’ll get to visit the players’ changing rooms, have your picture taken with coveted silverware and listen to amazing stories from behind the scenes.

Your break might also include a trip to the National Football Museum, a majestic multi-storey archive housing over 40,000 items related to the world’s most popular sport. Whether you’re treating yourself or someone else, a Manchester weekend is a surefire winner.

Boundless offers:

• All members can get 20% off the price of stadium tours when booking through Virgin Experience Days 
• Get free entry to the National Football Museum with your National Art Pass offered with Boundless Plus membership.
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Yorkshire

The perfect break for: breathtaking scenery

England’s largest county, Yorkshire has inspired everyone from the Brontë sisters to James Heriot – and whether you visit with a significant other or your entire clan, we guarantee that you, too, will be enchanted by its luscious landscapes.

For the best experience, take a gentle ramble across the Yorkshire Dales, or hop aboard the Settle and Carlisle Line, which has been described as “the most scenic railway in Britain”. And if you get peckish along the way, stop off at a local pub or café for some Parkin cake or Wensleydale cheese. Your tastebuds will thank you for it!

Boundless offers:

• Boundless Plus members get free access to some 50,000 Ramblers group walks
• All members save £20pp on UK day trips with the Railway Touring Company
• All members get 8% off bookings with Hotels.com
• All members get 5% off UK breaks with cottages.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Best UK weekend breaks in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Credit: Getty Images

Edinburgh

The perfect break for: sampling whisky

It might be a bit of a cliché to associate Edinburgh with whisky, but if you enjoy a dram or two, then a weekend in Scotland’s capital should be high on your list of priorities. This historic city produces some of the UK’s finest whisky – and you can sample a drop at one of the many characterful inns that line Edinburgh’s cobbled streets.

Even better, why not take a distillery tour, where you’ll get a fascinating insight into how this popular tipple is made and even get to sip some of the homemade produce.

There are also a handful of National Trust for Scotland locations you can visit in and around Edinburgh, including the immaculately restored Georgian House and, one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile, Gladstone’s Land.

With Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and a fabulous choice of shops and restaurants among the city’s other attractions, it’s a destination you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Boundless offers:

• All members can get 20% off distillery tours and other Edinburgh activities through Virgin Experience Days
• Get unlimited access to National Trust for Scotland places with Boundless.
• All members get 8% off bookings through Hotels.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Belfast

The perfect break for: absorbing history

Well over a century after it happened, the Titanic disaster continues to kindle a morbid fascination in people of all ages. And whether you’re visiting Belfast on your own, as a couple or with a group of people, a trip to the award-winning Titanic Belfast museum is an absolute must.

Telling the story of the so-called “unsinkable” ship from its conception to its tragic demise, this immersive attraction delivers an educational and thought-provoking experience that’ll live long in the memory. Continue your historical weekend with visits to the magnificent Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and Ulster Museum – both of which are filled with exhibits that’ll leave you educated and enthralled.

Boundless offers:

• All members can get 20% off a Titanic Museum and Sightseeing Bus Tour through Virgin Experience Days. If you just want to visit Titanic Belfast, you can save on entry with the National Art Pass.
• Boundless Plus members get free access to all sites in the Historic Royal Palaces portfolio, including Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
• All members get 8% off bookings through Hotels.com
• All members get a free membership to Kids Pass, which will enable you to save money on entry to lots of local attractions
• All members get free access to tastecard including Coffee Club, which will get you 2-for-1 dining or 25% off food and drinks at a huge range of restaurants, plus 25% off barista-made drinks at all your favourite coffee shops

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.