21 WEEKEND BREAK IDEAS IN THE UK

Do you crave the hustle and bustle of the city or dream of quiet countryside? Would you like to spend your weekend getting active outdoors or would you rather indulge in the best food and wine that Britain has to offer. Whether you want fun, hands-on activities for the whole family or are planning a romantic getaway just for two, the UK really does have so much to offer for your weekend getaway.

Our exclusive property portfolio of exquisite castles, stately homes and grand mansions will make you feel a million miles away from home. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next UK adventure, here are some amazing weekend break ideas to get you started.

Salmon and trout fishing in Scotland is really superb, and keen anglers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking out the ideal fishing spot anywhere in the country. There are abundant waterways North, Central and South, and not forgetting the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles such as Harris, Lewis and Uist).

The most well-known salmon rivers are The Big Four; the Dee, the Spey, the Tay and the Tweed. And many like to challenge themselves to tackling all four in one trip. But there are also many other rivers and streams with lesser known names, but are just as productive in salmon and trout.

There are lots of fantastic things to do in Ireland, but if you dream of a weekend of culture, sights, relaxation and books, then a break in Ireland should definitely make your bucket list. With so much unspoilt countryside and beautiful Irish country houses to rent, you’ll definitely be able to find a quiet little spot (with great views no doubt) for your favorite vacation reads. Literary fans will also fall in love with the landmarks of Dublin, stomping ground to some of the most famous writers and poets of our time.

Be sure to enjoy the literary highlights of Hugh Lane Gallery, visit the Dublin Writers Museum, see Dublin Castle where Edmund Spenser got inspiration for ‘The Faerie Queene’, and don’t miss St Patrick’s Cathedral where famous writer and poet Jonathan Swift was Dean for over 30 years.

For couples who love the theater, there’s no competition – London is the finest city for performing arts, shows, musicals and ballets. The choice of theaters includes the Almeida Theatre, Harold Pinter Theatre, Royal National Theatre, The Old Vic, Theater Royal, Prince Edward Theatre, the Lyceum Theatre and New London Theatre.

You can enjoy a spot of sightseeing and shopping during the daytime too. There’s so much to see in the capital and our range of boutique hotels can even be hired out for exclusive use – perfect for weekend celebration events and large groups.

The spectacular Clwydian Range is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in north east Wales, and it’s made for foodies. The series of mountains run from Llandegla in the south to Prestatyn in the north, and its highest point is the well-known Moel Famau.

The Clwydian Range Food Trail takes you through some of the most scenic areas of the hills and visitors will get to indulge in the award-winning local produce. Including delicious handmade bread, pies and pastries, meat from traditional Welsh breeds, local cheese, yogurt and Welsh cider.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, located just a few miles from Amesbury and Salisbury. The ring of standing stones stand up to 13 ft. high and form one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions. Stonehenge is also included in the ‘Seven Wonders of the Medieval World’ and is definitely worth a visit for history fans.

Many visitors also like to combine Stonehenge with a visit to Bath or Windsor. Both cities are superb for shopping, sightseeing and fine dining.

A Cornish seaside break is wonderful all year-round and it’s ideal for all ages. So if you are planning a weekend getaway for the whole family or if you’re traveling with children, Cornwall is a dream. But don’t just head to the famous Penzance or St. Ives, there are so many hidden coastal gems in this part of Britain.

Check out the beautiful Porthcurno or the stunning Gwenver Beach at Sennen Cove. And don’t miss Kynance Cove at Lizard Point for some kayaking.

This spectacular vacation destination is famed for its large lakes, forests and fells, as well as its historical significance for so many 19^thCentury poets and writers. Including the likes of William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin.

Some of the trails you won’t want to miss are Borger Dalr at Borrowdale, Corpse Road at Loweswater, Tom Gill to Tarn Hows, Greendale and Middle Fell, and Seathwaite to Sty Head. Gastronomy will not disappoint here either, with countless gastro pubs to choose from plus Michelin star restaurants such as The Samling or L’Enclume.

The range and breadth of Scottish golf courses available means that there’s a course for everyone, no matter what their level. Each year, both beginners and pros flock to Scotland for a golfing vacation and we have a number of different properties within easy reach of the famous St Andrews, Royal Dornoch or Trump International Golf Links.

Or if you are keen to check out the championship courses in East Lothian (such as Muirfield, Gullane, Longniddry and Haddington), our luxurious Gilmerton House is the perfect place to stay. It sleeps up to 20 guests so you can bring all your golfing friends along.

The beautiful Isles of Scilly is fantastic for wildlife, so it’s a trip that will engage the whole family. Scilly’s habitats include wetlands that are abundant in insects and birds; woodland that creates shelter for many species and is home to a variety of plants including ferns and rare lichens.

Hedges and walls create a place for wildlife to live in the cracks and foliage; and an underwater world from the rocky reefs to sea spiders, molluscs, Bryozoans, Echinoderms and a huge variety of fish such as sharks, skates and rays as well as turtles.

If you’re looking for a fun adventure weekend with the little ones, head to Go Ape and book a stay with LTR Castles for the ultimate luxury getaway.

If there’s one thing we love about the Cotswolds, it’s the jaw-droppingly beautiful chocolate box villages. These quaint and charming villages will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time and their stunning thatched roof cottages and medieval streets will make you fall in love with the UK all over again.

Some of the best chocolate box villages to visit include Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, The Slaughters, Blockley and Chipping Campden.  You can get more ideas of places to visit in the Cotswolds if you click here.

For cycling and scenery, it has to be the Scottish borders for your next weekend break. This area is the most beautiful cycling zone in Scotland, with large open spaces, forests and woodland, and never-ending lochs and rivers.

Follow the Tweed Cycleway from Biggar, which starts from 650 feet above sea level and follow the lovely border country to Berwick-upon-Tweed; this way, you will enjoy a lovely downhill ride, finishing up at the spectacular coast.

Have you ever wanted to stay in your own castle?  Whilst we only list a few of our castles that are available for private hire, we have many more offering accommodation to make you feel like you’re living the life of the laird – for a truly magical experience that will wow the kids.

Many castles have been made famous by their occupants, such as Hever Castle (the home of Anne Boleyn) or Bolton Castle (the prison of Mary Queen of Scots). For more inspiration on where to stay, take a look at our list of Fairytale Castles for Kids or 10 Incredible Castles That You Can Actually Rent.

If you’re looking for a gastronomical getaway, Herefordshire & The Wye Valley is a region that deserves a visit. Not only is it home to the annual Herefordshire Food Festival, but it’s also a place that is very proud of its local produce and is bursting with artisan food shops and fantastic restaurants.

The concept with the main restaurant and pub culture here is ‘field to fork’, so you can always guarantee freshness. There’s also the Beef & Ale Trail to be explored, and for those who like to relax in 5-star luxury, we would recommend the beautiful Eastnor Castle. Which makes a great base for exploring the area and its many foodie delights.

For those who love the hustle and bustle of city life, a shopping trip to London can be extremely exciting. We can help you arrange tours and personal shoppers, or you can create your own itinerary with your favorite kind of retail landscape.

Visit the big department stores to tick them off your bucket list, such as Harrods, Liberty, Fenwick and Fortnum & Mason; head to Oxford Street for more than 300 designer outlets and high street names; go to Bond Street for the most exclusive jewelery and fashion stores in the city; or explore the fantastic brands of Carnaby Street. For boutique shopping, go to King’s Road in Chelsea or for vintage and antiques, don’t miss the Portobello Market.  When you’ve ‘shopped till you’ve dropped’ you can then experience a fabulous dining experience in one of the best restaurants in London.

Dartmoor National Park boasts wild, open moorlands, deep river valleys, and both a rich history and wildlife. Including rare species and great wildlife spotting opportunities for nature lovers. If this sounds like your kind of place, why not make a full weekend of it with some delicious cream tea thrown into the mix?

The Dartmoor Cream Tea Challenge features 16 great tea rooms that all sell the famous Devonshire Cream Tea. You can choose to hike parts of the route and try the best cream tea all the way from Tavistock to Chagford. Some sights not to miss are Becky Falls, Dartmoor Prison Museum and Castle Drogo.

From the soul soothing stouts and peppery Irish stews, everything about Dublin is indulgence. The food and drink go hand in hand, making it the perfect city for a night out or a daytime pub crawl. Some of the best haunts can be found along Temple Bar and if you’re after some live Irish music, don’t miss The Cobblestone or O’Donoghue’s Pub.

The Republic of Ireland is also home to some of the most spectacular stately homes, mansions and castles in the British Isles, so you’ll be sure to find your own little paradise for the weekend.

Scotland has some of the world’s finest cheeses, many handmade in the most remote and beautiful rural locations, away from the noise and stresses of the city. The Scottish Cheese Trail will take you on a gastronomic tour around some of the country’s lesser known parts.

The cheeses produced in Scotland include award-winning soft and hard cheese, from cows, ewes and goats. Some of the highlights of this food trail are Ardardan Farm Shop in Helensburgh, Auchentullich Farm in Loch Lomond, Barwheys Dairy in Ayrshire and Connag Highland Dairy in Inverness.

There are so many reasons to come to Edinburgh for the weekend. From the beautiful castle and fantastic witch / ghost tours to the endless choice of bars and restaurants serving up great food and drink, or the outstanding shopping and sightseeing on offer for all ages.

Edinburgh is the city that has it all. But one of our favorite activities in the Scottish capital is whiskey tasting – a must for whisky fans. The Scotch Whiskey Experience, Edinburgh Whiskey Tastings and The Whiskey Rooms are just a few of the places where you can get your authentic whisky fix, and you will find a great selection all over the nightlife scene.

The Emerald Isle is famed for its food, for things such as its sumptuously tasty soda bread, it’s incredible shellfish (the Galway Oyster Festival is not to be missed), its hearty stews made with local mutton, working class dishes such as the Coddle which is much-loved in cities such as Dublin, and its fantastic Irish smoked salmon.

If you love Ireland and gastronomy, book a stay with LTR Castles and let us organize cooking classes for you and your guests. We source top chefs who are keen to impart their knowledge, and we will arrange for a tailor made course to be run to your specifications. This is a great opportunity to learn all about the local cuisine in the area of your choice.

Not only is the Cotswolds a paradise for walkers and cyclists due to its safe, beautiful countryside and its wonderfully flat landscape, but it’s also a top destination for water sports and lake activities. The Cotswold Waterpark is the United Kingdom’s largest marl lake system, and this network of lakes offers fantastic scenic nature trails and nature spotting.

As well as water based activities such as rowing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, wake boarding, inflatable rides and more. The region is also fantastic for foodies, with so many fine dining restaurants and gastro pubs to choose from.

Here at LTR Castles, we have a range of stunning accommodation across the UK. Get in touch with us today to put together some fabulous weekend break ideas and to start planning your luxury getaway.  If you need any more reasons to visit the UK, read on here.