5 Weekend Trips and Getaways from London

As the nerve centre of England, London is a dense maze of glitzy fine dining, electrifying nightlife and dynamic culture. It’s a far cry from the Edenic landscapes that lie just a short train or car journey away, the size of the country making all of them easily accessible. As you leave the capital, tarmac and tower blocks morph into rural roads and patchwork fields – disarmingly beautiful settings that inspired the famous works of writers like Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens and William Wordsworth. Escape to charming villages and wild countryside on these easy weekend trips from the capital.

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Cotswolds

The land of rolling hills and thatched cottages, the Cotswolds is the classic English countryside we imagine from flowery storybook descriptions and idyllic romance films like The Holiday. Its rural landscape was officially declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it’s no wonder with its cobblestone medieval villages and fields blanketed by honey-coloured crops. Stay in a traditional Cotswolds cottage and spend the weekend explore the surrounding walking trails, traditional 17th-century boozers and royal real estate.

Woolacombe, Devon

Woolacombe is no stranger to the top spot on Best Beach of Britain polls. Set in the mouth of a valley on the coast of North Devon, its crescent-shaped shores are the star of the show, backed by creeping plant life that merges the surrounding countryside with undulating sand dunes. The sugar-fine sands and rolling waves are regularly dotted with sun-seekers looking to surf, swim or sunbathe, while further inland you’ll find a charming traditional inn and 100-year-old cafe.

Woolacombe Surf Lesson

Activities, Class

If you’ve ever had dreams of riding waves in the style of Point Break’s Bodhi, then this might be a good place to start. All you need to do is show up in your swimwear (don’t worry, wetsuits are provided) and the friendly instructor will talk you through the safety rules and lay the foundations with an on-shore practice before you plunge into the waters. Learn to navigate the waves with an abundance of tips from your instructor and channel surfer dude swagger that will have you standing up by its end.

Brecon Beacons

Named after the ancient practice of lighting signal fires to warn of incoming invaders, the Brecon Beacons are strewn with the relics of bygone eras. Explore waterfall country, where clandestine neolithic tombs, menhirs (standing stones from the Bronze Age) and Iron Age Celtic hill forts puncture the grassy mountain range. Its highest point lies at the summit of Pen y Fan where you are treated to 360-degree views of the flourishing green landscape.

Walk the Iconic Four Waterfalls Valley

Tours, Activities

Be sure to seize this chance to explore the spellbinding wilderness of waterfall country. Setting off from the corner of Brecon Beacons National Park, your guide will lead you through steep valleys, past craggy cliff edges and down stony paths canopied by tangled thickets. Along the trail are four waterfalls that flow from mossy rocks and collect in pools where (weather permitting) you can take a dip. At the pinnacle sits the Sgwd yr Eira (fall of the snow) waterfall, its curtain of water cascading far enough from the rock face for you to walk underneath.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a charming and historic northern county with storied roots that stretch back to a Roman and Viking heritage. Medieval ruins and stone monuments paint a picture of the area’s ancient beginnings while throughout the towns and villages you’ll find Gothic cathedrals, 12th-century abbeys and Victorian churches that fill in the gaps on the timeline. Affectionately referred to as ‘God’s Own County’, Yorkshire offers a wealth of stunning countryside, fascinating museums and unmissable signature puddings for you to enjoy.

York City Walls Private Walking Tour

Tours

Digging into York’s rich and bloodthirsty past, this walking tour takes you back nearly 2000 years to discover the history of the city and its ancient walls. As you admire the Gothic spires and rebrick pubs, your guide will stop at pivotal parts of the turreted facade, chronicling the events surrounding each section. You will be introduced to the ivy-sprouting stonework of Multangular tower, spooked by the ghostly tales of Treasurers House and intrigued by the dark history of Shambles Street.

Lake District

Fit for fairytales, the vast Lake District with its glacial bodies of water, storybook woodland and cobblestone market towns have enticed many travellers. The enchanting setting was the home of many prestigious writers, with the likes of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter drawing inspiration from its rugged fells and ribbon lakes. A trip to the mountainous region promises traditional rustic fare, native fell ponies and plenty of watery landscapes.

Full-Day Guided Mountain Walk on Scafell Pike

Activities, Tours

You can check ‘climbing to the summit of Britain’s highest mountain’ off your bucket list when you embark on this day-long trek. Led by a friendly and qualified mountain guide, this walk is tailored to the adventurous. While you traverse rocky terrain and admire the looming fells rising from the earth like subterranean Goliaths, your leader will take you up the Corridor Route and offer helpful pointers along the way. At Scafell Pike’s summit is the chance to marvel at dramatic and far-reaching views of the before you descend one more. Be sure to come prepared with suitable walking gear to suit the nine-mile distance.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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