How to spend a relaxing weekend without leaving the UK

With concerns over airline fuel supplies and the introduction of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) causing airport queues and even missed flights, staying in the UK is the safest way to ensure a relaxing weekend this summer. Forget long wait times, language barriers and crazy crowds: get the excitement of discovering somewhere new with the comforting familiarities of home, right on the doorstep.

Whether you’re travelling with family, friends, a partner or by yourself, these five ways to spend a relaxing weekend in the UK offer something for everyone.

1. Escape to the countryside

Spending time in nature has been shown to benefit physical and mental health in many extraordinary ways, so escaping to the countryside is sure to help you switch off for a few days. Find a bed & breakfast with traditional décor and hearty meals on tap or retreat into a cottage completely off the beaten track. There are great glamping options too, where you can relax in a hot tub with a view.

There are countless fantastic rural destinations in the UK, including national parks celebrated for their unique landscapes and diverse wildlife like Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales and England’s North York Moors. Other areas renowned as beautiful include the Cotswolds, equally idyllic in summer and winter, and the Scottish Highlands that shine in spring and glow gold and red in the autumn.

2. Indulge in a spa retreat

Refocus on your wellbeing – mind, body and soul – with a luxury spa weekend. Being in surroundings that prioritise serenity at every turn gives you permission to fully detach from the demands of daily life, so you can unwind guilt-free. Consider a stay at a Lake District spa hotel for picturesque views of valleys and waterways or a coastal wellness retreat where you can wake to the sound of the waves. Enhance the magic of your chosen setting by turning off your phone and enjoying a full digital detox.

You’re spoiled for choice with things to do during a spa weekend, even if you don’t leave the hotel. Chill out by the pool and in the sauna and steam room and make use of the specialist treatments on offer including exfoliating scrubs, facials and massages. Book treatments in advance to secure what you want at times that work. You might be surprised at how affordable spa breaks can be. Look out for last-minute or off-season special offers, and vouchers towards pre-chosen dates.  

3. Embracing gentle activities

Resting shouldn’t always be centred around doing nothing. Gentle physical movement can help you feel less anxious and stressed, especially if you exercise in spectacular surroundings that at once relax and reinvigorate the nervous system. This will support you returning from your holiday truly refreshed.

Gentle activities range from pottering around a small town, browsing the shops and trying treats at independent cafés, to easy bike rides in the countryside. Take the opportunity to explore your passions, whether this is birdwatching, walking, history, plants or yoga and meditation. Whatever you decide to do, remind yourself to take it at a gentle pace so you can soak it all in.

4. Enjoy a coastal getaway

The British coastline is an enduringly beloved backdrop for a domestic holiday. Choose between the wild, sweeping shores of Northumberland, the wide beaches of Norfolk with sweeping skies and the sandy beaches along the south coast, backed by striking rock formations and cliffs concealing jet and ages-old fossils. Bear in mind that popular options like Devon and Cornwall are especially busy in the summer, and steer clear if or visit out of season if you’d prefer quiet.

Clear your mind each morning with a barefoot walk on the beach and spend afternoons lolling in the sun or blowing off steam with exhilarating watersports like surfing or slower-paced stand-up paddleboarding. Evenings watching the sunset from the clifftop or a restaurant terrace are a blissful way to end each day.

5. Plan a city staycation

You don’t have to escape the urban to have a relaxing weekend. A city staycation can work just as well when you approach it differently from a typical sightseeing trip. Cities such as York and Edinburgh, upheld for their fascinating heritage, are a joy to wander aimlessly, offering attractive architecture and plenty of places to pause, and comfortable hotels where you can recover your energy each night.

Instead of trying to see every attraction, focus on a handful of experiences that genuinely interest you. You might spend the morning exploring a museum, enjoy a long lunch and finish the day with a theatre performance or flat riverside walk. This slower approach allows you to enjoy the character of a city without returning home feeling exhausted.

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