{"id":80240,"date":"2025-11-21T09:30:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T09:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/?p=80240"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:32:10","slug":"best-uk-short-breaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-uk-short-breaks\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Places for UK Short Breaks in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"80240\" class=\"elementor elementor-80240\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc0f016 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dc0f016\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e1ff788\" data-id=\"e1ff788\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fc8ff1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fc8ff1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Trying to find the best places in the UK for a weekend away? We&#8217;ve carried out some research to understand exactly where Brits want to go for a short breaks in 2026.<\/p><p>Brits love a short break; we found that those surveyed, on average, had two overnight UK trips booked over the next 12 months, while a typical year sees them go on three staycations, with the average length of a short break in the UK being 3.53 days. <span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">The top reasons for taking a short break were relaxation (58%), escape from the routine of daily life (44%), and sightseeing (42%).<\/span><\/p><p>Not only that, but the amount of people booking short breaks has grown by 14% year-over-year from FY24 to FY25, making up just over 50% of all holidays booked with us in the past 12 months.<\/p><p>To celebrate the UK&#8217;s love of short breaks and to showcase just how much the UK has to offer, we offered one lucky winner the chance to become our <strong>Short Break Tester<\/strong>. This unbeatable experience offered the chance to win four short breaks (one in each season) in the locations that came out on top in our research.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong><em>Read on to discover the best places for a UK short break, as well as details of our Short Break Tester&#8230;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-176d427 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"176d427\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0028a40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0028a40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Skip Ahead To:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#best\">The Best Short Breaks in the UK<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#10best\">The 10 Best Places for a Short Break in the UK<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#map\">Map of the Best Weekend Breaks in the UK<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#competition\"><strong>Sykes Holiday Cottages&#8217; UK Short Break Tester!<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0817b5e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0817b5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e94bc74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"e94bc74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"best\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-040ecea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"040ecea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Best Short Breaks in the UK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a81c5ba elementor-tabs-view-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-tabs\" data-id=\"a81c5ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1761\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1761\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><b>The 10 Best Short Breaks in UK<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1762\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1762\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><b>The Top 30 Places for a UK Short Break<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-content-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-orientation=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1761\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><b>The 10 Best Short Breaks in UK<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1761\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1761\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"false\"><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-80579 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Branded-Best-Places-for-Short-Breaks-UK.jpg\" alt=\"The Best Places for Short Breaks UK\" width=\"2667\" height=\"3667\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1762\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><b>The Top 30 Places for a UK Short Break<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1762\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1762\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><ol><li>York, North Yorkshire<\/li><li>Edinburgh, Scotland<\/li><li>Bath, Somerset<\/li><li>Oxford, Oxfordshire<\/li><li>Isle of Skye, Scottish Highlands<\/li><li>Brighton, East Sussex<\/li><li>Windermere, Lake District<\/li><li>Whitby, North Yorkshire<\/li><li>Cambridge, Cambridgeshire<\/li><li>Bournemouth, Dorset<\/li><li>Chester, Cheshire<\/li><li>Bristol<\/li><li>Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire<\/li><li>Newquay, Cornwall<\/li><li>Harrogate, North Yorkshire<\/li><li>Torquay, Devon<\/li><li>Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire<\/li><li>Windsor, Berkshire<\/li><li>Llandudno, Conwy<\/li><li>Anglesey, North Wales<\/li><li>Plymouth, Devon<\/li><li>Durham, County Durham<\/li><li>Lincoln, Lincolnshire<\/li><li>Padstow, Cornwall<\/li><li>Winchester, Hampshire<\/li><li>St Andrews, Fife<\/li><li>Canterbury, Kent<\/li><li>Dartmoor, Devon<\/li><li>Cromer, Norfolk<\/li><li>Falmouth, Cornwall<\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9620e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"a9620e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"There are so many places to escape in the UK which don't have to include long distance travel and weeks of planning and packing. <br><br> As little as 40 hours away from everyday routine, work and school commitments, and chores can be the refresh people need. Whether it's food, adventure or views people are seeking from a holiday, the UK has it all!\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/James-Shaw-Headshot.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-77968\" alt=\"James Shaw Headshot.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\"><b>James Shaw<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Managing Director of Sykes Holiday Cottages<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5d3718 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c5d3718\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29993b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"29993b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"10best\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-194e2f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"194e2f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The 10 Best Places for a Short Break in the UK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-250a8ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"250a8ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/york-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">York<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/north-yorkshire-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Yorkshire<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0741b97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0741b97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/York.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80247\" alt=\"Looking up at York Minster in York city centre.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9c66ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9c66ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Kicking off our list of the best places for a short break in the UK is the magical city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">York<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/north-yorkshire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Yorkshire<\/a>. 23% of the people we surveyed said they&#8217;d most like to visit York on their next short break, and we aren&#8217;t surprised!<\/p><p>Dating back to 71AD, York has a wealth of history to explore, perfect for the 45% of people surveyed who love exploring historic sites on their UK short breaks. Lose yourself in the past with a visit to the breathtaking York Minster, or roam around the JORVIK Viking Centre, where you can glimpse into Viking life in the city.<\/p><p>Continue your exploration of the past by strolling down the whimsical Shambles. Lined with historic, overhanging buildings, this landmark is also home to a whole host of shops, restaurants, bars and caf\u00e9s. After a walk down this magical street, it&#8217;s easy to see how it was the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.<\/p><p>The city&#8217;s best attractions all lie within its city walls, making it one of the best places for a short break in the UK, as you&#8217;ve got enough time to tick off all of the highlights! The city is also perfectly placed to explore some of North Yorkshire&#8217;s other gems, including one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/10-beautiful-places-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the most beautiful places in the UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/robin-hoods-bay-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robin Hood&#8217;s Bay<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c13a09 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6c13a09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-york.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in York >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e73721 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2e73721\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50612aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50612aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't just take our word for it, hear from the experts at Welcome to Yorkshire...<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1734d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"d1734d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"York is a truly magical destination... from it's iconic Minster and cobbled streets to world-class dining and unique attractions, it's no surprise that York continues to be a top choice for visitors looking for a perfect short break.\"<br><br>\"For a highpoint, I'd suggest going to any of the Michelin recommended restaurants in the city. For local authenticity, sample some traditional British food at a picturesque pub - many of which serve drinks which have been brewed and distilled nearby.\"<br><br>\"There's no excuse... experience the jewel in the crown of Yorkshire's heritage!\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshire.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Welcome-to-Yorkshire-Logo.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-80933\" alt=\"Welcome to Yorkshire Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshire.com\/\">Linda Scott<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkshire.com\/\">Welcome to Yorkshire<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f0cac4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f0cac4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/edinburgh-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edinburgh<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/en\/scotland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scotland<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c81e12e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c81e12e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Edinburgh.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80248\" alt=\"Edinburgh\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fd0e3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0fd0e3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Recognised as one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-city-breaks-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best city breaks in the UK<\/a>, it&#8217;s unsurprising that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/edinburgh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edinburgh<\/a> was voted the second-best place for a short break in the UK! As a thriving city and the capital of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/scotland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scotland<\/a>, Edinburgh has plenty to see in 48 hours.<\/p><p>Begin your exploration of the city on the iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/the-royal-mile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal Mile<\/a>, which is home to countless must-see attractions. Begin at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/palace-of-holyroodhouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Palace of Holyroodhouse<\/a>, which has historic ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary, Queen of Scots. Today it is even used by King Charles when in Scotland. Enjoy a tour of the palace, with highlights like the State Apartments and Holyrood Abbey.<\/p><p>Along the mile, you can also find the Museum of Edinburgh, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/the-edinburgh-dungeon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Edinburgh Dungeon<\/a>, the Museum of Childhood and the iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/camera-obscura-and-world-of-illusions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Camera Obscura<\/a>, housing some mind-bending illusions. You&#8217;ll then reach the awe-inspiring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/edinburgh-castle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edinburgh Castle<\/a>, which is open daily from 9:30am. Wander through The Great Hall, get a glimpse at the royal apartments and marvel at replicas of embroideries sewn by Mary, Queen of Scots during her exile.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s not all history; take a break with a walk up to the top of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/calton-hill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calton Hill<\/a>, where you can soak in panoramic views of Edinburgh&#8217;s skyline. Keen ramblers will also want to experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/arthurs-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arthur&#8217;s Seat<\/a>, an extinct volcano that towers over the city. There are plenty of other exciting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/edinburgh\/things-to-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">things to do during a short break in Edinburgh<\/a>; you&#8217;re sure to find something you&#8217;ll love.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30873c6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"30873c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-scotland.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Scotland >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91aba8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"91aba8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/bath-holiday-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bath<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/somerset-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Somerset<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd08fc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd08fc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bath.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80249\" alt=\"A view of Bath Abbey in Bath, UK\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7408bc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7408bc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Next in our guide to the best places to visit for a weekend break in the UK is Bath, a historic city renowned for its Roman Baths and the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/p><p>A must-visit during a short break in Bath is the Roman Baths! Recognised as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/uk-winter-bucket-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winter bucket list attraction<\/a> and some of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, there are endless things to see during a trip here. You can visit the countless galleries dotted throughout the city, including the Victoria Art Gallery, No.1 Royal Crescent and The Holburne Museum, which you might recognise as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/bridgerton-filming-locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bridgerton filming location<\/a>.<\/p><p>Literary fans will also be in their element in Bath, thanks to the Jane Austen Centre, offering visitors the opportunity to step back in time to the Georgian era, with dress up exhibitions, photo opportunities and waxworks. You can even treat yourself to a regency afternoon tea! If you&#8217;re looking for something different to do, why not try to escape from one of the escape rooms in Mary Shelley&#8217;s House of Frankenstein, a nod to the novel written here?<\/p><p>The seamless blend of history and nature is one of the reasons Bath is one of the best places for a weekend break in the UK. After exploring the past, enjoy a peaceful roam around Sydney Gardens, along the idyllic Kennet and Avon Canal or through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/prior-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prior Park<\/a>, home to one of only four of these types of iconic Palladian bridges worldwide.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f980982 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f980982\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-bath.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Bath >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c07b7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4c07b7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-494c2ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"494c2ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't just take our word for it, hear from the experts at Visit West...<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce0d240 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"ce0d240\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"Bath was built for pleasure and relaxation, and has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. Its compact centre is overflowing with attractions and museums, independent shops and amazing places to eat and drink!\"<br><br>\"My perfect day in Bath would involve wandering around the streets to enjoy the iconic Georgian architecture following in the footsteps of Jane Austen (one of Bath's most famous former residents) before stopping at Caf\u00e9 Lucca for light lunch.\"<br><br> \"Then whiling away an hour or two in the Victoria Art Gallery and the Holburne, dinner at Noya's Kitchen or The Scallop Shell, followed by a twilight session at Thermae Bath Spa, bathing in the naturally heated spa water while watching the sun set across the city from the roof top pool.\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwest.co.uk\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Emma-Visit-West.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-80934\" alt=\"Emma from Visit West\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwest.co.uk\/\">Emma Frayling<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwest.co.uk\/\">Visit West<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53a7aff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53a7aff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>4. Oxford, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/oxfordshire-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oxfordshire<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c45c11c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c45c11c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oxford.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80250\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b382224 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b382224\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Perhaps best-known for being home to one of the oldest and most renowned universities in the world, Oxford is a charming city home to countless attractions; no wonder Brits voted it one of the best weekend breaks in the UK.<\/p><p>During your stay, you can visit several of the colleges that make up Oxford University by joining a walking tour that covers some iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/where-was-harry-potter-filmed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harry Potter filming locations<\/a>, including the Bodleian Library and New College Cloisters. You can even explore Christ Church College, which was Lewis Carroll&#8217;s inspiration for Alice in Wonderland.<\/p><p>Why not see the city from a different perspective by taking to the river for a spot of punting or by joining an Oxford river cruise which passes the Folly Bridge and Christ Church College and Meadows? You can even enjoy a spot of afternoon tea or drinks on board!<\/p><p>Other must-visit attractions that make Oxford one of the best places for a short break include the Ashmolean Museum, home to half a million years of art, history, and archaeology; the History of Science Museum; and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3029296 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3029296\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/oxfordshire-cottages.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Oxfordshire >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-458a279 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"458a279\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0824ab9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0824ab9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't just take our word for it, hear from the experts at Experience Oxfordshire...<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0ba92e elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"f0ba92e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"Home to a city of dreaming spires, historic market towns and villages of honey-coloured homes, in my opinion Oxfordshire is the place to be!<br><br>Enjoy its cosy pubs and delightful accommodation tucked away in towns, valleys and vale. Experience the grandeur of stunning stately homes or go on a spree in its contemporary shopping centres. Make time for amazing museums and walking tours during your Oxford short break, then round offf your evenings with magical music and theatre.<br><br>Oxfordshire is also famous for appearing in films and TV series, including Harry Potter, Inspector Morse, Bridgerton, His Dark Materials, Downton Abbey and many more!\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.experienceoxfordshire.org\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Laurianne-Experience-Oxfordshire.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81470\" alt=\"Laurianne - Experience Oxfordshire\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.experienceoxfordshire.org\/\">Laurianne<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\" href=\"https:\/\/www.experienceoxfordshire.org\/\">Experience Oxfordshire<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f01dd90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f01dd90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/isle-of-skye-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Isle of Skye<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/scottish-highlands-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottish Highlands<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-600c4a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"600c4a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Isle-of-Skye.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80251\" alt=\"Isle of Skye\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49e4c5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49e4c5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Arguably the most remote location on our list of the best short breaks in the UK, the Isle of Skye&#8217;s inclusion was secured by its immeasurable beauty.\u00a0<\/p><p>The Island is home to some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-walks-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best walks in the UK<\/a>, making it a haven for keen ramblers. These include the walk to the famous Fairy Pools amidst the Black Cullin Range; Old Man Storr, which is ideal for those looking to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/northern-lights-scotland\/\">northern lights in Scotland<\/a>; and Coral Beach in Claigan, one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/scotland-beaches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best beaches in Scotland<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p>The abundance of history and heritage woven across the island is another reason the Isle of Skye is one of the best places for a short break in the UK. Explore some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-castles-in-scotland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best castles in Scotland<\/a>, including Dunvegan Castle, a breathtaking castle perched on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. Here, you can delight in history before hopping on a boat trip to see the nearby seal colony.<\/p><p>No short break to the Isle of Skye would be complete without a spot of whisky tasting at Talisker Distillery, one of the best distilleries in Scotland, boasting a view of the Cullins. Visiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/portree-cottages.html\">Portree<\/a> is also a must during a weekend trip to Skye; its location makes discovering the whole island during a short break easy!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e6d581 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8e6d581\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/isle-of-skye-cottages.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break on the Isle of Skye >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a890c90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a890c90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>6. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/brighton-and-hove-cottages.html\">Brighton<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/east-sussex-cottages.html\">East Sussex<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c1ae1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3c1ae1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Brighton.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80252\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-708b0dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"708b0dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We&#8217;re taking a trip to Brighton on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/south-coast-cottages.html\">south coast<\/a>, the next entry on our list of the best short break destinations in the UK.<\/p><p>Overlooking the English Channel, this vibrant city combines a seaside getaway with a city break, perfect for those looking for the UK&#8217;s best short break and the 52% of Brits who believe they can get that &#8216;holiday feeling&#8217; even on a short break in the UK.<\/p><p>Spend part of your weekend on the rocky shores of Brighton Beach, which offers views across the sea, or explore Brighton Palace Pier, which, alongside its Victorian heritage, boasts rides like Galaxia, Air Race and Turbo Coaster. You&#8217;ll also find plenty of places to eat, including Palm Court Restaurant and an arcade, which is perfect for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/rainy-day-guide-to-seaside-towns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rainy day by the sea<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p>Brighton&#8217;s history is one of the reasons Brits consider it one of the best places for a UK short break. Take a step back in time with a visit to the Royal Pavilion, where you can soak in the architecture and over 200 years of history.<\/p><p>If, like the 43% of Brits we surveyed, you&#8217;d rather enjoy a spot of shopping on your next weekend getaway, you&#8217;re in luck. Explore The Lanes, home to exciting shops, jewellers, winding alleyways and countless eateries such as Lost in the Lanes. Parts of this labyrinth even date back to the 16th century!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e3eab6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9e3eab6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/brighton-and-hove-cottages.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Brighton >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10f9d0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10f9d0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/windermere-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Windermere<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/lake-district-holiday-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake District<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac1db19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac1db19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Lake-Windermere-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80253\" alt=\"Image of Lake Windermere in the Lake District\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eef114 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1eef114\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Taking the 7th spot on our list of the best weekend breaks in the UK, as voted for by you, the Great British public, is Windermere in Cumbria. Recognised as one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/10-beautiful-places-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the most beautiful places in the UK<\/a>, we&#8217;re not surprised it was chosen.<\/p><p>Perched in the heart of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/lake-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake District National Park<\/a>, this wonderous lake town is perhaps best known for being home to Windermere, the most famous of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/lake-district-lakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake District&#8217;s lakes<\/a>. Head out on the water\u00a0<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">for an exciting array of activities, including\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wild-swimming-lake-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wild swimming<\/a>, kayaking, wake surfing, kneeboarding,<\/span>\u00a0and paddleboarding.<\/p><p>If you&#8217;re looking to take in the beautiful views of the Lake District, why not hire a boat or hop on one of the lake cruises to appreciate the town&#8217;s beauty from the water?\u00a0<\/p><p>As well as benefiting from access to the lake, Windermere is one of the best places for a short break because of its proximity to countless attractions. Take the family for a fun-filled day at The World of Beatrix Potter or the National Trust&#8217;s Hilltop, once the home of Beatrix Potter.\u00a0<\/p><p>Keen walkers will be in their element as there are countless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/lake-district-mountains\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake District mountains and fells<\/a> to explore, including Helvellyn and Helm Crag. You can also roam other idyllic lake towns and villages like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/ambleside-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ambleside<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/kendal-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kendal<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/rydal-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rydal<\/a>, which was voted the best place for a short break in autumn. With all this to do, we agree that Windermere is one of the best places for a short break in the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-531e8b2 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"531e8b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-windermere.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Windermere >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-426801e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"426801e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>8. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/whitby-holiday-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whitby<\/a>, North Yorkshire<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c240d53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c240d53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Whitby.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80254\" alt=\"Whitby\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-678423c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"678423c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The next destination that Brits said they&#8217;d most like to visit on a short break in the UK is Whitby, a town nestled on the coast of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/north-york-moors-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North York Moors National Park<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-whitby-famous-for\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whitby is famous<\/a> for its literary connections to Dracula and the iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/whitby-goth-weekend-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whitby Goth Weekend<\/a>, so we&#8217;re not surprised that it made the list.<\/p><p>Enjoy a stroll through Whitby&#8217;s cobbled streets and past markets filled with handmade gifts, jewellery, clothing and antiques to find the beginning of the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/199-steps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">199 steps<\/a>. Tackle this task for breathtaking views across Whitby and its coast and to reach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/whitby-st-marys-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St Mary&#8217;s Church<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/whitby-abbey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whitby Abbey<\/a>, which looms eerily over the town.\u00a0<\/p><p>Take the steep donkey track back down to the heart of town and head back to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/whitby-harbour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">harbour<\/a>. Throughout the year, you can hop on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitbycoastalcruises.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">whale-watching cruises<\/a> and spot Minke Whales in the North Sea. We&#8217;d recommend wrapping up warm and booking this in advance, as it can fill up quickly.<\/p><p>No trip to Whitby would be complete without indulging in fish and chips. You aren&#8217;t short of choice with over 50 fish and chip shops. Our favourites include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/trenchers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trenchers<\/a>, Royal Fisheries and, of course, Magpie Caf\u00e9, whose fish and chips have been commended by food critics like Rick Stein.\u00a0<\/p><p>If you&#8217;re looking for one of the best UK short breaks with exciting things to do by the sea, then Whitby is the perfect place to visit!\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e59551 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6e59551\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-whitby.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Whitby >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33b4098 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"33b4098\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c616415 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c616415\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't just take our word for it, hear from the experts at Visit Whitby...<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ff9e8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"6ff9e8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"Whitby, whatever the weather or season, is simply the best seaside resort (to me) in the whole of the UK! Whitby is so unique. What other seaside resort has its very own Gothic abbey ruins that are perched on the clifftop, watching over the town?\"<br><br>\"The town is also famous for its important historical connections through famous local people including Captain Cook, St Hilda and William Scoresby Senior. Whitby is also known worldwide for its Whitby jet jewellery, Bram Stoker\/Dracula connections and Goth Weekends!\"<br><br>\"There's just nowhere in the world quite like Whitby. The town's original smokehouse (Fortune Kippers) on Henrietta Street was founded by William Fortune back in 1872 and this family business is still trading, having been run by 5 generations of the family. The smokehouse shop has been visited over the years by many well-known chefs including the Hairy Bikers, James Martin, Two Fat Ladies Rick Stein and Mary Berry to name a few!\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwhitby.com\/\">Sheila Ward<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwhitby.com\/\">VisitWhitby.com<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf7d7ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf7d7ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>9. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/cambridge-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambridge<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/cambridgeshire-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambridgeshire\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4a4de3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b4a4de3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Cambridge.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80255\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-535cc05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"535cc05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your idea of a great UK break includes a punt along the River Cam, a wealth of history and endless culture, then perhaps a weekend break in Cambridge is on the cards.\u00a0<\/p><p>Begin your break with a punt on the River Cam, which flows through the city; there&#8217;s no better way to take in the sights! Keep your eyes peeled for The Wren Library and the Bridge of Sighs while enjoying this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/uk-spring-bucket-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spring bucket list<\/a> activity. Be sure to hire a boat with an expert guide who can share some of the city&#8217;s best-kept secrets, offering a unique experience.<\/p><p>After taking in the sights from the water, enjoy a spot of lunch at one of the many delicious caf\u00e8s and restaurants lining Regent Street or Kings Parade. You&#8217;re then in the perfect place to enjoy a tour of one of Cambridge University&#8217;s 31 colleges. Perhaps you&#8217;re looking to see as many as possible? We&#8217;d suggest doing the college tour, a circular route beginning at the Round Church, which covers 12 colleges, including Trinity College, Kings College and Gonville and Caius (Keys).<\/p><p>There are plenty of green spaces to explore in Cambridge, including The Backs, aptly named after the colleges that back onto this space.\u00a0 Other&#8217;s include Parker&#8217;s Piece and Midsummer Common.<\/p><p>On your last day, squeeze in a visit to one of Cambridge&#8217;s many museums, such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, where Egyptian relics are on display, the Museum of Zoology, the Scott Polar Research Institute and even Oliver Cromwell&#8217;s House. It is this blend of nature and history that makes Cambridge one of the best places for a UK short break.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbcf65c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"dbcf65c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/cambridge-cottages.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Cambridge >> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-002bdfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"002bdfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>10. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/bournemouth-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bournemouth<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/dorset-holiday-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dorset<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-837d6ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"837d6ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bournemouth.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80256\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac7dce5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac7dce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/bournemouth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bournemouth<\/a>, a beautiful town on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/guides\/dorset\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dorset<\/a>&#8216;s idyllic coast, rounds off our list of the best places to take a short break in the UK. This makes sense, given that 45% of Brits enjoy visiting the beach during their short break, with 20% saying that seeing the seaside is their favourite thing!<\/p><p>If you feel the same, then you&#8217;re in luck, as Bournemouth boasts seven miles of golden sand split into five fantastic, award-winning beaches:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/bournemouth-beach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bournemouth Central Beaches<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/alum-chine-beach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alum Chine Beach<\/a>, Durley Chine Beach, Boscombe Beach and Southbourne Beach all offer heaps of seaside fun.<\/p><p>While away hours on the golden sand, enjoy a refreshing paddle in the sea or head to Bournemouth Pier for fun-filled attractions like indoor climbing and ziplining. The pier even hosts events with everything from music to dining experiences; so be sure to check what&#8217;s on during your short break.<\/p><p>Another reason why Bournemouth is one of the best weekend breaks in the UK is its proximity to nearby attractions, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/listing\/brownsea-island\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brownsea Island<\/a>, a wildlife haven home famous for its red squirrels, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/poole-cottages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Poole<\/a> and the beginning of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/jurassic-coast-holidays.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dorset&#8217;s Jurassic Coast<\/a> at Old Harry Rocks near <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/cottages-near-swanage.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Swanage<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52488c6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"52488c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-breaks-bournemouth.html\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\"><b>Book a Short Break in Bournemouth>> <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f56104 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0f56104\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88dc4a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88dc4a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't just take our word for it, hear from the experts at Visit Dorset...<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f29b43f elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"f29b43f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"Bournemouth is an absolute delight with stunning sandy beaches that stretch for miles! The atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed, making it the perfect place to unwind but with some adventure available if you want to mix it up a bit!\"<br><br>I'd recommend visiting just out of season, when you can still enjoy the warmth of the sunshine whilst experiencing a sense of freedom. Take a stroll along the beautiful Victorian Pier, or beach early in the morning or in the evening and you'll enjoy a fantastic sense of having the whole place to yourself. Breathe in the salt sea air as you soak in the coastline views.\"<br><br>My top tip is to visit the Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery; this uniquely designed villa overlooks the sea and houses an impressive collection of art and artefacts from around the world.\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visit-dorset.com\/\">Rachel Symes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visit-dorset.com\/\">Visit Dorset<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b05eaec elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b05eaec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83097cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"83097cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"map\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f1712c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6f1712c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Map of the Best Weekend Breaks in the UK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cbaccf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cbaccf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1z2UTTi0ENyG8o6YHbhghWQ7UvqkAEPY&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55b4eca elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"55b4eca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-708cb78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"708cb78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"competition\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0428ec2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0428ec2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Competition: Our Short Break Tester!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad509bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad509bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To celebrate this list of the best UK weekend break ideas we ran a jaw-dropping competition offering one lucky winner the chance to explore even more of the UK!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e90ae4 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9e90ae4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Short-Breaks-Comp-Infographic.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-80578\" alt=\"Sykes Short Break Competition\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5371ed elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c5371ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mobile-Short-Breaks-Competition.jpg\" title=\"Mobile Short Breaks Competition\" alt=\"Sykes Short Break Competition\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b2f1f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b2f1f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a style=\"font-size: 1em; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/short-break-trip-tester-terms-conditions.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms and Conditions<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 1em; font-weight: 400;\"> Apply.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b03890 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"1b03890\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"Our UK Short Break Tester role is an unmissable opportunity for a staycation enthusiast to explore the very best of the UK!<br><br>One lucky winner will go on an incredible journey to some of the most desirable destinations for weekend breaks to experience and share what makes these locations so special.<br><br>It's the perfect way to showcase how magical and fulfilling UK breaks can be, whether it's for relaxation, sightseeing, or celebrating life's special moments.\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/James-Shaw-Headshot.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-77968\" alt=\"James Shaw Headshot.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\"><b>James Shaw<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Managing Director of Sykes Holiday Cottages<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fa203a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0fa203a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f1bdda elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f1bdda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Winner of Sykes Holiday Cottages' UK Short Break Tester Competition<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-730c29f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"730c29f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our exciting hunt to find Sykes Holiday Cottages&#8217; first UK Short Break Tester has finished! We were overwhelmed with the interest in our competition, a testament to how much people love taking weekend breaks in the UK!<\/p><p>Please find the details of our winner below, we&#8217;ll be curating four unforgettable breaks for our UK short break tester and look forward to sharing these itineraries and experiences so you can plan your next getaway with ease!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f84f555 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"f84f555\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\"I am beyond excited to have been chosen as the Sykes UK short break tester, and couldn't believe it when I got the email to say I had won - I've never won anything before!!\"<br><br>\"Along with my husband Dan and daughter Poppy, we can't wait to discover what Sykes has in store for us. Poppy has told all her friends at school, and has already tried packing her suitcase!\"<br><br>\"We look forward to sharing more details of what we get up to on the Sykes blog soon!\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Charlotte-Short-Break-Tester.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81272\" alt=\"Charlotte Short Break Tester\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Charlotte<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Sykes' UK Short Break Tester<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b8d4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65b8d4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our UK Short Break Tester's Adventures:<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb9ad4d elementor-position-left elementor-vertical-align-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"fb9ad4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-port-isaac\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/family-holiday-pic-charlotte.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-82115\" alt=\"family on the South West Coast Path\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-port-isaac\/\">48 Hours in Port Isaac<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">After Port Isaac was voted the best location for a spring short break by you, the Great British public we put together the ultimate 48 hour itinerary. Read about Charlotte and her family's adventures in Port Isaac as well as how they found our itinerary!<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-773cb63 elementor-position-left elementor-vertical-align-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"773cb63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-marazion\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/family-photo-minack_resized.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-83230\" alt=\"Family photo in the cafe at Minack Theatre\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/family-photo-minack_resized.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/family-photo-minack_resized-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-marazion\/\">48 Hours in Marazion<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">The Great British Public voted Marazion as the destination they'd most like to visit during a summer short break, so we sent Charlotte and her family to test our 48-hour itinerary. From the golden shores of Porthcurno Beach to the Land's End, read more about what they got up to and more importantly, what they thought!<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72d750d elementor-position-left elementor-vertical-align-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"72d750d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-rydal\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/charlotte-dog-walk.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-83900\" alt=\"Photo of a young girl and her dog on a walk\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/charlotte-dog-walk.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/charlotte-dog-walk-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/best-things-to-do-rydal\/\">48 Hours in Rydal<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Rydal in the Lake District has been crowned the top destination for an autumn short break, so we sent Charlotte and her family on the ultimate seasonal adventure! From scenic walks through the fells and delicious local food to watersports and rich history, their 48-hour itinerary was packed with unforgettable experiences. Discover everything they loved about Rydal and why the Lake District is the perfect place for an autumn escape.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b28856 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2b28856\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bad832f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bad832f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Methodology<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Supporting consumer research of 2,000 UK adults was carried out by OnePoll in December 2024.<\/p><p>Short break trends, including growth and average length of stay, were analysed using internal booking data from Sykes Holiday Cottages, comparing short break bookings across fiscal years 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a99ea9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6a99ea9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cbc463 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cbc463\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If our list of the best short break destinations in the UK has inspired you, browse our full collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/weekend-cottage-breaks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">short breaks in the UK<\/a>! If you&#8217;re looking for help planning, be sure to check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/inspiration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UK Travel Guide<\/a>\u00a0or check out our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/uk-bank-holidays\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UK Bank Holidays<\/a> which is packed with inspiration and upcoming Bank Holiday dates. Looking to for a cheaper trip? Check out our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/booking-budget-holidays-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to book a staycation on a budget<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0de104d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0de104d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e866076\" data-id=\"e866076\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;ve been wondering where the best place to for a weekend break in the UK is, then you&#8217;re in luck! We&#8217;ve surveyed the British public and have compiled a list of the very best short breaks in the UK!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":80729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","location-dorset","location-lake-district","location-scotland","location-south-coast","location-whitby","location-yorkshire"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/177"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80240"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88984,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80240\/revisions\/88984"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sykescottages.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}