This collection of short breaks in the UK offers a fantastic escape to a variety of UK destinations; whether it's a city break in a vibrant location steeped in history, a weekend getaway set in picturesque rolling countryside or a romantic two-night stay by the sea, you can explore the delights of the UK from the comfort of one of these short break holiday cottages.
Why Book a UK Weekend Break?
Weekend breaks provide you with something to look forward to, all without the need to negotiate time off work. With just two nights or three days away you can recharge away from the stresses of everyday life. Many people prefer taking short breaks as they are quicker to plan, easier to organise with other and there's considerably less to pack!
A short break in the UK is often cheaper than booking a full week or two weeks, but you still get the fun and memories of a holiday! This is popular with people looking to explore more of the UK, as the cheaper price tag means they can book weekend breaks more often. Here at Sykes we've labelled with as 'Staycation Snacking', and we love it. There's no better way to see all the UK has to offer than in manageable chunks. You could enjoy a short break in Scotland filled with rugged countryside one week, then book a weekend break in Wales and indulge in all the seaside has to offer the next.
You don't even always have to book a weekend break, this collection consists of over 18,000 holiday cottages that allow short breaks, meaning that you could take handy mid-week holidays too. Perfect for people looking to take advantage of cheaper mid week prices or those who don't have the typical Monday to Friday job and still want to explore.
Places to Visit during a UK Short Break
There are so many wonderful destinations for a UK short break waiting to be uncovered! A weekend breaks allows you to really enjoy a specific place and uncover what makes it so special!
Lovers of the seaside feeling the call of the coast, should choose a short break in Cornwall where unbeatable beaches and idyllic towns and villages await. If you'd like to relax in the great outdoors on this trip be sure to walk part of the South West Coast Path and try to visit as many amazing beaches as possible. We'd recommend Perranporth Beach, Kynance Cove, Summerleaze Beach and of course the world famous Fistral Beach, ideal for budding surfers! Beach lovers could also book a short break in Devon or a weekend break in Dorset and they'd be in heaven.
If you're booking a short break in the UK to soak in culture and learn about a region's history, then we'd recommend booking a weekend break in Northumberland. Home to some of the most spectacular castles in the world, like Bamburgh Castle as well as spectacular Roman remnants like Hadrian's Wall; there's so much to see and do here. Explore the epic Alnwick Castle and after soaking in the history unwind on the shores of glorious beaches like Beadnell Bay and Embleton Bay. History and culture can also be found on a short break in Yorkshire and a weekend break in Kent.
Other must-visit regions offering short breaks in the UK include:
Cotswolds
Cheshire
Derbyshire
Hampshire
Ireland
Lake District
Isle of Wight
Norfolk
View the Full List of short break locations
Cheshire short breaks
Cornwall short breaks
Cotswolds short breaks
Derbyshire short breaks
Devon short breaks
Dorset short breaks
Hampshire short breaks
Ireland short breaks
Isle of Wight short breaks
Kent short breaks
Lake District short breaks
Lancashire short breaks
Lincolnshire short breaks
Norfolk short breaks
North Yorkshire short breaks
Northumberland short breaks
Northern Ireland short breaks
Oxford short breaks
Pembrokeshire short breaks
Scotland short breaks
Shropshire short breaks
Somerset short breaks
South Wales short breaks
Suffolk short breaks
Surrey short breaks
Sussex short breaks
Warwickshire short breaks
Wales short breaks
Wiltshire short breaks
Yorkshire short breaks
Types of Short Breaks & Weekend Breaks
Want to treat your loved one to a special weekend break? We recommend browsing this hand-picked selection of romantic weekend getaways. Alternatively, enjoy a long weekend away with those who mean most by choosing a bank holiday weekend cottage. If you prefer a secluded holiday, you should explore this array of log cabin weekend breaks or weekend caravan breaks.
You can even bring your beloved pooch along to one of these properties for dog-friendly short breaks in the UK, or even one of these cottages for last-minute dog-friendly short breaks too! Or, if you're going away with a big group of friends or relatives, then be sure to take a look at this collection of large cottages for short & weekend breaks.
Browse these cottages for 2-night stays for your next short break, or if you fancy exploring a new place at a slightly quieter time, these midweek breaks will be ideal. If you're looking for a late deal, these last-minute cottages will be ideal.
However, if you want to enjoy a short break during the festive period, these Christmas and New Year short breaks are the perfect choice. Alternatively, get even more out of winter by enjoying a winter short break. If you’d prefer short getaways at a warmer time of year, perhaps these autumn short breaks are a better choice. You can also choose from these family short breaks in the UK, or these large cottages for weekend breaks if you're bringing lots of guests with you!
Alternatively, if you're looking to make a saving, then taking a look at these cheap cottages or these last-minute short breaks would be a great idea. Those of you looking to spend more time by the sea will find these beach short breaks in the UK helpful. If you're looking for something extra special, then be sure to check out these cottages for weekend hot tub breaks and these luxury weekend breaks. Or, if you're only looking for a single night's stay, then be sure to check out these cottages for overnight breaks as well. Alternatively, those of you looking to secure a quick weekend away should check out these cottages for Bank Holiday breaks as well!
Can’t decide? Check out this broad range of cottage complexes and chalet parks and self-catering UK holiday cottages to find the ideal property for you. Book ahead and secure your 2026 break now!
For even more inspiration, check out these UK staycation ideas!