The hustle and bustle can be what we crave – the very thing that keeps us going. But, sometimes, we need respite and some fresh air. With travel almost fully back to normal – despite the airport staff shortages and delays – short trips away are back on the table. Here are five ideas for a long weekend escape.
Island Paradise
If we consider the antithesis of the modern city, we begin to dream about islands. Remote, isolated, and undisturbed – but not so much so that it’s a pain to visit.
One of the closest islands to London is Majorca, which is around a 2-hour 10-minute flight. Majorca is a great option because it’s a popular flight route and it has a variety of possibilities. Many think of the Palma nightlife for the 20s-30s, but there are some high-end holiday resorts mixed in on the east coast regions, along with quaint remote villages in the north.
ROIG rental cars in Mallorca are a must for getting around because otherwise, you’ll spend your short weekend break waiting for taxis. A car in the Balearics is useful because there are mountainous regions you can freely drive through to explore the stunning landscape.
Of course, we have an island of our own closer to home, the Isle of Wight. After you have driven all the way down to Portsmouth and enjoyed the hour-long boat journey, it is no quicker than simply flying to Spain.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a ridiculously romantic getaway, being jam-packed full of wandering, dreamy cottages and gorgeous green. There’s a lot to see in the Cotswolds so it’s best off picking just one region. It covers parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Somerset!
Cirencester is the largest town in the Cotswolds and it wouldn’t be a mistake to opt for this one. In under 2 hours’ driving from Chelsea, you can be at this Roman settlement with various hotel spa resorts to choose from. The Barnsley House has its own private cinema, though we would recommend spending your weekend out in the fresh air.
Arlington Row, on the other hand, is smaller but often considered to be the prettiest village in England. It has become one of the most photographed villages in England and dates back to the 14th century.
Lake District
The Lake District is another getaway option. Being perhaps the most stunning National Park in England, as well as having the highest point, there are endless rolling hills and large bodies of still water.
This is the ideal getaway for those that either enjoy photography, hiking, camping, or all of the above. However, you don’t have to strain yourself if you don’t want to, there are plenty of lovely villages around, and you can drive to many great viewpoints – perhaps renting a campervan for a few days is a good idea.
There are plenty of good eateries around, as well as the last working mine in the country and a Wordsworth old stamp shop.
South Downs
South Downs is an often-overlooked National Park. Somehow because it’s only an hour from London, it won’t be as good for nature lovers! This isn’t true, and South Downs has many hidden gems and a ton of stunning scenery.
Amberley is perhaps the most notable village in South Downs, being something out of a film. There’s a lot of history here, and you even have the possibility of staying overnight in the castle. The large estate feels otherworldly in how grand it is, but you also have rows of quaint cottages surrounding the area.
Petworth, Winchester, and Seven Sisters are all worth researching too to see if they pique an interest. Seven Sisters is perhaps the most famous thing to do here, yet many haven’t had a proper close-up look at those chalk cliffs and rolling hills.
Northern France
If you’re close to Dover, getting a ferry over to Calais only takes 90 minutes. Given that you can take your car with you, setting straight off along the coast of Northern France is a great change of pace. Otherwise, you can of course take the Eurotunnel – but that’s less of an experience.
Normandy can be a bit of a drive for just a weekend trip (around 3 hours), so you may not want to go the full distance. Along the way are places such as Étretat, which is a stunning beachside village. Of course, Dunkirk is just a short drive the other way for some historical viewpoints and cultural interest. It’s also possible to navigate the north of France via train, after getting off either a boat or Eurostar, which might mean you can have that extra beer or two on the Saturday night.
If you do decide on going Eastwards to Dunkirk, it’s so close to Calais that you may have time to head to Belgium for the day. It may sound like too much in a short space of time, but the 90-minute Ferry to Dunkirk plus a 55-minute drive to Bruges could be a great route for a 3 or 4-day trip. You’ll have the pleasure of tasting world-class wine and beer in their respective countries!
