Exmoor National Park, Somerset

Best weekend breaks in the UK

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When you think of a holiday or break, eyes are often cast to far-flung, tropical places, even if the time you have at your disposal is limited. It’s easy to forget just how many jewels there are in the UK’s crown.

An escape away from the hustle and bustle is often closer, and easier than many once assumed (this writer included). Unspoilt stretches of the coast are only a few hours away from the UK’s biggest cities, and often even less. It only takes a couple of days off at the weekend to immerse yourself in the lush countryside, contrasting culture and undiscovered history of a different part of the country. We’ve had a little look at five fantastic regions we think give you one of the best weekend breaks the UK can offer, and the great news is that one of our parks is never too far from these desirable destinations.

Cornwall

Cornwall

Cornwall is more than worth the relatively longer journey from most parts of the country. Worth the windy roads, you can even hop on a sleeper train via London to get you there by Saturday morning. The distinct culture of the county makes it one of the most contrasting and best destinations for a weekend break in the UK. Mile after mile of spotless beaches await you, with what must be some of country’s most clear blue sea.

Deserted coves dot the coastline, and there are endless enticing places for a surf. There are areas of national importance like Lands End, an attraction you must check out marking the UK’s endpoint. Culture past and present is waiting to be discovered. We’d recommend the Eden Project, the world’s largest indoor rainforest. You can also look into the Cornish language’s influence on the region at the National Trust’s Tintagel Old Post Office exhibition.

Dorset

Dorset

Dorset feels as if it’s the quieter, less championed sibling of nearby Devon, and yet it has everything in abundance to give visitors a great weekend break. With over half of the county labelled as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s an unrivalled place to explore mile after mile of rural life, a world away from congestion of the UK’s largest towns and cities.

To the south, the county’s coastline has also been given a label. The 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the area around our Littlesea park is home to the unique Chesil Beach. A barrier beach, it actually sits separately from the shoreline and is a standout natural feature in this, a county awash with nature. You’ll also find the iconic Durdle Door along the coast, great for a picture with the family. If you fancy a weekend day out, head to Bournemouth, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK.

Somerset

Somerset

Home to charm both by the sea and inland, Somerset is a lovely area to escape to for a weekend break. With over 25% of the county’s population concentrated in just three towns, Somerset is rural by nature and generally one of the quietest areas of the country- a world away from the daily grind of working life. A hilly place, the idyllic surroundings of the Blackdown, Mendip and Quantock Hills are picture-perfect, as is the vast Exmoor National Park.

For a day trip, head to Bath, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes this list. Fittingly named for its Roman Baths, it also offers unique Georgian architecture. Naturally, we’re massive fans of the county’s coastline to the north, with Minehead, Bridgewater Bay and Burnham-on-Sea each giving you a distinct flavour of the beautiful British coast. The incredible Cheddar Gorge will inspire you inshore, as will the quaint Glastonbury that is transformed once a year by its world-famous festival.

Discover breaks in Cornwall

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Riviere Sands, Cornwall

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Perran Sands, Cornwall

Kent

Kent

Kent will always be up there as one of the best weekend breaks. Its proximity to the capital city ties in perfectly with its renowned status as the Garden of England. As the closest part of the country to mainland Europe, this county offers variety in abundance. From the sweeping shores of the Thames estuary in the north to the banks of the English Channel in the south, you are guaranteed a relaxing couple of days away. Towns along the coast range from the upmarket, to the up-and-coming and the fully-fledged gentrified. (Margate, we’re looking at you.)

Rolling hills and beautiful scenery dots the landscape as you journey through the heart of Kent. It would be rude of us not to mention the beaches you can discover here too, with Dymchurch and Herne Bay being underrated gems. For a quality day out, head for Whitstable, where the bay sits pretty, and the food is something to savour. Naturally, historical sites are here in numbers too, with Leeds Castle a great place to stop off at on your way back home.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire

The largest of England’s counties, Yorkshire is big enough to host major cities of its own and some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole country. It’s an area that you can escape to in such little time from the largest of concrete jungles, ideal for a weekend break in the UK. And because we’re hungry, we’ll start off on the food. Is there a better place for quintessential British grub? We’re already imagining a sumptuous Sunday roast complete with, you guessed it, an authentic Yorkshire Pudding.

Keeping on the culinary front, there are also incredible breweries across the county, with John Smith’s in Tadcaster and Theakston in Masham favourites of our guests. When you’re done consuming, head for the coast and sample the sea breeze in Scarborough. Tie it in with a visit to Filey Beach if the weather is hospitable enough. You won’t be short of greenery either, with the North York Moors, the Dales and the Peak District all nestled within Yorkshire’s borders.

Start planning your Great British break

Important information

Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031

Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.

‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview.  The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.

“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.  It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.

An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.

Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.

Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.

Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.

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