Weekend Getaway

When you need a break but don’t have time for a long trip, a weekend getaway, a short, intentional escape from daily routine, often lasting two to three days. Also known as a short break, it’s not just about leaving home—it’s about resetting your mind, reconnecting, or simply sleeping somewhere that isn’t your bedroom. The best ones don’t require a passport, a big budget, or a packed itinerary. They just need the right place, the right pace, and the right mindset.

Most people in the UK turn to UK cottages, small, often rustic homes in rural or coastal areas designed for self-catering stays. Also known as holiday cottages, they’re the backbone of short trips here—whether you’re in the Lake District, Cornwall, or the Scottish Highlands. These aren’t just places to sleep. They’re where you cook breakfast with local eggs, light a fire after a walk, and wake up to silence instead of an alarm. If you’re traveling with a partner, a couple’s escape becomes something deeper when you’re cooking together in a kitchen that smells like woodsmoke and fresh bread. If you’re with kids, a cottage with a garden means they can run free while you actually relax.

But a weekend getaway doesn’t have to be countryside. Self-catering accommodation, a type of rental where guests prepare their own meals and manage their own space. Also known as vacation rentals, it includes apartments in Bristol, lodges in Snowdonia, or even a converted barn near Bath. These options give you control—no forced restaurant hours, no overpriced minibars, no check-out pressure. You decide when to eat, when to wander, and when to just sit with a book. That’s the real luxury.

Some people think a weekend getaway means splurging on a spa or a fancy hotel. But the most memorable ones often cost less. It’s the quiet walk along the coast at dawn. It’s the local bakery you found by accident. It’s the way the light hits the walls in your rented room just before sunset. These aren’t planned experiences. They’re moments you stumble into when you slow down.

And if you’re looking to spice things up? Skip the clichés. Don’t book a candlelit dinner you’ll forget by Monday. Instead, try cooking a meal you’ve never made before. Take a different route back from your walk. Turn off your phone for two hours. The best escapes don’t come from fancy packages—they come from simple, intentional choices.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve done this—whether it’s finding the quietest beach in North Wales, learning why Portland, Oregon stands out for urban escapes, or figuring out what’s actually included (and what’s not) in all-inclusive stays. No fluff. No hype. Just what works, what doesn’t, and where to go next time you need to get away—for just two days.