Best bank holiday weekend breaks in the UK

15 destinations picked for this guide.

Bank holiday weekends are busy and expensive, so choose somewhere with plenty to do and book early. These are good places for a long weekend, with space, events and enough rooms to go round, from lively cities to seaside towns.

LlandudnoConwy · Budget-friendly

A grand Victorian seaside resort beneath the Great Orme

 ScarboroughNorth Yorkshire · Budget-friendly

Britain's oldest seaside resort, with two bays and a castle

 LiverpoolMerseyside · Mid-range

A waterfront city of music, museums and football

 ManchesterGreater Manchester · Mid-range

A big, creative city of music, football and industrial heritage

 MargateKent · Mid-range

A revived seaside town of art, vintage shops and sandy beaches

 WhitbyNorth Yorkshire · Mid-range

A dramatic harbour town with a clifftop abbey

 BrightonEast Sussex · Higher-priced

A lively seaside city with a pier, independent shops and nightlife

 CanterburyKent · Higher-priced

A medieval cathedral city with a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral

 NewquayCornwall · Higher-priced

Cornwall's surf capital, with long golden beaches

 Norfolk coastNorfolk · Higher-priced

Wide sandy beaches, salt marshes and seal trips

 St IvesCornwall · Higher-priced

Golden beaches, art galleries and a pretty Cornish harbour

 WhitstableKent · Higher-priced

A pretty seaside town famous for oysters and beach huts

 YorkNorth Yorkshire · Higher-priced

Medieval walls, a magnificent minster and cobbled streets

 BathSomerset · Premium

Roman baths, Georgian crescents and thermal spas

 EdinburghScotland · Premium

A dramatic castle city of cobbled lanes, festivals and whisky

Frequently asked questions

How early should I book a bank holiday break?

Ideally two to three months ahead, especially for popular seaside and countryside places.

Are prices higher on bank holidays?

Often yes, with minimum stays on some listings, so compare options.

Looking for somewhere not listed here?

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More guides

Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North WestBest weekend breaks from LondonBest weekend breaks from Birmingham and the MidlandsBest weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North EastBest weekend breaks in ScotlandBest weekend breaks in Wales

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and journey times are estimates, so check before you book. Report an error or share a tip.