Weekend itineraries

A first-timer's weekend that mixes boats, a waterfall and one classic walk, with a base in Ambleside.

A compact, walkable plan that covers York's big sights without rushing, and works well in any weather.

Roman baths, Georgian crescents and a thermal spa session, planned so the busiest sights are not rushed.

Castle, Old Town and a volcano, planned around the hills so you never walk further than you need to.

Honey-stone villages, short walks and a pub lunch each day, planned to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Roman walls, medieval galleries and a world-class zoo, in a city small enough to walk everywhere.

A palace, independent shops and the seafront on day one, and chalk cliffs or a hilltop town on day two.

Huge beaches, beach huts and a seal trip, planned around the tides.

Beaches, galleries and a cliff walk, with the scenic railway to avoid the parking.

Abbey steps, fish and chips and a clifftop walk, planned around Whitby's narrow streets and limited parking.

Waterfront, Beatles and two cathedrals, mostly free or low-cost and all within walking distance.

Music, industrial heritage and great food, mostly free and mostly walkable.

Colleges, libraries and the river, planned so you see the best of the city without tiring your feet.

King's College Chapel, a punt along the Backs and a walk to Grantchester, in a very walkable city.

A great medieval cathedral, a walkable old city and the coast within 15 minutes.

A Norman cathedral on a rock, a river loop and some of the best countryside in the North East.

A great hilltop cathedral, a Norman castle and a steep cobbled street, in a city that rewards a slower pace.

England's ancient capital, with a great cathedral and a riverside walk that Keats loved.

Harbourside museums, street art and a famous bridge in a lively, creative city.

A castle in the city centre, a lively waterfront and a great free museum nearby.

Titanic history, political murals and one of Europe's great coastal drives.

A lively city of bridges and nightlife, with the coast and a Roman wall on the doorstep.

A medieval city of lanes and a Norman cathedral, with the Broads and the coast close by.

A great ridge walk and show caves on day one, and puddings and a stately home on day two.

Wales's highest mountain, a waterfall village and a mountain railway, with options for different levels.

A limestone cliff, a waterfall and a cheese factory, with a classic Dales pub in between.

A heritage railway, a huge hollow and a ruined abbey, in a landscape of heather and valleys.

Castles, a kipper village and puffins, on a coast of huge empty beaches.

Wild ponies, forest tracks and a motor museum, easy by train from London.

White chalk cliffs, a historic village and a hilltop town, all close to Brighton.

South Wales's highest peak, a waterfall trail and the town of books.

Pastel harbour houses, a monks' island and Britain's smallest city, on a famous coast.

Granite tors, wild ponies and a famous pub fire, on England's southern moor.

A cliff railway, a clapper bridge and wild red deer, on a moor that meets the sea.

Sea stacks, landslips and fairy pools on Scotland's most dramatic island, though three nights is better.

Britain's largest national park, with a mountain railway, a beach on a loch and wildlife.

A foodie harbour, a flat cycle trail and golden bays, all within a short distance.

Cornwall's surf capital, with big beaches and dramatic cliffs close by.

A World Heritage coastline of fossils, arches and cliffs, from Devon to Dorset.

Free museums, grand architecture and a famous music scene, in Scotland's biggest city.