Fun weekends away for friends UK

If you’ve got a special event approaching and are planning a weekend break in the UK we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up the best places for fun weekends away for friends in the UK. Whether you’re a group who want a quiet weekend in the countryside or a crazy city trip, we’ve got cottages across the UK that’ll fit the bill. 

1. The Lake District 

Location: Cumbria

Best for: Hiking adventures  

 

Enjoy a relaxing getaway where you can go on long scenic walks with your friends and focus on spending quality time together. The Lake District in Cumbria is the perfect place to go on adventures to nearby waterfalls, lakes and forests. Climb a mountain with your buddies or wander off into the wilderness. There are also plenty of traditional and cosy pubs to enjoy a pint in front of a wood burner after spending all day in the fresh air. 

 

Place to stay: Derwentwater House sleeps up to 22 guests and boasts a hot tub, two games rooms and a cinema room 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the enormous Lake Windermere.

Best place to eat: The Fellpack in Keswick offers innovative twists on classic dishes.

Best place to drink: Head to the Keswick Brewing Company for some trendy craft beers. 

2. Brighton 

Location: East Sussex

Best for: Hitting the bars and clubs 

 

 

This vibrant and inclusive city in East Sussex is the ultimate destination for letting your hair down and dancing the night away. With its elegant bars and glitzy nightclubs, Brighton is sure to give you a night to remember. In the daytime, head to the beach for a swim or check out some of the popular attractions – like Brighton Palace Pier or the historic Royal Pavillion. 

 

Place to stay: City Retreat is a lavish townhouse with luxurious touches like a freestanding bath, pizza oven and a stylish patio with Turkish tiles. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Check out Brighton Palace Pier.

Best place to eat: The English's of Brighton delivers a fusion of modern and traditional seafood dishes on their seasonal menus. 

 

Best place to drink: Head into the basement, prison-themed Alcotraz Brighton: Cell Block One-Three cocktail bar for a unique themed experience. 

3. Cheltenham 

Location: Gloucestershire

Best for: A mix of green spaces and great amenities  

 

This stunning spa town in Gloucestershire offers a great mix of plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions in its centre, but with an array of parks and reams of idyllic rolling countryside surrounding it. 

 

Place to stay: Bantam House 1 is an unusual rectangular shopped lodge on an award-winning conservation farm. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Go for a dip in the Sandford Parks Lido heated outdoor swimming pool.

Best place to eat: Dine at the stylish, French and European fusion MUSE Brasserie.

Best place to drink:  If you’re a gin fan, head to Gin and Juice for a vast selection of mouthwatering cocktails. 

4. Salcombe 

Location: Devon 

Best for: A traditional seaside getaway 

 

A trip to Salcombe means tranquil beach days, excellent seafood and watching the sailboats bobbing by. Whether you’re into long coastal walks or splashing some cash at the surf shops and boutiques, this town in Devon has something for everyone. 

 

Place to stay: Dine alfresco on the balcony with sea views at Leigh Hill. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Go on a boat ride around the harbour and estuary

Best place to eat: Crab Shed is perched on the waterfront and serves some of the finest freshly caught seafood in the area.

Best place to drink: The Boat House is a distillery and bar where you can taste the newest of Salcombe Distillery’s gins and unique cocktails. 

5. Isle of Wight 

Location: Hampshire 

Best for: Coastal walks 

 

 

With half of the island being an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, the Isle of Wight is ideal for a group of nature lovers. As well as the vast stretches of wild coastline and thriving meadows, this island in Hampshire also has plenty to do in its busy and charming towns. 

 

Place to stay: The Grade II-listed Jacobean manor house Northcourt House is a large country house with 21 en-suite bedrooms, pianos, wedding reception facilities and a tennis court. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the former royal residence of Osbourne House.

Best place to eat: The Royal Hotel Restaurant offers lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Best place to drink: For a full wine tasting experience and vineyard tour, visit Adgestone Vineyard.

6. Edinburgh 

Location: Scotland

Best for: Magic and history 

 

A city steeped in history with iconic landmarks and fascinating stories to tell. From tales of witchcraft to ghoulish encounters, you can feel the magic in the air as you wander down the streets in Scotland that inspired J.K Rowling. Taste the finest single-malt whiskey and tuck into some traditional Scottish dishes. To gain a new perspective of Edinburgh, head to the top of Arthur's Seat for a spectacular view.  

 

Place to stay: House in Edinburgh and Lothians is a traditional Scottish cottage with characterful original features. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the historic Edinburgh Castle.

Best place to eat: For some classic Scottish dishes, dine at Scott's On Princes Street.

Best place to drink: The Albanach is a whiskey bar with over 250 malt and blended whiskeys. 

7. Pembrokeshire 

Location: Wales 

Best for: Beach days and surfing 

Home to some of the most impressive beaches in Wales, Pembrokeshire is a great location for a group of friends who like to surf or go on coastal walks. There is also a host of lovely seaside villages and towns along with excellent wildlife watching spots. 

 

Place to stay: Nevern House is a modern and spacious cottage with a games room and a snug. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the popular Blue Lagoon.

Best place to eat: Treat yourself to some exquisite Pan-Asian cuisine at Lokky’s.

Best place to drink: Watch the sunset over the water from the terrace at The Ferry Inn. 

8. Nottingham 

Location: Nottinghamshire 

Best for: An epic night out 

As well as being one of the best locations in the UK for a night of partying, Nottingham also has plenty of historical places of interest, like the oldest inn in England which was built in 1189AD, as well as a host of fascinating museums. This city break is great for weekend trips with shopping opportunities and daytime activities. 

 

Place to stay: Stay in the elegant city centre 2 Pailing Cottages with a wooden beamed ceiling and log burner.  

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the Elizabethan Wollaton Hall. 

Where to eat and drink: Le Mistral offers divine French dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. 

9. London

Location: London

Best for: Sightseeing and top-quality hospitality 

 

 

It’s an obvious choice, but London definitely deserves a place on this list. For an iconic weekend getaway full of the swankiest bars in the country, too many Michelin-starred restaurants to count and the photo opportunities in front of the most famous landmarks in Britain, head to the Big Smoke. Check out the innumerable art galleries, museums and historic buildings.

Place to stay: Austen House is a Jane Austen-inspired townhouse, previously owned by the novelist's brother Henry. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Go on the London Eye. 

Best place to eat: For a fun and sociable Spanish tapas dining experience, head to Ember Yard.

Best place to drink: Relax on the rooftop terrace with a Mexican cocktail while listening to some Latin music at the One Hundred Shoreditch Rooftop. 

10. Brecon Beacons 

Location: South Wales 

Best for: Mountain hikes and waterfall swimming 

This national park in South Wales is full of mountains, wild swimming spots in waterfalls and rivers, and lush forests. After you’ve reached the summit of Pen Y Fan or enjoyed a day of mountain biking and the sun begins to set, you’ll find more beauty if you look up as the Brecon Beacons is also a Dark Sky area. 

 

Place to stay: Warm up in front of the fire or unwind in the hot tub after a long day out in the fresh air at Lower House. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Explore the magical Waterfall Country. 

Best place to eat: Taste the finest local produce at The Hardwick.

Best place to drink: Enjoy a cool pint at the 500-year-old Bear Hotel. 

11. County Antrim

Location: Northern Ireland

Best for: Fascinating landscapes 

 

 

County Antrim in Northern Ireland is home to striking and unusual landscapes, the capital city of Belfast and a handful of historic castles. Whether you like exploring the outdoors, shopping and pub hopping or getting involved in thrilling activities, this county has something for everyone. 

 

Place to stay: The Upper Room is a luxurious duplex with charming original features. 

 

If you do one thing with friends: Visit the Giant’s Causeway.

Best place to eat: Treat yourself to a Michelin-Starred meal at the OX in Belfast.

Best place to drink: Sip a pint of Guinness in the traditional Irish pub, Duke of York.