If you’re anything like me, you’re already eyeing up the Easter bank holidays and mentally calculating how to squeeze the most out of those extra days off work.
By now, I’d hoped I’d have a sunny European trip booked. Something with blue skies, outdoor dinners, and minimal layers.
But I don’t (yet).
Last Easter, instead of battling airport chaos and inflated flight prices, I escaped to the Lake District — and it was exactly how I needed to spend the long weekend. Hikes, Easter eggs, cosy pub dinners. And a reminder of the stunning destinations right on my doorstep.
It made me realise how often we overlook what’s here in the UK, chasing somewhere warmer or further afield, when all we’re really craving is a change of scenery.
So if, like me, you’re slightly behind on planning — or reconsidering whether a £400 flight is really necessary — here are a few UK long weekend ideas that are genuinely worth it.
The Lake District
If you’re feeling burnt out, overstimulated, or glued to your devices, this is where you go.
Dramatic landscapes. Sheep on every corner. Hikes in nature. Red wine by a fireplace in a cosy Airbnb.
Top things to do:
🥾 Hike Catbells: manageable, scenic, and worth the views.
🌿 Walk around Buttermere or Grasmere for something slower-paced.
🍽️ Book in for a proper Sunday roast at a countryside pub.
Dorset
If your Pinterest board says Amalfi but your bank account says “be sensible,” Dorset is the compromise.
Clifftop walks along the Jurassic Coast. Sea air. Long lunches overlooking the water.
It feels like you’ve gone somewhere — without actually leaving the country. And unlike some coastal hotspots, it still feels relatively calm over Easter.
Top things to do:
🌊 Walk part of the Jurassic Coast (Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove is classic for a reason).
🐟 Fish and chips by the sea: non-negotiable.
🧥 Bring layers - it gets windy, but that’s part of the charm.
The Cotswolds
Yes, it’s popular. For a reason.
Honey-stone villages. Pub gardens reopening. Countryside that looks filtered in real life.
The trick? Stay in a smaller village and drive into the famous ones. Let other people queue for photos while you’re already at lunch.
Top things to do:
🌸 Morning stroll through a lesser-known village before the coaches arrive.
🍻 Pub garden lunch (book ahead — they fill quickly).
🛍️ Antique shopping or wandering farm shops for a slow afternoon.
Bath
If what you’re really craving is a European city-break feeling, Bath delivers — without the airport stress.
Georgian architecture. Cobbled streets. Independent shops. It’s compact and walkable, which makes a two-night stay feel full without being exhausting.
Top things to do:
🏛️ Visit the Roman Baths early (first slot of the day is best).
☕ Coffee and a slow wander through the Georgian streets.
🌇 Walk the Royal Crescent at golden hour.
I’m lucky to have explored some of the incredible spots the UK has to offer — and don’t even get me started on Brighton, Devon, York, Oxford, or the Isle of Wight.
The list is long enough for you to have an incredible Easter weekend without even opening Skyscanner.
My only non-negotiable is Easter eggs and hot cross buns!
Until next Sunday,
Tahlia