Popular Destinations for Short Holidays
Short UK breaks generally fall into a handful of well-defined categories, each suited to a different kind of getaway. The table below summarises what to expect from each type, including typical duration, typical price range, and what is usually included.
|
Break Type |
Popular Regions |
Typical Duration |
Typical Price Range |
Usually Includes |
|
Countryside & Spa Retreats |
Peak District, Perthshire, Yorkshire |
1-2 nights |
£69-£250 per person |
Leisure access, welcome hamper, breakfast, and prosecco |
|
Coastal Getaways |
Northumberland, Scarborough, Pembrokeshire |
2-4 nights |
£69-£200 per person |
Coastal or sea-view stay, breakfast, and a welcome drink |
|
Lodge Breaks |
Lake District, Conwy, Nottinghamshire |
3-4 nights |
£150-£320 per stay |
Hot tub, self-catering kitchen, and woodland or lakeside setting |
|
Self-Catering Cottage Stays |
Cotswolds, Cornwall, Yorkshire Dales |
2-4 nights |
£120-£280 per stay |
Private kitchen, flexible check-in, and often pet-friendly options |
|
Family Holiday Parks |
Haven and Parkdean locations nationwide |
2-4 nights |
£49-£99 per stay |
On-site pool, entertainment programme, and self-catering accommodation |
|
Caravan Holidays |
Dunoon, North Wales, East Coast resorts |
2-4 nights |
£59-£150 per stay |
Static caravan accommodation, on-site facilities, and free parking |
|
City Breaks |
London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Brighton |
1-2 nights |
£50-£150 per person |
Central hotel, dining upgrade, and late checkout |
|
Glamping & Unique Stays |
Nottinghamshire, Lake District, Scottish Highlands |
1-2 nights |
£89-£220 per person |
Hot tub access and a private cabin, pod, or horsebox stay |
|
Theme Park Resort Stays |
Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers, Paultons Park |
1-2 nights |
£150-£495 per family |
Park tickets, on-site or nearby hotel, and breakfast |
*Prices marked "per person" are based on two people sharing, while prices marked "per stay" or "per family" cover the accommodation as a whole. Price ranges shown are indicative only and vary by season, location and demand.
Best UK Short Breaks for Every Traveller
Romantic Breaks & Getaways for Couples
Couples looking for a short romantic escape tend to do best with spa retreats, glamping stays or boutique countryside lodges that include a few thoughtful extras. These breaks are usually built around relaxation rather than a packed itinerary, which makes them easy to plan without much additional organising.
- Typical inclusions: Many of these packages come with a welcome bottle of prosecco, leisure or spa access, and a meal included as standard.
- Good for: Anniversaries, birthdays, or a low-effort weekend away that still feels like an occasion.
- Popular destinations:
- Yorkshire
- The Cotswolds
- Perthshire
Family Short Breaks
Families are usually better served by family holiday parks, caravan holidays or theme park resort stays that bundle accommodation with entertainment or tickets. This keeps costs predictable and removes the need to book meals, parking, or attractions separately.
- Attraction bundles: Theme park resort stays such as those at Legoland Windsor or Alton Towers combine a hotel stay with park tickets and breakfast in a single booking.
- On-site facilities: Family holiday parks and caravan stays with pools, kids' clubs, or entertainment programmes reduce travel time and keep everyone entertained close to base.
- Good for: School holidays, half-term breaks, or trips where minimising extra logistics matters more than a specific destination.
- Popular destinations:
- Haven and Parkdean resorts nationwide
- Dunoon
- North Wales
Short Breaks for Groups & Friends
Groups travelling together generally get the most value from larger self-catering lodges or cottages that can comfortably accommodate several people under one roof, ideally built around a shared activity to give the trip a focal point.
- Shared activities: Breaks built around a spa day, a countryside walk, or a local attraction give the group something to plan around.
- Good for: Hen and stag weekends, milestone birthdays, or reunions where the group wants to stay together rather than split across hotel rooms.
- Popular destinations:
- The Lake District
- The Cotswolds
- Yorkshire Dales
City Breaks & Culture
Mini city breaks suit travellers who want their short trip centred on dining, shopping, or nightlife rather than countryside scenery, with everything reachable on foot or by public transport.
- Typical inclusions: Central hotel locations, dining upgrades, and late checkout are common across most city break packages.
- Good for: Weekend shopping trips, theatre breaks, or a change of pace from a countryside or coastal getaway.
- Popular destinations:
- London
- Manchester
- Edinburgh
- Brighton
Self-Catering & Flexible Stays
Self-catering cottages, lodges, and caravans give you the most flexibility over your schedule, since there are no fixed meal times or dining room bookings to work around.
- Pet-friendly options: Many self-catering stays welcome pets, avoiding the restrictions that come with most hotels.
- Good for: Couples or families who'd rather cook their own meals or keep their itinerary loose.
- Popular destinations:
- Cornwall
- Conwy
- Nottinghamshire
Budget-Friendly Breaks
If cost is the main priority, coastal getaways, caravan holidays and family holiday parks tend to offer the lowest entry price points for a short UK break, particularly midweek or outside school holidays.
- Timing matters: Booking a few weeks ahead and travelling midweek generally secures a better price than a last-minute weekend booking.
- Good for: Anyone prioritising cost over destination, or a spontaneous short break on a smaller budget.
- Popular destinations:
- Scarborough
- Blackpool
- Llandudno
If you're specifically looking for an affordable UK break, check out this exclusive page for UK Breaks Under £100.
UK Holiday Travel Gift Pack
If you are choosing a gift rather than booking a trip for yourself, Wowcher's Holiday Travel Gift Pack is one of the most flexible options available. It gives the recipient a voucher credit that can be put towards a one or two-night UK break for two people, redeemable at more than one hundred locations across the country and it removes the guesswork of picking a specific hotel or date on someone else's behalf.
- Choice of stays: The voucher can be redeemed against four-star hotels, boutique city centre hotels, hot tub glamping pods, and countryside retreats, so the recipient is not tied to a single style of break.
- Nationwide destinations: Recipients can browse the full list of available stays and choose whichever destination suits them, from a weekend in London or Edinburgh to a countryside escape in the Lake District or Scottish Highlands.
- No pressure to book straight away: The voucher remains valid for six months from the date of purchase, giving the recipient plenty of time to pick a date that works for them.
- Optional upgrades available: Many participating locations also offer add-ons such as dining packages or late checkout once the recipient is ready to redeem their stay.
View the Holiday Travel Gift Pack
Planning Tips for Your UK Short Holiday Packages
- Book midweek where possible. Prices for short breaks are almost always lower for midweek stays than for Friday-to-Sunday arrivals, so shifting your trip by even a day or two can make a noticeable difference to the price.
- Check exactly what is included before you book. Inclusions such as breakfast, dinner, leisure access, and welcome drinks vary considerably between deals, so it is worth reading the specific package details rather than assuming every short break includes the same extras.
- Choose accommodation with on-site facilities if you want to stay close to base. A holiday park or lodge with a pool, spa or activity centre on site lets you fill a short trip with things to do without losing time to travelling between activities.
- Book a few weeks ahead for the best availability. While last-minute deals do exist, the widest choice of dates and properties is usually available if you book at least two to four weeks in advance.
- Look for flexible cancellation or refund terms. Since short breaks are often booked closer to the travel date than longer holidays, it is worth checking the cancellation policy on your voucher or booking in case your plans need to change.
- Filter for pet-friendly or family-friendly options if relevant. Many self-catering lodges and holiday parks are set up specifically for guests travelling with pets or young children, so filtering for this early will save time later in the booking process.
FAQs
What is the best short holiday package in the UK?
The best short holiday package depends on what you are looking for, but the strongest options generally combine genuine value, useful inclusions such as breakfast or leisure access, a well-located destination, and good guest ratings. Countryside and spa retreats, city breaks, coastal getaways and glamping stays are the four categories that consistently perform best across these factors.
How many nights is considered a short break?
A short break is typically defined as a stay of one to four nights, with two or three nights being the most common length for a UK weekend getaway.
What is included in a Wowcher UK short break deal?
Most Wowcher short break deals include accommodation plus at least one additional extra, such as breakfast, dinner, a welcome drink or leisure and spa access. The exact inclusions vary by deal, so it is worth checking the specific package details before booking.
What is the best UK short break for couples?
Couples tend to get the most out of romantic countryside retreats, spa breaks or glamping stays that include a welcome bottle of prosecco and a meal. Destinations such as Yorkshire, the Cotswolds and Perthshire are particularly popular for this style of break.
What is the best UK short break for families?
Families are usually best served by self-catering lodges, holiday parks or attraction-bundle packages that combine accommodation with tickets to nearby attractions. These options tend to offer better value for groups and reduce the need to book activities separately.
Can I gift a UK short break to someone?
Yes. Wowcher's Holiday Travel Gift Pack allows you to gift a voucher credit that the recipient can put towards a one or two-night UK break at over one 100 participating locations. The voucher is valid for six months from purchase, and the recipient chooses their own destination and dates when they are ready to book.
How far in advance should I book a UK short break?
Booking two to four weeks in advance generally gives you the widest choice of dates, destinations and properties, although last-minute deals are also available for more spontaneous trips. If you have a specific destination or date in mind, it is best not to leave the booking too late.
Are UK short breaks cheaper midweek?
Yes, midweek stays are almost always less expensive than Friday-to-Sunday breaks, since weekend dates are in higher demand. If your schedule is flexible, shifting your trip to a Monday-to-Thursday stay is one of the simplest ways to reduce the cost.