Read on for some fresh travel inspiration and get ready for a season of discovery\u2026<\/p>\n
Looe<\/p>\n
A working fishing port on Cornwall\u2019s south coast, Looe is one of the most idyllic destinations in the UK and famous for its day-caught fish. If it looks familiar, it might be because it was used as a filming location for BBC drama Beyond Paradise. The scenic Looe Valley train line has been bringing visitors to this part of the world since Victorian times. Formerly two independent towns, East and West Looe, they are now joined across the river by a bridge. East Looe beach is a picture-perfect location where you can enjoy swimming, crabbing along the harbour walls, and explore the uniquely shaped Banjo pier. A boat trip takes you to Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see grey seals sunbathing on the rocks. Back on dry land, the town\u2019s narrow winding streets are perfect for a gentle meander.<\/p>\n
Nearest station: Looe, about a 10 minute walk to town<\/p>\n
Frome<\/p>\n
This trendy Somerset town is known for its strong community spirit, award winning markets and independent shops and restaurants \u2013 plus stunning surrounding countryside \u2013 making it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. The Cheese and Grain is a cultural hub for the town, attracting both classic bands and buzzy new acts (The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney have played Glastonbury warm-up gigs here), as well as hosting a weekly flea market. Talking of markets, Frome has plenty, including an award-winning farmer\u2019s market on the second Saturday of each month, and the legendary Frome Independent on the first Sunday of every month, which showcases the best craftspeople, designers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Hungry? There\u2019s loads of tempting options, from trendy street food destination The Station, neighbourhood restaurants like Little Walcot and Bistro Lotte and buzzy tapas bar The High Pavement.<\/p>\n
Nearest station: Frome, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre<\/p>\n
Folkestone<\/p>\n
![\"Folkestone](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/W65C2Y.jpg\")
Folkestone is perfect for foodies, history-lovers and sunbathers alike (Alamy)<\/p>\n
Fast becoming Kent\u2019s buzziest seaside destination, a vibrant Old Town, a great culinary scene and a glorious sandy beach are just a few of the things that make Folkestone great for a weekend break. The Leas, a mile-long stretch of clifftop promenade, is as perfect a place for a stroll now as it was in Victorian times. Meanwhile the town\u2019s harbour arm is enjoying a new lease of life as the place to go for delicious street food, independent galleries and quirky shops. Food-wise, there\u2019s everything from destination restaurant Rocksalt (try and snag a spot on the terrace) to acclaimed seafood stall Chummys<\/a>. The town has the largest outdoor urban collection of contemporary art in the UK, so look out for pieces like Cornelia Parker\u2019s \u2018The Folkestone Mermaid\u2019 on Sunny Sands beach and Anthony Gormley\u2019s eerie statue under the harbour arm. If you\u2019re in town between July and October the streets will come alive with artwork thanks to the triennale festival. <\/p>\n Nearest station: Folkestone Central, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre<\/p>\n Totnes<\/p>\n This vibrant Devon market town is picture-perfect, with a riverside location, colourful houses and a castle looming over the town. The steep climb up to Totnes Castle is worth it for the views of the town below \u2013 as well as over the dramatic Dartmoor countryside. The River Dart runs through the town, and is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a gentle riverside stroll. Take a 30 minute walk to Dartington Estate, to see its stunning Grade II* listed gardens, deer park and cinema in a 14th century barn. Totnes itself has a thriving arts scene with plenty of small galleries, as well as independent and eco-friendly (Totnes prides itself on being one of Britain\u2019s greenest towns) shops and cafes. And if the train ride down gave you a taste for locomotives, the South Devon Railway<\/a> offers steam train rides through the gorgeous Devon countryside.<\/p>\n Nearest station: Totnes, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre<\/p>\n Bradford<\/p>\n Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture, meaning there\u2019s lots of exciting things happening this year, including the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, with its multiple exhibition spaces and cinema screens. Loading Bay is a pop-up arts venue in a disused storage depot that will host music, comedy, art exhibitions and immersive theatre shows throughout 2025. And in July a brand new shopping and cultural destination, Darley Street Market, opened in the city.<\/p>\n Bradford is also a great base to explore some of West Yorkshire\u2019s other highlights, including Victorian model village (and UNESCO World Heritage site) Saltaire, which is less than 15 minutes away by train. Salts Mill, the huge textile factory around which the village was designed, is now a fantastic complex of galleries, shops and restaurants \u2013 and home to a large collection of David Hockey\u2019s work. Meanwhile at Keighley, a 20 minute journey from Bradford, you can catch a performance of The Railway Children (15 July – 7 Sept) on the same tracks where the classic film was shot. <\/p>\n Nearest Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange, in the city centre<\/p>\n Aberystwyth<\/p>\n If not under the radar then certainly underrated, this charming Welsh seaside town has loads to offer visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich history and a vibrant creative energy. Surrounded by the stunning Cambrian mountain range, the town has not one but two glorious beaches, linked by a mile-long promenade. At the northern end of this you\u2019ll find the famous cliff top railway, which takes you up to a summit with spectacular views of Cardigan Bay. Perched on a hill in an impressive building, The National Library of Wales also has great vistas \u2013 and exhibitions dedicated to Welsh history and literature. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest of its kind in Wales, presenting a programme of music, visual art, dance, film and more. Aber \u2013 as locals call it \u2013 also has a burgeoning food scene, with highlights including Arabic Flavour, whose menu is inspired by Lebanon and Greece cuisine, and popular tapas and wine bar Ultracomida.<\/p>\n Nearest station: Aberystwyth, about a five minute walk to the town centre<\/p>\n Coventry <\/p>\n This underrated city is undergoing something of a cultural renaissance. In 2021 it was the City of Culture and there\u2019s plenty of that to soak up. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum<\/a> has displays dedicated to visual arts, archaeology, social history and natural history \u2013 and a dinosaur in residence, Dippy, on loan from The Natural History Museum. Coventry Music Museum celebrates the city\u2019s musical heritage, including the legendary 2-Tone scene, while Coventry Transport Museum<\/a> (get 2FOR1 entry<\/a> with National Rail Days Out Guide) has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. Meanwhile, the former industrial space FarGo village is a must-visit hub of indie shops, restaurants, street food and cultural events. Finally, no visit is complete without seeing Coventry Cathedral. The original medieval building was largely destroyed in 1940 by The Blitz, and its preserved ruins now sit alongside the new cathedral \u2013 a marvel of contemporary architecture designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962. The modern building has a stunning 26-metre high stained glass window made up of 198 glass panels \u2014 no wonder it was once voted the nation\u2019s favourite 20th century building.<\/p>\n Nearest station: Coventry, about a 10 minute walk to the city centre<\/p>\n Lincoln<\/p>\n Home to cobbled streets, an impressive cathedral and a beautiful castle, Lincoln combines a rich history with a vibrant cultural scene and stunning surrounding scenery, all in a compact and easy-to-navigate city. The nearly 1,000 year old Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and while it might no longer hold that accolade it\u2019s still an awe inspiring work of architecture. From there it\u2019s only a short walk to the castle, built by William The Conqueror, which holds one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Steep Hill is, as the name suggests, a famous street with a sharp incline \u2013 but its array of shops and cafes make it worth the effort. It\u2019s also where you\u2019ll find beloved pie shop Hobbsons, where the only issue is deciding which flavour to pick. If you need to walk off your lunch, Lincoln Arboretum, nestled in the heart of the city, is a delightful place for a stroll. <\/p>\n Nearest station: Lincoln Central, about a 15 minute walk to the Cathedral<\/p>\n Stirling<\/p>\n Often overlooked in favour of its better-known Scottish cousins, there are plenty of things to see and do in this historic city. Stirling Castle<\/a> (get 25% off entry<\/a> with National Rail Days Out Guide), the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most historically important in Scotland, while Bannockburn<\/a> (get 2FOR1 entry<\/a> with National Rail), two miles south of the city, is the site of one of the country\u2019s most famous battles, won by Robert The Bruce. Then there\u2019s the Wallace Monument, which towers over the city, commemorating the life of local hero William Wallace. It\u2019s a short bus ride or hour\u2019s walk from the station, plus a 246-step winding staircase to reach the top \u2013 but the views are well worth the effort. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Gallery has a large collection of rare and interesting artifacts \u2013 including the world\u2019s oldest football (made from a pig\u2019s bladder). In Stirling\u2019s cobbled Old Town you\u2019ll find plenty of cosy pubs, cool cafes and quirky shops to explore, and for a family-friendly attraction, Blair Drummond Safari Park is a half hour bus ride from the city centre.<\/p>\n Nearest station: Stirling, in the city centre<\/p>\n Ludlow<\/p>\n Nestled in the scenic Shropshire Hills is this beautiful market town known for its history, food scene, and stunning landscapes. Boasting fascinating medieval architecture, vibrant markets, and surrounding forests, Ludlow offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Ludlow Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, is one of the best examples of medieval ruins in England and has incredible vistas over the Shropshire countryside. You can also enjoy fine views from the tower of Saint Laurence\u2019s Church, once you\u2019ve climbed the 201 steps to the top. To get away from the crowds, a four-mile circular walk will take you to peaceful Mortimer Forest and back. Meanwhile Ludlow itself is full of antique, interior, craft and gift shops, as well as delis, cafes and artisan food shops. The town square hosts a market four days a week, with a farmer\u2019s market on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The famous Ludlow Farmshop, two miles outside the centre, is a haven for foodies, with a kitchen restaurant, pub and distillery also on site.<\/p>\n Nearest station: Ludlow, about a five minute walk to the town centre<\/p>\n Enjoy great value British adventures by train<\/strong><\/p>\n From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there\u2019s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there\u2019s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.<\/strong><\/p>\n With Railcard, whether you\u2019re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just \u00a335 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at <\/strong>railcard.co.uk<\/strong><\/a>. What\u2019s more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail\u2019s <\/strong>Days Out Guide<\/strong><\/a> when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While big cities and buzzy coastal destinations have their place, sometimes it\u2019s nice to explore somewhere a little…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":327622,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,393,4884,1144,712,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-327621","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-northern-ireland","14":"tag-scotland","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom","17":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114992661751611673","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/327621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=327621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/327621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/327622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=327621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=327621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=327621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Bradford](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/National-Science-and-Media-Museum-3AA99MG.jpg\")
Bradford is this year\u2019s City of Culture (Alamy)<\/p>\n![\"Coventry](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Far-go-2G2H3EE.jpg\")
Coventry is a culture hotspot (Alamy)<\/p>\n![\"Stirling](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/G36F36.jpg\")
Stirling in Scotland is a must for history buffs (Alamy)<\/p>\n