Where should I go for a short UK trip for my birthday?
Posted by Pakchikkpakrajababu@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Hey everyone!
I’m fairly new to the UK and been here for about six months and currently living in Boston Manor (West London). My birthday is coming up on the 18th of July, and I’d love to take a short 1–2 day trip to explore somewhere new.
I’ve already been to Edinburgh, Northern Ireland, and Wales, so I’m looking for some fresh ideas within the UK and something that’s doable as a quick getaway.
Budget: Around £200–£300 (including travel and accommodation).
I’m open to anything charming towns, coastal spots, scenic countryside, historic places, or hidden gems. Would be great if it’s reasonably easy to get to from London.
Thanks a lot in advance for any suggestions!
Legitimate_Finger_69@reddit
Without saying what type of holiday you like it's a bit of a crapshoot but if you want Facebook "Ye Olde England" photos go to Oxford. Staying there is super expensive so get an AirBnB or hotel somewhere like Didcot or Bicester which are rubbish places but cheaper and quicker to catch a train to Oxford than to catch a bus/taxi from the outskirts. Obviously Didcot would be an easy option from London.
Whilst there a lot of stuff is free, Ashmolean, Pitt Rivers, Natural History, Radcliffe Camera etc. for food head out to Cowley Road (short walk/bus). Mario's Italian is especially good.
If you want nature without going to Scotland go to the Lake District. If money is tight wild camping is generally tolerated above fell wall level.
Unusual_residue@reddit
Take a trip to Bridgwater. It's a wonderful market town that will amaze and delight in equal measure. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the thriving town centre with its friendly and welcoming locals.
DisastrousLawyer6782@reddit
Boring
miss-mercatale@reddit
The dregs of the West Country
Any_Cauliflower_6337@reddit
The Angel shopping centre really is a must visit. I could spend a day shopping there and still return for more
wardyms@reddit
Main trainline from London is York.
Flatulancey@reddit
Norwich.
Day one, have a wander around, a few drinks and grab some food. We are pack full of great food spots and you won’t be disappointed. The market alone it’s a brilliant choice.
Cheap stay over night.
Day two. Train to Sheringham and coastal walk to Cromer. Cheap and quite easy, will take 2-3 hours - fish and chips in Cromer and then a train back to Norwich. Round trip it’s maybe £20.
Back to Norwich, some drinks and food in the city and late train to London. Grab some train beers, fall asleep on the train and wake up at Liverpool Street where it terminates.
Flatulancey@reddit
For a more detailed itinerary since you got me thinking.
I’d buy an open return to Norwich and look for some cheap overnight stay. This should well be within your budget.
Get an early train to Norwich and aim for Cafe 33 for brunch. Take in the historic city as you walk over it’s a lovely walk from the station.
Around midday, do a few pubs - aim for NR3. Or, as an alternative maybe visit a board game cafe, the castle or the Cathedral or do some shopping. We still have a very lively city centre. We’ve also got a great local cinema, church’s, historical sites to wander around.
Into the evening pick out a good food spot, personally XO would be number one choice. After that head down Benedict’s St to The Bicycle shop and get a last drink under ground.
Day 2 head back to the train station and get a single to Sherringham. One you arrive look for the coastal path the Cromer. Walk along the coastal path for around an hour and arrive in Cromer, and head for Number 1 Fish and Chips and have what I’d argue are the best fish and chips in the country. Bonus points for getting them take away and having them on the beach.
Head to Cromer station and get a train back to Norwich.
Depending on the time, search out a pub/bar/food spot. There is so much to choose from. Rinse and repeat until your train back to London is due. Swing by the station Coop for train beers and have a decent 2 hours booze nap.
Bum-Sniffer@reddit
First two places I could think of were Bath & York.
Glad to see they’re the top 2 answers.
arthursultan@reddit
Liverpool
LongjumpingStep5813@reddit
Oxford is nice, or cliche Lake District. Cambridge is nice too
sloefen@reddit
Chester is beautiful and full of history.
Infamous_Dealer6210@reddit
Back to Wales. There is always something to visit there. Aim for a waterfall
wreckinballbob@reddit
York
Potent_GlueGun@reddit
Second for York, plenty to do for a 2 day trip and great when the weather is decent
secretlondon@reddit
Lots of seaside places are easily accessible by train.
AmberSpyglass2021@reddit
Brighton x
CarolDanversFangurl@reddit
Go to Oxford, stay in one of the colleges (University Rooms), take some walking tours. It's a brilliant city.
Ok_Contract3027@reddit
Stratford on Avon? Airbnb. Ok by train. I can do you a free boat ride on Saturday. Look at the royal Shakespeare theatre website? City sightseeing bus…
Background_Fox@reddit
Oxford if you're in a city mood
New Forest is lovely if you're up for something more adventurous/off the beaten track - bike hire is pretty easy too
player_zero_@reddit
Cambridge or Bury St Edmunds.
Kinjenti@reddit
Bath.
Nice place. Interesting stuff to see.
Can get there on the train.
It may stretch your budget though.
Nox_VDB@reddit
Bath is nice and easy to reach on the train from London. 2 days is more than enough to see it all as it's easy to explore the whole city on foot. Theres a few spas too, so could treat yourself for your birthday if you're after some R&R. Loads of restaurants, so bound to be food you'll enjoy.
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