What is it really like living in the UK on weekends?

Posted by Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 466 comments

Your country is much smaller than mine (Canada), but it just seems so chock-full of amazing things to see and do and you needn't travel too far to do them. National Gardens, National Parks, seaside towns, museums, theatres, castles, right to roam, scenic train journeys.... What is it really like living there? Do you travel/explore a lot within the UK on weekends or is that type of exploring done mainly on extended holidays? I would love to have so many beautiful gardens and sites to visit on weekends!

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466 Comments

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wistful_dove@reddit

these comments make me wish i lived in UK💔

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Lazy_Hamster169@reddit

I live in blackpool. Known for being one of the worst towns in the uk. However im not long than 2 hours drive away from 4 national parks. I soend most my time in the outdoors. If you want to see a little more of the uk, follow my youtube where i just have a bit of a laugh, and travel to see as many cool places as i can. https://youtu.be/PMJS75sbWyg?si=t_wqb615RKl9yQX-

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Cool. Thanks!

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dirty_papercut@reddit

We go to the pub, mate.

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fezzuk@reddit

Yeah I was gonna say this, then I realised the pub I go to is older than Canada sooo I think that counts as a historical site. I'm apparently a very cultured person.

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dirty_papercut@reddit

I knew it, mate. We all talk about how cultured you are down the boozer.

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Srapture@reddit

I'm not a super outdoorsy type, personally, but there is a tonne of stuff to do. My weekends are always pretty packed. Hard to know how it compares to most of Canada as I haven't been there.

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Separate_Rise_8932@reddit

Lol at all the comments telling OP about the rain and cold. OP is in Canada, not a tropical island. I'm sure they've faced much worse weather wise.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Lol. Your 40+ straight days and nights of rain plus some flooding this year does sound a bit much even for me! I've never experienced that. Although I'd rather have that then 40+ days of high heat and humidity in the summer. The heat + humidity in the summer here has got really awful these last few years, plus add in really poor air quality due to wildfires burning elsewhere and it's worse than anything in the winter. You're so fortunate to live in the UK!

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Separate_Rise_8932@reddit

Tbf most of the country hasn't had none stop rain (as much as it's felt like it). Only a few places have had it none stop and it's the usual super raining places, like parts of Wales, northern Ireland and somerset/Devon

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Huge-fat-willy@reddit

Britain has vastly better climate and warmer weather than sh*tty canada.The fact you think canada is "humid" let alone ~~More~~ humid than Britain is utterly batshit insane and shows how clueless idiots in america are.Canadia is a grey miserable freezing cold arctic icebox that's -40c all year round ffs.Utterly delusional 🤡 There hasn't been 40 days of rain either bullshitter.

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

I am making my kids a near feral as I can while just about still remaining a functional part of society. We go on many adventures where we just drive until we see something curious then we stop and explore. We often plan trips to country parks, castles, mountains, rivers and beaches. Pack a picnic, snacks, spare sets of clothes (my kids will always pick chaos), blankets and coats then we head out once we’re sorted and come home when the youngest starts to tell us he’s too tired to move much more. We also sometimes head to cities for a city day where we wander about in awe at all the people and places to eat. The museums are usually fantastical and we like to go to an all you can eat buffet and try a wee bit of as much different things as we can. This is how my kids learned they like sushi at a very young age. We have a dark Mao of Britain that shows the best spots to avoid light pollution and we live near some of the darkest spots you get. So on clear nights, we head to one and sit on blankets and watch for satellites or shooting stars. If it’s cold and there it no one to bother, we leave the car running, hang our heads out the window and listen to music or play unlucky 13 type games. We regularly go for walks to our local beach. Admittedly I kinda have to drag them to climb anything in the highlands but once they get to the top, they feel like they’re on top of the world and they tell me to not listen next time when they say no. My lifestyle isn’t for everyone but it’s exactly the life I hoped for.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

I want to move to your neighbourhood! :)

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

The price of admission is dreary winters with grey skies, little daylight, sideways rain whipping you in the freezing wind but by gawd it’s worth it. Our brutal landscape comes alive when the sun shines. Our springtimes are greener than I’ve seen anywhere else and for the most part our folk are funny. I live in Aberdeenshire which is not even 2.5 thousand square miles (similar to Delaware) where it’s said to have around 250 castle and caste ruins. We have the highlands and about 165 miles of coastline with rugged cliffs, golden beaches and caves that are featured in ancient mythology. It’s easy to get swept up in this place so long as you dress for the weather. :)

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

I'm going to rescind my Canadian citizenship! :)

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

What you on about Canada is like Scotland on steroids! Those beautiful landscapes are there for the exploring as well :) Fun fact. There is a town not *that* far from me called Banff and they have a hotel there called Banff Springs and they often get phone calls from confused potential tourists thinking they’re phoning your rather famous one.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Lol. I will share that with my Cdn friends. Never knew that! 💙

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

So much so, they used to have a large photo of it framed behind the reception desk. 🤣 they had a big refurb a while back and I don’t know if the photo survived it.

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Worldly-Worth-5574@reddit

Consider a counterpoint OP. Canada has vast wilderness spaces where you can truly be free and alone. There is nothing close to that in the Uk not even in the Scottish highlands will you be far from a road or a home.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Since you live in the UK I can understd that perspective. But I'd rather have all the lovely connecting villages, towns and cities and all that gorgeous architecture and walkable main street areas/village centres. Plus community - the people - is so important. If I wanted to really get away to our vast spaces - I don't: I'm scared of bears and their like plus I'd like a good pub and a grocery store - then I'd book a holiday. People and community - and great cities, towns and villages that facilitate that - are truly what I value more. The UK, I believe, can be held up as an as close to perfect model for that.

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Acrobatic-Set9585@reddit

Most of the stuff you've listed are summer activities, weather is pretty miserable most of the year to enjoy frolicking 😔.

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_ComfortablyInPain@reddit

That's just making excuses. 👍🏻 I've spent entire life living on the cold, wet North Sea coast and it's great! I'd argue that not having appropriate clothing is just a basic error. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Acrobatic-Set9585@reddit

I don't enjoy being outside for extended durations when the weather is cold and wet so I won't have fun no matter where I am

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languid_Disaster@reddit

We’ve got a lot of nice local cafes, theatres and libraries but I guess some people may find that stuff boring

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Acrobatic-Set9585@reddit

Depends where you life. Also I have great places to eat on my doorstep but it can get expensive. Libraries are severely underfunded - they're a valuable resource but there's more fun things going on there for kids rather than adults.

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andrew_197@reddit

I won’t lie, the UK is a fantastic country. We have some problems currently (as I’m sure all countries do) but it is a wonderful place. There’s everything here, seaside - never far away, countryside - likewise, nice towns (some shit ones of course, and plenty of everything else you’ve mentioned. I’d never consider living anywhere else.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

I was born and bred on the coast, moved to Warwick for 6 years for promotion, but then I just had to move back to Somerset as Warwick felt "too far" from the sea after that amount of time! Couldn't imagine living anywhere other than the UK, I know other countries have beaches, but I feel for anyone that isn't within a half hours drive of one! Maybe Fiji would suit me, or Inaccessible Island.

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andrew_197@reddit

Ah yes I’d be exactly the same. I’ve always lived on the coast too, I’d hate to be too far away. I’ve spoken to people in the USA who have never even seen the sea. That is so sad

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Quinn_XXVII@reddit

There are people in the UK that have never seen a cow or a sheep And have no idea where the meat they eat is from Other than Tesco

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Bad_Combination@reddit

Never seen the sea?! That's going to gnaw away at me all day – every quiet moment the thought that there are people in the US who have never seen the sea is just going to bubble up.

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andrew_197@reddit

Exactly. She lived right in the middle of the USA. It was something like a 7 hour drive or an expensive 2 hour flight. I couldn’t imagine not being near to the sea, I love it

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headfairy@reddit

I met a Canadian from Saskatchewan who’s never seen the sea, we were in the Caribbean and it blew her mind that looking east there was thousands of miles of the Atlantic.

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WafflingToast@reddit

20 hour drive or 5 hour flight based on family visits Iowa to Tx

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andrew_197@reddit

Damn 😳

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Akash_nu@reddit

On one hand you think that and on the other hand it also comes to mind that people outside of the USA just don’t have any sense of how big the country is. On top poor public transport and only driving culture is beyond my ability of any rationale to be honest.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

Yep I find that absolutely staggering and very sad. There's just nothing like being on the coast. You think ah, it's only Warwick, couple of hours back to Somerset/Devon border, then you try doing it on Good Friday down the M5 and you're suddenly sat in traffic taking 5 hours to get back to fresh sea air! Moving back was the best decision I ever made for sure. As lovely as Warwickshire etc. is, only a couple of hours if I chose to visit again! Everything you could want to see in the UK, is achievable in a days driving. We're very lucky.

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KnightOfTheLand@reddit

I'm also from Somerset and definitely agree with you. Moved to Brisbane in Australia and we are now an hour away from a beach and it sucks.

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andrew_197@reddit

We are lucky indeed, it’s a superb country. The traffic is a downside though. It only ever seems to get worse. That aside. It’s a beautiful place. We don’t go on holidays abroad, we always stay here. There’s so many wonderful places to explore here

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Smooth-Statement-510@reddit

The quality of the roads themselves are becoming very dangerous now too, I live in Nottinghamshire and an old lady has recently died because she tripped in one of the craters while crossing the road, the country is facing seriously strenuous times at the moment.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

Yep no need to holiday overseas when there's so much to see here, although I've done Dublin, Vegas, and Vienna, all 15 years ago, most the time I'm at my happiest pitching a tent somewhere in Cornwall. Last time I went overseas was for work to Azerbaijan 7 years ago, and I got to see a lot of that place in a day (was going to stay for 3), but having been dragged around Baku and Sumqayit by a local handler, handing over bribes to get my bags back after particularly rough treatment by customs, I hopped on a flight out around 13 hours after I'd arrived! Never had that treatment in Cornwall by the locals, close, but not quite :)

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Advanced-Goat-4951@reddit

I'm more than happy to require a bribe next time you venture 'too far' down the A30!

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

I will more than happily cross your palm with silver to be allowed to roam in your beautiful county!

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aardvarkhome@reddit

We hosted a Chinese academic who came from the far west of China. He'd never seen the sea. We took him to a beach in West Wales during a winter gale. He was blown away by the experience

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MsPB01@reddit

Never seen the sea? That's wild - my parents took us to the beach loads of times on holidays because it was a free outing. I remember gathering cockles and watching Mum cook them so many times

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melikebiscuit@reddit

That must be miserable. The furthest I've lived from the sea was during uni in Birmingham. There is some beautiful countryside on the doorstep, but nothing quite replaces seaside living for me. I now live a mile away from the sea, but we're about to move house, which will be half a mile away from the beach (shingle yes, but it's still beautiful). I think I might walk the dog down there every day.

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andrew0256@reddit

I concur on that. My sister lives on the Minnesota and North Dakota border. Every time we visit we talk to people who have never seen the ocean, have no idea about Europe and in some cases have never been to Canada which is less than 250 miles away. I don't get it.

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Turbulent_Pace_2388@reddit

https://youtu.be/t3prFj2wiZE?si=Kb0dgSzoJCG7Zodl

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Choice_Room3901@reddit

Fiji is a fantastic place by the way Full of friendly people very “affordable” to live there beautiful beaches and weather sort of a “party or socialising” culture ie many evenings spent listening and dancing to music, the food is great Ofc extreme weather events but aside from those it’s lovely

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Silly_Visual_763@reddit

This isn't about what you do at the weekend!

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stillshadowy@reddit

If you grow up by the sea you can never leave for very long.

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Hamsternoir@reddit

Moved from Somerset to the midlands, it's nice here but I do miss the proximity to the coast and the local cider farm.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

Ooh yep I forgot my proximity to Sheppy's being an important factor in the move back!

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JustHereForTheMechs@reddit

Small world, we're probably only a few miles from each other. My brother-in-law up in York still stocks up when he comes back down to visit from Yorkshire!

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JustHereForTheMechs@reddit

I did the opposite - Wolverhampton to Wellington! I may still have a soft spot for Banks', but they've turned me into a proper cider drinker down here! 😁

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Villianofthepeace@reddit

Depends where in the midlands but you have the Cider house in Quatt.. near Bridgnorth….

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Fluid-Vacation-3172@reddit

I was born and bred in Warwick, loved it but now I live by the sea and I can't imagine ever being that far away from it again!

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Visual_Addendum_577@reddit

I'm in Blackpool. I moved away from the sea once. I didn't last long I had to move back.

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Fyonella@reddit

I also grew up on the coast and now live miles away from it. It makes me miserable not to be able to just walk to the beach and watch the waves. On the other hand I get ridiculously excited when a holiday involves the sea and small islands (Shetlands & Outer Hebrides the last couple of years).

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poeticlicence@reddit

I recommend a walk on the beach at Ramsgate to Broadstairs - some good subsets, so calm mostly, and the tides make it quite exciting

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Aggravating_Loss9757@reddit

Love the Outer Hebrides. I've got family in North Uist. I'm going up for a week in April with my husband and my brother, and his partner. Can't wait! Also discovered Northumberland last year, and we're going back in August.

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Fyonella@reddit

I grew up in Northumberland! Beautiful place, much underrated.

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Rowmyownboat@reddit

The only place that I would consider is New Zealand. I emigrated twice with work, so destination not my choice. I had 5 years in Sweden and 20 in the USA (it was nicer then).

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Sparrows_mysteries@reddit

Zummerzet!

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

Ooh arr my luvver!

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Lucifers_Angel_84@reddit

Fellow Somersetian! 🎉

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Captain_Stable@reddit

Somerset Massive! I wasn't born or raised here, but it's been my home for the last 13 years.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

🎉👋 A dry one today as well, it hasn't rained for nearly 6 hours now!

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MrsMigginsOldPieShop@reddit

We've had a number of family trips to Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. I have fond memories of lazy summer days in Somerset and are looking forward to heading back down some time soon.

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GingerPrince72@reddit

Why would you never even consider living anywhere else? What a weird mentality. The planet is full of amazing countries but none came compare to the one you grew up in?

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languid_Disaster@reddit

They never said they wouldn’t want to visit or temporarily stay in other countries. I see where you’re coming from but I think you’re misunderstanding their mindset. When you know somewhere is your *home*, then you just know. I’d love to live in Australia but not permanently because the UK is my home and there are a million little things that make me love this country. In particular, the cultural diversity in some places, our beautiful flora and fauna , and those semi cloudy and breezy days where you can hear all the leaves in the trees clacking against each other Croatia is beautiful and so are their national parks. It’s hard to compare to anywhere else but even then I feel most at home here in the UK and I suppose, specifically London

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GingerPrince72@reddit

For the things you listed that you love so much, Australia (as one example) has equivalents or more of all of those things . Home is just what you're used to in these examples. The idea that you could never feel at home anywhere else is just silly.

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LadyOfTheMay@reddit

It's a personal choice. I will probably never move out of my hometown. I love it here, it's cute, has a strong community, nestled between 2 moors and 2 coastlines(so plenty of opportunities for days out) I have loads of friends and family here, close proximity to a city, decent transport links for a rural area, and the countryside is literally on our doorstep. Plus I got lucky and have a spacious 2 bedroom council flat which I've decorated to my tastes. I see no need to ever move. That doesn't mean I don't like to visit other countries or other parts of the UK. I love to travel and experience different places and cultures, but I will always come HOME.

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andrew_197@reddit

I already pretty much answered that, I adore my country. Why would I go elsewhere? No, nowhere else does compare. I’ve got everything I need and love here

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GingerPrince72@reddit

Weird.

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andrew_197@reddit

How so?

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GingerPrince72@reddit

To think that your country is automatically better than everywhere and to have zero curiosity.

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andrew_197@reddit

How have I said that? Why would I move to another country when this one has got everything I need and love? Why would I learn a new language, a completely different culture and way of life and pretty relearn everything. Especially when I am happy here?

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GingerPrince72@reddit

Your initial comment was how great the UK is so why would you go anywhere else which is meaningless as you would never go anywhere else no matter what.

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sadia_y@reddit

Are you thick? They mean why would they, personally go anywhere else. Not why would anyone want to live anywhere but the UK. For them, this country is the best place. They are speaking for themselves, since they speak the language, understand the cultural norms and have family/friends here. Makes complete sense.

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GingerPrince72@reddit

So the best country for everyone is where they grew up and you be sure of this with zero experience of living somewhere else. Cool story

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sadia_y@reddit

I recommend working on improving your reading comprehension buddy.

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Super_Shallot2351@reddit

Cheers for not lying

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Silly_Visual_763@reddit

What about at the weekend though?

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Imaginary-Giraffe301@reddit

Just as well you’ve never considered living anywhere else. Because post Brexit, not many places would have you. 😔

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sharps2020@reddit

Plenty will, but you need deep pockets.

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Zealousideal_Pop3121@reddit

I grew up on the London Kent borders and rarely went to the beach. So when I got married and started a family, we moved to Devon. We’re in Exeter so not coastal but I work in a school and in the summer will often go straight to the coast from school on a Friday. Chips for dinner and the sea breezes to blow away the stresses of the week. There’s nothing like it. When we retire I think we’ll move to a nice coastal town or village but for now I’m happy having the city on my doorstep, 10 mins to countryside and half an hour to the beach. Bliss!

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germslayer2112@reddit

I lived in SE London and we used to go to the coast on a Sunday a lot.

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Turbulent_Pace_2388@reddit

I live near Dartford and go to the coast at least 10-20 times a year.

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Zealousideal_Pop3121@reddit

Ok…

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Turbulent_Pace_2388@reddit

SW is better but still easy to go to camber sands, board stairs etc.

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Turbulent_Pace_2388@reddit

I’m just saying nw Kent , se London is very close to the coast.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

This is it! Good to have the opinion of an outsider/city dweller ;) But there is nothing like being on the coast. Sure there are plenty of people that just thrive in the city and hustle and bustle, but I think many, many people who suddenly experience for the first time realise just how much tranquility you can get from from a 'simpler' life, the ferocity of nature and the weather, followed by the peace of it. What more could you want‽

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Dapper-Bird-8016@reddit

If only the seasons weren't so black and white, I want more consistent daylight!

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FYIgfhjhgfggh@reddit

Most of Europe has the same stuff going on and parts of it are warmer..

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Smooth-Statement-510@reddit

I love the place but its the government I hate (the entire government, not just a party) and also the way institutions in the UK try to fine the public for anything and everything they literally can, instead of picking the people up they are constantly trying to suck them dry.

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andrew_197@reddit

Totally agree. I can’t even think about that shitstorm anymore, they are all determined to fuck us over by whatever means

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Smooth-Statement-510@reddit

I seen a story recently of an 80+ year old man in Lincoln, a reed had blown into his mouth, he spat it out (as anyone would) and he was then fined for littering, you cannot make it up, I think at this point Id rather have Putin as our leader hahah

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andrew_197@reddit

Holy shit. You know, absolutely nothing surprises me in this country anymore. Sometimes I think I agree tbh

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geekgirl6@reddit

I'm in the north of Scotland and I have everything so close to me. A small city, beaches, I live in the countryside, and I love it so much.

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robparfrey@reddit

As much as I liie to maon about the state of our country. It will still take a LOTTTT more for me to even consider wanting to move. No where else in the world would be able to replace my like for what we have.

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Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit

What is this 'we have some problems currently' bollox? I lived throuigh the 60s, 70, 80 and 90's and Britain is a much nicer and safer place to live in for the majority of people than it ever has been. Stop listening to dog-whistle news.

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Apprehensive_End8318@reddit

Feels like you are jumping to quite a mighty conclusion there. Calm down. Unless you know something I don't, we don't know what problems they are referring to? Jeeze. Let's take a chill pill a minute. We do have problems I agree, I could be thinking about potholes, they could be thinking about mental health services. What conclusion have you jumped to? I guarantee you I'm not thinking what you're getting riled up about!

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MrsMigginsOldPieShop@reddit

I remember Tyne and Wear in the 80s and 90s 😬. Awful. Just awful.

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drplokta@reddit

It’s also a richer country than it was in the last century, with richer people, higher salaries (after adjusting for inflation) and a much more effective health service.

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andrew_197@reddit

Well it’s not bollox is it, of course there are bloody problems. Tell me a country that doesn’t…

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Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit

and now you are talking bollox. you know what you meant. I know what you meant. back under your stone rude boy.

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No-Test6158@reddit

I work all week and I ~~party~~ sleep all weekend.

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PM-me-your-knees-pls@reddit

Lots of people in the UK spend their weekends dealing with the things that they don’t have time to do during the week- often with a hangover. It really is an incredible place but honestly I don’t think that most people appreciate what we have around us (myself included)

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_ComfortablyInPain@reddit

Not a problem when you don't drink alcohol. 👍🏻 Never understood the appear of alcohol into proper adult life, like it really has no bonuses. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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coffeewalnut08@reddit

That's what saddens me about this place, there's a lot of great things to see and experience on our doorstep, but not enough people take advantage of that. It's not always to do with costs or money either - even hyper-local opportunities seem to be missed. I once asked my ex about something cool I visited near him and he had no idea it was happening...

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PM-me-your-knees-pls@reddit

From where I am right now I could walk to a train station (5 minutes away) and 15 minutes later I could be looking at the sea or at the start of a lovely mountain walk. Or hanging out in a forest, or looking at some of the most incredible artwork that humanity has ever produced. But here I am, staring at my phone again, feeling slightly bored.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Sadly, I relate to this. At the same time though, even when I was spending every day in summer napping in one national trust park or other, I still couldn’t get enough of it

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friedman72@reddit

When you hear people on the trains shout... I mean discuss what they did at the weekend, everyone went to a wedding, an anniversary or some other kind of party. Me, I go to the gym or stay home most of the time.

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Illustrious-Engine23@reddit

All these things cost money to see generally, if not payment to enter, it's the cost to travel to a place where they are. Definitely we do those things but it's a planned trip rather than every weekend. We're also in the midst of a cost of living crisis it's not an everyday thing we generally do, though some outdoors types do frequently. I'm from the countryside so I love going on walks around the area and just diving in my area there's some beautiful views. We also visit the nearby towns for meal out on the weekend. A lot of the time it's like anywhere else, lots of chores and errands to catch up as well as relaxing gaming, watching videos and just chilling out. Overall it's nice if not a little boring, very rainy and grey most of the time.

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HerrFerret@reddit

Sometimes we do fuck all. Sometimes we do fucking loads. I do live near the Lake District so I always get this suspicious feeling I should be doing more, but when I do I say "fuck it" and just do what I want.

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JohnCasey3306@reddit

Very similar to living in the UK on weekdays

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cyberalpine@reddit

Try The Long Distance Walkers Association https://ldwa.org.uk/

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the tip!

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That_Patient_1758@reddit

Which part of the UK? I live in the countryside in the northwest of England. And the weekends can be pretty lush. I surrounded by farmland, waterfalls, the Lake District. There’s farmers markets, a tonne of little communities like sip and paints, run clubs, pottery clubs, hiking clubs, infact there is so much community here I could write about it all day. I’ll do a quick house clean, food shop and the. I have membership to a local sauna so I might go for a hike then to the sauna. I also scuba dive at the local quarry. I’m a two hour drive from Scotland and as a girlie who has travelled a lot ‘God’ was showing off when he made Scotland. I’m also not far from North Wales which is another spectacular place. I’m surrounded by the cosiest of pubs, fantastic restaurants and the best pie shops in the country. I live close to gyms, rock climbing, shops, cinemas. I live in a little village and there are two golf courses in walking distance from my front door. I don’t play golf though ha. I have a tonne of history around here (but that’s the case for ANYWHERE in the UK). The closest castle to me in a ten min drive and they have great farmers markets once a month but guided tours during the week and different events throughout the month. I’m a 30 min drive to three major cities in either direction. I’m a 30 min drive to the north west coast that has some stunning beaches (they aren’t clear white beaches but they are lush) Infact I could just wax lyrical about the UK none stop really. We aren’t a perfect place but we have exceptional history, fantastic food, our landscapes are breathtaking at times and the weekend can be anything you make it.

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Psittacula2@reddit

\>\*”National Gardens, National Parks, seaside towns, museums, theatres, castles, right to roam, scenic train journeys....”\* Yes, this is fundamentally true OP. UK has phenomenal, \* “Living history“ \* Very diverse varied countryside due to geology and geography and climate variability \* World leading museums thanks to the the above and the great flowering of Victorian civilization period across the arts and academia. \* Public Footballs are amazing traditional rights taking you back to the time of Stone Age even! If you make real use of the above it is wonderful. However there some real negatives: \* Modern UK is too densely populated so you cannot really escape most of the UK to real Nature, there are zero true wildernesses albeit National Parks are nice but small and heavy with people in the Summer. Land area is small and so many roads and infrastructure ruin the land and nature is depleted like nothing else see stats. \* Vast majority of UK towns and cities are brutally ugly and in decline and social decay, really depressing with grey rainy cloudy weather and dark Winter days (Latitude is higher than the 49th Parallel in ALL the UK! \* The Governance of the UK makes it a tax-farm if the middle-class, a financialized economy which makes majority feel like serfs, and combine this with the above it makes a lot of people pessimistic and not really use the wonderful things above in such a state of mind. Add in cost of living and people lose that spark to make the most of things. Unfortunately as such UK has a wealth of culture but the basics of living day to day are for a lot of people not very good. Whereas you have poorer nations, less rich history and amenties but their basics of living are better.

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Michaeluk19-@reddit

In theory: castles, gardens, scenic train rides. In practice: Tesco, laundry, and hoping it doesn’t rain. But the nice thing is the “good stuff” is never that far away if you fancy it.

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Ok-Bad-7189@reddit

I live in Scotland, when I was younger I was in the hills hillwalking and climbing all winter and cycling all summer. Every single weekend. Kids etc slows all that down but the UK is an absolute playground when you're in your 20s. Even still, we're away every other weekend to Arran or staying with friends in Edinburgh or getting a wee cottage in the borders or camping in Perthshite. There's so much around and nothings particularly far away.

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IntroductionExact785@reddit

Shit

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diganole@reddit

Pretty much the same as weekdays but you can do what you want and get up late.

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Sad-Information-8171@reddit

I work for the national trust at multiple sites so I get admission into these places they’re so local so sometimes I go there just for a walk I recently took a trip to longleat/bath and they had a light show on, bath is obviously beautiful Some weekends I’ve gone camping in the new forest Down to Cornwall in the summer for the beaches Walked snowdon/yr wydffa on the weekend once Been to some haunted places for these ghost hunter tours, did a seance in pluckley which is supposedly uks most haunted village - monster truck shows with my child - o2 arena is great but they do local once’s too Arcades, parks, goat sanctuaries A couple of places local to me where they do water sports in the summer on the lake You’ve got plenty of places to eat, shop, This list is barely covering anywhere outside the south/london We’re not short of things to do and if you’re still bored it’s a 1 hour flight to the Netherlands and 90 minutes to France from Dover It’s grey but they keep us entertained

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TedWasler@reddit

As someone who has lived in the UK my whole life, the only honest and truthful answer I have is: What is it really like living in Canada on weekends?

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Striking-Two-746@reddit

I grew up in Scotland and live in Canada. I was in my late 20’s when I left. Back then, I mostly did the same stuff regularly: work, pub with friends after work, lunch at an Indian restaurant with friends during work, rock bar and club at the weekend. Now that I’m older, I want to move back and I’d take more advantage of exploring the free museums and art galleries, visit different cities (train travel is so easy), visit castles and other cool places, visit the Highlands, get affordable Easyjet flights to different parts of Europe for long weekends, etc.

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Disingenuos1950@reddit

Ah the sea well in UK you can never be more that 70 miles from a sea, whereas in USA its 1025 miles just shows how small we are

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Big-Tennis-4538@reddit

I’m a Brit and this question has me flummoxed. Remember when we all just used to go out and get drunk at the weekend? Doesn’t really happen as much anymore, does it?

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Squishy_mcnissy@reddit

Everything is so expensive now.

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Chinnyman@reddit

It is but the weather is absolutely rubbish. You can't plan anything as the weather mainly ruins it.

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Inevitable-Dark-6451@reddit

touch it and you pay for it; that's UK for you. There is nothing that would yield value for money here... Come here only if you a true rain lover, because that's available here 24\*7.... otherwise travel to Europe instead...

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Holiday-Career-8469@reddit

Depends if you like damp weather, overcrowded roads and low social mobility. Maybe that’s just me

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Beautiful_Dare_3751@reddit

I was born in the Lake District and still live here to this day. As a child we'd go to the beach, or up the fells, or walk around towns and villages. When my son was little, we'd climb mountains and have picnics or again go to the beach. Carlisle is a city on our doorstep too so we never have to go far for shops etc. In my opinion I think we are very lucky to be Cumbrian!

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CommunicationNo4547@reddit

Its always cloudy and miserable and most people revolve their whole lives around drinking still lol

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Ok-Image9399@reddit

Everyone just gets pissed and pretends that work life isn't going to start again on monday

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Greyman4678899@reddit

The pub is great at weekends!

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Ill_Substance5611@reddit

I can walk 15 minutes to a local music venue which has local, national and international bands. 8 minutes walk to the train station with 5 trains per hour to London (2 faster ones take 35 minutes), 4 minutes walk to the nearest small shop/post office, 90 minutes drive to the nearest coast. We are surrounded by countryside, beautiful villages etc. Downsides, moaning and negativity by some (seems genetic), 4-5 months of abysmal weather, current toxic politics (as elsewhere), housing and train costs. For me the positives outweigh the negatives but depends what sort of area you live in.

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headfairy@reddit

I think we’re really lucky for stuff to do at the weekends particularly for families. The weather’s shit at the moment so we’re all hibernating, but come March/April every national trust house/park/playground for miles will be heaving. I really notice it when we go to France/italy etc.. I mean even every garden centre is practically a day out here, with cafes and playground bits. I live near Gatwick and my kids favourite day out was a picnic under the flight path - my son is such a plane spotter - but there’s actually a museum at the end of the runway where you can climb on old planes and sit inside the engine of a 747. Bloody brilliant for hyperactive 6 year old boys!

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emzi27@reddit

There’s a lot of things I don’t like about living in the UK but the actual scenery and easy access to travel isn’t one of them. I live in a beautiful peaceful village but within 30 minutes can drive to a city or be in London by train in 45 minutes. Two hour drive to the coast. I feel lucky that the country is small enough to pretty much jump in the car and go wherever you want in the same day.

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queenofallturtles@reddit

We have something called the National Trust here, they have castles, houses and gardens looked after. As we are members we go all the time and they always seem to have some special activities going on for kids. We love going, looking at the gardens and doing the activities.

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Deadpool0600@reddit

Living in a town or city, kinda shit. You'll find a lot of "Homeless" people only come out on weekends where there are people about. Some might be, but others are pikeys who do it as a job when they aren't working during the week, I've seen some "Homeless" lads around here that I've helped out, be in the pub of an evening getting smashed with mates, but looking considerably less dirty. Another thing with weekends is people walking past your windows at all hours of the night saying screaming and shouting about where to get high, who's boyfriend kissed who, or a DV screaming match that the police don't do shit all about (Or the crack heads making noises in place of speech like "Ehhher MmMMM aNGNNGNGNGNG NoooOooOO BROooo" at 3am outside your front door)

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zibafu@reddit

I like to hike and take photos unfortunately so does everyone else as a quiet introvert whose still shy with his camera, its annoying

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TremendousCustard@reddit

Population density is problematic.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

That’s fair. Theres many a more peaceful and quiet place though considering the countless number of footpaths and woods around. I’m in London but always able to find a local, isolated wild park or common or two with a bit of searching. Good luck , hope you get some peace!

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Sagz_Psy@reddit

Wherever you are, you're about 2/3hr drive from every geographical environment you could ask for. There's always a hill, mountain, lake, coast, river waiting to be explored.

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cyberalpine@reddit

Try The Long Distance Walkers Association https://ldwa.org.uk/

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Brilliant_Charity_29@reddit

I live on the coast and a walk by the sea at the end of a crap day is healing. But, it rains…. A lot

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greenparktavern@reddit

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the woods outside my house with my daughter to see a new bit of chainsaw art, we live in a city suburb. Then we went to a reservoir about 30 minutes away for fish and chips, after which we went to the local bird sanctuary to watch the starling murmurations. There are nearly a million that all roost on the Somerset levels. Cost us just the fuel and £15 for the fish and chips and was about a 30 mile trip from my house. Most weekends we go to Devon or to wales and enjoy walks and staying in our campervan. Weekends in the uk are amazing if you dress for the weather and get up and go.

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emmilsonrustjp@reddit

No the government make us work to hard and we are far too tired at the weekends to do anything! ... Well partly true, yes but there is alot to do. I used to like doing trips to places and staying overnight. Obviously you are used to cold winters so it wouldn't bother you to much , in scotland in the winter alot of us hibernate!

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Nalena_Linova@reddit

Had a pretty good Saturday doing a mystery guide game in my city. It took us all along the old medieval walls and to a few placed we hadn't visited before. We learned all about local history from the Norman conquest up to ww2, then had lunch in a pub that was built in the 1400s. This was all within a 30 min walk from my house, didn't even have to drive.

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Dragons_and_things@reddit

It it's nice weather I usuallly go for a dog walk somewhere in the New Forest or South Downs Way as I live near them both. Always go for lunch after in a nice local pub. Sometimes I go for a walk in Southampton or Winchester instead if it's been raining and the ground is soggy - then it's Greggs for lunch. I go to the theatre either locally or in London about once a month. If I go to London I like to find somewhere I haven't been yet (though this is getting difficult as I've been so much) to visit alongside my theatre trip. Occassionally I'll do a weekend trip to a city or town that's 2/3 hours away. The last one was Cambridge but that was in November before the weather turned. I'm planning to do Bristol soon. I really want to visit Lincoln or Newcastle/Durham but they're far for me so I'll need four or five days for them. Sometimes I'll do a daytrip to a historical site or a city/town. A castle I love nearish me is Arundel. Visiting Stonehenge a few years ago was incredible. I also go to Oxford quite a lot also as I have a lot of friends there, and I adore that city. But tbh, most weekends I stay at home mostly, do some chores, do something creative like painting or writing, and relax. Maybe I'll get a cup of tea with a friend if anyone's around.

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Bethbeth35@reddit

It is actually great from that point of view and people just don't realize. Lots of places to visit and places to entertain kids. My husband is from Italy and while it's got beautiful places to visit it doesn't have anywhere near the visitor attractions and things to do with kids at the weekend. It's a shame the weather is so rubbish half the year!

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romoladesloups@reddit

I grew up in the north east near the sea, which was great. Now live in greater London so I can see the best theatre in the world and get home by public transport at any time of the day or night. I'm also over 60 so get free bus and tube (metro,) travel anytime after 0930. Yup, it's great

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littleglitterfish@reddit

The clue is in the title - the UK is a KINGDOM, not a country. It is made up of multiple countries.

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blurdyblurb@reddit

I think we probably take it for granted to be honest. And I think your definition of not too far away may be different than ours!

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Haha. Yeah, I think it takes over 4 hrs by train to go between London and Edinburgh. It takes over 4 days to go by train between Toronto and Vancouver.

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daneview@reddit

I honestly think "lovely day, might go to the beach" then think "nah fuck that, im not driving 35 minutes each way for a swim" quite often in the summer. as a general mental rule in my head, if its more than 20-30 minutes away its an outing that needs mental effort and planning :-D

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homemadegrub@reddit

The problem moreover is the traffic as everyone else has the same idea and the fecking parking, oh gawd it's so tedious. On a hot day if I want to visit my local beach ideally I need to leave at 10am at the latest and it's only 35 minutes away otherwise it's already too crowded. Yes UK is nice but oh for big country with less people!

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DarkLordTofer@reddit

Interesting fact, the Birmingham Metropolitan Area has a higher population than all the Canadian Provinces bar the big 4.

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ThemeFair1732@reddit

Another fact for you - St John's (Newfoundland) is closer to Milan than Vancouver

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CameronFuckedmyPig@reddit

I was chatting to an old friend recently who’d come home to the UK for a visit from Vancouver. She said that Newcastle to Toronto is only a little bit further than Toronto to Vancouver. Living up north, I have pristine, near empty beaches within half an hour’s drive, more castles than you shake a stick at, the Roman wall and its related settlements within 20-50 minutes, and the entirety of Northumberland on my doorstep. It’s under 2hrs to the Lakes, and most of Scotland is within a days drive. Love it.

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ThemeFair1732@reddit

Its a beautiful part of the country, mind you, it all is!

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Smooth-Statement-510@reddit

And its only going to get worst sadly, the country will be bursting at the seams in another 10 years, The Country cannot keep up with the required infrastructure improvements that are needed, even when they get the funds there is too much red tape in the way.

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AndrexOxybox@reddit

Yebbut… if you try swimming in any inland waterway in England you’ll either get Weill’s disease, dissolve or both. I’d probably take my chances with the turds in our coastal waters. Moon Over Marin…

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ThrowRA-tiny-home@reddit

As someone who grew up on the Natal south coast in South Africa (with the Agulhas Current bringing warm water from the equator), the sea anywhere in the UK is way too cold. Like, wetsuit territory even in August. Might as well brave the Benguela Current from Antarctica in Cape Town 😁

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Sad_Cardiologist5388@reddit

This is it exactly, distance is different here than over the pond

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PaulC6230@reddit

Yep 4hrs 30 mins it took for the Edinburgh to London train journey for my wife’s birthday as she wanted to visit Harry Potter Studios which was quite awesome ( for someone like me who doesn’t like the Harry Potter movies )

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gordiesgoodies@reddit

Just moved to Scotland this summer past and the distances take some getting used to have to say. Can be driving three hours south to London and Still be in Scotland. I'll often break the journey halfway down to London - In Newcastle. Must be super far up north then? Not really - Inverness is still a 3+ hour drive from me.

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PaulC6230@reddit

Central Belt of Scotland then ?

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languid_Disaster@reddit

We also have easy to access trains to all sorts of places in London. 2 hours to Cambridge from London, less than that to many of our national parks and also to Kew Gardens and so many national trust parks to visit

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Western-Caregiver897@reddit

Haha! That puts things into perspective

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Georgeyboy70@reddit

Yes I think we do, I love living 10-15 minutes drive from the sea, living in South Wales, Cardiff is approximately 30-45 minutes drive away and I probably visit 2-3 times a year and London is 2-3 hours away and I probably go there every couple of years, whereas you see Americans and Canadians talking about a 2 hour drive to their ‘local’ stores!

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Necessary_Umpire_139@reddit

It's the exact same as it is during the week. Grey and bleak. However, my god do I fucking love this country.

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Legitimate-Dig2093@reddit

And we take it for granted but this place is FULL of stuff to see.

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given2fly_@reddit

I didn't appreciate that until I spent a couple of years in Australia. When people asked what sites were nearby to where I grew up, a new Pride & Prejudice movie had just come out so I could say "well Mr. Darcy's house (Chatsworth) is 20mins away?" Any castles nearby? Yep, a few within an hour or two's drive. Not far from historical cities like York. Whereas for them, whilst there was beautiful nature, there wasn't much culturally and historically to see...and everything is a long way away!

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Choice_Room3901@reddit

Yeah I lived in some rural farm towns in Australia and thought “well fuck lol what do we do on weekends” and remembered where I grew up in the UK and as you say all of the heritage sites and what not castles stately homes neolithic sites

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SnooStrawberries2342@reddit

There will be bright sunshine for many parts of the UK on Saturday, lovely conditions for a crisp winter walk. Make the most of it before the next lot of cloud rolls in.

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Beneficial_Hat_2460@reddit

and we might get snow during half term too, so for once, we might get to enjoy it!

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Brilliant! Thanks. It’ll be worthy cloudy tomorrow in my area but that’s my favourite sort of weather

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NovelDevelopment8479@reddit

Or snow!

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Necessary_Umpire_139@reddit

In many parts of the UK, but definitely not where I am as usual.

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90210fred@reddit

Bright sunshine this morning for me - and I i started sneezing. Checked pollen levels AND IT'S ALREADY UP! How is this possible

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Normal-Height-8577@reddit

Relatively warm Christmas - a lot of the spring flowers like primroses and crocuses are out already and have been since late December. And then there's tree pollen, of course!

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Quiet_Pin@reddit

It's the hazel pollen. I've noticed the catkins are out already.

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geekgirl6@reddit

LOL I'm in Scotland and feel this

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jimbobsqrpants@reddit

Hey that's unfair, Aberdeen had 30 minutes of sunshine yesterday.

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Necessary_Umpire_139@reddit

Cheers Aberdeen, taking it all for yourself.

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dunkingdigestive@reddit

Sometimes it's wet, grey and bleak. The wet can be rain snow or sleet, vertical or horizontal.

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Legitimate-Dig2093@reddit

Often in the same morning!

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Impossible_Agent_229@reddit

I don't love it

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editorialgirl@reddit

Wow, this sub is full of miserable gits 🤣 I love being able to potter out to the countryside for a ramble around an old country estate at the weekend. Shit, I've turned into my parents.

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PoopyPogy@reddit

I've spent all week in my campervan visiting National Trust houses. All I need is an "adventure before dementia" sticker and I think I'll immediately age a couple of decades or three!

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

Mofo with moho! Living the dream.

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someguyhaunter@reddit

As someone who works at the trust... The magic is leaving quickly. Tbh it is not a ethical corporation anymore. They aren't a charity anymore but a basic big corporation now. Profits but mass company wide redundancies, garden budgets cut by 90%, entry prices pricing people out, horrible pay and progression, actively trying to cheat people out of their legal rights, pushing all the extra jobs onto those remaining, SO MUCH WASTE (both in money and physical waste). But guess what, always enough room for all the managers to have a jolly! Prepare for things in all the trust places to decline in quality soon.

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geekgirl6@reddit

I love this! That sounds like such a cool idea

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thecornflake21@reddit

You think that's bad, I've started getting interested in birds and bought binoculars (mainly because we moved to a more rural area and see birds of prey almost every day). Also jigsaws and home made soup

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editorialgirl@reddit

Ohh, I'm totally with you on all of those. Big fan of the Merlin app - Shazam for birdsong!

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thecornflake21@reddit

Someone at work recommended Merlin, it's awesome

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given2fly_@reddit

I love the fact that I live on the outskirts of one of the largest cities (Leeds) with loads going on, yet I look out of my window and I can see fields and the Yorkshire Moors in the distance covered in snow. There's something for everyone and neither is ever that far away.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Agreed everyone’s being a bit moody and down but that’s our national sport isn’t it? Don’t feel down about your walks! I’ve been like this since I was a toddler. Nothing better than a peaceful walk along on a trail , in a field. Even better if it’s along a stream! Sitting down and looking at the birds and bugs flitting by is always a treat. I saw a kingfisher the other day 😏

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Sweet-Economics-5553@reddit

Me too, but poorer.

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sleepy-popcorn@reddit

There’s so many old country estates and so many lovely parks. I know parks get a bad rep because there might be teenagers and litter sometimes but I love being able to walk to so many different parks in the town I live: I think I have 5 parks within 20 mins walk.

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bayberry-moon@reddit

I thought this too, on both accounts.

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ichabod1905@reddit

They lie. It used to be a beautiful country, beautiful beaches,parks, countryside. beautiful people. Then we got invaded by all the unwanted shit from other countries. Now it's full of unvetted terrorists, rapist's, muggers and child groomers and a government that's all for it. Think yourself lucky your in Canada, and stay there 🙏🏻

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skawarrior@reddit

Nah we just got to the local retail park and buy stuff

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stillshadowy@reddit

I have 4 sons. I spent 20 years exploring and showing them the north of England. We rarely revisited places because there was just so many new things to see and experience. I know we're very lucky to have all this amazing country to live in

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No_Election_1123@reddit

It depends on so many things, where you are living, how old you are, how are you living; When I was younger (so much younger than today) I was living in a shared house off the Wandsworth Rd. Summer weekends were a long afternoon on Clapham Common with a one-use barbecue and drinking bottles of cheap beer/cider. Practically everyone in the neighbourhood were renters and everyone was welcome. Probably some of the happiest weekends of my life Early 2010's I returned to North London with my own place and a lot of weekends was just doing all the errands that I didn't really have time for during the week, plus the DIY they don't tell you about when you move from renter to buyer. Still a lot of weekend evenings though were spent at the pub down the bottom of the road 2020s really much the same as the 2010s I try to get out for a walk on the Common for a bit, but still much of the weekend is still doing chores and don't go to the pub anywhere near as much

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Training_Yak_4655@reddit

As an earlier post said, us Brits aren't spending all our weekends frolicking in meadows. After a busy career where most weekends seemed to be spent catching up with side hustles and home/car/stuff maintenance, the downsizing plan is: Live within 10 miles of the coast, have a regional airport for hops to Europe within 10 miles and a small minimal maintenance house in a not too high council tax band. Living the dream, who said Brits don't have ambition?

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ReasonableUnit903@reddit

Don’t get your hopes up for the seaside towns… Since holidays abroad have become common place many couldn’t maintain the size they had grown to and have become some of the most deprived areas of the country

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Right now in England I'm looking at Brighton and Margate for sure, but I definitely want to visit a lot of beaches/coastline in Scotland and Wales ‐ although a lot are maybe more remote/in Parks. I really just want to see all the natural beauty, but thanks for the heads up about the towns. Good thing to know in advance.

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Guilty_Nebula5446@reddit

I live in Wales , I have lived in London and also in France and the USA, I wouldn't swop Wales for anywhere. I love the beaches , the castles , the history and the people

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

I'm with you. I thought I would love Scotland the most with the Highlands, beaches, islands and cows (Wales tends to fly under the radar), but when I saw photos of the shoreline, greenery, puffins, sunshine and all that snow (!!!) in Wales it will be interesting to see what I like most!

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Weird_Assignment_550@reddit

We don't touch the curling stones at the weekend.

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Gorilla_Pie@reddit

Same as anywhere: people seem less motivated to take advantage of stuff when it’s right there on the doorstep

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gordiesgoodies@reddit

North of that - the Angus/Aberdeenshire borders

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Kooky-Slide-2781@reddit

I live on the edge of a city - all the amenities are close by. There’s always events going on in town, and as it is an old city many places of interest as well as a large number of Green spaces. Just 1km walk through my housing estate and over a bridge I am in the countryside with fantastic views, lots of footpaths to explore and a load of little villages each with their own interesting sights. 30 min car drive or a train ride I get to the coast and enjoy the sea, and the coastal path. 30 minutes in a different direction I am in Wales. But a lot of weekends I am catching up with the housework, maintenance, grocery shopping etc.

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hungry_bra1n@reddit

Com and visit! London first but there’s so much to see and do so try and fit in Scotland, Ireland and maybe Wales too

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AtrapaElPezDorado@reddit

Watching TV is quite popular

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

I like your shows too! Just started watching Celebrity Traitors! :)

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sasshirley@reddit

Take a look at the websites for English Heritage, The National Trust, Royal Horticulture Society, and the Historic Royal Palaces. They should cover a lot of your areas of interest. What's worth checking is if a location has different opening hours or even is closed at certain times of year. Some shut entirely during the winter as there's insufficient trade to pay for the staff (or keep the heating on maybe) while others will have longer opening during the summer when daylight is longer. Remember that when you're planning a trip that a lot of roads here are narrow, overcrowded and slow, so always allow extra time to reach the destination.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Will do. Thanks!

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upsidedown-aussie@reddit

I'm an Aussie, but I live in Britain so can answer this question. I'm sure you understand what it's like living in a giant country. I've never been to Canada, but being from Melbourne myself, I always felt like it was Melbourne, and then pretty much nothing for hundreds of kms. The countryside is barren, some beautiful spots and there were some nice towns to go away for the weekend, or the beach, but most travel involved either hours and hours and hours of driving, or a flight just to get to another city in Australia. I find the UK incredible. British people complain it's grey and rainy and cold. Maybe it's because Melbourne was in drought the first 10 years of my life, but I kinda love the rain. It means the countryside is a brilliant green, and with public footpaths everywhere, the places you can walk are endless. This means there are tonnes of cute little villages with little pockets to explore. It's also really dog friendly, so we can bring our dogs on these little getaways, or to new pubs on a new walk. Then there's the actual different pockets of the UK, all within a few hours drive. The Cotswolds, the Lake District, the Peak District. You can drive or get the train to Scotland or Wales (this assumes you live in England). The Scottish Highlands are my absolute favourite, and Edinburgh is my favourite city. Countries like France and Ireland are a short hop away too. On weekends, I like to find new walks around where I live (about an hour away from London), and because of public footpaths, there's SO MANY. I've lived in this town for nearly 3 years and I'm still finding new places nearby. And there's just so much to do because there's so many other towns nearby. That's the case wherever you are in the UK.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Yes! Aussie's could relate. The entire UK could fit in my province, Ontario, with lots of room to spare. But most of the population in Ontario is concentrated in the southern part. I think I'd love the Highlands too. I've also seen some absolutely gorgeous photos of Wales - the coast and stunning snowy winter scenes - and definitely want to visit Wales!

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Globalfeminist@reddit

If you can afford to, and if you drive, and you have no family obligations on weekends, then, yes.... there are beautiful places I could visit in just a weekend. But that's a privilege of those who can afford to drive and two nights of hotels. And the weather makes those nearby places dreadful for most of the years. Also, a sad thing in the UK is that, for non-drivers living where I live, abroad holidays are easier and cheaper. But that's fine. I didn't move here 10 years ago to get regular weekends away. I moved to improve my job prospects, see the world and get financial stability. In the past 10 years I've been in Dublin (3 times), Edinburg, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Brudges, Iceland, Kenya, Milan, Rome, Florence, Berlin, Marrakesh, Athens, Venice and Tenerife... as well as London (multiple times), York, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Bath, Weston and Blackpool.

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Sarah-is-always-sad9@reddit

I'm in the UK and have honestly never been to a museum or national park ever before

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jimmykimnel@reddit

Everything is busy and you jostle for space with 70m other people.

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Familiar9709@reddit

In the winter it sucks

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pippaskipper@reddit

Kids extra curricular activities and a big shop on a Saturday. Sunday is maybe a walk or bike ride and then hours cooking a Sunday roast.

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bulgarianlily@reddit

Add the National garden scheme to the list, where people throw open their personal gardens for charity and often supply tea and cakes for sale.

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widdrjb@reddit

I'm in Northumberland. Today I will take the train into Newcastle, wander round a few galleries and shops, eat dinner (not lunch) in the Grainger market, take the train back and drive home via Druridge Bay. Next week I'll be able to get a Metro connection to Whitley Bay. Luckily Toon are away to Man City, or I'd have the devil's own job getting in.

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PastafarianFSM@reddit

Take the kids to their hobbies and party's most weekends. Have forgotten what it's like to have free time. One day...

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NaomiT29@reddit

I wish I got out more because you're right, there is so much to do no matter where you live, but I'd wager an awful lot of us spend our weekends doing the same mundane things like household chores or just vegging on the sofa! 😂 Admittedly, I am much better when my parents come to visit. I moved from London to South Wales and am absolutely surrounded by beautiful beaches and countryside. Literally about a mile and a half from the nearest beach, as the crow flies, but it's been months since my husband and I went to any. Always go at least once when my parents come to visit, though, and go out for country walks and stuff much more, too. We have been managing to get to the theatre more, at least. We have a massive arena in our town and it's brought in some great shows; we've seen Sarah Millican, Katherine Ryan, and _The Rocky Horror Show_ there already, and have tickets booked for _Six, the Musical_ and Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox this year! Also going to see _Hercules_ in the West End for my birthday, which I am very excited about, and recently saw a play called _Our Town_ in the local theatre, which was beautiful.

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PiotrGreenholz01@reddit

We still have several pubs as well.

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CryptographerUpbeat8@reddit

You forgot one thing. Trains are expensive. Buses are inefficient. They want you to drive but if you don’t then ur fuckd

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alrae70@reddit

What do you do in Canada? You must have a fair whack of countryside over there

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Everything is so spread out. If I want to see the ocean I'd have to fly 5hrs west or over 2hrs east. There are good things: skiing, snowshoeing in the winter. Canoeing, cottages, boating in the summer. Fall hikes with the autumn colours. But you really need a car to get around and the highways can be a real nightmare: there are so many lanes of traffic it can be quite stressful. Geographically, the entire UK could fit inside my province with lots of room to spare, but the population and population density in the UK is massive compared to over here. So you have way more places to go and things to see and do compared to what I could see and do whilst travelling the same distances over here. That's not even mentioning the age difference of our countries and how much architectural beauty there is throughout the UK.

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Atheissimo@reddit

Yes, one of the best things about living in the UK and a lot of Europe is the sheer density of stuff to do. Most people live within an hour's radius of multiple national parks, multiple world heritage sites, dozens of historic buildings like castles and churches etc. We're not constantly frolicking in the meadows because life stuff gets in the way, but yes I'd say it's typical to go to a country house or a castle or the beach or a walk in the country or something each weekend.

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Garybaldbee@reddit

It probably blows Canadians minds that nowhere in the UK is more than 2 hours from the coast.

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Littleleicesterfoxy@reddit

Where I grew up was definitely more than two hours from any coastline… (Hinckley, Leicestershire)

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SparkeyRed@reddit

1h 58m right now according to Google maps, on this route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n2DkRsP4XjHSyQLr6?g_st=ac Of course, you'd have to travel late at night to avoid the traffic, but it still counts!

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surface_scratch@reddit

I live in Solihull and it's ages to the sea from here.....well sea that isn't brown

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Garybaldbee@reddit

Two hours to Liverpool according to Google. And that's on a Friday early evening, not the middle of the night.

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WillBots@reddit

2 hours? I thought it was 80miles .ax from anywhere,pre like just over an hour, of course you can't be picky about which beach...

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Interesting_Drive647@reddit

It is around 80 miles but 2 hours accounts for the ridiculous traffic you are inevitably going hit somewhere on your journey

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drplokta@reddit

Most people don’t have a motorway that runs in a straight line from their front door to a beach car park.

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TheBlackHymn@reddit

Just over an hour if you can do the entire journey on the motorway, but that’s not realistic. There’s gonna be some 30mph roads at either end of the journey for most of us.

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LowarnFox@reddit

Realistically if driving, some of this will likely be on slower roads, so going to be closer to 2 hours than 1 in most cases?

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KatVanWall@reddit

As it happens, I live almost exactly in the centre of the country and can vouch that it does take at least 2 hours to get to the coast!

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chloe_h76@reddit

I'm more likely to sleep off a hangover and go no further than the co-op 😅

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No-Style8510@reddit

There are some nice things to do, I’m totally jealous of you tho, Canada seems so cool!

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Apart_Disaster_6720@reddit

I spend most of my weekends in my house.. far to much money to not be in it 😂😂

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sayitwithyrchest@reddit

It's better in the summer, of course. Festivals, street markets, parks, museums, exhibitions, live music, food markets, theatre shows, lots of eating out. Only when I leave London, I realise how much there is to do here and so much choice of good (but expensive) food. Like it, but it's not the best place on earth.

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Flat-Pomegranate-328@reddit

Yes lots to do not always enough time ! Easy to travel to a place on the train for a night and lots of diversity just an hour away wherever you are.

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SufficientFlower8599@reddit

I moved here 2 years ago and i love the lifestyle here. There is always a market or a fair,festival, concert,etc on. There are so many places to go hiking and quick weekend trips to go on

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LopsidedBell7339@reddit

I live just outside Swansea but more importantly the Gower Peninsula which is beautiful and has some of the best beaches in the UK but due to the traffic it's an average of 60-90 minutes to get to any of them (about 8 miles) whereas I can do Pembrokeshire or Cardigan Bay in the same time. Traffic often ruins everything but yeah wonderful place to live and I have in excess of 6 castles within 10 miles of me as well as the National Botanical Gardens.

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Particular-Bid-1640@reddit

You've made me realise that I should go an do more stuff ha

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mosho84@reddit

Same. I live in a lovely town and barely know what's happening in town 😅

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Wolfdarkeneddoor@reddit

Live in Norfolk so lots of things are within easy reach. It snowed a few weeks back, so one Sunday me & my wife went to see the seals on Winterton beach (you have to pay though). The beach was covered in snow, but this didn't faze the seals who were just lying there. Wrapped up & enjoyed a hot chocolate & bacon sandwich. Pretty interesting afternoon.

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poeticlicence@reddit

Weekends in the UK are lively - everything's open, though supermarkets close around 4 pm on a Sunday. If the sun's out, people take advantage and go out. It's very seasonal - autumn colours, winter warming/landscapes, spring daffodils and later bluebells, summer heat. Historic sites, pubs, clubs, gastropubs, Michelin starred restos, museums, art galleries - depending on your means, you can do all sorts of things at the weekend

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znv142@reddit

Oh, you are from Kanadaaaa!

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h0ney_beee@reddit

Day trips on the train to the coast, for nature walks, to little historical towns like York (so Harry Potter like in The Shambles), visit museums, there’s always a food or art market on in my town, gigs - so many big and small artists tour here and it’s relatively cheap to attend, or - just spend it in a cozy pub having a Sunday dinner. The UK is buzzing and so much culture and great food around - so diverse.

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EngineeredGal@reddit

I’m down south, in the little crack above the isle of weight - we’re out and about most weekends! Beach & Forest walks usually (they’re free!) followed by pub lunch/dinner with friends and kiddo. But we’ve got loads of country houses, museums, attractions etc near by and it’s only an hour and a half to London or Oxford - both great days out. We try and get to forest events: booze tasting, chilli and quiz nights, open air plays etc. We went wasailling a week or two ago - basically shouting at “tree spirits” with a couple hundred people with fire torches, cider and live music! Fun! The weathers been crap the last month or so tho, proper wellington boot weather!

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Lol I remember a catchy Christmas tune about wasailling from when I was a child "love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too; And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year...." I don't think I ever understood what "to you your wassail too" meant.

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Dependent-Panic-9457@reddit

I often go outside at weekends, for example to the nearby Waitrose and back

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Bksudbjdua@reddit

I go to pub

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Remarkable_Figure95@reddit

Well, sure, if you live near national gardens and national parks and castles and the sea. Most of us don't. What weird brochure has you convinced we all live near gardens?

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Lol Great British Gardens and the National Garden Scheme.

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Exact-Character313@reddit

I'm 2 train stops away from being outside the city in the country side. I love taking my dog and getting lost for the day roaming in summer. 4 or 5 hour walk. Then Google maps where the nearest train stop is to get home

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Rowmyownboat@reddit

OP, many of us join organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage. Both preserve old homes, castles, etc and membership makes entry free. Many a happy day spent with either.

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Jumpy_Imagination208@reddit

It’s also a very expensive country- the train is ridiculous, staying elsewhere is expensive. Locally there’s a lot to do though. I’d definitely recommend visiting. Please bring your positivity about our country with you- I’ve definitely forgotten what’s good here (it’s rained every day in 2026 so far and today is no different). Aim to spend a couple of days in London, depending on you likes you can have a day trip down to Brighton via train, or into Kent for a vineyard (or a Kent beach, Kent has a few sandy ones whereas Brighton is rocky). Have a few days in Bath, and depending on your hobbies, you’ve got Oxford and Cambridge, York and Durham which are nice cities, or the Cotswolds, Lake District or Peak District. If you have more time, Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye should be on your list too.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the recommendations! There's sooo much I want to see and do. What you included plus art museums - esp Impressionism - including Cardiff, West End musical(s), Scotland definitely - Highland cows, Puffins. I'd also love to visit for Guy Fawkes Day, Christmas and Hogmanay....and then again in the spring/summer for all the wildflowers, greenery and beaches!

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AspiringPirate64@reddit

The country is small true but the infrastructure is so shit that it can take stupid amounts of time to travel anywhere. It a trick by the government to give the illusion of a bigger country

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men_in_the_rigging@reddit

Divide the average week by seven and multiply by two. There's your answer.

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arealfancyliquor@reddit

Im in Scotland,was trying to lose weight a few years before the pandemic. I decided to go round all the historic Scotland castles abbeys and pagan mounds n stuff,they're usually in the countryside so there's a decent walk nearby often...I went round 24 different castles and abbeys in 8 months,never travelled more than two hours from my home in Edinburgh. Still got a load to do this year so hoping for another decent summer.

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fifisaurus27@reddit

That's brilliant, you should write a book!

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arealfancyliquor@reddit

Im not sure there's enough material for a book,perhaps a small pamphlet.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

I’d read your e-bulletin! I make one for work and it’s a lot of fun. Makes me realise how much we’ve got done and how many people we’ve helped (we’re a local charity)

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arealfancyliquor@reddit

Thankyou,I take a lot of photos,im not a pro or anything but I've got some decent shots on just a smartphone. One of the first castles i visited was Craigmiller castle in Edinburgh,I've driven past it thousands of times in my black cab and didn't even know if it was a ruin or intact-mostly intact...its set back from the road so not actually really visible as you drive,plus the road itself is like a country lane,you want your eyes on the road at all times. Its fantastic,really nice proper little castle with loads of history. According to one of the well placed boards around the castle interior,Mary Queen of Scots loved coming here because it was like an informal country castle where she could just relax without all the pagentry of Edinburgh castle. Also the local area reminded her of happy times in France...that day i learned why that area is called little France. There's a great view from the roof looking towards Edinburgh castle and Arthur's Seat...and best of all it was like a fiver to get in plus there was free parking...Score!.

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Demostravius4@reddit

I printed out a map with all National Trust, Forestry Commission, and English Hertiage sites tagged. Then each time we visit one we pop a little pin.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Oh that’s brilliant!! I’ve just been checking a list but your way is much more fun

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DescriptionFuture851@reddit

It depends. When you think "UK", you most likely think of London, like I would of think of Toronto when seeing the word "Canada", or New York when I see "America". In my small town of 25k people, there's nothing to do.

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BeanOnAJourney@reddit

There is literally no finer a pleasure than a Sunday afternoon trip to the Garden Centre, just to look around, followed by driving home the "long way round" for the scenery.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Yes!!! And even better if they have a fish shop / Aquarium next door 🙌 then sitting down in a cafe that does homemade pasties and cakes

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BeanOnAJourney@reddit

Yesssss i've got a fish phobia but for some reason I still feel the need to walk past all the pond fish tanks and see how long I can look at them for before I get scared 🤣 They've got two resident parrots too but they're off limits while bird flu is still a threat 😔 Mine has a food hall with all sorts of locally grown/made stuff and it smells *amazing*, I can't leave there without buying something.

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mortstheonlyboyineed@reddit

Maybe stopping for a carvery along the way.

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yaptak@reddit

I grew up in West Wales and so driving 'long' distances to get places was the norm. I think because of that experience it doesn't bother me to drive 1-3 hours for a day or overnight trip and I've seen a huge amount of the country on weekends because of it. Friends of mine who have grown up more centrally however aren't keen on a drive over 30 mins and haven't seen as much of the country. I've found many people travel within their region and haven't seen a huge amount of other parts of the country. For example, I'd barely been north of Birmingham before I moved to Cumbria at 24, and many of my friends still haven't. Conversely I worked with many people in North England who'd never been to London or other places in South England. I often meet people who say they have never been to Wales ,and I'm sure the same can be said for Scotland. I think this is probably where a lot of regional misconceptions and prejudice comes from. The roads aren't great but they are beautiful and fun to drive, so if you don't mind making the drive part of the day out you can see a whole lot more than what's in your immediate area. I love how diverse the UK is considering it is so small. I live 3 hours away from where I grew up, and although the landscape is fairly similar, the culture, history and people feel very different. Wherever you are in the country, you don't have to drive far to experience different traditions, accents and colloquialisms. As others have said, it's a country hugely rich in culture, history and tradition (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and we are lucky to be able to access so much of it fairly easily. There are also quite a lot of free museums and attractions if you look for them.

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IDKBear25@reddit

I literally can’t remember the last time I went anywhere else on a weekend other than the gym, the local community football initiative or a relative’s house. Most weekends I just do the same thing which is gym, football, and play video games. Sometimes I hoover my room on weekends too but that’s it. Nothing intrigues me to the point where I want to go there on my weekend.

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Mevaboo@reddit

I live in what I’d consider to be a small boring town, however I’m 10 minutes drive from the beach, the countryside starts at the end of my road. I’m 30 minutes drive to 3 cities and less than 2 hours from London. So all in all I’m pretty lucky. Weekends are spent visiting family, going to the beach/arcades or going for walks.

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ConsiderationSad2071@reddit

Where is this?

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Mevaboo@reddit

Without doxxing myself too much, keep heading south. If you hit the isle of wight then you’ve gone too far.

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CryptoQuinn2@reddit

I live in the South East, and I live within an hour of one of the greatest cities I've ever visited, fantastic beaches, beautiful countryside, sites of genuine historical importance.... It's easy to underestimate just how fine these isles are when you live here

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GlitteringBryony@reddit

This has made me so emotional ❤️ Honestly, for most of us... No. As a kid though, I remember going to a different stately home or ruined castle or garden or something pretty much every week, either just because they were open, or because there was something specific on (Displays of someone doing heritage crafts, living history demonstrations, talks about the history of the place etc) - We lived within spitting distance of a fort on Hadrian's wall so I think we got a bit complacent about having ancient stuff in our back yard! But as an adult now, with no sense of "needing to keep the kids busy" I pretty much only go to those kinds of places when I'm on holiday or when I'm meeting someone who isn't local and want to show them something interesting instead of just going to a pub.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Mud larking and countyside walks are lovely hobbies :) It really can be hard to muster up the strength to go out of our way to slightly further off places but I realise how lazy I am when I hear from other countries

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Defiant_Practice5260@reddit

The farm takes up most of the day, and at night I just like a cup of tea.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

Fair enough! I stand by the motto that it’s the small things that make life worth living. For me, it’s going for a 20 minute walk somewhere green at least once a week

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Smooth-Statement-510@reddit

UK is great and there is some beautiful places but it all depends on the location you pick and there is a strong chance you are going to get rain haha, Also everything is becoming very expensive, certainly pack your own lunches when going to heritage sites and similar places, personally I avoid doing much at the weekends though as everything is much busier with the kids and less people at work & the roads become very busy.

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boojes@reddit

It is nice living near stuff, but once you've done it, you've done it. Train tickets are generally expensive, and it's a pain to drive for a few hours for a day trip (remember our roads are not like your highways). So people are generally not going out looking at historic sites all weekend because they've likely already done all the local ones and if you want to go further afield, it involves an overnight stay.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

For me, I enjoy visiting quiet places like that so much that I’ll enjoy it no matter how many times I visit. Watching the birds and other animals is a treat no matter where I am tbh

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ArcherApprehensive18@reddit

\> once you've done it, you've done it I have a stately home and a castle both within 20 minutes of me. I've been to them dozens of times. I go them both at least once per year. Living in southampton you're a bit more limited because the sea/solent limits how far you can go in a big arc. If you live further away from the coast you get more local stuff, but alas, no sea.

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Southernbeekeeper@reddit

So my mate actually lives in Canada and he really misses this about the UK. He says that in his town there is nothing to do and there are only like a handful of people his age. In the UK there is quite a lot to do i think. In about a 2 hour radius around me there are 3 major cities, a national park with mountains, all sorts of seaside towns and that. I don't do this as much anymore but being in the UK you can also fly to Europe for pretty cheap. I recently booked Milan for £50 a head return flights. Its 2 hours away so you can leave Saturday morning and the comeback for Sunday evening. I've done this with lots of European cities and we're very lucky to be able to do so.

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languid_Disaster@reddit

I remember going to Croatia for about £40 , it was great. I had enough money that I orders a cool as fuck bus for me and my mates to travel between places that were too far for train

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Yes, your country is so much smaller than ours, but the population exceeds ours. I envy all that density and all the options you have. And, regardless where you live, your architecture is gorgeous so you're surrounded by beauty everywhere!

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Historical_Heron4801@reddit

The key to outings in the UK is not to wait for good weather, just wear the right clothing. For a wet country we have very little high quality, exclusively indoors, reasonably priced entertainment. I know lots of people who find a cheap campsite to stay at most weekends throughout Mar-Oct. I have kids at a very busy age so they drive most of our weekends. Prior to kids we went out most weekends, mostly walking, but also National Trust properties and other places of interest.

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ChateauLaFeet@reddit

Yes!

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PsychologicalCar2180@reddit

Manchester here! Very small dense city centre packed with people. Within half an hour on the train, in a car you’ll be out in the country in any direction, full of towns and villages that are worth visiting. Liverpool close on one side, Leeds a little further on the other. North Wales easy to get to and a couple of hours from The Lake District. I’m a Londoner living oop North and love to go back to my home city often. London is an astonishing city, an epic sprawl filled with its own towns and villages. The east coastal area and the Norfolk Broads is a gorgeous slice of the UK. The Home Counties as well. I could just list things on and on. I love to travel and everywhere has something to offer but there is just something about our island that feels unique on this planet. Despite what you might think thanks to social media and politics we have become a real melting pot of cultures in a country with a long and well preserved history. Britishness is now many things and nothing has actually been lost. If anything we’ve gained. People from all over the world keep coming over to see what we have and I love seeing tourists going about their day. As for the weekend? What do you want? Chances are you’ll find it here!

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geekgirl6@reddit

Honestly, I don't tend to travel that often unless it's holidays. I did go to Edinburgh and Durham in my first couple of years to visit friends at uni, but I haven't really been back because I am still at uni and find everything tiring right now haha. However I do have plans to start travelling more around the UK once I leave uni next year <3

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melikebiscuit@reddit

My kids are in the 'cart me around to sports events' age bracket, but we go to the beach most weekends (a 10 minute drive), or one of the multiple country parks within less than an hours drive. We're lucky enough to have the South Downs nearby, so we spend many summer weekends hiking and rolling down hills. We have a lot of Naval history nearby, and can 'pop' over to the Isle of Wight easily (if not cheaply) for a day trip if we wish. We have easy access to London (1.5 hours on the train), and you could drive pretty much anywhere in the country in a day. I know the weather can be pretty crap, but I love living in the UK.

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Sweet-Economics-5553@reddit

I lived in the UAE for 12 years and had my kids there. We moved back 18 months ago and they love the rain and the history - weekends are spent immersed in both via the National Trust.

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eekamouse4@reddit

I live in Edinburgh & that’s every day everywhere. I take the weekend off to stay at home & get away from it all. 😉

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fionakitty21@reddit

I grew up just outside the city centre (the city being Norwich) but my high school was right in the city centre, now live in a teeny village in south norfolk, but amazingly still has a decent bus service, so although im literally surrounded by farmers fields (im at the end of a cul de sac, fields start about 10 metres from there, with footpaths through them) a half hour bus ride and im back in the city! Been here nearly 3 years now and spring/summer, I enjoy popping on a podcast on my headphones and going for a wander (my sense of direction is awful and severe anxiety means my GPS gets turned on then too!) Looking forward to visiting the Castle in Norwich soon, with the "keep" now fully restored to how it was 100s of years ago! A high school best friend lived 1 road away from Gorleston beach, which was great, and my eldest goes to 6th form college there too and he's looking forward to warmer weather so they can hang out, swim, whatever, after lessons!

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No_Bullfrog_6474@reddit

i grew up on the north west coast, just south of the lake district, and that’s how i spent a lot of weekends growing up! my dad normally worked weekends but often my mum and i would go up to the lakes somewhere, and/or find a national trust place to go to (since we have a national trust membership), or maybe an rspb place (we have a membership with them too). several places in the lakes you can even get to by bus or train from my hometown, which i love, because i don’t have a driving licence and that means i can’t get to some of these lovely places by myself! but the lakes i can always get to. i’ve rarely been further afield within the uk though, there’s so many places i’d like to visit on holidays

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True_Peanut_8092@reddit

Yup there's a lot to see. Since we have kids with clubs, we mostly see the same car parks every weekend, but sometimes we live things up by going to the supermarket whilst they're in their class. 🤣 Haven't taken a holiday overseas in 15 years though because we haven't run out of amazing places to visit in the UK, so we do make an effort to explore when clubs are out.

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SnooEpiphanies8006@reddit

When I was in the navy, we had a US integree onboard. Great guy. When ever we were back alongside in Pompey (Portsmouth) none of us did anything, bit he went off and had adventures. I remember him telling us he had a lock-in with the tower of England beefeaters (lock in as in staying with them after hours to drink). There is so much to do here and maybe we take it for granted and don't appreciate it. But he would always go and do something. I guess if I were in Canada I'd probably do the same whereas most people there wouldnt think twice...?

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Luna405@reddit

All these things are nice when the weather's nice, but that's only like 30% of the year. For the rest of the time there's not much to do - I think we need more indoor activities. When the weather's nice you're spoiled for choice though.

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shinymcshine1990@reddit

This week I went to Canterbury for one night, and went to the local wildlife park and fed red pandas the next morning. It was awesome, and the train from London took less than an hour. I was home before dinner less than 24 hours after leaving.

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Wubbleyou_@reddit

I get to see lots of different Towns following the football every Saturday. It’s like a mini holiday every other weekend. I always make sure I explore new towns even if they are a bit of a shithole.

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SigourneyReap3r@reddit

In my slightly older age ie late 30's as opposed to 20's, I have definitely take advantage of all of the beautiful walks and areas to explore. Every Saturday morning is time to explore somewhere close by, never more than a 30 minute drive from my home, into the beautiful countryside. I enjoy museums and such every few weekends, a lot more when someone comes to visit obviously.

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kernowjim@reddit

As a Canadian you would love it here, as a Brit I would love it in Canada. New experiences.

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Shannoonuns@reddit

I'd say theres more to do in the summer, a little less in the spring and autumn and even less this time of year but theres always "something" to do. Like its cold, wet and dark so a lot of outdoor attractions are completely shut or work on reduced hours but most people have less money this time of year and the tv is pretty good so its fine. Also Sundays generally can be a but more relaxed than a Friday night or a Saturday but its still quite nice to go out for a breakfast, pub lunch, have a roast, catch up on housework, go for a walk ect on a Sunday. Our towns and cities have green belts around them (like countryside and farm land between towns with restrictions on how much you can build on them.) And most of our museums are free.

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Think_Substance_1790@reddit

Go a couple miles in any direction, no matter where you are, from top to bottom, and youll end up in a field, a grassland, or a forest... Our country has gone to hell, but our lands are stunning... you know how people say oh I wish I lived *wherever*? Just let me build a house in a field and im good!

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carlovski99@reddit

Most people tend to not do things right on their doorstep - e.g I live in Southampton and had never been to the Titanic museum which has been open about 14 years until my Sister came down to visit. But yeah, if I'm in 'Holiday' mode or even just spending a day in London I'll do all that stuff. We try and do a bit of a UK tour of a different area every year or two. Did north Yorkshire and Northumberland coast a few months ago which was great. Wales next I think.

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purrcthrowa@reddit

A remarkable number of us are members of the National Trust (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk). The National Trust owns a lot of amazing houses, castles, land and historic monuments (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), and it's pretty common for people to people to visit them at the weekend. There are also plenty of other places owned by English Heritage (Historic England) https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ and a bunch of other organisations. Scotland has the National Trust for Scotland (https://www.nts.org.uk/), for example. We live near Oxford, which means we are close to Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor, and about lfway between the Chilterns and the Cotswolds. It's also about an hour to London from where we are, so we are absolutely spoiled for choice. We are extremely lucky.

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carlovski99@reddit

Though I think a lot of memberships are probably people who have visited one place, thought 'we might as well get membership then we can use it every weekend', and then maybe use it one more time in the year. Or is that just us? Have just re-joined English Heritage but still not used that yet either!

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ArcherApprehensive18@reddit

The same story repeats up and down the country. I'm between the Peak District National Park and Sherwood Forest. I've got Bolsover Castle (EH) and Hardwick Hall (NT) 20 minutes in one direction. In the opposite direction I've got Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall about 20 minutes away. London is 1h50m by train.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Thanks for sharing those links!

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d69wilson@reddit

Hole

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BlackberryNice1270@reddit

I love where I live and I love my country. I'm very lucky to live where I do. I have beautiful coastline, stunning dramatic countryside full of castles and roman forts, and a thriving, cosmopolitan city all within an hour on public transport. I can do day trips on the train to at least three of the most beautiful, historical cities in the UK. We do 3 or 4 day city breaks maybe 2 or 3 times a year further away, and might spend a week exploring another county or even country without flying anywhere.

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SweetDaisy20@reddit

My go to weekend is synagogue on Saturday morning, then hanging out with friends afterwards - I often go to an art gallery, or go ice skating, or just wander around the city - and then Sunday is my rest day. At the moment I have rehearsals on Sunday morning, but I can do whatever tickles my fancy after that. I don't tend to travel much, but I do sometimes meet friends, or do things with my family, or do uni work. We also always have a roast dinner at some point over the weekend, depending on who'll be at home when. Going to interesting places tends to be a Day Out, because I can't drive so I rely on public transport, and there's only so much that is in a reasonable distance that I can get to on my own, or it has to be with my parents who can drive. This weekend for me is synagogue on Saturday morning, Valentine's day date in the afternoon, and then I'm probably going out with friends at night. Sunday, I have a daily morning prayer group on zoom that I may or may not get to depending on how late I stayed out, rehearsals later in the morning, and it's my birthday so I'm seeing my family after that, then in the evening we have a nice Japanese meal booked.

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Annual-Cookie1866@reddit

Same as during the week but there’s more people.

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HelixHeartBoo@reddit

I think a lot of Brits take for granted how 'close by' things are, in comparison to much more vast countries. In the winter, I admit that I probably don't make the most of getting out and about, but summertime is different. There's nothing like jumping on the train for a wee day adventure when the sun's out!

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TheeHappyDude@reddit

Pub

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LadyBAudacious@reddit

As a kid, we'd travel between 8 to 30 miles at weekends to visit places around us. For holidays, we'd go to other counties and I've visited most of the coastal ones barring Scotland, where I've visited Edinburgh thus far. This year, I'll be revisiting East Anglia. I also (now I'm retired) have a project on hand to go to every London Underground and Overground station (averaging one a week) and see what's in the vicinity - I've covered 60 thus far. As you say, there's so much to see and do here, you couldn't do it all in one lifetime.

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Toc13s@reddit

The hardest thing is fitting in a quiet weekend to actually rest. When you have 5,000+ years of historical locations, then all the natural ones, throw in a bunch of modern attractions such as theme parks, model villages, miniature railways.... I try to limit it to 2 hours away so as to make it a day trip but even then there's an overwhelming amount. Probably the best thing about our history is how much is living, is still in use

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Jiminyfingers@reddit

I have dogs and live in the Cotswolds so always having excursions into the countryside or to places reasonably nearby, towns like Ludlow and Warwick, all the pretty villages around like Chipping-Campden. Can get into Wales and Monmouthshire, have the Forest of Dean nearby. Loads to do

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KP0776@reddit

Ludlow is luvley

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GreenStuffGrows@reddit

Have you been to Colesbourne Gardens for the snowdrop peeping this year? They are magnificent, I went a couple of weeks back and it was like actual thick snowdrifts on the ground. Magnificent

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KP0776@reddit

I live in Shropshire and it brings me the greatest joy ever to go out to the Shropshire Hills, or further afield to the North Wales mountains (very small in comparison to other mountains worldwide, but our mountains nonetheless) and walk until I’m tired out. And then a Sunday dinner solves everything 💜

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ChefNo2338@reddit

It has a lot of great outdoor stuff but unfortunately the weather makes most of it a misery to experience. It’s literally not stopped raining this year.

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open-perception4@reddit

It's even better when the weather is good.

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swirlypepper@reddit

Yes I feel really lucky! I lived in Yorkshire for 9 years and from my front door could walk into the market town where I lived where there's a church from 1200s and ruins of a castle and plenty of events on through the year. Or I could walk 30mins and get to a green with a lake. 15mins drive away is a RSPB reserve with lots of river walks and boardwalks through wetlands. 30mins drive to large cities with a constant cycle of events on including York, which is rammed with history. An hour got me to most of the Peak District. 90mins driving gets me to the coast or Yorkshire Dales. So yes, cities, hills, waterfalls, beaches, formal halls and gardens, castles, abbey, cathedrals are all an easy day out. I'm very much a do something every weekend person. I'll only plan bigger hiking days in advance so I can make sure I have the kit needed to get safe and will get there in plenty of time to be done before dark (the gloom is our biggest stumbling block). I'm in Northern Ireland now and am loving having a new base to explore from. It's about a 90 min drive from one end of the country to the next so everything in NI is a day trip. I'm also near the border with the Republic of Ireland and seen some of the coast there but bigger weekend long trips will be needed to check out the must sees there.

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Demostravius4@reddit

It's rained for the last few months so less stuff than normal, however things we like to do: Walk in the hills, stroll into town and go to cafes, national trust places, driving range, cinema, animal parks, crazy golf, gardening, pubs, etc. When it's warmer I want to go kayaking down the Rye. Used to go bouldering a lot, need to start that again, also intend to take up archery, and swimming.

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Firstpoet@reddit

Look out at the unrelenting rain and cloud recently.

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irish_horse_thief@reddit

Football. Lots of us are very keen football fans and millions of us go to watch our local football teams Every week, home and away.

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grepusman@reddit

We moved from Canada. We love it, but exploring is usually not on weekends as everything is busy! We're retired, so weekdays for us. In Canada, every drive was far. Not much to get to in 30-60 minutes, but the UK is loaded with things to get to in every direction. We're devoting our retirement to try and see as much as we can. Our once every 4-6 weeks is taking the train to London for the day. It's like we're always on holiday. Then if we want to fly somewhere, Europe is on the doorstep. The lack of snow and -28° in January is a bonus.

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ParfaitCareful8518@reddit

Haha we just moved back from living in Ontario for 12yrs and we have a massive appreciation for the things we used to take for granted. Even just the bird song... buds in Dec/Jan! 🙌🏼 Old walls! The fun, windy roads. Country pubs (and beer gardens - I never understood why Canada doesn't do that with their space!).

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Just_Curious_76@reddit

On the coast of mid Wales. Gorgeous place. Safe, nice sense of community and without a doubt the best sunsets in the world. Some fabulous walking & cycling routes here too. Where the mountains meet the sea…literally!

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mortstheonlyboyineed@reddit

Has anyone mentioned lazy weekend afternoons at a local garden centre or farm shop? I'm pretty sure almost everyone has experienced this at some point in their lives. Seems to be a pretty staple weekend thing to do across the class/wealth divide. Even if you live in a city.

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Shape-the-Sky@reddit

What do you do in Canada at the weekends? Do you go exploring your country visiting its sites? Or do you do what non tourists do and get on with life such as doing the grocery shopping, taking the kids to sports practice, doing household chores, DIY, gardening, visiting friends/family, going to the pub or cinema, watching netflix etc.

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TheToyGirl@reddit

Loads to do here constantly… always free things, community activities and nearly everyone has a heritage site within 30 miles. I have a stately him half a mile away and Roman ruins in walking distance.

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Pyjama365@reddit

I think it depends on transport to some degree. Neither of us have cars, and trains are pretty expensive even with a joint Railcard. And we live in I think the only place in the country with absolutely no Sunday bus service of any kind. (Partner also works Saturday night shift so we can only fit so much in a Saturday without exhausting him, although obvs I do stuff with friends too when possible.) We still do a little trip to a historic place (castle or museum or similar) every 8-12 weeks though, outside of any mini breaks to a bigger town/city (once a year or so). I think we are unfortunately going to the last castle within 1 hour by public transport this Saturday though. 😞 I think we would do more trips if it weren't for lack of transport and shift clashes, but I'd still want a few do-nothing days each month. My bestie has an NT membership and seems to manage at least one stately home or castle a month though, if not 2.

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SteveEnglish099@reddit

I live in the East Midlands, it was 15 degrees C today, like 7 this morning and 8 this afternoon. I’ve been all over the UK, the first time I went across the North coast of Scotland from John O Groats to Durness and then down the West Coast to Ullapool I thought I’d died and somehow landed in heaven. The coast up there is absolutely staggeringly beautiful. Ive also sat beside small lakes in North Wales and seen no one for hours on end in picturesque surroundings. The whole country is beautiful. I’m in my late 60s, me and my wife camp every year in North Cornwall and have done for nearly 40 years, now we are retired we often go twice usually for two weeks but sometimes 3. At our age it takes that long to set the tent up it aint worth going for any less! We as a nation just don’t see or understand what we’ve got here at home.

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SpinMeADog@reddit

well its an arseache leaving every monday and flying back in on the friday

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78Anonymous@reddit

All that you mentioned is within a 90km radius of where I live, most in town actually, plus multiple protected natural habitat areas, and a few cities. I don't have to travel further than 2.5h to do anything that comes to mind. To answer your question, weekends can be busy, depending on what you want to do. Most people are doing errands or on day trips or meeting socially. Otherwise just keep in mind that traffic is horrendous everywhere and even a short journey of a few miles can take an hour at the wrong time of the day.

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Distinct-Sea3012@reddit

Love London. Born here and came back to.live here. So much to do, and so much free. Totally agree it's relatively easy to go places and find stuff to do.

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VegetableWeekend6886@reddit

This afternoon, I left the gym at midday and decided to have a little potter along the local river. I ended up coming across a small museum, which cost me £12 to get into. The local River was the Thames. It was the Brunel museum. His first and earliest achievement, was tunnelling under the Thames. And you can see how he did it, with guides, for £12! There is so much cool stuff to see London, and most of it is cheap or free. I know you weren't specifically asking about London, and I know there is so much to see in the UK, (I've recently visited Tintern Abbey, on the Welsh Border, which I think is possibly the most incredible thing I've ever seen EVER - definitely check it out if you can) but I'm just saying even in the capital, outside of the obvious tourist hotspots, there is so much cool stuff to learn about. In answer to your question, I guess I take it for granted. I love history, but everywhere has fascinating history.

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soupywarrior@reddit

What a lovely thread. Finally some appreciation for this wonderful country. It made me grateful - a different perspective. I have a really busy work week so I usually spend my weekends with family at home, playing, cooking, eating, lounging. I have lots of hobbies too- reading, crocheting, drawing and I love to do that on the weekends. I run a weekend library. So I’m often there for a few hours. I have an allotment so I spend the summer months, digging, planting, weeding, seeding and tending to my crops. Sometimes planting trees, sometimes putting up a fence or other little garden feature. I love my little plot. Those of us with allotments would spend all weekend there if it wasn’t for the need to spend time with other family members, doing things they want too! We like to visit Sunday markets. We love country walks, parks, castles, gardens, town centre visits. I love all the quaint little northern villages around me and we often take walks through them or in the country roads near them. We often go shopping and combine it meals out or dessert or walks around cities. I love architecture and we have fabulous old buildings around where I live so I go admire them often. Book shops, coffee shops, antique shops, little boutiques. I usually pop in to see my parents and sometimes visit my siblings and their families. I often laze about in my own garden pottering about or reading or playing with the grandkids. We have a lot to be thankful for.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

What a beautiful share. Thank you.

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AndrexOxybox@reddit

We’ve got zero bears, zero wolves, about twenty wild beavers, and don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting to spot a moose. It’s total rubbish, you’re born lucky.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

But you've got puffins, reindeer, hedgehogs, fox and Highland coos! And you don't have coyotes and raccoons ‐ darn scary running into a coyote in your neighbourhood after dark. They can snatch small pets and people will often carry a stick or an umbrella as a "weapon" if they have to walk the dog after dark. But, best of all, you seem to have great people, communities and culture.

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AndrexOxybox@reddit

Our badgers are much nicer, I’ll concede that.

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Long_Supermarket_785@reddit

Most men spend Saturday hunting wild animals to eat, after they’ve killed them they skin and bone them then tell their women to prepare a banquet, where the food is accompanied by mead drunk from pewter goblets. Children aged between 8 and 10 have to clear up or they will be denied food.

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Anxious-Art4174@reddit

It is cold and raining, every day. There's lots of lovely countryside but it is cold and swampy at the moment. We get a few weeks of sunshine and it's glorious, but the rest of the time you just want to stay indoors.

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HirsuteHacker@reddit

The cold wet countryside is great for hiking without many other people about. Then you get back and have a great warm shower, nothing better.

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cunty_expat_911@reddit

Agreed. So many miserable comments in here. Get some decent gear and unless it's very windy you're fine. I quite enjoy a hike in poor weather, almost get a greater sense of achievement after and like you say when you're showered and dry and warm after with a nice hot drink it feels great.

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SnooStrawberries2342@reddit

It's going to be sunny on saturday, get out and experience the country, it's great.

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Abquine@reddit

NE Scotland here. We live in royal Deeside, so Castle country with lovely scenery. Plus plenty of beautiful beaches close at hand. As walkers, we are spoiled locally without having to go far, probably no more than a 30 mile radius on a weekend at home. However, Inverness, Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow are easy for a weekend away but for anything South of Berwick, it would need to be more than a weekend for me. Having free Museums and Galleries makes it easy although the Castles know how to charge if you want to tour inside, which I suppose is unsurprising given the cost of their upkeep.

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SarahL1990@reddit

I can't afford to do anything like that, don't have the energy, and nobody to do anything with.

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derpyfloofus@reddit

We have about 100 things to do within an hour’s drive so we get out and about all the time. North Wales in fantastic for that.

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Most people dont do much at all - like the world over clean the house, meet up with friends, visit your granny, kids birthday parties, food shopping. Sone people walk a dog or just themselves, bike rides or national trust visits or local park, a mooch around the shops in town, coffee?

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Double-Use4816@reddit

As a nation, we love a walk in a park, especially on Sunday, especially followed by the pub, or a roast, or a roast in a pub haha! If the weather is good, that’s what a lot of us will end up doing on a Sunday.

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Willing_Coconut4364@reddit

It's rained everyday this year. I haven't been out yet.

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New_Vegetable_3173@reddit

I love that I can do stuff without much travelling. Half the places I've lived have been tourist locations. Actually one that's how I found out about it. Easy to take for granted though.

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MrsMigginsOldPieShop@reddit

People complain about the UK, like really complain, but I don't get it. A lot of people's perceptions are driven by the media and online individuals who have agendas. Yes, there are issues. There always has been. And yes, prices are high and housing costs are ridiculous (as they are across the planet) but the actual place, the land, the sea, the people, is pretty bloody great - in the vast majority of places. I live in inner city Tyne and Wear, which has a long history of deprivation but it's still a good place to live. There's a church not too far from me that dates back to 674AD. We have castles and Roman ruins, and everything in between and before. Miles of glorious coastline. Acres and acres of fields, woodlands and forests. All with stories and tales that date back to a time before the towns and cities existed. If I drive North I can be in Scotland in 1.5 hours. Same if I drive west. It's around 1.5 hours to Gretna Green. Or the same time to get to the Lake District. Or the same time south to get to the North Yorkshire Moors, Whitby etc. I have Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland all within a short distance. My photo reel is full of photos of days out exploring with the family. We're already planning trips for this year. Just need to wait for this rain to finally stop. At least the reservoirs will all be full...

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Sensitive-Vast-4979@reddit

Hacnt got the time or money . I live in Northumberland probs one of the most beautiful counties but havnt seen most of it , seen the main towns of blyth , alnwick , Morpeth, ashington , berwick , amble, Cramlington and hexham , seen the main vilalges , Rothbury, Seahouses, Bamburgh, etc . Seen other main villages and soem of the small ones. Trying to see all the castles (even ones which are just a stone on the ground. Also wanna see lots of Cumbria, Scottish borderlands, tyne and wear , Yorkshire etc

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mralistair@reddit

we go to the pub on friday then sainsbury's on saturday... then the pub again.

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spicyzsurviving@reddit

I love the UK, a few weeks ago a few family members and I went off driving around the highlands and even just popped over to the Isle of Skye for a nosey, as it had been a while. We live in Edinburgh and drove around 600 miles over three days, and felt like I'd seen so much in terms of landmarks, diverse scenery, wildlife etc. When I went to Canada last summer I felt like we drove forever and had covered only the smallest speck on the map! (not a criticism, I had the best time ever and can't wait to go back).

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sawsaxxx@reddit

In summer outside of school holidays it's great. Rest of year is a depressing nightmare.

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Ururuipuin@reddit

Ive just been for a walk around Birmingham city centre for light festival and ended up headbanging to a live band playing a Black Sabbath medley while a giant Bat puppet flapped around breathing fire. And then I got to play a massive pipe organ that spouted fire from the top. Its not even the weekend yet.

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Economy_Pop_9448@reddit

Drink beer, take drugs and watch the footy 😅

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PoopyPogy@reddit

I live in North Wales (mountains, beaches, castles) and have a campervan, National Trust & Cadw (Welsh castles) membership, and an inflatable packraft boat which packs up tiny so you can walk it anywhere. This week I'm road tripping, last week I took my mum to London for shows & museums then went to my friend's city to see her and go to a comedy show. The UK is an excellent place to be child free and have a fully remote job!

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Hereward22@reddit

Pub 🍺

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Agitated-Equal-8162@reddit

Truthfully we’re very ignorant of what we have on our doorstep.

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Darrowby_385@reddit

Speak for yourself.

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Agitated-Equal-8162@reddit

I don’t really. Had a bit of an awakening during COVID and explored the fuck out of our glorious land. Was cracking.

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SherlockScones3@reddit

Calm down, Victor. He was only commenting that we often don’t appreciate what we’ve already got. Good for you if you do 👍

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Darrowby_385@reddit

I'm not agitated Sherlock.

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Turbulent_Pace_2388@reddit

It can be amazing on nice days. I’ve a brilliant vw t6 campervan and do my best to go out and see as much as possible at weekends. It’s just not easy living like anywhere. Ive a reasonably hard Full time job and the missus works 4 days a week. Some weekends you’re just so tired you don’t want to do much or go far. It’s much easier in spring and summer when you’ve maximum sun hrs. I stayed in whistler for 4 months in 2010, I dreamed of moving back there and skiing at weekends.

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GalileoFigaroLetMeGo@reddit

You have all that in Canada don’t you? Or shall I not waste my money visiting? 😄

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bc_on_reddit@reddit

Lining in the UK and especially London gives you so many opportunities. I moved from Phoenix, AZ about 6 years ago and am really struggling to accept that fact that I might have to go back one day. Life here is just a lot more interesting on a day to day basis.

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Momotaro6@reddit

I'm Scottish. Lived in Canada for 10 years. Beautiful country. Unfortunately it does take way too long to get almost anywhere. Even small things like local shops were too far apart. Pretty much needed a car as well because buses are pretty non reliable. I've tons of stuff in walking distance here and that's only a tiny town outside Edinburgh. Can easily get to Edinburgh or Glasgow if I want more. I do miss A&W though and the nearest Timmies is 40 miles away. Could go a double double with a cherry cheese Danish about now!

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Routine-Grocery4747@reddit

Well yep my partner lives in York so never a dull moment there! We went up into the Howardian hills at the weekend. Beautiful up there

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PaulC6230@reddit

Edinburgh is near me and it’s a fantastic city to visit due to the sheer amount of things to do plus the train hub to go other places up north where it’s postcard quality scenery or drive somewhere…the more north you go the more serene it gets plus the sea isn’t far if you want to visit one of the beaches on the coast

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Cold-Society3325@reddit

The problem is, when you live somewhere, you don't always take advantage of what's on offer. I live in London and I almost never visit all the great things London has available. I really should get out more.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Please see *Matilda* for me lol. :)

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Marvel--Jesus@reddit

Boring.

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Cool_Doubt2152@reddit

Lots of walks on nice days, sometimes a pub stop for a pint, or a Sunday roast if you’ve been organised enough to book a table. Some towns have a farmer’s market on weekends which are always nice to stroll around for local independent food/drink. Coffee shops are always busy, as are kids playgrounds, as are seaside towns on dry days, even if it’s cold, full of people eating fish and chips and ice creams surrounded by seagulls. The new thing seems to be to visit themed farms with your kids which have seasonal fields where you can pick the produce. So in the summer it’s a sunflower field, in the autumn it’s a pumpkin patch, then a Christmas tree field, then tulips in spring. Makes for some nice photos as well

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Sin_nombre__@reddit

Unfortunately it's exactly like this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fGardUiWjR4&list=RDfGardUiWjR4&start_radio=1&pp=ygUdSGFyZGZpIGxpdmluZyBmb3IgdGhlIHdlZWtlbmSgBwE%3D

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Which_Implement8952@reddit

It depends where in the UK.

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xerojupiter@reddit

Imagine Canada. But not a boring shithole full of assholes.

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Electronic-Bicycle35@reddit

The traffic, overcrowding and lack of parking (at pretty steep expense sometimes) stops you from doing a lot of things at the weekend. I live outside of the UK and the thought of going back is nice, apart from the traffic everywhere and stressing about where to park if you can’t walk or take public transport.

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Fun-Estate4188@reddit

Yeah, from March through to October we’re out most weekends. We do go to other places, but probably 90% of weekends it’s somewhere within an hour or two of where we live. There’s loads to explore and I don’t really see the need to go too much further away often. There’s some cracking things. Within 15mins on the public buses we can see Roman ruins, Iron Age forts, a forest that existed 70m years before the dinosaurs, one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, castles of all ages, a country house that’s several hundred years old, … there’s more, but you get the idea.

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IanM50@reddit

To be honest, in the summer I often go for a walk to the top of a local hill after work. Drive a couple of miles, park and walk. At home one of us walks the dog each day, I usually walk from home to a local river and along the riverside. But sometimes we just decide to go for a walk on a beach, but our nearest is a two hour drive, so we tend to combine it with some shopping, and end up eating fish and chips on the beach too. Malvern Hills, river Severn in Worcester, shopping in Cardiff and thence to Barry Island beach.

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yorkshirewisfom@reddit

Work finished early on a Friday and the Pubs shut later so after around 10pm I don't have a clue. If Wake up in my own bed Monday morning I assume it was a good one and usually confirm this by contents of my Wallet.

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Orange_Codex@reddit

From London you can go to English mountains to Welsh rainforest to a beach in Spain (or Italy), *and back* \- in a day - with time to spare. You shouldn't (way too much travel for one day), but it is possible. I think most people fall into a routine of favourite spots, so the nearest castle, the closest beach, the familiar cinema. Trips further than an hour and a half each way tend to be a summer thing. It used to be common to go on day-trips to France (the eternal booze cruise), and weekends in Blackpool, Riga, Amsterdam, and Paris are still pretty common.

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Electronic_Cream_780@reddit

I have dogs so weekends are for exploring new places to walk. Where I am we have the coast, the Norfolk Broads, rivers and forests within easy reach, and in most places the dogs can be off-lead. I have a free bus pass & a rail card and the dogs can travel free on them too. We are very lucky

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Fun_Cheesecake_7684@reddit

We take most of it for granted to be honest. I have to cycle to work past a church which is 1200 years old, and then down a newly built cycle path on a modern dual carriageway road, which happens to be on top of another toll road, which happens to be built on a 2000 year old Roman Road. I arrive at the modern station and take a sleek train to London and I'm greeted by a 200 year old University. At weekends, I just piss off to the pub.

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NoonRedIt@reddit

We have some amazing places to see and visit, we also have ALOT of questionable weather and if there is one thing us brits moan about it's the weather which can put a spanner in the works when it comes to outdoor activities. But we are very lucky to have such amazing things to see and do I live just outside of Chester a city in the North West of England with a rich Roman history including a roman wall and amputheatre. However it's like living in any country the majority of us brits work 5 days a week so we are limited to Saturday and Sunday as days we can actually go out and do things. Meaning alot of weekends are spent doing activities that need doing as a pose to something you want to do. I wouldn't recommend moving here as we have ALOT of issues that are only getting worse, but for a holiday destination it would be amazing. I can list some of the issues below: * Weather: As we are a small island we often get a mixed bag of weather which can be very annoying and unpleasant. * Roads: are roads are terrible, under maintained and overcrowded. * Cost of living: are wages haven't risen with the cost of living so alot of people struggle to keep a roof over there head let alone visit nice places on a weekend. * Crappy Government's: Are goverment couldn't manage a piss up in a brewery, not just the current administration either this has been going on for decades . * Healthcare: We have a amazing free health care system called the NHS (National Health Service) meaning you get free health care anywhere anytime. The people in this system work incredibly hard however due to the issue above (crappy goverment and politicians) it's been critically underfunded for decades. Issues include elderly people dying in hospital corridors, 24 hour wait times for a ambulance and health conditions being treated at home because your to scared to tried and see a doctor. I could go on, basically it's not all pretty views and old looking villages are country is struggling and it's not the best place to live at the minute.

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Routine-Expert-675@reddit

Is it not just Scotland that has the right to roam or is it a uk thing?

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Orange_Codex@reddit

Scotland has turbo-right to roam. Go almost anywhere you like unless it's an Army base or right outside someone's window. England has right-to-roam too, but only over designated areas.

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Routine-Expert-675@reddit

Thanks very much always thought the right to roam was exclusively Scottish

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jaimecameronroberts@reddit

I live and grew up in Yorkshire and I adore it here. I’ve been all around the country and, apart from Wales, I think it’s stunning. The bleak moors, forest parks and coast lines are a must see.

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paradoxbound@reddit

When I lived in London, Friday would be spent chilling indoors with friends. None of us are anything more than casual occasional drinkers. Saturday’s when I wasn’t on call was spent in galleries and museums or meeting up at TCR with tech friends. Saturday evening would be more chill time. Around 10-11pm we would make our way off to an all night party sometimes in a proper venue but often temporary squats. Cops never bothered us. After party somewhere then back home with a few close friends. We would always pick up a supply of fresh fruit and healthy food to repay our bodies. Now I live in the North West Highlands, I am an old man of nearly 60. My weekend routine is driving the motorhome somewhere remote and going for a hike with Lady Whoopington, our ancient Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who’s rotten little legs won’t take her as far as she wants anymore.

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Excellent_Slide3550@reddit

still in work lol

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Grouchy_Conclusion45@reddit

If you don't drink or like sitting in the pub, it can get quite boring. I say that as someone that came back to the UK from Texas

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clovenheart1066@reddit

As a parent and probably like most parents of children under 10, i spend a lot of my weekend at the park, going to or from a park and staying at home so i dont spend more money. National trust et al trips are for big weekends or holidays. A garden centre for tea and cake always goes down well.

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FenianBastard847@reddit

I live part time here in north Wales and part time in England. I can honestly say that my nearest large Welsh towns of Conwy and Caernarfon (they’re actually very small) are simply stunning, beautiful 13th century castles, and medieval town walls, fantastic shops, and even though there’s a lot of visitors they still have a community feel. Just going into a café and chatting in Welsh, to many it sounds humdrum, but it’s just great. And if I’m in England, the sheer variety of places to visit is mind blowing. Of course it’s easy to get preoccupied with daily life, eg shopping, washing, cooking etc - I try to go somewhere at least every other weekend. Theres only one way to tell - come and visit. I can assure you of a very warm welcome😊

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Randomfinn@reddit

Canadian/UK citizen. I lived mostly in the GTA and then smaller villages and towns in Ontario. There is a LOT more going on in the UK. I left a Canadian town of 100,000 for a UK village of 2,500 and there is more to do, every night of the week, in the UK village. Pub quiz nights (there was ONE in my previous town vs four here), bands playing (most of Canada’s music scene died when Cancon was effectively cancelled plus so expensive to tour), several art galleries and museums (previous town had one part time museum and no art gallery), spontaneous community events, fetes, and if I want even more excitement Edinburgh and London aren’t that far away. Lots Canadian history is gone - boring plains of Abraham is a football field, 1,000 year old Nish weirs are hidden under a highway bridge, old buildings were routinely demolished. Stories of the land from the First Nations are not accessible or have been erased due to oral folklore dying out. In the UK everywhere has history and folklore - queens, and boggarts, and common heroes are celebrated and remembered.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

I'm in Southern Ontario too. Very bleak compared to the UK. The UK seems to do community very well. YGK seems the best over here, I think, and that's bc of the school.

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elbapo@reddit

We have littlee kids so national trust membership is well worth it and sends me to lots of houses and gardens. But yeah, I must say- there is a lot of variety locally from history things, parks, beaches, and hills. We are spoiled for options. When the weather is bearable.

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wigl301@reddit

I just go to the pub

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The_Sh3r1ff@reddit

Is easier and cheaper to travel to another country than it is in the uk. If you travel by train anyway. For some unknown fucking reason other than politics, our train tickets are fucking retarded.

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TooMuchBrightness@reddit

Yes! We are national trust members and if you have kids it’s great. We get out a lot go walking in country parks or national trust parks. We can drive to the coast, visit castles, old stately homes, go to pubs for lunch that have play equipment for kids. We are also in the commuter belt for London so often go to theatre, concerts and out for dinner! I lived in New York City burbs and it was a beautiful town but very boring. Locals never did the nature preserves & centres. Seemed like something that wasn’t in the culture. I don’t know what people did on the weekend.

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Key-Twist596@reddit

I have children so often weekends are filled with their dance classes, house cleaning, life admin and occasionally chilling out. However I see friends for dinner, cinema, an occasional escape room or theatre trip. Then as the weather brightens up we'll do more. Things like have a family day out at the beach, go to London to see something like Greenwich, the Minecraft experience or do Paradox Museum. Friends will have a barbecue, and we'll meet other parents at a local playground or occasionally go to a country park. There will be a festival or country fair, maybe a visit to a castle, a zoo and make multiple trips to a theme park or similar attraction. Then as summer ends things will quieten down but we'll plan halloween activities, then a firework display for Guy Fawkes Night. Maybe do things that don't require good weather like see a comedian, the circus or do soft play or indoor crazy golf. Things ramp up for Christmas with a santa visit at a farm/stately home/or somewhere with an outdoor ice rink. We'll travel to a Christmas Market or fair or lights experience. Go to see a panto show and visit lots of family. I think there's so much to do and so many places to see that I always feel like we should have tried to see more places. I keep missing taking my children to see the Christmas lights in London, or go to the beach enough. I have only taken them to the Science Museum and no other London museums. We have holidayed in the UK a few times but we've never been to Wales, Scotland, Peak District, New Forest, etc. I think we are very lucky where we are I just wish we time to do more while still having some chill days.

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Haha. Easier said then done when busy raising kids.

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Key-Twist596@reddit

Very true. However I also love all the fun days out and places I maybe wouldn't have gone otherwise.

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CiderDrinker2@reddit

\- Friday night. Exhausted. Take-away: Indian, Chinese or Pizza? Or maybe I'll cook something. Watch a film. Chill. Kiddo can stay up late. \- Saturday. Sleep in. Make a proper late breakfast. Bacon and eggs, fried tomatoes, toast. Proper coffee. Maybe a pineapple because I can. Then go for a walk, or take kiddo out to the park, or maybe a playdate or other activity. Come back. Make dinner. Kiddo to bed early-ish because Saturday night is shaggy-shaggy time for mummy and daddy. \- Sunday: Get up, church. Back. Lunch. Afternoon nap: this is really the highlight of my week and all I want from life at this point. Then maybe some sort of crafting / creative / board game activity with kiddo. Make dinner. Chilled evening until about 10pm, when I suddenly allow myself to panic about all the admin task I haven't done and worry about Monday morning. The four-day week can't come soon enough. (To be fair, home-working / flexi-working has improved this a bit).

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Haha. I love your realistic and relatable weekend, except I'd be eating fish 'n chips!

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movienerd7042@reddit

I don’t go out every weekend but I do love a trip to a national trust property, a lovely view or a trip to London! As a theatre fan I feel especially lucky that I have such easy access to the West End.

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ProfessionalEven296@reddit

Left the UK 19 years ago. It's not until you live somewhere else that you realize the riches of UK history.

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MattDubh@reddit

Nobody stays in the UK on weekends. Everyone goes abroad. Isn't this common knowledge your side of the pond?

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HorrorAccomplished78@reddit

I am 83 today and haven’t seen one percent of the UK sights and attractions advertised or mentioned on social media.

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JohnLennonsNotDead@reddit

I live in Liverpool so an hour and a half drive from the Lake District, visit now and again for the waterfalls, nothing beats a few hours of walking and having a brain reset.

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BaBaFiCo@reddit

Weekends are mainly spent going to the football (about 6-7 hours of our day) or watching it on TV, spending time with friends and family, and going out to see shit. I imagine that's pretty similar to elsewhere.

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Real23Phil@reddit

It's one of the better spawn points. I am lucky in that regard, whether it's the weekend or not.

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Razhbad@reddit

Depends where you live in the UK and the cost. There are many things to do, but your local area may have less to do and you'll have to pay for it. Plus when the weather can turn at a moments notice you don't necessarily want to be outside in the cold and wet.

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SoggyWotsits@reddit

Right to roam applies in Scotland, but not England. We do have a large network of public footpaths but they must be kept to. That aside, I’m lucky enough to live near both the moors and the sea. There’s always somewhere to go for a walk! The pub and club scene isn’t like it was. Once it becomes unaffordable for a generation, the next generation don’t really bother in the first place. Luckily I did all that when I was much younger. There are definitely plenty of places to see and things to do though, whether you’re in a big city or the countryside like me. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, I’d just prefer nicer winters.

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Neutraliza@reddit

Pretty shit now loads of night clubs have closed over the years 🤣

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LowarnFox@reddit

Probably the wrong time of year to ask this as everything is so wet right now (where I live hasn't had a fully dry day since January!) so going to do outdoor activities at the moment is miserable. In the summer I am lucky to be able to ride/walk/cycle on a range of off road or mostly off road routes, I can be in a national park in less than an hour and at "access" moorland in way less than that! In the summer there's loads of places nearby for watersports etc and a lot of lovely beaches I can go to for a day trip. But right now I feel like I need to build an ark!

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Chickadee_Sparrow@reddit (OP)

Haha. I've read about all the rain the UK has got in 2026.

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SilverellaUK@reddit

We have National Trust membership and also live within 20 minutes of The Peak District.

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EmFan1999@reddit

We are all too exhausted from working to do anything much on the weekend. One day is spent cleaning from the week, the other preparing for the next one Also it’s cold and wet 5 months of the year Oh and the roads are chock full of traffic you can’t get anywhere even if you wanted to

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SnooStrawberries2342@reddit

That might be your experience but I drove to Scotland a couple of weeks ago it was beautiful, the roads were clear. I go to the Lake District regularly and even when there is a bit of traffic it's a few minutes out of the day, it's worth it for the escape, for the fresh air.

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EmFan1999@reddit

Yeah I know, just having a bad day. This weather is perfect for it

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Realistic-River-1941@reddit

Some people do go see stuff, some don't. The National Trust is huge, as membership organisations go.

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cjdstreet@reddit

Epic

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Sarcastic-Scientist-@reddit

Those things are mostly done by tourists and children on school trips. Weekends are mostly for doing the shopping and jobs that don't get done during the week, and trying to catch up on a bit of sleep.

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SnooStrawberries2342@reddit

I go shopping in the evening, it's much more relaxed. Weekends are valuable, they're worth protecting. I find it sad that people aren't going out and experiencing the country they call home. It's lovely.

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BumblebeeNo6356@reddit

This time of year most people semi hibernate.

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Distinct-Quantity-46@reddit

Yes there is lots to see and do, but as we’re so densely populated the roads are always congested, weather is usually abysmal, and you have to pay through the nose for everything, you can’t just pull up somewhere and park for free, you’ll usually get caught out with fines for stopping in a restricted zone, double yellows/bus lanes or whatever bollox the local council has come up to try and extract more money from unsuspecting motorists to fill their coffers. Ive been to canada, driven round BC and Alberta, honestly id choose there over thus shithole any day of the week

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Nigelb72@reddit

I can be in the countryside in around 10 minutes by car, we've got historical buildings all over the place, I can walk to a castle in 15 minutes.. Yet, here I am on the sofa on my PlayStation 🤣 We have so much natural beauty and historical sites within easy reach but because it's there we tend to ignore it as we see it daily...

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ArtichokeDesperate68@reddit

This time of year depressing and trapped indoors. Cursing over the fortune we now pay for energy to stay a ‘fairly’ comfortable temperature.

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Sirlacker@reddit

People do enjoy doing these things. But they're not 'every weekend' sort of things for most people. Most of the stuff, for most people is a 'do it once every couple of years' type of thing, because the novelty wears off, real fast. I have no idea what travelling in Canada is like via car, but in the UK it's an absolute nightmare. People always say "The US think 100 years is a long time and the UK thinks 100 miles is a long distance". I assume you could swap US for Canada in this saying and it rings relatively true too. 100 miles in the UK is an absolute disgustingly long drive. There are very few spots where you can just 'switch off' and let cruise control take over without much traffic around. You're always in some sort of traffic and have to be always alert. It's very tiring. This limits us to what we are willing to do at the weekend to a much smaller radius of where we are located. And when you've already done what's in your local area once or twice, there's not really much reason to go back. The local castle hasn't changed in the space of 6 months. The gardens aren't much fun in the rain or winter months unless they have some events on. Again I don't speak for everyone, but I feel the majority of us go visit some of the local features a few times and then forget about them. We know we have lots of things that other people from other countries would consider beautiful and they think they'd visit them all the time, but the novelty quickly wears off.

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One_Insurance967@reddit

Normally just stay at home and watch the telly

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editorialgirl@reddit

Yep, lots to see and do within a relatively short drive from home... but bear in mind the weather is drizzly for a lot of the year. So - sure, for a few weekends in the spring and summer it's lovely!

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coffeewalnut08@reddit

Yeah, late spring + summer is when my burst of exploring activity comes in. Best time of year to do it imo! It's too dark, cold and wet to do it now lol

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asymmetricears@reddit

Normally I'm doing things like cleaning, shopping or exercising. But sometimes we go for a day trip or weekend away somewhere nice, it could be in the UK or somewhere in mainland Europe (needs at least a weekend). We went to Milan for the Olympics last weekend, just between Friday and Sunday.

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Snorlaxative79@reddit

It's okay here if you can deal with the steady increase in racism and bigotry as we drag ourselves ever backward towards neanderthal life.

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coffeewalnut08@reddit

Personally I do spend many weekends travelling or exploring, where feasible. I've got the coast, nice historic towns, beautiful green countryside (containing scenic train routes!) and gardens near me. Country homes are harder to access though as I don't have reliable access to a car. I don't do it every weekend, and when it's a dark wet winter like right now I spend most weekends at home. But when it's late spring/summer I'm often finding opportunities to explore. It is really so handy that it's a diverse but compact country, easy to explore.

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sixsik6@reddit

It's shite. Same as every other day

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bayberry-moon@reddit

Maybe go to the pub, or out somwhere for food, where I live has some nice castles/historic/nature-y areas we take our dog for a walk. Socialise with friends. Get some jobs done in the house. Just general faffing about.

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Turbofox_89@reddit

Depends what you enjoy doing and where you live, but generally yeah we have no problem finding things to do on the weekend. Typically involves a nice dog walk somewhere followed by a pub lunch in my case 👌

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New_Line4049@reddit

It used to be great, then the price of everything went through the roof. Now you have to take out a small mortgage if you wish to have a day out anywhere.

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SaltyName8341@reddit

Shopping, cleaning, washing and maybe a bit of relaxing

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EchidnaOk7537@reddit

I don't have much stuff like that close to me, it probably depends on if you live next to a well connected station (or can afford a car/expensive train tickets). I definitely try to arrange a pretty day trip for special occasions though, the things you've listed are amazing to me, just not possible to do often in my circumstances

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qualityvote2@reddit

Hello u/Chickadee_Sparrow! Welcome to r/AskABrit! --- For other users, does this post fit the subreddit? If so, **upvote this comment!** Otherwise, **downvote this comment!** And if it does break the rules, **downvote this comment and report this post!**

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