Make the Most of the Long Weekend
You have an entire long weekend to play with and the freedom to go anywhere — so where should you go? The wonderful thing about living in the United Kingdom is that there are so many choices of great destinations only a short drive, train journey or flight away.
You’ll have many great options to choose from — it just depends on what kind of break you are in the mood for.
Here are a few great ideas for your August Bank Holiday weekend break. Where will you go this year?
Edinburgh, Scotland
With a stately castle perched on a rock overlooking the city, a great local food scene and lots of excellent museums, the capital of Scotland makes for a great destination at any time of year.
However, visiting during August is something special. The Fringe Festival will be in full swing — the largest independent theater and arts festival in the world.
The streets will be packed with quirky buskers and performers and there will be hundreds of musicals, plays, cabarets and comedy shows to choose from in venues all over the city. It’s a dream come true for any art, theater and culture lover.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When you think about Amsterdam, what might immediately spring to mind is marijuana and the Red Light District. While those are some of the pleasures of Amsterdam you might indulge in, there are so many more aspects to the city if that isn’t your thing.
There are several superb museums in the city, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, which will keep you busy for hours. You can rent a bike and ride around the pretty streets lined with historic architecture and go shopping for treasures and cute fashions at the famous 9 Streets.
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Manchester, England
For something a little closer to home, why not hang out in Manchester over the long weekend? This northern city offers a ton to see and do and it has a buzzing nightlife too. Plus it’s one of the cheapest UK destinations around.
Check out the Egyptology display at the Manchester Museum, eat brunch at the much-loved local cafe, The Koffee Pot, go shopping at The Trafford Centre, admire the paintings at the Whitworth Art Gallery and then check out what is playing at HOME — a theater and cinema that hosts intriguing cultural events, festivals, screenings and plays.
Cornwall, England
Another option is to head down to the southwest coast of England and spend the weekend relaxing on the beautiful sandy coastline of Cornwall. This peninsula is like nowhere else in the United Kingdom and it is often bathed in sunshine even when the rest of the country has cloudy skies.
While you are there, be sure to visit the Eden Project. This fascinating attraction has won a number of awards and it features several bio-domes that house a tropical indoor rainforest.
Also, be sure to catch a play or an opera staged at the beautiful open air Minack Theatre, positioned on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The Lake District, England
This must-see destination in the UK is one of the most scenic spots in England. The Lake District is the perfect place to go if you want an August long weekend break that is all about relaxing and enjoying nature. You can go for a long walk through the beautiful countryside, then rest your feet at a welcoming local pub.
Spend a day exploring the ruins of Kendal Castle, which was built in the 12th century. Then, go for a walk through the winding streets of Ambleside and admire the stone houses and quaint shops.
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Riga, Latvia
The streets of Riga are a delight to wander through, lined with Gothic church spires and elegant Art Nouveau architecture. You can check out the view from St. Peter’s spire and then try a sip of the traditional drink Riga Black Balsam (be warned, it’s very strong!).
This city is the largest of the Baltic capitals and it has a wonderfully vibrant energy. Head there on a cheap flight from the United Kingdom on your August Bank Holiday weekend and you won’t want to leave.
Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital city is pretty cool, and only a cheap flight away from the United Kingdom. It’s certainly another great option to consider for your Bank Holiday Weekend. Budapest points of interest include melting your cares away in the thermal pools at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths and then getting dressed up all fancy to see a show at the Hungarian State Opera House.
Visit the 13th-century Buda Castle — it’s a stunning building and its grounds offer an impressive lookout point over the city.
After a full day of sightseeing you can relax at one of the ruin pubs. These cool and quirky bars make use of derelict spaces within old abandoned warehouses, transforming them into hip and modern hangout spots with odd vintage decor.
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Dublin, Ireland
Last but not least, why not head to Ireland for the long weekend? Flights to Dublin are very affordable and this culture-rich city offers a wide variety of things to do.
You can visit the Guinness Storehouse, the legendary home of Ireland’s famous brand.
Also, one of the must-visit Dublin attractions is the Trinity College Library. This stunning building has high ceilings with towering bookshelves packed to the brim with amazing books — a bibliophile’s ultimate fantasy.