The perfect weekend planning

When someone asks you to think of a place in the United Kingdom, your first thought is London. London has so many amazing cultures, things to see, places to go and some of the most famous buildings and structures in the world. However, the United Kingdom has SO much more to offer, and this article will take you through three-day/weekend trips in the United Kingdom.

If you are planning to go on day or weekend trips around the United Kingdom, I would strongly suggest purchasing a 16-25 railcard from the Trainline app, Railcard app or National Rail website. They are £30 per year (or £70 for 4 years) and give you 1/3 off all train travel in the United Kingdom. You can also link your railcard to your Oyster card for 1/3 off all Transport for London tubes and overground services. It’s a fantastic investment if you travel regularly around London and the United Kingdom

Bath, Somerset

If you are into gorgeous Roman architecture, cute cafes, stunning scenery and incredible student nightlife, Bath is a must visit.

Bath is a 1-hour 15-minute train ride away from Paddington station, and a return ticket costs around £30 when you book in advance (with a 16-25 railcard).

Or if you are looking for a cheaper travel alternative, you can catch a National Express bus from Victoria Station and that will cost around £15-20 return.

Recommendations when in Bath:

Bath Abbey:
Bath Abbey is a beautiful building in the city centre that you just cannot miss. You can enter the Abbey free of charge on a Sunday if you join one of the wonderful services they hold. Or simply hang out outside of this must-see location for the perfect photo opportunity!

Komedia:
With loads of live performances and a disco every Saturday night, Komedia is a must visit if you stay the night! This student hot-spot has such a fantastic atmosphere, perfect for students who are visiting.

Topping & Company bookshop:
Bath is known for its literature and was the birthplace of Jane Austen. If you love reading, or just like books, Topping & Company bookshop is a place you cannot miss. It has such a wide variety of books ranging from old to new and is such a beautiful and calming place to be

Canterbury, Kent

If stunning beaches, beautiful architecture, and a lovely student feel is what you are looking for, Canterbury is where you should go. This charming town also has a rich history, so history buffs… take note!!

Canterbury is the closest of the three cities in this article and will take around 1 hour to reach by train. A return train ticket will cost approximately £20 (with a 16-25 railcard).

If you are looking for a cheaper travel alternative, a bus with National Express to Canterbury will cost around £15 return but will take 2.5 hours.

Recommendations when in Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral:
Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage site. It is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England, and is an extremely beautiful building. You will need to pay an entry fee of £17 to visit the cathedral, however they do hold daily services that are free of charge.

Whitstable:
Only a 20-minute National Express coach journey from the city, Whitstable is a cute seaside town with gorgeous beaches and seaside stores. The town has bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Cardiff, Wales

As a Welsh girl myself, a place in Wales needs to be on the list. With 2 shopping centres, a beautiful bay, an indoor market, a free museum, incredible nightlife, and a CASTLE in the middle of the city, what else could you ask for?

It’s one of the best cities in the world (in my totally-not-biased opinion), and a must visit for anyone that has never been to Wales before.

Getting to Wales on the train takes 2 and a half hours and will cost around £60-70 (with a 16-25 railcard).

For a cheaper alternative, a return bus ticket using Flix bus will cost around £10 but will take 5 and a half hours, so if you are choosing this option, you might want to consider getting a hotel.

Recommendations when in Cardiff:

St David's shopping centre:
If you are in need of some retail therapy, St Davids shopping centre has everything you could need. With such a wide variety of high street and high-end stores, it’s a perfect place to shop for clothes, shoes, tech and more. It also has so many fantastic restaurants and cafes to relax in after a day of shopping.

Cardiff Bay:
Just a 25-minute bus ride or 10-minute train away, Cardiff Bay is a beautiful waterfront area with so many shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions.

Cardiff castle:
A must-visit building in the centre of Cardiff, this medieval castle is a magnificent place. You can enter the grounds of the castle through the main high street all year round, free of charge. To go inside the castle, there is a ticket price of £14.50, but even from the outside, it is a brilliant place to visit.

Where will your next adventure be? 🗺️💭