Direct to bank holiday breaks: quick trips from London in 2026

Thinking of escaping London for the weekend? Below, we’ve provided some of the best weekend trips from London for the upcoming August bank holiday. Read on to find out the best locations for your bank holiday trips from London, complete with things to do and where to stay in each area. 

A round-up of the best bank holiday trips from London 

• York, North Yorkshire
• Thirsk, North Yorkshire
• Bath, Somerset
• Wakefield, West Yorkshire
• Hartlepool, Durham 

Bank holiday breaks in York, North Yorkshire 

York is an absolute must-visit and is the ideal option for a bank holiday weekend away. The city centre is easily walkable and packed with rich history for you to uncover. 

Visit fascinating museums, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and enjoy unique activities like exploring York’s oldest street, the Shambles. 

Things to do on your bank holiday weekend in York 

• Walking round York Minster & York City Walls
• Cruising the River Ouse
• Exploring Clifford's Tower
• Taking a ghost tour of the city
• Shopping & eating at the Shambles Market
• Exploring York’s many museums (National Railway Museum, York Castle Museum, Museum Gardens, York’s Chocolate Story)
• CitySightseeing tour (get £3 off your tour when you show a Grand Central ticket)
• Visit the puzzling world of Professor Kettlestring and enjoy 10% off entry when you show a valid Grand Central booking confirmation
  
   
   

• Where should I stay in York? 

• Doubletree by Hilton
• Hampton by Hilton
• The Milner
• Hotel Du Vin
• The Queens Hotel
• The Grand

Trains from London to York take just 2 hours, so you can be out of the capital city and sitting in a cosy pub on The Shambles in no time! 

Discover days out by rail in York with Grand Central and plan your upcoming car-free bank holiday break. 

Bank holiday breaks in Thirsk, North Yorkshire 

The Market town of Thirsk is an ideal option for those looking for a wholesome bank holiday trip from London by train, being only 2 hours and 15 minutes from the capital. 

It’s nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, making it the ideal location for those who love walking. 

The town centre itself is easily walkable, and you can expect to find independent shops, quaint cafes and cosy pubs, the perfect mix of activities for a bank holiday weekend. 

Things to do on your bank holiday break in Thirsk 

• Visit the World of James Herriot Museum
• Catch a film at The Ritz, a vintage independent cinema
• Spend the day at the famous Thirsk Racecourse
• Enjoy a spot of shopping at the market
• Explore the Thirsk Museum 

Where should I stay in Thirsk? 

• The Golden Fleece Hotel
• 35 Kirkgate Rooms
• Newsham Grange Farm Bed & Breakfast
• Fourways Guest House
• Woodlands Lakes Lodges (lakeside lodges just outside Thirsk)

Thirsk is also well placed to explore Ripon, Helmsley and Wensleydale, making it a great central location for this part of North Yorkshire. 

So why not hop on a Grand Central train from London to Thirsk this August bank holiday and explore all this historical market town has to offer? 

Bank holiday breaks in Bath, Somerset 

Not far from the bustling capital city of London is the charming city of Bath. Known for its beautiful architecture and Roman history, this is a great spot for a bank holiday weekend away. Like York, it’s easily walkable, so a long weekend is plenty long enough to explore all this historic city has to offer. 

Things to do on your bank holiday break in Bath 

• Visit the Roman Baths
• Explore Bath Abbey
• Walk along Pulteney Bridge
• Spend a few hours at the Holburne Museum
• Stroll through Royal Victoria Park
• Visit the Jane Austen Centre
• Watch a show at Theatre Royale 

Which are the best hotels in Bath? 

• The Gainsborough Spa
• Hotel Indigo
• Abbey Hotel
• Hampton by Hilton Bath City
• Lansdown Grove Hotel
• The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa 

Trains from London to Bath take around 1 hour 20 minutes, so you can arrive in the historic city of Bath in no time and enjoy a bank holiday weekend away.

Bank holiday breaks in Hartlepool, Durham

If you don’t mind venturing a little further and fancy a bank holiday break at the seaside, the coastal town of Hartlepool is just 3 hours and 5 minutes from London by train. And what better way to spend the August bank holiday? Think promenade strolls, traditional fish and chips, and lots of ice cream, all while enjoying a coastal location that is notably quieter than others. 

Discover things to do on your bank holiday break in Hartlepool 

• Explore the Museum of Hartlepool and enjoy free entry
• Enjoy open spaces and outdoor play areas around the arena, perfect for those travelling with children
• Test your luck in the many arcades at Seaton Crew
• Catch a show at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre
• Spend a few hours at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool
• Explore Hartlepool's historic Quay 

Where are the best places to stay in Hartlepool? 

• Marina Apartments
• The Marine Hotel
• The Norton Hotel
• Seaton Hotel
• No.20 The Headland
• Best Western The Grand Hotel Hartlepool 

Grab a Grand Central train from London to Hartlepool and get ready for a fun bank holiday weekend away at the coast! 

Bank holiday breaks in Wakefield, West Yorkshire 

Fancy visiting a city away from home? Why not choose a trip from London to Wakefield? Just 2 hours and 30 minutes by train from London, this charming cathedral city sits. 

If you want to escape the business of London over the bank holiday to a quieter city and somewhere more relaxed than Leeds or York, then Wakefield is the perfect place for you. 

Explore famous venues like The Hepworth Wakefield, which often hosts fun activities, exhibitions, and riverside events over bank holiday weekends. 

What is there to do in Wakefield? 

Wondering what else there is to do in Wakefield on your bank holiday trip? Discover some of the best things to do below: 

• Enjoy green spaces like Thornes Park 

• Visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and enjoy a countryside walk and impressive art 

• Immerse yourself in Wakefield's vibrant food and drink culture 

• Explore the Wakefield Cathedral 

• Visit the National Coal Mining Museum 

• Watch a show at the Theatre Royal Wakefield or live music at Venue 23

Where to stay in Wakefield 

• Waterton Park Hotel
• Holmfield Arms Hotel
• Best Western Wakefield Hotel St Pierre
• Ramada Wakefield
• Holiday Inn Express 

 Jump on a Grand Central train this bank holiday

Are you ready to plan your bank holiday weekend away? All that’s left to do is pick your location and book your train tickets in plenty of time. 

Our Advance tickets are the best option for booking ahead, and don’t forget to take advantage of our 25% Student Savings (up to 50% off when used with a valid railcard).