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Who doesn’t love exploring new places? While we love London, (who doesn’t) the place can be expensive and we’re always up for exploring the best of what the UK has to offer! Whether you need inspiration for your next day out or a long weekend away, we at PostSnap have scouted around for the UK’s best getaways! What’s more is that with PostSnap, we offer real postcards so you can use your own photos to keep in touch with your friends and family while on your travels and send a card back home from anywhere in the world!

BATH

About 10 miles away from Bristol, the historic city of Bath is a beacon for all culture vultures. Whether it’s the Roman Baths or the American Museum and Gardens in Claverton, this Georgian spa town is perfect for anyone looking for a slice of history. The town is brimming with culture but also offers plenty for foodies and shoppers alike. The highlights obviously include the Roman Baths, The Circus and The Abbey, but plenty of independent shops, bars and cafes fill the Georgian streets. Visit in the festive season for the sprawling Bath Christmas Market, but all year around Bath is a breathtaking city to spend a weekend.

MARGATE

Seaside towns get a bad name, but none have pulled their socks up in recent years like Margate. While not as classy or elegant as the likes of Brighton, this Kent town two hours away from London has had a hipster makeover with the opening of many vintage shops in the town centre, craft ale bars and the re-opening of Dreamland, an amusement park that also showcases vintage funfair rides. The park is also a venue for gigs and DJ sets across the year. Margate is also home to the Turner Contemporary Gallery, a modern art museum, much of the catalyst of the town’s regeneration. While it may have a long way to go, we can’t wait to see how this seaside town staple grows!

OXFORD

Home of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, it’s no wonder that Oxford is a great place to spend getting lost in museums. Whether it’s one of the many art galleries or the renowned Ashmolean Museum, Oxford is not just a place of learning for its students! There’s also the botanical gardens which date back to 1621, the oldest in the UK. A visit to Oxford would not be complete without stops at the world famous colleges and of course the Bodleian Library, the second largest library in the UK. Finish your day wondering through the city centre, soaking up the architecture or visiting one of the many cafes that house students all year around.

BIRMINGHAM  

Britain’s second city gets a bad reputation, however the city brims with surprising culture that means it has earnt a spot on our list. The city is currently undergoing extensive regeneration, and the city is now a hub for lively bars and hidden gems. The city has not one but two Botanical Gardens; the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses and then the hidden Winterbourne House and Garden next to the University. The University of Birmingham is also host to an impressive fossil collection at The Lapworth Museum of Geology, fine art at The Barber Institute and the tallest freestanding clock-tower in the world (for now!). The city centre has its own museum that has regularly rotating exhibitions and a growing number of fine dining options and bars. You will be surprised by what the second city has to offer. So why not spend a weekend exploring it.

CARDIFF

The Welsh capital hides under the radar but Cardiff is one of our top picks at the office for a weekend getaway. The city centre arcades are home to coffee brewers, vintage shops and delicatessens, perfect for wandering through. An impressive castle in the middle of town sits guarding Bute Park & Arboretum, which hosts the RHA’s flower show in Cardiff. Head downtown to the bay for the iconic Millenium Centre, a cutesy Norwegian Church turned art gallery and plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you busy well into the night. The nearby suburb of Penarth also offers the perfect seaside break if you’re in need of some sunshine and of course, there’s Barry Island where everyone’s favourite sitcom, Gavin & Stacey was partly filmed.

PORTMEIRION

If you’re in North Wales, for a day head down to  the model village of Portmeirion three miles from Porthmadog. Built by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, this picturesque village was purposely built to resemble an idyllic Italian town. It was also the backdrop for the iconic cult classic TV show The Prisoner, a fact the village celebrates with it’s own convention each year and official merchandise that can be bought at one of the village shops. Even if you’re not a fan of 1960s TV, the town is painted in bright colours making it a perfect quirky day out to see something a bit different.

YORK

York is a patchwork of history. From the Romans, to the Vikings to modern day, York boasts more things to see and do peer square mile than any other UK city. The National Railway Museum is just outside of the train station, a perfect place to keep the kids entertained for a while. There’s also plenty of ways to explore the town’s history, weather it’s the Viking Experience, the chocolate experience or a walk around the medieval walls. Of course there’s the iconic minster which dominates the city skyline in the middle of town. York is also filled with cobbled streets lined with shops and taverns serving real ale from across the country, so there’s something no matter what time of day to keep you occupied. Just watch out for the geese.

THE CAMEL ESTUARY

Windswept beaches and cutesy fishing villages dominate the Cornish coastline, but arguably none are as dreamy as the towns at the mouth of the Camel River. The villages of Padstow, Port Isaac and Polzeath combine to make this beautiful section of Cornwall. Padstow, the largest of this  become notorious for its association with Rick Stein, and tourists flock to this food lovers’ destination. The town boasts itself as an ideal place for watersports such as rock-pooling, bodyboarding and even surfing. The neighbouring town across the river of Rock is a popular spot for lunch and watersports, whilst Polzeath, a short drive away is a notorious surfspot, but is also perfect for beach lovers and summer walks along the South West Coastal Path.

THE LAKE DISTRICT

A cliched choice, but there’s a reason thousands of Britons flock to this destination in the north of England and here’s why you should too. First of all, the Lakes are some of the most stunning landscapes Britain has to offer, perfect for walking holidays and long road trips through the countryside. Other outdoor activities such as climbing also are right at home here amongst the dramatic natural landscape. For those less active, the regions has a number of small towns and historical attractions. Famous writers like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter all made the Lake District their home and their houses are now open to the public. Towns like Keswick, Windermere and nearby Kendall offer picturesque hubs in the otherwise rural National Park.

EDINBURGH

Scotland’s capital is a beautiful alternative to weekends away in London. On the edge of a dormant volcano, the city has sprawling neighbourhoods with plenty on offer for everyone. The old town is home to the medieval castle, a perfect place to start your walk down the legendary Royal Mile. The old town is also thought to be the inspiration for Harry Potter locations such as Diagon Alley, but the winding streets are perfect places to wander around. Edinburgh’s new town is equally as stunning, with Georgian neoclassical architecture. Alongside its history as a hub for Enlightenment philosophers, this architecture is what gave it its nickname “The Athens of The North”. Other neighbourhoods add a unique charm to the city, such as Deans Village and the waterside suburb of Leith has been named one of the world’s trendiest new neighbourhoods. It’s a perfect choice for explorers, shoppers and history nerds alike.

Wherever you go, why not send a real postcard to your friends and family back home to keep them updated on all the places you explore?  PostSnap allows you to use your own photos to send real printed postcards to anyone in the world, meaning no matter where you are, there’s an easy and affordable way to stay in touch while out on your travels. No more searching cities for stamps and a postbox, so more time can be spent seeing the sights!

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