It's always nice to take a short break away, whether a quick flight to a new country or a cruise on the open seas, nothing beats taking a break from the everyday hustle and bustle.

But, sometimes it's nice to explore you're own home, with the UK offering endless new destinations to visit.

From quaint villages, thriving seaside towns, vibrant cities and the open fresh outdoors, the UK has a lot to explore.

The best part about taking breaks in the UK is that you don't even need to catch a flight and most can be visited by a quick journey in a car or train.

So you don't have to go hunting for you're next getaway spot, we've rounded up the seven best UK destinations you can visit this year. 

5 of the best places for a weekend getaway from London

Canterbury

The historical city of Canterbury takes just over 50 minutes from St Pancras or for a slightly cheaper but slower option you can catch a train from Victoria Station which takes an hour and a half. 

With Roman walls surrounding the city centre and the Westgate towers welcoming you on arrival, you see the city's rich history from the moment you arrive. 

Along with the city's history, there is also a great shopping scene, from the Fenwick department store, a large Primark and endless amounts of independent and quirky shops. 

You won't go hungry, with plenty of choices for food, whether a quick meal from City Fish Bar or a bottomless brunch from The Drapers Arms.

Bury St Edmunds

Set in Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds is a town with endless amounts of history, from its architecture like St Edmunsbury Catherdral to the Angel Hotel which is said to have been a favourite for Charles Dickens.

Bury offers great activities from guided ghost tours, and bi-weekly markets and is known as the Foodie Capital of Suffolk.

For foodies, you can enjoy home-cooked pub food and award-winning fine dining at local independent bakeries and cafes.

From London, it takes two hours on a train with very little difference in a car at just under two hours.

Folkestone 

If you're looking for a seaside getaway then Folkestone is perfect, less than two hours away from central London, you can reach the town on the High-Speed service into Kent.

Folkestone offers a boast of excitement and seaside experiences from enjoying the fresh seaside air to trying some award-winning seafood. 

The town is well known for its rich arts and creative appeal with its Old High Street set on a steep cobbled stone street, there are a variety of shops and restaurants to enjoy. 

Leading on from Old High Street is the popular harbour arm which was once the town's train station and has used the station's features to create a space for market stalls, food stalls and social gatherings. 

Bath

Just over one hour and 20 minutes away from London's Paddington Station, Bath is unlike any other spot best known for being the home of ancient Roman Baths.

The Roman Baths let you learn about 2,000 years of history with guided tours, artefact collections and expeditions. 

Of course, no getaway would be complete without some food and Bath has plenty of fantastic restaurants, pubs and cafes to try out. 

With options for everyone, you can try some vegan meals at The Coconut Tree or enjoy a Sunday roast at local restaurant Green Park Brasserie. 

York

Those who love history and ghosts will love York, the northern city is perfect for those wanting to learn more about how things once were.

From exploring the famous Shambles that inspired parts of the world of Harry Potter, you'll get to see how butchers once worked and enjoy the wonky timber-framed buildings.

You can even walk along the ancient walls or take a trip down the River Ouse and climb up Clifford's Tower to see York from above.

For some food, you can try the classic-style tea room at Betty's or go to Cocoa Joe's for a special hot chocolate. 

Where will you be visiting this year in the UK?