It’s time to treat yourself with a midweek break. Whether you’re looking for some relaxation and pampering, sporting action or a little adventure, you’ll find it all and more in the North and Scotland.
To help plan your next trip away, here’s our guide to the best midweek breaks from across our region.
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll love what the North and Scotland has to offer. York Racecourse is a picturesque racecourse and has midweek meets throughout the racing season. Manchester is famed for its football history, with both United and City playing midweek Champions League football this season. The National Football Museum is also well worth a visit.
In Glasgow, Celtic are also playing in the Champions League, whilst Newcastle United are back in the competition for the first time in over 20 years. What a midweek night out in Newcastle that would be! If you like your sport a little slower, there are plenty of midweek cricket fixtures at Headingly in Leeds.
Best for atmosphere: Newcastle United in the Champions League
Best for a relaxing day out: County Cricket in Leeds
Best for some football history: The National Football Museum
One of the big advantages of travelling midweek is the lack of queues at top attractions. So if you’re planning a cultural midweek break, you’re in luck. And as many of the museums and art galleries across our region are free, it’s a budget-friendly option too.
If you’re in Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is ideal. It’s home to 22 galleries featuring everything from art to animals and Ancient Egypt. Entry is free. Inquisitive minds will be well catered for at the World Museum In Liverpool or the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester (both free entry). The National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh is a beautiful building with some very interesting portraits inside. Entry is again free and it’s just a short stroll from Edinburgh Waverley station.
Best for space and dinosaurs: World Museum
Best for art: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Best for science: Museum of Science and Industry
Liverpool is of course famous for arguably the biggest band of all time, The Beatles. So a trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without a tour of its musical sights. The world renowned Cavern Club hosts live bands every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can also book on a two hour Magical Mystery Tour around the city for £19.95 – it leaves at 10am and includes free entry to the Cavern Club. For fans of the Fab Four, the Beatles Museum houses one of the largest Beatles collections in the world. Entry is £17.00 for adults, £8.50 for children under 16 and free for under 5s.
Music lovers will love a midweek break to Sheffield, with its selection of independent music venues hosting gigs every night of the week, including Yellow Arch Studios and the Lescar. Manchester also has its fair share of historical musical sights, from Salford Lads Club to Night and Day Café.
Best for live midweek music: The Cavern Club
Best for The Beatles: The Beatles Museum
Best independent music venue: Yellow Arch Studios
If you’re looking for adventure on your midweek break, you can’t beat a visit to the Lake District. The National Park is famed for its many walking trails, but you can also get out and explore on two wheels too. You’ll find plenty of great cycling routes in and around Keswick, including the 10km Keswick to Threlkeld Trail on the former railway line. For more adrenaline-fueled action, try mountain biking in Whinlatter Forest. The trails should be much quieter during the week.
Even if you’re planning a city break, you can still get your adventure fix. Try climbing at the Climbing Lab in Leeds – midweek opening hours ensure you can climb early from 6.30am until 10pm at night, a luxury you don’t get at the weekend. Why not test your driving skills with E-Karting at Liverpool One (it’s open until 11pm on Monday to Thursday if you fancy an evening drive)? Or see if you have what it takes to find your way out of an escape room in Newcastle?
Best for cycling: Keswick to Threlkeld Trail
Best for all-electric go-karting: E-Karting in Liverpool
Best for getting into a new hobby: Climbing Lab in Leeds
When you choose a midweek break over a weekend getaway, it’s all about breaking from the norm and taking some time out for you. And what better way to spend a few days off work than by pampering yourself and boosting your well-being?
A spa day is perfect, and there are loads of options across the North and Scotland. The Grand in York is the only 5 star hotel in the city and it has a wonderful spa. During the week, a half day spa experience costs around £45. You can also save around £10 on a half day spa experience and treatment by visiting in the week rather than the weekend. Gin Spa in Glasgow also offers a unique pampering experience involving luxury treatments and a little gin, whilst Edinburgh Holyrood Hotel provides midweek luxury spa packages starting at £41 per person.
Best for 5 star luxury: The Grand York
Best for a unique experience: Gin Spa
Best for budget-friendly midweek relaxation: Edinburgh Holyrood Hotel
If you’re planning on treating yourself to a midweek break, remember to book your tickets in advance either online or on our TPExpress app.
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