A “walkable” UK city known for its village-like charm and independent shops has been named the best place to visit for a last-minute Bank Holiday break. Coming out on top is Cardiff; this city offers a relaxed feel, historic sites, and unique Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades.
However, the Welsh capital is being praised for offering plenty of outdoor activities away from the city centre. Camping retailer Pitchup analysed 50 UK cities and ranked the destinations by how easy and affordable it is to have an outdoor escape within 90 minutes. Cardiff came out on top overall, thanks to the number of nearby breaks within easy reach.
According to the study, Cardiff residents have access to 713 camping, glamping and touring sites within a 90-minute drive, the biggest choice of any city included in the analysis.
That makes Cardiff a great choice for anyone wanting to swap the usual busy city life for a few nights under a canvas, while still having plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions close at hand.
The nearest listed outdoor site is just 17 minutes from the city, while stays in the surrounding area start from as little as £7.50 per night.
For a Bank Holiday weekend, that combination of choice, convenience and affordability makes Cardiff tempting. But it’s not just the access to the countryside that makes the city worth considering.
What Cardiff has to offer
According to Visit Cardiff, the city “is easy to explore on foot with large, pedestrianised areas of flat terrain, including the main city centre high streets. As a result, many of Cardiff’s main attractions and landmarks are within no more than a 15-minute walking distance of each other.”
Cardiff’s highlights include Cardiff Castle. This is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic-style mansion. The original castle was built by the Normans in the late 11th century on the site of a Roman fort dating back to the 3rd century.
There are many historic landmarks to explore in Cardiff (Image: Getty)
Nearby is the Hayes, known for its Victorian shopping arcades including independent cafes, bars and restaurants, vintage clothing, record stores and more.
Visitors should also check out Cathays Park, which is home to impressive Edwardian civic buildings, including the National Museum Cardiff, City Hall and the Law Courts.
Further south is Cardiff Bay, a lively waterfront centred on the Inner Harbour and Mermaid Quay, with more than 30 restaurants and bars, as reported by the travel site En-Vols.
It is also home to cultural and architectural landmarks, including the Wales Millennium Centre, the Welsh Government building and the Cardiff Bay Trail, which offers views across the wider waterfront.
We Are Cardiff summed up what makes the city so special, they shared: “Cardiff often feels familiar at first glance, yet a short stay reveals clear differences.
“Streets feel calmer, people speak more freely, and the city moves at a steady pace. These details shape a mood that sets Cardiff apart from many larger UK cities.
“This difference does not come from one feature. It grows through history, language, layout, and daily habits. Cardiff blends capital status with a strong local feel. That balance shapes how people live, work, and relate to each other.”
Cardiff has several Victorian and Edwardian arcades (Image: Getty)
Other UK cities perfect for last-minute escapes
The research also highlighted Colchester and Milton Keynes. Both have a listed outdoor site just five minutes away, the shortest distance recorded among the cities analysed.
However, neither ranks as highly as Cardiff overall, with Colchester coming 14th and Milton Keynes 18th in the study. However, their extremely short travel times could make them ideal for spontaneous weekends, last-minute stays or anyone who doesn’t want to spend much of a Bank Holiday sitting in traffic.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup commented: “With the August Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching and bookings already up 44% on this time last year, it’s clear people are keen to make the most of the extra day off without travelling far from home.
“Short breaks are becoming less about travelling far and more about making the most of what is within easy reach, and our Urban Escape Index shows that many UK cities have hundreds of outdoor stays less than 90 minutes from home.
“That means a proper change of scene for the Bank Holiday does not have to involve a long drive, extra time off work or a big budget. From simple pitches to glamping stays, there are still plenty of ways to switch off, get outside and enjoy a long weekend closer to home.”