Who ever said that making bank holiday plans meant you had to go broke? Not us, that’s for sure!
Dive into a long weekend of adventure with these fun and, most importantly, free activities in your local city, courtesy of Nicholson’s guide of the three best things to do this bank holiday weekend in London, Manchester, York, Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Birmingham...
Fancy spending the bank holiday in London and taking a stroll? Follow our Ale & Gin Trail for six routes around London’s finest watering holes!
Put on your walking boots and hit the trails, mixing London’s must-see attractions with a glorious selection of London’s old pubs, taking you around The Financial District, London Bridge to Tower Bridge, Blackfriars, Piccadilly to Westminster, Soho and Oxford St, and Theatreland.
Based under London’s railway lines, discover a world of British-reared meat along with artisanal baked and dairy goods, making sure you’ll come back from your bank holiday city break with all kinds of souvenirs worth pairing with your next tipple.
For that breath of fresh air and priceless scenery without paying a penny, head straight to Hyde Park. Long walks, lakeside chats, Diana Memorial Fountain and one of our classic British pubs waiting to welcome you afterwards? It doesn’t get better than this.
Manchester’s a wonderful city at any time of year, but somehow the sun shines a little brighter over the origin of everyone’s favourite soap, Coronation Street, when a 3-day weekend rolls around. Equally iconic is The Bank, The Old Wellington, and The Sawyer’s Arms, three of Manchester’s historic pubs – where we’ll be waiting to welcome you with unique character, cosy charm, seasonal pub dishes, and all your favourite tipples on tap.
Rain or shine, Manchester has a market for you, with the covered Arndale Market giving you all kinds of cuisines and fresh produce to explore, or Northern Quarter Makers Market being the go-to spot for mingling with Manchester’s local artists, creatives, and everything they’ve been working on.
If you need a little more from your city parks than grass and greens, Manchester’s Heaton Park is the place to be. You’ll find so much in this sprawling space, from Heaton Park Boating Lake and a Lakeside Adventure Playground to Heaton Park Animal Centre and Zip World Manchester. Then, back to ours afterwards for one of Manchester’s latest craft pints?
As if York weren’t special enough with its intriguing Roman history and unapologetically striking architecture, it’s also lucky to have its own Nicholson’s Ale & Gin Trail that takes walkers around six of our historic pubs. We’d tell you more, but shouldn’t you already have your walking boots on?
For a memorable bank holiday weekend that isn’t a shambles, spend it at York’s Shambles Market! Not only is it the best place in the area to pick up crafts and clothing, but it’s also open seven days a week, just like our collection of characterful pubs nearby, pouring perfect post-shop tipples! Not that we’re suggesting anything…
Surrounding Yorkshire Museum, you need to make time to enjoy a post-pint walk through York’s Museum Garden, a park that’s as pretty as a picture – and you’ll be sure to take a few – with its Roman ruins and even a medieval abbey.
One enchanting city. Eight historic pubs. That’s the beauty of our Edinburgh Ale & Gin Trail, taking you around this gorgeous city one sip at a time while effortlessly spotting must-see sights like St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Museum of Scotland.
Popping up every Saturday, The Grassmarket Market is where all the locals go for home-grown fruit and vegetables, hand-baked breads, homemade treats, and souvenirs made by Edinburgh’s local craftsmen.
Surrounding Arthur’s Seat, a moderate hike with sweeping views of Edinburgh, Holyrood Park is the largest park in the city. So, for a great answer to, “what did you do this bank holiday?”, grab your hiking boots, hit one of its walking paths, and then put your feet up at ours afterwards.
Bringing its own brand of charming British hospitality to the picturesque city of Cambridge, you won’t find another pub like The Mitre – only a short stroll from Trinity Street, Sidney Street and Round Church Street. Take a walk alongside the serene River Cam and then a delicious detour into ours for classic pub pies, cask ales, and so much more…
Cambridge’s local markets are filled with unique treasures worth showing off over a pint. Just off Trinity Street you’ll find All Saints Garden, where there’s an arts and crafts market every Saturday with local artists selling their jewellery, pottery, photography, paintings, prints and clothing. Find something to remember your perfect bank holiday with here!
The Backs is a scenic spot behind Cambridge’s fancy colleges, featuring landscaped areas and gardens along the River Cam. Seasonal flowers and enviable views will keep you coming back every long weekend.
For two pubs as historic as Oxford itself, we just might send you in the direction of The Crown – a classic high-street pub near the views of Oxford’s 12th-century Carfax Tower – or The Chequers, famous for its traditional style and modern temptations. Flaky, buttery British pie, anyone?
When the locals are calling their city market a “bazaar,” you just know you’re in for a treat – and Oxford’s Covered Market doesn’t disappoint. This 1770s indoor bazaar will have your bank account trembling no matter the weather, filled with artisan grocers, boutique clothing and charming cafes.
You didn’t think that Oxford University’s parks would be anything less than fantastic, did you? These riverside parks are split across 70 acres of green space, including areas for sports, landscaped flora, and even a bench dedicated to the incredible works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Whether you’re strolling from park to pew or just wandering through, this is one time you shall pass.
Birmingham is an industrial powerhouse of craft and creativity, and this same unwavering quality and pride is poured into every pub on our Birmingham Ale & Gin Trail. After all, back in the day, Birmingham’s philanthropists and visionaries – much like our own founder, William Nicholson – were probably equally fond of a craft ale or crisp gin. Meet you on the trail?
As if the immense shopping centre, Bullring, wasn’t enough, Birmingham also has some great markets, including the Bullring Rag Market, split between indoor, open, and rag markets – selling everything from delicious foods and trendy clothes to everyday goods.
It’s a good thing it’s a long weekend, because you’re going to need time to see all of Cannon Hill Park. This has to be one of the best parks in Birmingham, boasting 250 acres of walking trails, mini golf, lake boating, bowling greens, and tennis courts.
Cheers to a bank holiday filled with joy, exploration, and the best of your local city! And if we have anything to do with it, maybe a hearty pub lunch and a few cask ales, too…
