New Data Reveals the UK’s Best Cities for an Urban Escape as Brits Look to Holiday Closer to Home

 

• Pitchup.com has analysed 50 UK cities to reveal the top UK getaways for an easy and affordable break within 90 minutes of their city centre

• Cardiff took the top spot with the best overall access to affordable breaks on its doorstep

• Colchester and Milton Keynes have the closest sites meaning that residents can escape the fastest

• Close-to-home breaks are an affordable option this summer, with stays under £10 per night available at close to 60% of the 50 cities analysed

As more Brits look to travel closer to home this year, we reveal the UK cities best placed for an easy and affordable outdoor escape this summer. 

The timing is especially relevant as UK Google searches for “cheap weekend getaways UK” are up by 2,000% over the past month, while “getaways near me” have surged by 130%, showing clear demand for affordable, last-minute breaks close to home*. 

This is also reflected in our own booking data, with 139% more UK stays booked within nine days of arrival so far this year compared to last year.

The UK Urban Escape Index

The leading outdoor accommodation website has analysed 50 UK cities to create its Urban Escape Index, ranking destinations based on the number of camping, glamping, and touring, lodge and caravan   sites within a 90-minute drive, the travel time to the nearest site, average nightly prices across all accommodation categories and the cheapest available stays nearby.**

Cardiff crowned the UK’s best city for an urban escape

Cardiff tops the Urban Escape Index, thanks to its unbeatable choice of nearby outdoor stays. Residents have access to 713 camping, glamping and touring sites within a 90-minute drive, more than any other city analysed.

With the nearest listed site just 17 minutes away and nearby stays starting from £7.50 per night, Cardiff combines scale, convenience and value, making it the strongest city overall for those looking to plan a quick break close to home.

Colchester and Milton Keynes offer the fastest city escapes

While Cardiff tops the overall Urban Escape Index, Colchester and Milton Keynes stand out for speed. Both cities have a nearest listed site just five minutes away, the shortest travel time of any city analysed.

The results show that the best city for an outdoor escape is not always the same as the quickest. Colchester ranks 14th overall and Milton Keynes ranks 18th, but both offer near-instant access to a local site, making them strong options for spontaneous weekends, last-minute overnighters and low-travel summer breaks.

Budget escapes start from just £5 per night

The index shows that affordable breaks are still within reach for city residents, with the cheapest nearby stays across the 50 cities analysed starting from just £5 per night. A further group of cities, including Bradford, York, Sheffield and Leeds, have stays available from £6 per night, showing that low-cost options are not limited to one part of the UK.

For travellers watching their spending this summer, the findings suggest that getting away does not have to mean travelling far or booking a full week off. By staying closer to home, comparing simple pitches alongside glamping options, and being flexible on dates and accommodation type, Brits can still find budget-friendly ways to enjoy a change of scenery.

Tips for an easy, affordable escape this summer 

1. Use the 90-minute rule

For short breaks, look for stays within 60 to 90 minutes of home. This keeps fuel or train costs down, makes one-night stays feel worthwhile, and means you can leave after work on Friday without losing half the weekend to travel. 

2. Search by nearby cities, not just tourist hotspots

Well-known beaches, national parks and holiday towns often book up fastest and cost more in peak season. Searching around nearby cities, smaller villages or rural areas can reveal cheaper stays with good access to countryside, coast or walking routes.

3. Consider simple pitches as well as glamping

Glamping accommodation is convenient, but simple tent pitches and touring spots are often the cheapest way to get away. Travellers on a tighter budget should compare all accommodation types before booking, rather than starting with cabins, lodges or pods. 

4. Look for last-minute gaps

With more people booking close to departure, last-minute availability can appear when sites have odd single-night gaps or cancellations. Being flexible on destination and accommodation type gives travellers the best chance of finding a lower-cost escape. Use Pitchup.com’s alert function to get automatically notified via email when availability is added on certain dates and/or in certain locations.

Dan Yates, our founder has commented: “Short breaks are becoming less about travelling far and more about making the most of what is within easy reach. With more people looking for affordable, last-minute ways to get away, 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 does not have to involve a long drive, a week 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 summer break closer to home.”

 

Research Methodology

*Google Trends data was collected looking at UK Google searches for “cheap weekend getaways UK”(+2,000%) and“ getaways near me” (+130%). Data was looked at for searches over the past month compared to the month prior. Data is correct as of 10/07/2026.

**Urban Escape Index methodology

Pitchup.com analysed 50 UK cities to identify the best urban locations for easy access to outdoor stays. Each city was assessed using four factors: the number of camping and touring, glamping, caravan and lodge sites within a 90-minute drive, the travel time to the nearest available site, the average nightly price of nearby stays, and the cheapest available nightly stay.

Each factor was normalised and weighted to create an overall Urban Escape Index score. Greater weight was given to choice and accessibility, with affordability used as a supporting measure. The final weighting was:

• Number of sites within a 90-minute drive - 50% weighting

• Travel time to the nearest site - 25% weighting

• Average nightly price - 15% weighting

• Cheapest available nightly price - 10% weighting

Cities with a higher number of nearby sites, shorter travel times and lower prices ranked more favourably. The final index score was used to rank all 50 cities from best to worst for quick and affordable outdoor escapes.