11 Museum Weekend Breaks
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The Fitzwilliam
Cambridge
From antiquity to the present day, the Fitzwilliam houses a world-renowned collection of over half a million works of art, masterpiece paintings and historical artefacts. Expect to see works by Monet, Picasso and Turner, as well as archaeological collections from Egypt, Greece and Ancient Rome. Book now for William Blake’s Universe which opens on 23rd February – it’s billed as the first exhibition to explore Blake’s boundless imagination in the context of wider trends and themes in European art, and brings together the largest-ever display of works by the British artist, printmaker and poet from the museum’s own collection, alongside artworks by his European contemporaries such as the German romantic painters Philipp Otto Runge and Caspar David Friedrich – many of which have never been displayed publicly in this country.
Where To Stay
In a row of pretty townhouses alongside Christ’s Pieces, Duke House is a boutique B&B offering outstanding accommodation. The name comes from the Duke of Gloucester who lived here in the 60s as a student and renovated the house. Today, there are five lovely ensuite bedrooms and a self-catering apartment. The light-filled rooms have heaps of character and charm, each individually decorated with elegant period pieces and muted colours. It’s all about breakfast here (there’s no restaurant) and the choice of seasonal produce is mostly sourced locally – the award-winning sausages and bacon from Clarks of Ware and salmon cured by River Farm Smokery in Bottisham come highly recommended.
For a more luxe stay, University Arms has been a Cambridge stalwart since 1834 and is home to 192 beautiful and playfully designed rooms and suites across four floors, with views over Parker’s Piece, Regent Street and the hotel’s inner courtyard. Each has impressive period features – think leather-padded writing desks, low ottomans and chandeliers; and the suites (all named after famed Cambridge alumni) come with a bespoke library. The hotel’s brasserie is inspired by the communal dining halls synonymous with Cambridge colleges and serves seasonal British dishes. For a moment of calm, guests can either head to the hotel’s library and relax by the wood-burning fire or head to the serene treatment rooms for some pampering. Beyond the hotel, you can discover an array of complimentary outdoor activities, including private walking tours, cycling adventures or a special punting experience down the Cam.
Opening soon and conveniently located in the city centre, The Hobson Hotel on St Andrew’s Street is in a Grade II-listed former Victorian police station and jail. With no restaurant or bar on site, the 56 spacious suites will each have mini-kitchens for snacks and quick breakfasts.
BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM
Dudley, West Midlands
Step back in time at the Black Country Living Museum, a must for history lovers and Peaky Blinder fans which was filmed here. Covering 26 acres, visitors get a view of ordinary life over 300 years –reconstructed houses, shops, pubs, schools and workshops tell the story of one of the first industrialised areas in Britain. There’s plenty for everyone to get stuck into – including a ride on a heritage vehicle; testing your times tables in a 1912 school lesson; going underground to glimpse life of an 1850s miner; watching a vintage film in the 1920s cinema; plus eating 1930s chips and 1950s confectionary.
Where To Stay
Unless you want to stay in or near Dudley, we think a 45-minute drive on the M6 towards Coventry is worth the journey to spend a night or two at the lovely, foodie Hampton Manor in Hampton-in-Arden, in Warwickshire. Once home to Sir Robert Peel, the current owners James and Fjona Hill have transformed the crenelated 19th-century manor into a chic hotel with an unstuffy feel. Set within a 45-acre estate, there are three areas to stay: the manor house, the walled garden suites and the cottage. All the individually designed rooms are bright, with period features and bold colours. The Michelin-starred Grace & Savour restaurant is situated within the Victorian walled garden where you’ll also find the bakery and cookery school. The seasonal tasting menu relies on produce grown within the organic gardens and is served from an open kitchen.
HAUSER & WIRTH
Somerset
The small Somerset town of Bruton has gained a reputation as one of the hippest places to escape to in Britain, and is bursting with creative wealth, heavenly food, quirky independent shops, a slew of sustainable restaurants and cool places to stay. The opening of the world-renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery in 2014 put Bruton firmly on the cultural map. With outposts in London, New York, Los Angeles, Zurich and Menorca, it is located on Durslade Farm on the edge of town in a group of Grade II-listed stone-clad farm buildings that were once threshing barns, workshops and a pigsty. Current exhibition Present Tense can be seen until the end of April and spotlights the next generation of artists living and working in the UK. Factor in some time to browse the gallery shop, which has a selection of books on art, design and gardening, as well a stroll in the beautiful garden, created by Dutch landscaper Piet Oudolf. You’ll also find the Durslade Farm Shop which sells meat and vegetables from the farm as well as products from small local artisans and growers. If you want to eat, be sure to book well in advance for a table at Roth Bar & Grill. Housed in the old cowshed next to the gallery, the daily-changing menu makes use of produce grown in the kitchen garden and on the farm. The beef is dry-aged in a purpose-built salt room, lined with over 500 hand-cut Himalayan salt bricks, allowing it to tenderise. Other favourites include homemade merguez sausages, colourful salads and steaks. Overlooking an open kitchen and wood-fired grill, the room has exposed stone walls dotted with food-themed artwork from the Wirths’ collection.
Where To Stay
Number One is a charming, family run and beautifully designed boutique hotel on the high street. An elegant Georgian townhouse, medieval forge and row of cottages have been converted into this 12-bedroom hotel set around a pretty courtyard. Restored original features lend character to all the rooms which are decorated in rich colours and vintage furnishings and where, on arrival, you’ll find a truckle of cheddar cheese and crackers, local cider and fruit. Opening this summer, the hotel is expanding into the ancient pub next door, formerly The Blue Ball, creating five more bedrooms and a new informal dining and living room. The restaurant next door, Osip, is currently run by Michelin-starred, ex-London chef Merlin Labron-Johnson. However, the owners of Number One will be parting company with Merlin soon as he moves his restaurant to a new home, just a short distance from Bruton.
At The Chapel, also on the high street, was once a 17th-century, Grade II-listed church which now houses a hotel, restaurant, wine store and bakery. The eight rooms have white-washed walls, original stained-glass windows, White Company linens and robes, Ren toiletries and enormous TVs with a great choice of films. Breakfast allows you to be lazy, with home-baked croissants left outside your door (you’ll find the homemade jam in your fridge). Splurge on the fabulous Attic Suite, an enormous space which feels like an apartment. Or, for an uber luxe stay, just a few miles from the town, splash out with a room at The Newt – it won’t disappoint.
Radić Pavilion, designed by Smiljan Radić, 2014 | Hauser & Wirth Somerset | Photo: Heather Edwards
TITANIC BELFAST
Belfast
Belfast, with its famous shipyards, has a rich maritime heritage as the place where navy ships and cruise liners, including the fated Titanic, were built. Of course, the story of the Titanic’s sinking is well known, but at the wonderful Titanic Belfast museum, you’re bound to learn a lot more. There are immersive experiences and reconstructions that tell the history of the doomed liner and stories from some of the survivors as to what happened in the ship’s final hours; you can also see some cabin interiors and a large, illuminated model of the vessel.
Where To Stay
Continue your experience with a stay at nearby Titanic Hotel, which was constructed from the Victorian and Edwardian offices of Harland & Wolff (who built the Titanic). The public spaces are full of history, artefacts and memorabilia, including vintage posters and historical photographs. The 119 rooms vary in size but all feature Art Deco furniture and nautical touches, and most overlook the slipways where the ship first set sail. For a refined dining experience, book into the Wolff Grill.
The city’s most luxurious hotel, The Merchant Hotel, is housed in the 1860 former Ulster Bank headquarters and its location is perfect if you want to experience the Cathedral Quarter nightlife. The rooms are spacious, some are Art Deco inspired and some have a more Victorian feel. Afternoon teas here are legendary. There is also a great spa where you can wind down after a day out. For a more purse-friendly option,
The Harrison is a characterful bohemian bolthole about 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of town in what were once Victorian merchants’ residences that date back to the 1870s. Each of the 16 rooms has a distinct and playful story and is named after local personalities from Seamus Heaney to Van Morrison. They are furnished with pieces collected by owner Melanie Harrison over many years – expect huge bay windows, antique furniture, sumptuous velvet curtains and freestanding bathtubs. The friendly staff are on hand to provide cultural itineraries and to suggest the best bars and restaurants.
TURNER CONTEMPORARY
Margate, Kent
Once a faded seaside town, today Margate is awash with vintage shops, boutique hotels and hip bars – but we think Turner Contemporary is the main draw. The museum opened its doors in 2011 and is built on the site of the boarding house where J.M.W. Turner stayed during his visits to Margate. The gallery is inspired by the life and work of the artist, who found inspiration in the town’s skies and light. Visitors can enjoy the latest exhibitions, take part in tours or activities, or simply sit and relax in the café while enjoying views of the harbour. The shop features artworks, limited-edition prints and specially commissioned clothing and objects by leading contemporary artists and designers. Beside the museum, when the tide if out, you can also see one of a series of 100 solid cast-iron figures by Antony Gormley that explore the experience of being human.
Where To Stay
Located a stone’s throw from the beach, Fort Road Hotel is an 1820s boarding house that was sensitively refurbished a couple of years ago and is now one of Kent’s hippest hotels. The 14 rooms are individually designed and feature vintage and bespoke furniture and carefully selected artworks, and all have lovely views of the coast. The small restaurant, with just 35 seats, serves British seasonal food with a Mediterranean influence. Pre- or post-dinner, head to the bar, arranged over two floors, which features works by local artists including Tracey Emin, Hannah Lees and Matthew Darbyshire.
Or book into Margate’s latest newcomer, No.42 by Guest House, once a classic Victorian seaside hotel that has been transformed into a stylish 21-bedroom boutique hotel with a beach house vibe. Overlooking the main swathe of golden sands, you’ll enjoy views across the bay from the rooms, some of which have balconies; decorated in pastels, many of the original Victorian features have been retained but paired with modern touches. There is also a lovely, peaceful spa. For a drink, the rooftop bar overlooks the beach and serves light snacks; for lunch and supper, Pearly Cow serves mainly British small sharing dishes, including mussels and raw fish; and at Field Trip, you can tuck into a super fresh and healthy brunch right on the beach.
BARBARA HEPWORTH MUSEUM
St Ives, Cornwall
St Ives is a great UK holiday destination at any time of the year. For art lovers, Tate St Ives is, of course, a must – alongside displays from its own collection, the gallery also puts on a great exhibitions programme of modern and contemporary art from around the world. Part of the Tate, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden showcases the work of one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. Yorkshire-born Barbara Hepworth first came to live in Cornwall with her husband Ben Nicholson and their young family at the outbreak of war in 1939. She lived and worked in Trewyn Studios – now the museum – from 1949 until her death in 1975, and most of the bronzes are in the positions in which she placed them. The manicured gardens were also laid out by Hepworth with help from a friend, the composer Priaulx Rainier.
Where To Stay
For a luxury stay, Trevose Harbour House is a boutique B&B with all the extra touches you’d expect from a top hotel. Situated in between Harbour Beach and Porthminster Beach, it’s housed in an elegant white townhouse with colourful blue interiors. There are six rooms to choose from but Room Four, with its cool glass-block feature wall, feels particularly special. Guests can enjoy a breakfast made from ingredients sourced from the local farmers’ market.
In Carbis Bay, a small village just outside St Ives, Headland House is a luxury B&B and the ideal place to stay if you want to make the most of St Ives but skip the crowds during the high season. There are nine nautical-inspired rooms to choose from – we like the look of Mousehole which has a spacious ensuite with a free-standing bath. During the summer months, the hotel’s garden is a lovely spot for al fresco meals, while the Snug Bar is the place to be for evening drinks.
SHUTTERSTOCK/MINKA GUIDES
HILL TOP, NEAR SAWREY, & WORDSWORTH MUSEUM
Grasmere, Cumbria
Hill Top is the Grade II-listed, 17th-century house which was once the home of children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. She bought the house and its 34-acre working farm in 1905 with proceeds from her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It was her home away from London and her artistic retreat that inspired her stories and love for the Lake District. Potter left the property to the National Trust upon her death in 1943. The lovely cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Ten miles north, visit the Wordsworth Museum where you can step into another century as you experience William Wordsworth’s life at Dove Cottage. The poet and his family lived in this humble Lake District cottage from 1799 to 1808 and it is where he wrote many of his greatest poems. Today, Dove Cottage has been brought back to life and the sights, sounds and smells evoke memories of over 200 years ago. Little moments taken from the Wordsworths’ poems, journals and letters have been recreated, telling the story of their life here.
Where To Stay
Mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem The Waggoner, The Swan is tucked beneath the dramatic fells surrounding the timeless village of Grasmere. The pub is laid-back and welcoming and in the perfect location to explore the Lake District.
If you want to splash out on an indulgent stay, head back towards Windemere and The Gilpin. Set in 21 acres, there are actually two properties. The larger of the two is a traditional countryside manor, while the smaller six-bedroom Lake House is a mile up the road set within 100 acres of its own grounds. Bedrooms are decorated in a soft colour palette, with comfy armchairs and pops of colour, while private lodges have a Scandinavian feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows and wooden walls. Guests have the use of the hotel’s hot tubs, saunas, indoor pool and a spa. On the food front, guests can choose from Gilpin Spice, an excellent Indian restaurant, Michelin-starred Source or Tom Westerland’s Knipe Grill at Gilpin Lake House.
SHUTTERSTOCK/CHRIS DORNEY
York Castle Museum
York
Visit award-wining York Castle Museum and wander along its recreation of a classic Victorian street with its salvaged shop fronts; venture into the prison cells which tell the story of its infamous residents, including highway man Dick Turpin; and surround yourself with a spectacular collection from the past 400 years. There are few remains of York Castle today, except for Clifford's Tower, a ruin from the 12th century, from which you get unrivalled views of the city.
Where To Stay
For a small city, York has plenty of boutique hotels to choose from, including No.1 by Guest House in the stylish Clifton area, just a short walk from the city centre. Set in a Grade II-listed Regency townhouse, the hotel has large sash windows, a grand central staircase in the lobby and modern interiors with pops of terracotta and blush. There are 39 bedrooms to choose from, including three suites, all of which come with antique furniture and spacious bathrooms. We like the little touches like record players with a selection of vinyl in the rooms and complimentary treats from the pantry on each floor. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant and a basement spa for massages and other treatments.
For a luxe stay, The Vices is just the ticket. Recently renovated by an Italian couple, the adults-only hotel has just three rooms, all immaculately designed with minimalist interiors and modern artwork. One has a Japanese-style circular tub, while another has a chaise longue and sleek Italian furniture. Aside from the modern rooms, the main draw is its restaurant, Alium, headed up by chef Luke Sanderson who has created an interesting six-course tasting menu. There’s also a cosy bar and a wine shop.
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
Oxford
Founded in 1683, this is the UK’s oldest public museum. Often considered a little brother to the British Museum in London, Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum is one of the most significant venues outside the capital. The light-filled space is packed with treasures, including works by Millais, Ruskin, Rossetti, Turner, Whistler, Michelangelo, Pissarro and Turner, as well as Chinese porcelain, medieval musical instruments and everything in between. From 23rd March, a major exhibition entitled Bruegel to Rubens will showcase over 100 exceptional Flemish drawings from the 16th and 17th centuries. They represent some of the most exquisite drawings kept in Antwerp and Oxford collections, created by famous artists such as Pieter Bruegel, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacques Jordaens.
Where To Stay
Behind the Georgian façade of the one-time Barclays bank building, The Old Bank is a smart 43-room boutique hotel bang on the high street. Surrounded by some of the oldest colleges (Merton, All Souls, Christ Church and University) and opposite the iconic Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library, the rooms are large and modern and most have unrivalled views of the city’s most famous landmarks. The Quod brasserie, in a former Georgian banking hall, is popular with both residents and locals, and buzzes with character all day. The menu features European classics with an emphasis on British produce.
If you want to head a few miles out of the city, in the leafy village of South Leigh, Artist Residence Oxfordshire looks like a typical thatched Cotswold country pub from the outside. Inside, it has more of a bohemian twist: the inglenook fireplace, flagstone floors and William Morris wallpaper sit comfortably next to Andy Doig neon signs and colourful kilim cushions. There are five comfy bedrooms nestled under the thatch, a further three in the converted farm outbuildings and a quirky shepherd’s hut at the end of the garden – each room is individually designed, peppered with limited-edition art prints, and vintage and reclaimed furniture. Book into the Masons Arms downstairs for supper – the easy-going menu is simple and homely, and mostly seasonal with ingredients sourced from the local countryside wherever possible.
ANNE HATHAWAY’S COTTAGE
Stratford-Upon Avon, Warwickshire
Anne Hathaway's Cottage was the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be. Anne was born and raised here, and it is where the young Shakespeare would have visited her during the early days of their relationship. Built more than 500 years ago and extended over the years, much of the original survives, including Anne’s bed. You’ll discover five centuries of stories of the family who lived here for 13 generations and can also wander through acres of beautiful cottage gardens and explore the sculpture trail inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.
Where To Stay
Later this year, The Pig hotel group is set to launch its Stratford location. Until then, a beautifully restored 18th-century red-brick townhouse in the centre of town is where you’ll find the Hotel du Vin. The façade has been retained and a modern extension built behind. The rooms are stylish, the restaurant serves tasty bistro food, all of which create an easy and relaxing place to stay after a day of sightseeing or a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. If you are heading back to the London area of the south-east, there are plenty of places to stay en route, especially if you have time to take a small detour via the Cotswolds.
But for the ultimate treat and just an hour’s drive from Stratford, we’d stop at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s honey-coloured manor house just outside the pretty Oxfordshire village of Great Milton. He has held two Michelin stars for nearly 40 years and this is a must-visit destination for foodies – expect an outstanding multi-course menu and a vast choice of wines. There are 32 lovely bedrooms; the four ground-floor suites, located in the garden courtyard, have a distinctively French feel – we love Blanc de Blanc, a serene eco-friendly space in shades of white and cream with natural textures.
Tate
Liverpool
Tate Liverpool is currently being redeveloped and is due to re-open in its Royal Albert Dock location in 2025. For now, the museum has moved to RIBA North on Mann Island, just a short way along the waterfront. With an impressive free collection alongside major exhibitions, there’s always something new to see and do at the gallery – a must-see for any art lover visiting Liverpool.
Where To Stay
Liverpool has accommodation options for all budgets. The Municipal opened its doors last year. Set in a Grade II-listed building on Dale Street, the hotel spans over four floors with opulent design details that nod to the building’s past, from vintage furniture to Art Deco features. There are 179 rooms, from simple doubles to spacious suites, as well as a restaurant and lounge for drinks and live music in the evenings. It’s also one of the few hotels in the city with a swimming pool.
Another top choice is the Scandi-chic Hope Street Hotel in the Georgian quarter. With great city views, each of its 89 rooms has large windows and exposed brick, while larger suites have freestanding baths on a mezzanine level. Its restaurant, London Carriage Works, is also worth visiting for hearty British classics made with local produce.
For a home-away-from-home, book a room at 2 Blackburne Terrace, an upmarket B&B set in a late-Georgian townhouse that is filled with an eclectic range of artwork. There are only four rooms, with the staff going out of their way to ensure you have a comfortable stay.
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