The top 3 UK destinations for a quick break as Britons move towards shorter holidays

Weekend trips arriving between Thursday and Saturday are also up year-on-year, according to holidaycottages.com, showing a shift towards squeezing more trips out of limited annual leave.

Travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that deliver a complete change of scenery without eating into their weekend with long journeys.

Three locations stand out as the most popular for a three-night escape, combining accessibility with classic British landscapes and plenty to do in a short stay.

The Peak District tops the ranking, offering a rugged contrast to urban living within easy reach of major cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and Derby.

Its limestone dales, open moorland and traffic-free trails such as the Tissington Trail make it ideal for a brisk walking or cycling weekend. The area also offers grand house visits at Chatsworth and easy market-town strolls in Bakewell, making it possible to pack a lot into just a few days.

Close behind is the New Forest, a long-time favourite for Britons searching for woodland, coastline and the novelty of free-roaming ponies.

Reached in under two hours from London or Bristol, it suits travellers who want to spend more time exploring and less time in transit.

Whether walking through ancient forest, cycling across heathland or stopping in villages such as Lymington and Beaulieu, it delivers a sense of escape without the need for long-haul travel.

Rounding out the top three is the Cotswolds, where honey-coloured villages and gentle countryside continue to make it an ideal short rural break. Easy rail links to Moreton-in-Marsh and straightforward drives from Bristol and Birmingham make it a practical choice for a long weekend.

Places such as Broadway, Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold lend themselves to slow mornings, pub lunches and walks between villages.

PR manager for holidaycottages.co.uk, Sarah Pring, said: "The data clearly shows that Brits are looking to get away from the daily grind and focus on creating joyful, memorable moments with friends and family by heading away on a shorter break.

"We are seeing a real appetite for three-night breaks where people can leave work on a Thursday or Friday and fully immerse themselves in a different setting.

"The Peak District, New Forest, and Cotswolds are perfect destinations for this because they offer a complete change of scenery and pace yet are easy enough to reach that you don't lose precious holiday time on the motorway."