"Cheap" weekend outings?

My husband and I are looking into going on a short holiday soon (either for a weekend, or a 3-4 day trip) but don't want to spend an arm and a leg doing it. Does anyone have any travel suggestions and/or websites for cheaper hotel/airfare? We live in the Midlands, and wouldn't mind traveling anywhere within Britain, but are also looking for something in continental Europe as a possibility. TIA!

For airfares, I would check into Ryanair if you want to go to Europe.  Seeing what destinations they do might help you make up your mind where you want to go.  We've been to Rome, Ireland (fly into Dublin, out of Cork), and Oslo with them and it's been fine and quite economical. 

I flew from Bristol to Paris on EasyJet and it was pretty cheap.

As for the UK, the South West of England is always lovely! (Though towns like Weston are a bit dead right now.)

Ireland is great fun. I'm not a fan of Dublin, though, even though I'm going back there for a few days at the end of April.

We live in the West Midlands and two years ago my husband took me to Stratford upon Avon for the weekend. It's only 15 mins from home but it was really nice. We stayed in a 300 year old renovated coach house and just held hands and walked through town. It was cheap and a great little get away from the kids!

There are SO MANY options!  So much of the UK is absolutely gorgeous - you could almost point anywhere on a map and just set out! We love the Cotswolds. I personally love the Yorkshire coast. I agree with LadyG - Stratford Upon Avon is very nice. Honestly there's no end!

In Europe we usually opt for somewhere sunny (Rhodes so far being the favourite) but you could also look at city breaks to places like Budapest or Prague - we've vowed to try to do more of those!

dh & i spent a weekend this fall in llandudno, north wales & loved it.

Thanks for all the suggestions! It's been awhile since we planned a quick getaway, and we went to Haworth that time--I loved it!

I think the hardest part is deciding where to go! I am starting to gear along the lines of Rome, Prague, or Dublin...or possibly another literary excursion

Ryanair to Dublin can be dirt cheap from East Midlands airport.  My in laws also got tickets to Spain for new years for £30 per person each way (also leaving from EMA.)

For airfares, I would check into Ryanair if you want to go to Europe.  Seeing what destinations they do might help you make up your mind where you want to go. 

I agree... check Ryanair & Easyjet's websites first before deciding where to go.  Sometimes they have phenomenal offers.   I flew to Frankfurt (on Germanwings) for 1p each way, once... including the tax the return flight only cost like £20!

I agree... check Ryanair & Easyjet's websites first before deciding where to go.  Sometimes they have phenomenal offers.   I flew to Frankfurt (on Germanwings) for 1p each way, once... including the tax the return flight only cost like £20!

Absolutely!! Paris on BMI Baby cost about that for me too!

This is a search engine where you can search for all flights under a certain price that you set. It's really fantastic if you are flexible!

http://flightchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/index.php#search

Ryanair to Dublin can be dirt cheap from East Midlands airport.

Just be aware that Dublin is a fairly pricey city! The Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College is absolutely brilliant, though.

This is a search engine where you can search for all flights under a certain price that you set. It's really fantastic if you are flexible!

http://flightchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/index.php#search

That's great, Courtney! THANK YOU!! 

Isn't it good? I sometimes browse just to see what I can find. 

Just be aware that Dublin is a fairly pricey city! The Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College is absolutely brilliant, though.

Dublin IS NOT CHEAP.  We just spent 3 days there bringing in the New Year and I was totally sticker-shocked.  The prices are identical to London, just in Euros (so a £5 item is 7 Euros or whatever...).  We went for a cheap mini-break and found that it was near impossible to even eat lunch for under 7 Euros each (and that's mega-cheap from Bagel Factory or Quiznos!).  The flights might be cheap, even the hotel possibly, but the trip will not be.  Just a big word of caution.