On the fringes of Lyndhurst in the heart of the New Forest National Park lies a holiday cottage that makes for a true escape on a UK break.

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Bench Cottage is tucked away on the edge of open forest on the outskirts of the cute village of Lyndhurst.

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New Forest Cottage

There's a lot to pack into a weekend during a stay at this pretty cottage: rent bikes and explore miles of dedicated cycle trails across heathlands and beneath canopies of ancient trees.

When it comes to walking among the many forest trails, you can go from the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu to peaceful haven Buckler's Hard, following the river to the historic village where Nelson's ships were built.

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New Forest Cottages

Or simply retreat to the cottage to enjoy the silence, bask in the sun in the delightful garden or curl up by the fire on the squishy sofas. The lovely bedrooms offer all the touches you expect from a quintessential cottage - an antidote to the snarling pace of city life.

Book it: Bench Cottage, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, sleeps seven in four bedrooms. From £810 for a week through New Forest Cottages



The best weekend bags for your next mini break
Good multi-use weekend bag
Cheltenham Garment Weekend Bag
Katie Loxton Cheltenham Garment Weekend Bag

Pros

  • Detachable, adjustable shoulder strap
  • Option for personalisation
  • Trolley sleeve
  • Useful fold-out features
  • Vegan leather

Cons

  • Too big for personal item bag
  • Inside garment holder is short

Our list simply wouldn't be complete without a Katie Loxton bag, and this large holdall option makes an ideal city break accessory.

It should maintain its shape for years to come, but its standout feature is its ability to transform into a garment bag for hanging dresses or trousers for a special occasion. Just what you need when you're travelling for a wedding.

It's available in multiple colours and can even be personalised with initials to make a lovely gift.

Most practical weekend bag
Weekender Holdall
Fjällräven Weekender Holdall

Pros

  • Holds a laptop up to 17”
  • Five pockets
  • Lightweight
  • Produced without PFCs
  • Unisex
  • Wide range of colours
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Bag handles a little rough
  • Weak straps

Well-known luggage brand Fjällräven specialises in durable, long-lasting designs, and this weekender is no exception.

Offering a 30L capacity and heavy-duty handles, it can be worn in three ways: crossbody, as a hold-all, or as a backpack. The expandable front compartment is handy for keeping passports and phones — it looks small but can contain a lot.

Good roll-top weekend bag
Stockholm Backpack
Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack

Pros

  • Laptop sleeve
  • Padded adjustable straps
  • Adjustable roll-top construction with buckles

Cons

  • Not fully waterproof
  • Extra inside pockets would be useful

This Helly Hansen backpack would make a thoughtful unisex present for travellers. Thanks to the roll-top design, the main compartment is adjustable and it's easy to fasten. It also comes with a laptop sleeve and padded straps, making it a great pick for those who commute via public transport or bike.

Good sports weekend bag
40L Duffel Bag
Pro Series 40L Duffel Bag

Pros

  • Fits laptops up to 17” in a shock-absorbing case
  • Fully waterproof compartments
  • Antimicrobial odour-reducing lining
  • Comes with a wet bag
  • Adjustable straps
  • Stain-resistant
  • Separate shoe compartment

Cons

  • Slight chemical smell

Ideal for athletes, this duffel bag offers a wide range of unique features, including an anti-microbial, odour-reducing lining (handy for your workout clothes), a stain-resistant coating, and sweat-reduction technology.

The organised internal storage compartment includes a shock-absorbent laptop pocket. If you plan to travel with sports gear or equipment, this is the bag for you.

Good backpack weekend bag
Anouk Backpack Black One Size
Fiorelli Anouk Backpack Black One Size

Pros

  • Fiorelli branded lining
  • Adjustable straps
  • Good-quality zips
  • Back and front zip pockets

Cons

  • Not water-resistant
  • Lacks organisational features

The Anouk backpack is one of Fiorelli's best-selling bags. Available in a range of colourways, it has adjustable straps and will suit travellers wanting a large, stylish backpack.

The internal padding divider pocket is large enough to fit a laptop, while the outside back zip pocket is ideal for keeping important documents, such as passports, safe. It also doubles as a great commute companion.

Good bad weather weekend bag
Dux 30L Premium Tech Backpack
STM Dux 30L Premium Tech Backpack

Pros

  • Fits most laptops
  • Hard case to protect valuables
  • Side zips for easy access
  • Offers multiple organisation options

Cons

  • Bulky design
  • Standard black design is more expensive

Ideal for carrying all your tech, the Dux backpack has a unique design that includes removable, positionable hook-and-loop internal sleeves, a portable pouch, and side and front-opening pockets.

This backpack fits a 17-inch laptop, and has a water-resistant hard shell covered by padding. This makes it a good pick for keeping belongings safe in bad weather.

Best lightweight weekend bag
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Stand+ Duffle Bag
Eastpak Stand+ Duffle Bag

Pros

  • Large main compartment
  • Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap

Cons

  • Lacks organisational features

For a weekend bag that's lightweight and versatile, we love the Eastpak Stand+ duffle.

It folds away easily and comes with a compact pouch for no-fuss storage while not in use. Plus, it's the ideal cabin-friendly size if you need something that will fit within the guidelines of most airlines.

Good weekend bag with matching cosmetics pouch
Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag
Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag
Now 26% Off

Pros

  • Wet and dry zipper bag
  • Expandable
  • Comes with matching cosmetic bag
  • Suitcase strap
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Material doesn't feel as premium as some other options

Looking for a cheap weekender with all the features of a designer bag? Try Kono's highly praised duffle bag, which has a host of useful touches.

It's water-resistant, contains a wet and dry bag to separate items easily, and an expandable base. The holdall has a trolley attachment strap on the outside, and a matching cosmetic bag for all your beauty essentials.

Good budget cabin weekend bag
Ryanair Cabin Bag
Aerolite Ryanair Cabin Bag

Pros

  • Ideal for budget airlines
  • Adjustable shoulder strap
  • Additional sleeve to fit over trolley case handles
  • Lockable zipper

Cons

  • Shoulder slips off easily
  • Feels less durable

Travelling for just a night or two and need something that fits under your seat? Aerolite's Cabin Bag comes in the exact maximum allowance for free baggage on Ryanair flights.

There's a lockable main compartment and a front zipped pocket for your travel documents, as well as handles to carry it by hand or a shoulder strap to go hands-free.

Good leather weekend bag
Boston Bag Black Pebble
Aspinal of London Boston Bag Black Pebble
Now 20% Off

Pros

  • Argyle silk lining
  • Sturdy top handles
  • Personalisation
  • Comes with protective luggage cover

Cons

  • Expensive

For a leather weekend bag that lasts a lifetime, Aspinal of London's Boston holdall is handcrafted from fine, full-grain leather with a gorgeous pebble finish.

Its soft structure and beautiful printed silk lining, paired with sturdy handles and a detachable strap, make it a both a practical and stylish choice.

City Candy Recycled Nylon Barrel
Roka London City Candy Recycled Nylon Barrel

Pros

  • ROKA is a BCorp and the bag is made with recycled materials
  • Vibrant colours stand out

Cons

  • Not many internal pockets so may not be the neatest to pack

Sometimes, it's nice to stand out, which is why we like ROKA’s range of barrel bags, which come in nearly all the shades of the rainbow, including vibrant magenta, burnt orange and avocado green.

There are two internal pockets to help keep small items accessible, and three handles for added versatility. The brand claims the recycled nylon fabric is weather-resistant, too.

The Large
Away The Large

Pros

  • Designed with organised packing in mind
  • Premium design

Cons

  • Expensive

Away does sleek luggage and does it well. This weekend bag is no exception – it's available in six timeless shades, slips over suitcase handles (if needed) and unzips fully so you can pack it like one, too.

There's a laptop sleeve, and internal pockets to keep things neat. It’s water resistant, and should hold enough clothes for a few days away.

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How big should a weekend bag be?

The ideal weekend bag size depends on where you are travelling and the length of your trip. For example, if you're travelling by coach or car, we highly recommend a garment weekend bag such as the Katie Loxton Cheltenham Garment Weekend Bag (29 x 54 x 26 cm). These bags are heavier but are ideal for travelling with occasion outfits (with clothes fitting into the bag line itself).

For short-haul flights, you'll likely want a bag that fits the standard small personal size guide of 40 x 20 x 25cm; we recommend the Aerolite Ryanair Cabin Bag.

Or if you're going by train, a compact but mighty bag such as the Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack (15 x 30 x 45 cm) should suit nicely.

How should you pack a weekend bag?

The best weekend bags have handy packing features, such as the removable, positionable hook-and-loop internal sleeves in the Dux 30L Premium Tech Backpack. We highly recommend packing cubes for extra travel organisation!

The verdict on the best weekend bags

Finding the best weekend bag depends on each occasion, means of travel, and personal preferences such as style and organisation needs.

For sports lovers, we recommend the Pro Series 40L Duffel Bag, which features an anti-microbial odour-reducing lining.

For those looking for a timeless design, we recommend the Fjällräven Weekender Holdall (or any Fjällräven bag, for that matter!).

But for business travel, you can never go wrong with a stylish Antler bag; we love its Chelsea Overnight Bag.