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.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Bench Cottage is tucked away on the edge of open forest on the outskirts of the cute village of Lyndhurst.

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.

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.