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Four Nights free after Monmouth, Wales & before London.

Four Nights free after Monmouth, Wales & before London.

Old Feb 21st, 2017, 11:21 AM
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Four Nights free after Monmouth, Wales & before London.

We will be in Monmouth over the weekend of 16 December and would like to in London by the 22nd (23 at the latest). We've done quite a bit of driving in the UK and believe it or not we are struggling to decided where to drive to in these 4 days or so. (tough problem I know ;-) ) Any thoughts on where would be a nice place to visit in winter? We love walks and scenery but realise its not the ideal time of year for either. I'm was thinking the Peak District as we haven't been there but it seems a bit 'silly' as we are actually flying into Manchester. But we arrive 15/12 and have to go straight to Monmouth (wedding). We've been to the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Exmoor, the Cotswolds and New Forest, thoughts? We really don't mind long drives, in fact we love them.

Should we just head back up to The Peak District or apart from the drive up, will the weather make it a silly idea?

Thanks in advance
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 11:27 AM
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Cornwall??? You could get the train or even fly back to London, though I see you say that you don't mind long drives.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 11:30 AM
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Actually I'd work out a few tentative options and then decide at the time depending on what the weather is. Me personally - I love the Peak district but wouldn't go there during winter storms. Some places will be booked up because of the Christmas holidays but you should be able to find places to stay not too far in advance.

Another option would be down into Somerset/Dorset/Devon

Or another option is to ditch the car and take trains to some city you haven't seen previously.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 11:31 AM
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was posting the same time as annhig -- yes, Cornwall would be good too.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 11:32 AM
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We went to The Peak District last May and had a great time, but it was May. Are you set on a rural location?
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 01:57 PM
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Thanks guys..... yeah rural preferably. Ann we have been to Cornwall but maybe a revisit!?!
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 04:31 PM
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Although I love the Peak District, you could have some wild weather. If Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall, etc., are open on the dates you'll be there, I'm guessing they'll both look fantastic decorated for the holidays.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 04:53 PM
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Yes - Chatsworth does a special Christmas opening from November til just after new years - I think Hardwick Hall is open all year
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 03:22 AM
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You haven't got a lot of time to play with and day length is very short at this time of year. I wouldn't try to drive too far. Forget the Peak District and Cornwall both of which are going to take half a day's drive to get to them.

Why not stay in the area. Think about the Forest of Dean and the Wye Gorge. Don't miss Tintern Abbey and Chepstow is delightful with a splendid ruined castle.

Alternately there is Cardiff with its shopping, museums and splendid castle as well as the fairytale Castell Coch, and St Fagans National History Museum for a blast of the past...
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 04:44 AM
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Forget the Peak District and Cornwall both of which are going to take half a day's drive to get to them. >>

at least!!
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 05:01 AM
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Derby's only two hours up the M42 from Monmouth, add another half hour for traffic

Thought about Hay on Wye, an hour from Monmouth, but OP said he/she had already "done" the Brecon Beacons. The Morgan factory is about 45 min from Monmouth and Malvern itself is pretty:

https://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/factorytours/
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 05:24 AM
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I've toured the Morgan factory twice (was on the waiting list fir a while but eventually gave up and bought a used one)

Malvern, Shrewsbury, Hay on Wye, Ludlow and the general area would be great.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 09:16 PM
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Thank you all
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Old Feb 24th, 2017, 01:09 AM
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Ok, so new thought.........don't laugh.

After reading your thoughts and rethinking our time frame, I'm thinking of maybe heading to Bath for a few days. Yes, we've been before, BUT, if I'm honest it wasn't a great visit. It was on one of our many driving trips and there was......shall we say....some 'tension' in the car!! I think it had something to do with a wayward satnav....... Anyway long story short, we drove in, parked the car and visited the Baths and that's it, we left.

So I'm thinking a 'city' stay might be a good idea, for a few days. Then I'd love to see Highclere Castle (for obvious Downton reasons)and it sounds like it might be nice in the lead up to Christmas.

We also have never been to Hampton Court Palace, so maybe utilize the car and visit there before heading into London.

Love your thoughts.
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Old Feb 24th, 2017, 10:50 AM
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Bath - great idea [and there will probably be some rugby to watch at some point if the timing is right]

and you could do a day trip to Bristol - a greatly underrated city. [or even stay there, there will be a lot going on at that time of year]
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Old Feb 24th, 2017, 11:06 AM
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Highclere may not be open in December, so I wouldn't plan your trip around that.
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