Small sea side towns in South England
#1
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Small sea side towns in South England
Hi All,
I would like to spend about 9 days in June at a small seaside town (or two) in Southern England, mainly to write and take in some scenery. Would you kindly suggest a few options? I don't drive so easy Train and buses would be best. Would also be great if I can do day trips around.
Thank you!!!
Weiwei
I would like to spend about 9 days in June at a small seaside town (or two) in Southern England, mainly to write and take in some scenery. Would you kindly suggest a few options? I don't drive so easy Train and buses would be best. Would also be great if I can do day trips around.
Thank you!!!
Weiwei
#2
#4
I've spent time in Lyme Regis twice and liked it very much. I haven't read the link above but presumably it mentions the SW Coast Path for walks.
If Cornwall qualifies as "southern" for you, I liked Penzance very much too & also Falmouth which has Trelissick Garden nearby to visit and, if I recall correctly, it can be reached by boats that go through the inland waterways in the area (now thinking I must go back).
There are a number of towns along the Dorset & Kent coasts, depending on how much in the way of local resources you'd like.
If Cornwall qualifies as "southern" for you, I liked Penzance very much too & also Falmouth which has Trelissick Garden nearby to visit and, if I recall correctly, it can be reached by boats that go through the inland waterways in the area (now thinking I must go back).
There are a number of towns along the Dorset & Kent coasts, depending on how much in the way of local resources you'd like.
#5
Regarding Sidmouth, annhig, I know I've walked through it but recall Seaton better, in particular because I don't recall seeing anyone under the age of about 80. I think I'd avoid Seaton.
I thought Exmouth was pretty and it's convenient to Exeter when you need city resources, a short train ride away.
I thought Exmouth was pretty and it's convenient to Exeter when you need city resources, a short train ride away.
#6
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You might like the Kentish town of Broadstairs, it's annual Dickens week runs from the 17 June for one week. With events all over the town. It is regarded as a typical seaside town. Close to London,Dover and Canterbury. There are websites for both the town and the Festival.
#7
If Cornwall qualifies as "southern" for you, I liked Penzance very much too & also Falmouth which has Trelissick Garden nearby to visit and, if I recall correctly, it can be reached by boats that go through the inland waterways in the area (now thinking I must go back).>>
I agree Mme P; IMO Falmouth has more opportunities than PZ for day trips by public transport because of the boats; you could fill a whole week by using the boats. PZ has buses but the boats of Falmouth make it a winner for me.
I confess that I've not been to Sidmouth for a while; we used to go there on family holidays so not everyone there was over 80 then. They also have a folk festival there which presumably attracts a "younger set":
https://sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
I agree Mme P; IMO Falmouth has more opportunities than PZ for day trips by public transport because of the boats; you could fill a whole week by using the boats. PZ has buses but the boats of Falmouth make it a winner for me.
I confess that I've not been to Sidmouth for a while; we used to go there on family holidays so not everyone there was over 80 then. They also have a folk festival there which presumably attracts a "younger set":
https://sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk
#8
Penzance has a fun bus service that makes a circle through the countryside and along the coast with St. Ives on the other end. I stayed in St. Ives last time and would like to go back and give Penzance a try, a good walk or short bus ride from the causeway to St Michael's Mount.
I wish I'd tried the boats out of Falmouth but didn't take the time. I think I liked the look of Penzance (close to better than Falmouth, which seemed more geared to tourists. But either one would be nice for a few days.
I wish I'd tried the boats out of Falmouth but didn't take the time. I think I liked the look of Penzance (close to better than Falmouth, which seemed more geared to tourists. But either one would be nice for a few days.
#9
Both PZ and Falmouth have their advantages, Mme P. I know that Falmouth can seem touristy, but honestly I know a lot of real people who live there! [we were thinking of moving there at one point].
I've heard about that circular bus service but I've never taken it as we always have a car but I have done roughly the same route in a day with my mum which was fun. You can also get from PZ to St Ives by getting the train to St Erth and then picking up the little shuttle train to St Ives. We did that with her too and it was fun except that the walk back up to the station was a bit of a hike for her.
Boat trips from Falmouth include:
Flushing [ferry]
St Mawes [ferry] [and you can connect to Place on an even smaller boat, in order to walk round to the St Anthony's Head lighthouse]
Trelissick and Truro [sometimes you are bussed back from Truro depending on the tide]
The Helford [a boat trip]
http://www.falriver.co.uk/things-to-...ter/boat-trips
I've heard about that circular bus service but I've never taken it as we always have a car but I have done roughly the same route in a day with my mum which was fun. You can also get from PZ to St Ives by getting the train to St Erth and then picking up the little shuttle train to St Ives. We did that with her too and it was fun except that the walk back up to the station was a bit of a hike for her.
Boat trips from Falmouth include:
Flushing [ferry]
St Mawes [ferry] [and you can connect to Place on an even smaller boat, in order to walk round to the St Anthony's Head lighthouse]
Trelissick and Truro [sometimes you are bussed back from Truro depending on the tide]
The Helford [a boat trip]
http://www.falriver.co.uk/things-to-...ter/boat-trips
#10
"(close to better than Falmouth,..."
I have no idea what I meant by that! but I should have said the main drag along the harbor seemed more touristy, probably because it's just one street, rather than more spread out as the Penzance commercial area is. I stayed up the hill in Falmouth, a guesthouse in a residential area where it was quiet & lovely but still close to restaurants along the water. Either one.
I have no idea what I meant by that! but I should have said the main drag along the harbor seemed more touristy, probably because it's just one street, rather than more spread out as the Penzance commercial area is. I stayed up the hill in Falmouth, a guesthouse in a residential area where it was quiet & lovely but still close to restaurants along the water. Either one.
#11
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We have spent the past 12 days in the south of England and are now in Southampton. We loved Lyme-Regis and Penzance and St-Ives (we took a bus - very cheap and easy). Southampton is interesting, but doesn't have the appeal of a lot of other places we've been through. Tomorrow we leave for 2 nights on the Ile od Wight and expect that to be very interesting as well.
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I based once in Hastings and thought it a neat non-tourist overrun place with easy day trips to many neat places - like Royal Tunbridge Wels; Battle (scene of original 1066 battle for control of England)- and several castles.)
#13
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Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. What about slightly closer to London as I checked the train to Falmouth would take more than 5 hours!
How about Portsmouth/Lymington/Ise of Wight area? Where would be the best base, how many days does each need?
Thank you!
How about Portsmouth/Lymington/Ise of Wight area? Where would be the best base, how many days does each need?
Thank you!
#14
Lymington is certainly pleasant but I wouldn't spend more than half a day there, Portsmouth is a city with some large navy stuff to look at, very interesting but not really my idea of a holiday. I have friends who speak of Cichester and Wittering. Bognor Regis is very much the joke name of the south of England
I'd look at Poole rather than Bournemouth. Bournemouth is posh version of Blackpool, so not the best B&bs and hotels. Poole and especially Poole Quay (with a massive harbour and all that comes with it) is pleasant enough if a bit seasidey.
Swanage is a little harder to get to and perfectly fine but without the charm of the say Lyme Regis. Lulworth is of course the perfect place, nothing to do but walk, skim stones and eat sea food.
Going the other way Brighton might be interesting, quirky shopping, large town, one or two universities (i forget how many) and very much london-by-the-sea
I'd look at Poole rather than Bournemouth. Bournemouth is posh version of Blackpool, so not the best B&bs and hotels. Poole and especially Poole Quay (with a massive harbour and all that comes with it) is pleasant enough if a bit seasidey.
Swanage is a little harder to get to and perfectly fine but without the charm of the say Lyme Regis. Lulworth is of course the perfect place, nothing to do but walk, skim stones and eat sea food.
Going the other way Brighton might be interesting, quirky shopping, large town, one or two universities (i forget how many) and very much london-by-the-sea
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Rye is very pretty (and closer to London). If you want lovely beaches then Camber Sands might be a nice place to stay if you can manage to snag one of the posh beach houses that are sometimes available to rent.
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