Where do you spend a long weekend
Feb 19th, 2008, 04:16 AM
#1
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Where do you spend a long weekend
Despite living in the UK all my life I must admit that I've seen very little of my homeland.
If we go holiday (a week or two) in the UK it tends to be to the same places - Lake District or West Scotland. I've been to other places (Cornwall, Norfolk for example) but these places I love for the scenary and the 'get away from it all' feel and so keep returning when looking to holiday at home.
But if it's not to these places then I'm looking abroad for the holiday of a lifetime. Why? Surely the UK has more to offer me and can fulfil some of these dreams.
So here we are. I've decided it's time to explore what the UK has to offer me.
But where to start? I'm looking for ideas and hopefully this is where you can help.
If it were you and you wanted a long weekend or a week away from the crowds in the UK where would you go an why?
If we go holiday (a week or two) in the UK it tends to be to the same places - Lake District or West Scotland. I've been to other places (Cornwall, Norfolk for example) but these places I love for the scenary and the 'get away from it all' feel and so keep returning when looking to holiday at home.
But if it's not to these places then I'm looking abroad for the holiday of a lifetime. Why? Surely the UK has more to offer me and can fulfil some of these dreams.
So here we are. I've decided it's time to explore what the UK has to offer me.
But where to start? I'm looking for ideas and hopefully this is where you can help.
If it were you and you wanted a long weekend or a week away from the crowds in the UK where would you go an why?
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:24 AM
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Tedd
If you're just two, why not jump onto a cheap flight and head towards Spain. Of course, this will be a beach vacation.
Or, just start your car and head towards France. For a long weekend, you can cover a lot of places in France.
If you're just using train, head towards Paris. This is much different than the UK. Not better, not worse but it's certainly different. You're going to remember Paris for the rest of your life.
Ryan Air can fly you to a lot of larger cities. Amsterdam would be fun. Brussels might please a long weekend. Or, fly down to Milan and stroll through the cafes and shops.
Lots of choices.
Blackduff
If you're just two, why not jump onto a cheap flight and head towards Spain. Of course, this will be a beach vacation.
Or, just start your car and head towards France. For a long weekend, you can cover a lot of places in France.
If you're just using train, head towards Paris. This is much different than the UK. Not better, not worse but it's certainly different. You're going to remember Paris for the rest of your life.
Ryan Air can fly you to a lot of larger cities. Amsterdam would be fun. Brussels might please a long weekend. Or, fly down to Milan and stroll through the cafes and shops.
Lots of choices.
Blackduff
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:33 AM
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Where in the UK is your starting point?
We've enjoyed long weekends or full weeks in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, the Cotswolds, various parts of Wales, Lincolnshire, Aberdeenshire and also in Islay.
There are many places still to see!
Our normal pattern in any given year:
1 week sharing a large self-catering house somewhere in the UK with a group of good friends
a minimum of one weekend in France, if not two or maybe a single longer trip
some short weekend breaks in the UK
a long weekend somewhere in Europe (Venice, Bruges, Barcelona, Bologna)
1 longer trip (2 to 4 weeks) usually centred around wildlife such as a safari to Africa or a trip to Antarctica
So we like to do a mix of UK and overseas.
We've enjoyed long weekends or full weeks in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, the Cotswolds, various parts of Wales, Lincolnshire, Aberdeenshire and also in Islay.
There are many places still to see!
Our normal pattern in any given year:
1 week sharing a large self-catering house somewhere in the UK with a group of good friends
a minimum of one weekend in France, if not two or maybe a single longer trip
some short weekend breaks in the UK
a long weekend somewhere in Europe (Venice, Bruges, Barcelona, Bologna)
1 longer trip (2 to 4 weeks) usually centred around wildlife such as a safari to Africa or a trip to Antarctica
So we like to do a mix of UK and overseas.
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:42 AM
#4
a weekend getaway would depend partly on the season.
But besides the places already mentioned -- you could spend a wonderful 2 or 3 day weekend in North Wales, the Peaks, North Yorkshire, York, the Dales, Kent/East Sussex, Dorset, North or South Devon, Oakham/Stamford/Rutland Water, Northumberland/Hadrian's wall, the Scottish Borders, SW Scotland/Ayrshire -- the possibilities are endless . . . . .
But besides the places already mentioned -- you could spend a wonderful 2 or 3 day weekend in North Wales, the Peaks, North Yorkshire, York, the Dales, Kent/East Sussex, Dorset, North or South Devon, Oakham/Stamford/Rutland Water, Northumberland/Hadrian's wall, the Scottish Borders, SW Scotland/Ayrshire -- the possibilities are endless . . . . .
Feb 19th, 2008, 05:44 AM
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A lot depends on where you ae starting from, but the Forest of Dean is one of my favourites, also the Isle of Wight, West Wight in particular.
One place we've stayed a couple of times, though not recently, is the Red Lion in Bredwardine, near Hay on Wye. We really liked that area.
http://www.redlion-hotel.com/
The Brecon Beacons, Dorset, Sussex,
Kent - Whitstable maybe or down towards Sandwich. We stayed in a nice self catering cottage near Ash in Kent - http://tinyurl.com/3bo6d2. They have three nic cottages there.
Chester, Ludlow, Oakham (Rutland) are all worth a weekend.
One place we've stayed a couple of times, though not recently, is the Red Lion in Bredwardine, near Hay on Wye. We really liked that area.
http://www.redlion-hotel.com/
The Brecon Beacons, Dorset, Sussex,
Kent - Whitstable maybe or down towards Sandwich. We stayed in a nice self catering cottage near Ash in Kent - http://tinyurl.com/3bo6d2. They have three nic cottages there.
Chester, Ludlow, Oakham (Rutland) are all worth a weekend.
Feb 19th, 2008, 07:45 AM
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Blackduff, although all of your ideas are great and something I have done it goes against my intentions. You seem to have picked up on my usual habits - when looking to go away go abroad - why not this in the UK?
OK although my intentions were to see where you would go in the UK I'll give a bit more info.
For a long weekend our starting point would be North Yorkshire. So travelling by car I would say about 4 hours max to destination.
But if we were going for a week then anywhere in the UK is an option.
Kavey - Your holiday planning looks a dream I wish we had the time and money to do that every year.
Thanks for the suggestions to date I'm going to have to get the map out and start plotting some of these places.
Janisj - Are there any specific places in the regions you have suggested?
hetismij Thanks for the ideas and links I will check these out.
OK although my intentions were to see where you would go in the UK I'll give a bit more info.
For a long weekend our starting point would be North Yorkshire. So travelling by car I would say about 4 hours max to destination.
But if we were going for a week then anywhere in the UK is an option.
Kavey - Your holiday planning looks a dream I wish we had the time and money to do that every year.
Thanks for the suggestions to date I'm going to have to get the map out and start plotting some of these places.
Janisj - Are there any specific places in the regions you have suggested?
hetismij Thanks for the ideas and links I will check these out.
Feb 19th, 2008, 07:52 AM
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You are so lucky to have this "dilema". Where I live you have to drive about 6 or 7 hours until you see anything half interesting. We would have to drive about 18 hours to see the ocean.
Anyway, I have spent more time in the UK than anywhere else on the planet. I would do the following:
Northern Scotland (well, anywhere in Scotland - I love it). East coast has lovely villages, castles and scenery.
Northern Wales; Southern Wales - Wye Valley area (i.e. Tintern Abbey)
Do some of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.
North Yorkshire - where to begin? My favourite part of the country. Watch sheep dog trials. Sample Wensleydale (and other) cheeses. Explore tiny villages.
Moors - my second favourite part of the country. So easy to escape the crowds. Hundreds of tiny charming villages.
Cotswolds are pretty but so touristy.
If you are interested in castles I have been to over 150 in the UK. Gardens? I have been to nearly 100.
Anyway, I have spent more time in the UK than anywhere else on the planet. I would do the following:
Northern Scotland (well, anywhere in Scotland - I love it). East coast has lovely villages, castles and scenery.
Northern Wales; Southern Wales - Wye Valley area (i.e. Tintern Abbey)
Do some of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.
North Yorkshire - where to begin? My favourite part of the country. Watch sheep dog trials. Sample Wensleydale (and other) cheeses. Explore tiny villages.
Moors - my second favourite part of the country. So easy to escape the crowds. Hundreds of tiny charming villages.
Cotswolds are pretty but so touristy.
If you are interested in castles I have been to over 150 in the UK. Gardens? I have been to nearly 100.
Feb 19th, 2008, 08:00 AM
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On our recent trip to Britain, we spent 4 nights at the superb Millgate B&B in Richmond, Yorkshire. (Ask for room 1.) We made day trips to Durham, Fountains Abbey, and Castle Howard. We moved on to York but you could do a daytrip there also. Then there's the Yorkshire dales and moors, assorted abbeys,....
I also remember a 4-day subsection of a trip spent based in St. Ives at the Garrack Hotel. St. Ives can be crowded, but the Garrack was nicely removed with excellent views. Lots of day trips from here. We were visiting, among other things, Cornish gardens; Trebah was the highlight.
For both of these stays, we had lovely sunny weather. I think that may be the key to a memorable trip (;-).
I also remember a 4-day subsection of a trip spent based in St. Ives at the Garrack Hotel. St. Ives can be crowded, but the Garrack was nicely removed with excellent views. Lots of day trips from here. We were visiting, among other things, Cornish gardens; Trebah was the highlight.
For both of these stays, we had lovely sunny weather. I think that may be the key to a memorable trip (;-).
Feb 19th, 2008, 09:07 AM
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Cheap flight to Belfast is a nice weekend trip and you could take a day trip to the Giant's cause way. West Wales Tenby is one of my favourtie places.
Maybe fly or ferry to southern Ireland and do long weekend.If you want to get away from the crowds then avoid Dublin but county Cork has some amzing little towns on the coast.
Maybe fly or ferry to southern Ireland and do long weekend.If you want to get away from the crowds then avoid Dublin but county Cork has some amzing little towns on the coast.
Feb 19th, 2008, 09:17 AM
#10
"<i>Janisj - Are there any specific places in the regions you have suggested?</i>" Yes - many. I've spent lots of time in all those places (and in most of the areas mentioned by others)
But since we are talking about more than a dozen regions, my list of specific recommendations would run to several hundred words. Every one of those places would make a great weekend getaway. If you are specifically interested in one or two areas - then we can talk specifics.
But since we are talking about more than a dozen regions, my list of specific recommendations would run to several hundred words. Every one of those places would make a great weekend getaway. If you are specifically interested in one or two areas - then we can talk specifics.
Feb 19th, 2008, 09:38 AM
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I think Skye, Aberdeen and Nairn are quite nice Scottish places you might enjoy if you've not yet been. Skye was just lovely in that it didn't have a quarter the people London did. (Must go during the right season, though, as I suspect summers are fully flooded with tourists on Skye and there are complaints about the midges there then as well.)
Best,
BC
Best,
BC
Feb 19th, 2008, 09:41 AM
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So you live in North Yorkshire so will know the Moors, Dales coast etc?
I live in North Yorkshire too, but I was born and bred in Suffolk - a beautiful but much neglected area. It's an area famous for its churches, thatched roof cottages, pretty villages etc, and also of course home to Greene King and Adnams Breweries! Lavenham would be a great base - lovely medieval village full of timbered houses leaning at all angles. Nearby is Long Melford, Kersey, Clare, Bury St Edmunds, and also coastal villages such as Southwold and Aldeburgh.
I live in North Yorkshire too, but I was born and bred in Suffolk - a beautiful but much neglected area. It's an area famous for its churches, thatched roof cottages, pretty villages etc, and also of course home to Greene King and Adnams Breweries! Lavenham would be a great base - lovely medieval village full of timbered houses leaning at all angles. Nearby is Long Melford, Kersey, Clare, Bury St Edmunds, and also coastal villages such as Southwold and Aldeburgh.
Feb 19th, 2008, 10:15 AM
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Having not mentioned my post to the Mrs it was very freeky to be greeted tonight with a list of places she had been thinking about today that we should take time out to visit: -
Northumberland/Borders
Isle of Mull/Oban
Cotswolds
Dorset
How weird?
We love North Yorkshire and it's great to be able to walk out of the front door and head across the open fields. A lot of our time is spent day tripping to surrounding areas some of which people have mentioned (Durham, Barnard Castle, Ilkly, Otley, Richmond, Ripon, Whitby etc) -In fact until other people listed some of these places I didn't appreciated how well blessed we were with our local surroundings (No wonder we don't do more long weekends).
Bookchick - We did Skye, Lewis and Harris a couple of years ago and it was beautiful. We had the weather on our side in May and as Mimar said the sunny days tend to be the most memorable.
Having just read the comments about Suffolk and Lavenham it's definatley been added to the list.
The wifes now got the map out and it looks like we're going to be very busy.
Northumberland/Borders
Isle of Mull/Oban
Cotswolds
Dorset
How weird?
We love North Yorkshire and it's great to be able to walk out of the front door and head across the open fields. A lot of our time is spent day tripping to surrounding areas some of which people have mentioned (Durham, Barnard Castle, Ilkly, Otley, Richmond, Ripon, Whitby etc) -In fact until other people listed some of these places I didn't appreciated how well blessed we were with our local surroundings (No wonder we don't do more long weekends).
Bookchick - We did Skye, Lewis and Harris a couple of years ago and it was beautiful. We had the weather on our side in May and as Mimar said the sunny days tend to be the most memorable.
Having just read the comments about Suffolk and Lavenham it's definatley been added to the list.
The wifes now got the map out and it looks like we're going to be very busy.
Feb 19th, 2008, 10:55 AM
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Hi Tedd. Really interested in this thread you've started.
I am British and have lived virtually all my life in England (there were brief episodes in Germany, Libya and Kenya when I was very small, my father being in the armed forces) but I have been in England since I was six. Most of my life has been spent in the Cotswolds, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Lucky me!
Like you I don't really know my country. If we holiday here we go to North Devon or the north Cornish coast, and for many years we holidayed around Salcombe/Thurlestone on the south Devon peninsula.
I always look at flights abroad these days before looking at what is closer to home when considering holidays or breaks away. I have wondered why sometimes!
I am currently planning our next family ski trip to Bulgaria next February, my solo long weekend to Dubrovnik in October, and I need to seriously consider where to take the teens this summer. The obvious answer is coming up as surfing in north Cornwall again, but I would be very interested in other suggestions.
But I can thoroughly recommend south Shropshire for a long weekend, based in or near Ludlow. Shropshire - or at least the southern part of the county - is the most beautiful part of England I have seen, way more so than the Cotswolds, and truly well worth a visit.
I am British and have lived virtually all my life in England (there were brief episodes in Germany, Libya and Kenya when I was very small, my father being in the armed forces) but I have been in England since I was six. Most of my life has been spent in the Cotswolds, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Lucky me!
Like you I don't really know my country. If we holiday here we go to North Devon or the north Cornish coast, and for many years we holidayed around Salcombe/Thurlestone on the south Devon peninsula.
I always look at flights abroad these days before looking at what is closer to home when considering holidays or breaks away. I have wondered why sometimes!
I am currently planning our next family ski trip to Bulgaria next February, my solo long weekend to Dubrovnik in October, and I need to seriously consider where to take the teens this summer. The obvious answer is coming up as surfing in north Cornwall again, but I would be very interested in other suggestions.
But I can thoroughly recommend south Shropshire for a long weekend, based in or near Ludlow. Shropshire - or at least the southern part of the county - is the most beautiful part of England I have seen, way more so than the Cotswolds, and truly well worth a visit.
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