London Romantic Escape? Need Ideas!
 

I am traveling to Paris for 6 nights, then London for 6 nights in late April/early May. At the end of our trip, Id like to go for 2 nights somewhere peaceful and romantic with my husband (after 12 days of city!!)<BR><BR>Does anyone have any suggestions? A long time ago I went to the 'lake district'on a tour which was fun, but it rained so we didnt do much...<BR><BR>Need ideas on any special B &B or hotels or places to go with my hubby for peace & quiet before we fly back to the US and back to work!<BR><BR>Anyone have any ideas????<BR><BR>Thanks!!!

Have you ever been to Brighton? It's only 45 minutes by train from London's Victoria Station. It's still a rather large city, but it's right on the sea and it has a small town feel to it, sort of like a New Jersey shore town. Brighton has the famous shopping area for antiques called "The Lanes" (too narrow for driving, all foot traffic--no bargains, but fun to shop there), as well as the winter palace of a former English King--very ornate, always fun to tour it. There is a first-rate gem of a hotel, which I love, called The Grand. And there are some very excellent seafood restaurants and other bistro type places. There's even a Langan's Restaurant (Michael Caine owns it).<BR><BR>Good luck

Sorry! But I wouldn't call Brighton a romantic place to go - more of a dirty weekend kind of town!

Try Cornwall. St. Ives is picturesque and charming. Eat a pasty for me.

I second the suggestion of Cornwall. It is absolutely lovely. The pennisula itself has many Iron age and Celtic sites worth exploring if you are into that. Mount St. Michael in the ocean outside of Penzance is worth a day trip, there are wonderful local guides you can buy that suggest pastoral walking trails many with very dramatic cliffs. <BR>Also St. Ives has some lovely places and is know for it's spa qualities. My husband and I found this the most romantic place in Southern England. Have a great time.

Janie - My recommendation would be to spend some time in the Cotswolds and stay in Blockley at Lower Brook House. www.lowerbrookhouse.co.uk<BR>Regards - Tom

Cornwall's way too far for 2 nights. Cotswolds are a good idea, try a search here and you'll find loads of information.<BR><BR>Or how about a couple of days on the South Coast, although I agree with the comment that Brighton's not really romantic - more a party town. Try Lymington - a really pretty seaside town with harbour used by yachtsmen to sail over to the Isle of Wight.

Try Dorset or perhaps Winchester.

Another good one is a town called Broadway. They have a hotel there called the Lygon Arms where I've stayed. It's pricey though.

The Cotswolds are okay, but at that time of year you might find East Anglia also to your liking. How about a pub/hotel on the Norfolk coast or in a wonderful old Suffolk village? You would need a car for touring purposes - pick it up at the airport so you can drop it off there, too. Check out http://www.lifeboatinn.co.uk/ or http://www.theaa.com/pubs/97405.html or http://www.lavenham.co.uk/greathouse/

What about Cambridge? You can go punting and look at all the gorgeous buildings. <BR><BR>Or Gretna Green.

Would you like to stay in the London area or get right out of it?<BR><BR>Some areas of the Cotswolds would work, the smaller villages are tranquil and beautiful.<BR><BR>If you want to be nearer to London, we spent my 30th birthday weekend at Danesfield House Hotel in Henley recently.<BR><BR>Henley is a pretty town with nice shops and cafes and a good river setting, and the hotel is beautiful with a spa, lovely gardens and FANTASTIC restaurants.<BR><BR>Kavey

janie,<BR>Great suggestions all. Here's yet another. My friends adored their honeymoon stay at the Greenway outside of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds area but not in the thick of things. On their 2 week honeymoon in London and the West Country, staying at several lovely country house hotels in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall plus Thorbury Castle, this was their very favorite, most tranquil spot.