Short Break at Sea Side somewhere in the UK - suggestions please!
 

Hi

We are a young couple looking to go on a long weekend at a sea side town somewhere in the UK but we have no idea where to go!

We were thinking of either Cornwall or somewhere in Wales but are open to other suggestions? We would rather not rent a car if we can avoid it and would like somewhere that has a few pubs, shops etc. We want to get a self catering place and it would be good if it could be withing walking distance of everything.

We are planning on going in April.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Andrea

Where are you starting from? Do you have any particular interest?

Starting from London. We like good food and good views and would enjoy some leisurely walks.

Have you considered Brighton? You wouldn't need a car, it's only about an hour from Victoria Station, and there is plenty of things to see/do for a week-long stay . I think you're probably looking for a smaller town/village setting further afield (not sure) but Brighton would be a good base for visiting some nice smaller nearby seaside towns too. It's been called "London by the Sea" by some because it's large (a city, not a town) and because it's an easy escape for Londoners wanting their fix of the beach. Are you sure you wouldn't get bored spending a week in a smaller beach town for a week in spring?

There are varied opportunities for: food/dining, museums/arts, history, music, theater, nightlife, parks/gardens ... and more.

I have been considering spending a week there next time I'm in London. Here are a couple of self-catering vacation apartments that I'm considering. (the 2nd and 3rd ones in Brighton, Mews & Landseer, appeal to me).

Here is the official Brighton tourism website:
http://www.visitbrighton.com/

and

Brighton wikitravel entry:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Brighton_(England)

^ Sorry, forgot the apartments link:
http://www.avalonapartments.co.uk/

There's plenty of good walking in the South Downs countryside a bus or train ride from Brighton.

There are some nice places on the Kent coast, particularly Whitstable and Deal. See this link: http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.com/search/label/Kent

I'd look into Poole and the Sandbanks in particular.
Quite civilised, nice sandy beach, a few good eating options.
For walks along the beach you can cross over by a 5 min. chain ferry to Studland and Swanage where the beach is a nature preserve of some kind.

Looking at Cornwall and Wales. In hte first I know most about the Penwith area in the far west. Beaches, cliff scenery ancient remains and industrial archaeology (tin mines) all abound plus interesting granite churches. St Just in Penwith is near to relatively unspoiled coastal scenery and there are buses to Penzance and St Ives. If you want a traditional resort you probably need to be further east and I think Torquay or Brixham in Devon might suit better.

In Wales I should pick one of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Gower or Lleyn Peninsula. Gower is probably least good for buses of the three. If you want particular place recommendations, I should pick St David's in Pembrokeshire (Tenby if you want a livelier resort) or Aberdaron in Wales (Nefin or Abersoc for resorts).

I'd head to Brighton - it's April so it won't be beach weather and you'd might as well base yourself somewhere with loads of shopping, restaurant and pub options. It will be a bonus if you get any beach time in and Brighton has loads of great hotel options that run the gamut from hostels to luxury boutique hotels. Again, easy access from London Victoria, train takes 50 minutes and you can get a cheap taxi or walk to your hotel depending on location.

Suffolk might be fun, too. Aldeburgh's on my bucket list.