Weekend away Somerset / Devon
Discussion
The missus and I are potentially looking for a last minute weekend away on the 21-23rd November. Fancy heading down to Somerset/Devon area as we can manage the drive in about 3-4hrs from Reading.
Ideally by/near the coast as we both like the seaside but unsure on locations especially as this time of year the weather is not great. Looking for a nice hotel/b'n'b, decent resturant/pub nearby and a few things local to do during the day
Can anyone recommend villages/seaside towns for a romantic weekend?
Ideally by/near the coast as we both like the seaside but unsure on locations especially as this time of year the weather is not great. Looking for a nice hotel/b'n'b, decent resturant/pub nearby and a few things local to do during the day
Can anyone recommend villages/seaside towns for a romantic weekend?
Well, I live in Exmouth but wouldn't necessarily say it's the most romantic of places 
I might be more tempted to look at places in Cornwall? Padstow and surroundings, maybe Salcombe and surrounding (I know that's Devon)
Might be worth an hour on tripadvisor and just see what pops up.
I might be more tempted to look at places in Cornwall? Padstow and surroundings, maybe Salcombe and surrounding (I know that's Devon
)Might be worth an hour on tripadvisor and just see what pops up.
LordBretSinclair said:
You won't go wrong here - http://www.masonsarms.co.uk/
Just checked and its fully booked. 
Thanks though. TDIfurby said:
Well, I live in Exmouth but wouldn't necessarily say it's the most romantic of places
I might be more tempted to look at places in Cornwall? Padstow and surroundings, maybe Salcombe and surrounding (I know that's Devon)
Might be worth an hour on tripadvisor and just see what pops up.
Thanks I have been on tripadvisor but its difficult to sometimes choose where to look for area wise. Heard good things about Padstow so will give that area a try. I might be more tempted to look at places in Cornwall? Padstow and surroundings, maybe Salcombe and surrounding (I know that's Devon
)Might be worth an hour on tripadvisor and just see what pops up.
LordHaveMurci said:
Challo said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Good luck with that!
In what respect? Location or Weather? (Half joking, I'm sure it'll be fine & there is loads to see).
Main thing for us was being by the sea, having a few things to do inside if the weather is shocking, and being around max 3hours drive from home. Plus neither of us have been there and thought it might be ok for 1 night.
Challo said:
Hopefully its not that bad
Main thing for us was being by the sea, having a few things to do inside if the weather is shocking, and being around max 3hours drive from home. Plus neither of us have been there and thought it might be ok for 1 night.
"Romantic" isn't a word I'd use to describe the place, mind you after living in the centre for 10+ years you get a bit immune to it's 'charms'.Main thing for us was being by the sea, having a few things to do inside if the weather is shocking, and being around max 3hours drive from home. Plus neither of us have been there and thought it might be ok for 1 night.
If the weather is good there are the moors, Sparkford Zoo is worth a half day (chekc what time they feed the big cats), and if you're in the centre and it's carp weather then there's the Aquarium. "The Full Monty" is on at the Theatre Royal this week (the mrs is going on Friday
) and there are a lot of places to eat.If you want to suggest a budget, style, and rough location then I can come with a few options, though you will probably need to book the more popular places very soon.
Paul
DevonPaul said:
Challo said:
Hopefully its not that bad
Main thing for us was being by the sea, having a few things to do inside if the weather is shocking, and being around max 3hours drive from home. Plus neither of us have been there and thought it might be ok for 1 night.
"Romantic" isn't a word I'd use to describe the place, mind you after living in the centre for 10+ years you get a bit immune to it's 'charms'.Main thing for us was being by the sea, having a few things to do inside if the weather is shocking, and being around max 3hours drive from home. Plus neither of us have been there and thought it might be ok for 1 night.
If the weather is good there are the moors, Sparkford Zoo is worth a half day (chekc what time they feed the big cats), and if you're in the centre and it's carp weather then there's the Aquarium. "The Full Monty" is on at the Theatre Royal this week (the mrs is going on Friday
) and there are a lot of places to eat.If you want to suggest a budget, style, and rough location then I can come with a few options, though you will probably need to book the more popular places very soon.
Paul
If you could recommend somewhere around that area, next the sea, things nearby if the weather turns bad. Ideally in the evening the hotel would be near a nice pub, restaurant where we can have a decent meal and grab a few drinks and not have to worry about driving.
We live near Reading (Berkshire) so Plymouth is the max drive time of 3hours we wanted to travel. I suppose location wise anything North or South Devon would be ideal.
LordHaveMurci said:
If your booking isn't set in stone I'd try somewhere like Lynmouth as suggested or Sidmouth in East Devon. Even Exeter as a base, lots of things to see & places to eat and close to many places of interest. An hour closer to you too 
Thanks. Will check out those places as well. Challo said:
Thanks. Will check out those places as well.
Sidmouth is a lovely place, not much going on but places to eat & on a beautiful stretch of coastline with loads of coast path walks & pretty villages nearby.Exeter is a great city with historic quayside, cathedral, underground passages etc - plenty to explore & loads of shopping/places to eat. Close to the coast & moors & right off the M5.
Even at this time of year, a lot of places will get booked up pretty quick.
OK, the business market of Travelodge/Holiday Inn end of the scale will have weekend vacancies, but in Exeter higher end places like The Magdalene Chapter, Royal Clarence, Buckerel Lodge, Southernhay House, Mercure, often fill with weddings etc. If you do end up in Exeter the White Hart is central and has a good reputation, decent food, and good ale, but rather shy on romance.
I'm struggling to think of many 'premium' hotels in Plymouth - the Duke of Cornwall or The Copthorne are about the best in the centre. Strangely Plymouth seems to have a better range of upmarket but still affordable (£40-50/head inc wine) eateries near the centre than Exeter. I'm thinking Tanners, Chloes, Rhodes at the Dome (great location, but I found the food mediocre) and a lot of stuff just down the road at Royal William Yard such as River Cottage. Also several very good and quite cheap Greek places in the centre that book up quickly. I find that Exeter restaurants are 20-30% more expensive for similar quality, though the cite centre is full of the usual chain franchises like Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia.
If your itinerary isn't set in stone, then I'd go a bit more East towards Exeter or Sidmouth. Exeter city centre is 2h 15 min from Tilehurst on a clear 80 mph run (which I used to do most weekends). Sidmouth is about an extra 10-15 min, and has a lot of reasonable B&Bs, some good pubs and restaurants, nice coastline, but really you don't fit in without grey hair and half the car parks have spaces reserved for people who drive a Honda Jazz
Realistically, if you want a romatic break choose Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton (and perhaps Exmouth at a push), seaside brake choose Torbay area, city break choose Exeter, or if you want to watch a couple of birds going at it then Plymouth.
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/VIDEO-Hungry-sparr...
OK, the business market of Travelodge/Holiday Inn end of the scale will have weekend vacancies, but in Exeter higher end places like The Magdalene Chapter, Royal Clarence, Buckerel Lodge, Southernhay House, Mercure, often fill with weddings etc. If you do end up in Exeter the White Hart is central and has a good reputation, decent food, and good ale, but rather shy on romance.
I'm struggling to think of many 'premium' hotels in Plymouth - the Duke of Cornwall or The Copthorne are about the best in the centre. Strangely Plymouth seems to have a better range of upmarket but still affordable (£40-50/head inc wine) eateries near the centre than Exeter. I'm thinking Tanners, Chloes, Rhodes at the Dome (great location, but I found the food mediocre) and a lot of stuff just down the road at Royal William Yard such as River Cottage. Also several very good and quite cheap Greek places in the centre that book up quickly. I find that Exeter restaurants are 20-30% more expensive for similar quality, though the cite centre is full of the usual chain franchises like Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia.
If your itinerary isn't set in stone, then I'd go a bit more East towards Exeter or Sidmouth. Exeter city centre is 2h 15 min from Tilehurst on a clear 80 mph run (which I used to do most weekends). Sidmouth is about an extra 10-15 min, and has a lot of reasonable B&Bs, some good pubs and restaurants, nice coastline, but really you don't fit in without grey hair and half the car parks have spaces reserved for people who drive a Honda Jazz
Realistically, if you want a romatic break choose Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton (and perhaps Exmouth at a push), seaside brake choose Torbay area, city break choose Exeter, or if you want to watch a couple of birds going at it then Plymouth.
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/VIDEO-Hungry-sparr...
Gassing Station | South West | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff