Weekend in France / Belgium

[waterwonder]

Hi,

The GF and I were planning to head of to the southcoast somewhere this weekend just for a general mooch about enjoying the weather. Nothing specific probably just head for the New forest (from essex) stop if we see anything nice/interesting and for dinner, dive into a hotel Sat night and do the same but in reverse Sunday.

However the idea of popping across the chanel appeals - the return ferry is £40. So subject to insurance and breakdown cover does anyone know of any good places to head for in france or belgium?

Ideally somewhere a short bimble (2hrs A road drive or less) from Dover with some sort of reasonably priced accomodation and food options.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Rude-boy]

Ypres.

Only a few hours spirited drive and lots of out door places to explore, with the opportunity to pay your respects.

If you go I would try to see if you can stay here if you are DINKys. It really is sublime from the location to the friendliness of the owners. We went about this time last year and where chatting to the owner about our plan to see the last post then come back to have a picnic in the room.

On our return the gas fire in the room had been lit, plates, cutlery, wine glasses and so on had been left out for us. The following morning when we mentioned we were off to buy some wine on the way home we were take to the local wine merchant who they had open up specially for us and filled the boot of the chim for less than half the French shop prices.

It’s not a place for those on a tight budget or with children but for an adult couple you really can’t fault it in any way.

B&B De Rentmeesterhoeve
Address Reningelstplein 5
Reningelst - Poperinge, 8970
Belgium


Failing that I recommend, at the least, lunch in the Cafe Agricol in Desvres which is about 45 minutes from the ferry terminal. Proper French food cooked for French locals.

[leothetiler]

Head to Bruges, only an hour from Calais.

[marshalla]

leothetiler said:

Head to Bruges, only an hour from Calais.

This! and try this hotel : http://www.weinebrugge.be/

Fanastically good rooms. decent car park and a shuttle service into town & back

[andrewrob]

I can recommend Ghent too, very nice place to visit.

[waterwonder]

Thanks for the suggestions will investigate further. Like the sound of Bruges but that hotel appears to be fully booked for the weekend

Rude-Boy is "not for those on a budget" code for bloody expensive?

Edit: Is this the place http://www.rentmeesterhoeve.be/index-en.html

Anyone else feel free to throw more suggestions at me.

Edited by waterwonder on Friday 30th September 15:30

Edited by waterwonder on Friday 30th September 17:58

[leothetiler]

http://www.adornes.be/

Try the above, great little hotel right next to the canal, and a 5 minute walk to the main square. Not too expensive either, and I think they have rooms.

[waterwonder]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately we were just too unorganised to make it across the weekend. I have however noted them for future use. We ended up heading to the cotswolds. Lunch in Oxford yesterday and Cheltenham today and a good mooch round the country side in between, staying in Burford last night. The area was stunning in the 'Indian Summer' and the roads round where Jeremy Clarkson is rumoured to live pretty nice to drive too, a good weekend getaway spot for PHers imo..........i know the Cotswolds are hardly a secret.