Weekend Away Suggestions
Discussion
Morning folks.
Anyone have any interesting suggestions for a weekend away in the UK in the next couple of weeks? I'm thinking just a decent hotel with a few things to do nearby, maybe some nice walks, bit of nature etc so don't say London. I'm based near Cambridge and well connected with A1 / trains, don't mind 2-3 hours journey in a car or longer on a train, was considering Edinburgh or York etc. Budget £500 max.
Anyone have any interesting suggestions for a weekend away in the UK in the next couple of weeks? I'm thinking just a decent hotel with a few things to do nearby, maybe some nice walks, bit of nature etc so don't say London. I'm based near Cambridge and well connected with A1 / trains, don't mind 2-3 hours journey in a car or longer on a train, was considering Edinburgh or York etc. Budget £500 max.
My default answer here is always Portmeirion but the travel time is likely to be higher.
https://portmeirion.wales
Edinburgh is another favourite of mine, York is nice but it feels very "stag and hen" these days.
https://portmeirion.wales
Edinburgh is another favourite of mine, York is nice but it feels very "stag and hen" these days.
Portmeirion is a good shout... or visit Cheshire, have a day or two in Chester and stay at Peckforton Castle, where they also have a Land Rover Experience:
https://www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk/
https://www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk/
If you want to visit Yorkshire and combine a bit of countryside walking with a decent hotel, Harrogate is a better bet than York.
York itself is ok, (this time of year at least when there aren't too many stag/hen weekends going on) but the countryside around it is pretty flat and boring until you're about an hours drive away. Harrogate is still easy to get to from the motorway, but you're only about 10-15 minutes drive from some really decent walks.
There's a good choice of good hotels and restaurants in the centre of Harrogate, and also some really swish country house hotels not far outside the town if you prefer that option. It is all quite expensive though - don't think that because it's in the north it's going to be cheaper.....
York itself is ok, (this time of year at least when there aren't too many stag/hen weekends going on) but the countryside around it is pretty flat and boring until you're about an hours drive away. Harrogate is still easy to get to from the motorway, but you're only about 10-15 minutes drive from some really decent walks.
There's a good choice of good hotels and restaurants in the centre of Harrogate, and also some really swish country house hotels not far outside the town if you prefer that option. It is all quite expensive though - don't think that because it's in the north it's going to be cheaper.....
dontlookdown said:
Newcastle deserves a mention imo. Elegant city centre, great pubs and bars and only 30mins on the Metro to Tynemouth (eat at Riley's fish shack on the beach). Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda etc less than an hour's drive inland.
This. It’s a super city. Everything in the centre is walkable, the transport connections are good, the nightlife lively and the locals friendly. I love the pride Geordies have in their city.The Innside hotel by the river is a good place to stay, and if you’re able to, do the Victoria Colliery tunnels tour.
Portmeirion is a long way from Cambridge for a weekend away, it's a 5 hour drive via Birmingham. Also don't try and take dogs there.
The other thing is OP said in the next couple of weeks. I wouldn't try North Wales in February!
Later in the year maybe.
Another vote for York, North Norfolk? Burnham Market, Kings Lynn? Aldeburgh
I know you said UK, but looked abroad, because it'll be almost as cheap.
Realistically you're not far from Stansted, Heathrow. At this time of the year I'd be flying south for some sun. I wouldn't go Amsterdam/Begium as it's generally wet this time of year.
How about Gibraltar, Malta, Nice? BA have a sale currently ends tomorrow
The other thing is OP said in the next couple of weeks. I wouldn't try North Wales in February!
Later in the year maybe.
Another vote for York, North Norfolk? Burnham Market, Kings Lynn? Aldeburgh
I know you said UK, but looked abroad, because it'll be almost as cheap.
Realistically you're not far from Stansted, Heathrow. At this time of the year I'd be flying south for some sun. I wouldn't go Amsterdam/Begium as it's generally wet this time of year.
How about Gibraltar, Malta, Nice? BA have a sale currently ends tomorrow
Was going to suggest Peak District (as long as the forecast is not too bad!). Easy to reach from Cambridge: A1; A57; straight through Sheffield. A walk at Ladybower Reservoir (if you can't hack the hills) or Cut Gate / etc if you can. Hathersage Pool Cafe for a fry-up. Blue John Cavern or Speedwell for the potholes. Chatsworth if you like that sort of thing. Trundle over the Strines (Mortimer Road) and have a look at Holme Moss. Plenty of good pubs all over the place.
Then saw that there is some sort of spa/hotel at Clumber Park (enroute to the Peaks, just off the A1). Nice parkland to walk around, maybe a nice place to relax.
Then saw that there is some sort of spa/hotel at Clumber Park (enroute to the Peaks, just off the A1). Nice parkland to walk around, maybe a nice place to relax.
thanks for all the replies.
Hadn't considered Newcastle although I have some colleagues up there so they may have pointers too.
Used to love forestholidays.co.uk - but wow, have their prices gone through the roof. Used to be able to get a chalet for the weekend for £400, now it's more like £800+.
Want to do a spur-of-the-moment-surprise thing really which limits us to UK pretty much, but some good ideas here.
Hadn't considered Newcastle although I have some colleagues up there so they may have pointers too.
Used to love forestholidays.co.uk - but wow, have their prices gone through the roof. Used to be able to get a chalet for the weekend for £400, now it's more like £800+.
Want to do a spur-of-the-moment-surprise thing really which limits us to UK pretty much, but some good ideas here.
Newcastle is a fantastic City with loads to do and as other have said it's very compact and walkable. Some very good eateries as well (eg House of Tides) and super friendly people.
Nature wise - take a walk 10 minutes out of the city centre and you will find cows grazing on the town moor - how many cities can provide that! Take a walk up the Ouseburn from the Quayside to Jesmond and spot a few Kingfishers en route and Byker City Farm.
Grainger Market is a gem (worlds smallest M&S), Discover Museum, Centre for Life.
And loads of cracking micro/craft pubs too with beer at £4 a pint or less.
Grey Street - a stunning Georgian street and the most graceful curve in architecure according to Pevsner.
Nature wise - take a walk 10 minutes out of the city centre and you will find cows grazing on the town moor - how many cities can provide that! Take a walk up the Ouseburn from the Quayside to Jesmond and spot a few Kingfishers en route and Byker City Farm.
Grainger Market is a gem (worlds smallest M&S), Discover Museum, Centre for Life.
And loads of cracking micro/craft pubs too with beer at £4 a pint or less.
Grey Street - a stunning Georgian street and the most graceful curve in architecure according to Pevsner.
dontlookdown said:
Newcastle deserves a mention imo. Elegant city centre, great pubs and bars and only 30mins on the Metro to Tynemouth (eat at Riley's fish shack on the beach). Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda etc less than an hour's drive inland.
Read the OP and came to say the same thing. Looking forward to getting back up there (to see the Brian Jonestown Massacre
) in a few weeks time. Discovered Tynemouth for the first time last year and loved it.
I’d say York or Norfolk Coast.
I went to Harrogate and York and was honestly a bit underwhelmed with Harrogate, it was ok but a bit contrived, the park areas were nice but not really this time of year.
Norfolk is pretty good, sheringham as a base gives reasonable access. The Maltings in Weybourne is pretty good and not silly money, just wrap up as the wind is fresh.
I went to Harrogate and York and was honestly a bit underwhelmed with Harrogate, it was ok but a bit contrived, the park areas were nice but not really this time of year.
Norfolk is pretty good, sheringham as a base gives reasonable access. The Maltings in Weybourne is pretty good and not silly money, just wrap up as the wind is fresh.
durbster said:
Ironbridge is nice for a weekend. We went a few weeks back and it's as lovely town with a lot of history and plenty to do.
We walked from the town along the river up to the Victorian village museum which was great. Spent a few hours there and then walked back for some food.
Thats true. We stayed there for a wedding, awesome property with a garden down to the river and a view of the bridgeWe walked from the town along the river up to the Victorian village museum which was great. Spent a few hours there and then walked back for some food.
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