UK holiday recommendations please

[Steel Icarus]

Next summer when the kids leave their respective schools aged 16 and 11, we want a family holiday. Although me and daughter would be happiest in a Spanish villa our son is very particular about where he wants to go. We went to Sicily a couple of years ago and he hated it; the heat, the language, the food. And I want everyone to enjoy themselves as much as possible.

UK it is, then, in August 2020. Bit unsure where as there's a lot of choice.

Must haves:

Sea or water within walking distance
Hotel or B&B accommodation with good WiFi to make it a home from home

Would very much like:

Choice of places to eat out of an evening
Bit of nearby cultcha, a short drive away
Scenery i.e. more dramatic than the relatively flat landscape of Lincolnshire I live in
Stuff to do, nature trails or walks etc
Quiet


Money no object as not flying.

Hit me with your recommendations!

 

[souljacker]

You can't go wrong with Cornwall or Devon I reckon. We are off to Salcombe for a week of surfing, paddleboarding and good food at the end of August.

 

[planetgeli]

Pembrokeshire for sea, beaches, scenery, walking.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Pembrokeshire for sea, beaches, scenery, walking.

I was going to say that! Wales never disappoints.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Went to Wales a couple of times, Cardiff admittedly

Mrs SI says she fancies Cornwall but I think it's rather a long way. Is it worth it?

Paging Voley

 

[Santino]

Swanage in Dorset for a perfect English beach holiday. A few hipstery eating places.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

What about somewhere in the Lake District? That's not so far from Lincs. Keswick and the surrounding area is very nice.
Or Northumberland? I've never been up there but I believe it's quite nice scenery-wise. Might be a bit nippy though

 

[Steel Icarus]

Swanage in Dorset for a perfect English beach holiday. A few hipstery eating places.

Not too seasidey? Is there stuff other than beach in the immediate area?

 

[Plumdaff]

I'd also say Pembrokeshire. But nearer you North Norfolk has some lovely beaches and walks.

 

[brixtonblade]

From Lincolnshire I'd go North Norfolk or head up towards Whitby

 

[Steel Icarus]

I should say that my boy will not entertain the idea of swimming. Loves a bit of rock pooling and building stuff out of rocks and driftwood though

 

[Santino]

Not too seasidey? Is there stuff other than beach in the immediate area?

A castle just down the road. Dorchester and Lyme Regis within driving distance. A stone museum. A steam train!

 

[Santino]

North Cornwall's good for rock pool type beaches.

 

[wiskey]

Jersey?

Almost like going abroad, good zoo ...

 

[baldrick]

Northumberland.

Been there every August bank holiday for three years now. It's beautiful, there's sea, hills, castles, coast paths to walk on, and it's way less popular than Devon or Cornwall.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Northumberland.

Been there every August bank holiday for three years now. It's beautiful, there's sea, hills, castles, coast paths to walk on, and it's way less popular than Devon or Cornwall.

Any place in particular to base ourselves baldrick ?

 

[planetgeli]

Yeah travel into Cornwall in August can be problematic. Almost one way in one way out kinda thing. But I do love it.

Equally I'd be just as happy for you to not come to West Wales as I would be for you to come. We have some of the emptiest roads in the U.K. and I don't mind it staying that way. Driving here is a dream. And I say that as someone who was stuck on the former Whipps Cross roundabout for 30 mins at the obvious rush hour time of 10pm last night.

London eh?

 

[marty21]

Suffolk , I really enjoy staying there ,
seaside-y stuff in Southwold, Aldeburgh , Dunwich (the city that disappeared into the sea ) other outdoorsy stuff , walking on heath lands (Westleton , Dunwich) Foresty stuff there too . Wildlife in Minsmere , which is a bird watcher paradise but lovely just to wander around (and is by the sea) Lavenham for historic buildings and that . Sutton Hoo for viking stuff. If the weather is ok , it's a great place to stay .

Also consider , Dorset, Herefordshire, Cotswolds , Yorkshire .

 

[Spymaster]

If you avoid Kent and Essex, most coastal counties have something to recommend them. Another vote for Cornwall/Devon though. Loads of lovely little villages, beaches, etc.

Don't even think about driving or taking the train though. You can fly from London, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, or Manchester, to Newquay for under £100 with Flybe. Hire a car at the other end and you're sorted.

 

[souljacker]

Any place in particular to base ourselves baldrick ?

Seahouses is ace.

Also, second the Pembrokeshire support. We had a few days in Saundersfoot last year and it was beautiful with loads to see and do around it.

 

[clicker]

Hire a boat on the Norfolk Broads for a few days , stop at different places for the night and you'll have access to beaches, castles , wildlife, theme parks etc. It is so tranquil waking up on the Broads. Also the kids can drive the boat

 

[cyberfairy]

Dumfries and Galloway, stay near Kirkcudbright, famous from The Wicker Man.Lovely arty small town,v good food lovely location, near moor, forests and coast. Lots of great stone circles etc nearby too.

 

[Rebelda]

North coast of Ireland. Beaches, causeway, game of thrones castles etc. Ballycastle makes a nice base.

Charmouth is good. Fossily beach. Will be rammed though.

 

[Poot]

If Cornwall is a bit far, Exmouth is very nice and will knock a couple of hours of the journey maybe. Exeter is nearby for cultcha and there is plenty of countryside, beach and hotels etc. Or maybe somewhere on Dartmoor or Exmoor?

 

[hash tag]

Burgh Island Hotel | Private island in South Devon, UK

Seaside, UK, dramatic scenery, "money no object"

Failing that, Isle of Purbeck/swanage/corfe

 

[Steel Icarus]

Ok, money no object should have come with a caveat

 

[marty21]

Failing that, Isle of Purbeck/swanage/corfe

Love that area

 

[neonwilderness]

Seahouses is ace.

Beadnell and Alnmouth are nice too.

Anywhere in the central park of the Lakes would probably fit the bill too - Keswick/Ambleside/Windermere area.

 

[baldrick]

We stayed in Amble last year. Very low key but the beaches are stunning and Warkworth castle is worth a look.

If you go further north, Seahouses is a good shout.

There's the puffins on Lindisfarne too.

 

[purenarcotic]

Another vote for Cornwall- Torquay etc is just beautiful.

E2a - Scottish coast is gorgeous, as is the highlands. Had a wonderful holiday with my dad going round Glen Coe, watching the salmon leaping at the Falls of Shin and pootling around the beach at Dornoch. All lovely places.