where would you go on holiday in the UK and why?

[spacepyramid]

We're thinking about having our main holiday in the UK next year for a change but have no idea where to go.

We'd like:

on the coast.
not in Scotland (midges!)
not in a built up area
not particularly touristy - we don't want somewhere like Blackpool

We don't really know the country that well so are struggling to work out what we'd like. We like lovely scenery and beaches but not beach holidays to build sandcastles.

Northumberland

North Norfolk. Sheringham area is lovely.

We've had some of our best family holidays here in the UK. Northumberland was fabulous and not touristy at all, the Lake District was amazing and while it was more touristy than Northumberland it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting and it was so beautiful and interesting. We've also loved the Jurassic Coast (Dorset), the Cotswolds (not in summer - we went in Oct), Pembrokeshire (south Wales), and we visit north Norfolk regularly. I would recommend them all.

Lake District. Stunning scenery and nice coast area just out of the National Park.

North Norfolk would also be nice. Wells next the sea area.

Cornwall can't guarantee the weather will be good. But lots to do and the beaches are fab

I've been to Dorset several times for short breaks and really enjoyed it. I love fossil-hunting, so that's really good. Also, Monkey World is there .

Some lovely small towns, and great coast. The weather's always been very kind to us there too (unlike Scotland and Wales) in August.

Also enjoyed visiting Lymington (New Forest) and Dartmouth, although I imagine Dartmouth would be very busy in the Summer.

Northumberland, so beautiful.

Glens of Antrim. Cushendun, Cushendall, that type of area. You could build sandcastles if you wanted but lots of the beaches are quite rugged, beautiful scenery.

Or any of the quieter areas of the west Welsh coast: north coast and Pembrokeshire might be a bit too full for you in summer. On the west coast, the likes of Abersoch and Pwllheli will probably be busy but there are plenty of beaches up the back end of nowhere round there. Start from Caernarfon Bay and work your way down.

Pembrokeshire. Lovely beaches. Loads to see and do. Oakwood if you're into theme parks. Folly Farm if you have young children. Tenby . Caldy Island. Pembroke Castle. Manorbier Castle.

Northumberland- beautiful coast and country, lots to see (castles especially!), not as busy with tourists as some places.

Lake District. Northumberland is really nice as well. I’d go for Wales. I’ve been 4 times in the north, south, east, west and I love it. I’m going to retire there

Sorry, I should have said - we have teenagers, they like the countryside and sports.

Northumberland.
Personally I love the wide sweeping beaches dotted with castles.
You have castles, forests with dark sky status, Hadrian's wall and Roman forts, stately homes like Cragside, boat trips to the farne Islands to look for puffins and seals, and HP stuff if you like that.

We love Cornwall or Norfolk for seaside places. Wales for scenery and waterfalls. I caught the end of a programme yesterday about Isle of anglesey which looked beautiful but I haven't looked to much into yet.

What type of sports? There's a lot in the Snowdonia area of north west Wales: climbing, kayaking, that type of thing. Lakes also obviously very good for that. Which area of the country are you in?

Kielder water has lots of mountain biking.

Quiet bits of Cornwall. Beautiful beaches and lovely weather. Fab!

Wales, Snowdonia etc beautiful and loads to do.

Scottish Borders, coast, lovely coves to visit, beautiful towns where it’s like being in Belgium squares, cafes and people watching, close to Edinburgh and Hole Island etc.

Tywyn, Mid-Wales, or Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire. Both have self catering properties right overlooking the beach.
Tywyn is surrounded by lakes and mountains, while Pembrokeshire is like Cornwall without the crowds.
Or the Isle of Wight is great for kids.

Holy

Lake District, Northumberland, Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset.

All have busy "tourist" bits but all also have plenty of unspoilt areas too.

My absolute fave holiday destination is Derbyshire. Loads of caves, climbing, walking, scenery with castles and other attractions too. It just has the right mix of things to do but free places to walk and explore too. Absolutely stunning area.

That said, we've done Yorkshire moors which was fab, north Devon which is great for water sports and you can take a boat across to Lundy Island. We saw dolphins swimming and if you have time there's a walk to see puffins nesting etc.

New Forest area is lovely. Lots of woodland and New Forest ponies, beaches of Bournemouth just down the road, and if you've got kids you've got places like Paultons Park and Monkey world to visit.

Northern Ireland in County Antrim . I am from there. Live Brighton now. Also has its plusses

I'd suggest Pembrokeshire but north of Haverfordwest. Avoid St Davids if you want it quiet.

It's stunning. I grew up there but even if I hadn't we'd still take DS every year. We mainly splash around in the sea, walk and climb rocks.