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 or South Wales which is like Cornwall only not.

We can travel to anywhere, we're going to be in the North/Midlands once we get a house. Lots of ideas to think about - thanks.

There's an obvious answer to this question: Pembrokeshire.

I absolutely love St Ives, and would love there if I could, but I think North Wales around Snowdonia would probably suit more - lots of sporty stuff to do Kayaking, boarding, mountain climbing and walking, coasteering, mountain biking even the countryside biggest zip wire! Beautiful scenery, some great restaurants and hotels, so I think there would be stuff to suit your whole party.

Northumberland, North Yorkshire or (I know you said no to Scotland, but this is a midge free part) the East Neuk of Fife. The East Neuk is lovely, Crail and Pittenweem especially so, and At Andrews is nearby with really good places to eat.

Devon. Near Dartmoor for climbing and fantastic scenery. Also some really lovely beaches.

The lake district or Northumberland, my two favourite places.

The trouble with so much of Cornwall is that it can be heaving with tourists and trying to travel on a Saturday in summer can be a nightmare.

Interesting to see Lundy mentioned. We've stayed there several times and it's wonderful, especially when the day trippers have gone and you have the island to yourself again. Lots of exploring to do, including letterboxing, which can take up several days! Plus swimming and diving, and events run by the wardens. We had a great time one night start gazing with one of the wardens who had a telescope and a great knowledge of astronomy.

The hordes of tourists put me off Cornwall.

Gower. Covers all your requirements

We went to Sherwood Forest and stayed at Forrest holidays it was lovely!

Also came in to say Gower!

Snowdonia coast also beautiful.

Pembrokeshire
Mid Wales - around Cardigan
Anglesey

Northumberland and the new forest.

Cornwall too busy. Pembrokeshire, Angelsey, Norfolk, Dorset, Gower

The Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, beautiful beaches, nice little towns, plenty going on sports-wise.

Another vote for Pembrokeshire. Gorgeous beaches, lots of stunning walks. Swimming and surfing for the teens + Oakwood theme park. You can take a boat to Skomer island to see puffins if that's your thing.

If you like peace and quiet check out the hotels and campsites around Little Haven, Dale and St Brides - all peaceful areas.

We spent a week on The Gower in September this year. Our children are now university age so we're able to do family holidays out of peak time again. The girls both brought their beloveds too. We caught that amazing sunny third week and it was fantastic, there was stuff to tick all the boxes you mentioned. However I don't know how busy it might be in peak season. Back in days of school holidays we had some memorably good ones in The Lake District, Exmoor, and Aberteifi and Barmouth (both in mid Wales). Pre children we had good adventurous trips in the Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Highlands and Islands, and Northumberland. Cornwall in good weather is absolutely lovely but in peak season is hellishly busy. Don't even contemplate driving on the A30 on Saturdays (Changeover Day). My own list of places we'd like to try but haven't got round to includes East Anglia and Northern Ireland.

Dorset/New Forest are lovely but I don't think of them as holiday destinations as they're day trips from here... Which is Wiltshire, and actually we've got a few rather nice things to do and places to stay right here, come to think of it!

Exmouth. Lovely town with a beautiful beach a couple of minutes walk away. Not overly touristy. Great choice of pubs and places to eat. Lots of places to see nearby and Exeter is close.

Northumberland or Lake District with teens

I would say Whitby but not sure there is enough for teens. DH and I went without our dc and absolutely loved it, beautiful place and glorious coastline.

Scotland is fine, we've had lots of holidays there and not been bothered by midges, it totally depends where you go and what time of year.

Northumberland is a very good alternative as a pp said.

Also agree with Antrim coast.

You could also consider the Channel Islands (not technically UK but count in terms of currency etc).

Also the area around Rye/Hastings. Lots to do there and not overly touristy compared with other seaside areas.

Dorset is beautiful, particularly the Jurassic coast

it'd be in the summer holidays so I've been warned against Scotland - at least the west coast as apparently the midges are evil.

Dorset: Lyme Regis, Swanage
Cornwall: Polzeath, Port Isaac
Scotland: The Highlands-Fort Augustus
Ireland: Mayo, coast along from Westport