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.

West Wales is good: a great mix of beaches and countryside.

Gosh, anywhere coastal is great.

We’ve been to north Norfolk, the north east, Wales, Inverness...

Depends on what you want to go- Pembrokeshire is great for a beach and outdoors holiday.

Scilly Isles - all those different islands each have a different character. You get small boats out to each Island & spend the day there. \incredible beaches (I loved St Martins - I still remember standing in the sea & the water so clear you could see the little fishes) you can watch the small rowing boat races.
www.visitislesofscilly.com/experience/things-to-do/active-and-outdoors/activities-on-the-water
its like going overseas without a passport
(I want to go back!)
& the gardens...Tresco!!!!

thanks everybody, we've picked on a place and are looking for accommodation now.

Seen you’ve chosen somewhere, but for next year look at Portrush and Portstewart in Northern Ireland. Good for surfing, coasteering and golf.

Love Northumberland gorgeous coast and can recommend Cragside.

North Wales lots to do gorgeous scenery. We have stayed in a gorgeous cottage in Beddgelert (sleeps 4 can give you the details). The village is a tourist hub but that means you have access to good amenities and can walk to the pub after a day of hiking.

Isle of wight, quite old fashioned

West Coast Scotland is fine in May and usually catch a warm sunny spell, but I'd suggest for summer holidays to do Norfolk - perhaps a bit of sailing?
However with teenagers, I'd suggest a canal holiday, lots of walking between locks, and lovely scenery away from roads mostly. Different pace of life, and a bit of a pub crawl, almost always find canalside pubs very reasonably priced too.

We went to Seaton in Devon this year and loved it.

No midges in the east coast of Scotland. In fact I holiday on Skye most years and can only think of two bad midge years- even so it’s worth it for the utter breathtaking beauty. Don’t dismiss a whole country on the strength of a wee beastie

North Yorkshire. I love it there. We usually stay in a cottage somewhere central to flamingo land for the kids, we will do a visit to York, Scarborough, whitby, and a couple of other touristy things like Eden camp, Howard Castle. We have been twice this year and every summer for the last 4 years.

Are Hebrides, Shetland, Orkney, midge fest places? I think I'd like to go there at least once.

No midges in the east coast of Scotland. In fact I holiday on Skye most years

Skye is the west coast!
yes, the Hebrides are midge fest in the summer. Shetlands and Orkney were fine though.

We love the rose land peninsula in Cornwall. Great beaches, the children can learn to sail at percuil, lovely restaurants, farm shops, rock pooling, fishing for mackerel is lots of fun as are the castles.
I’ve been to that area with or without children and as a child:teen since 1980 with only a few yearly breaks.

Whitby and North Yorkshire or Northumberland coast and Alnwick

We'd like
on the coast

You can't beat the Yorkshire coast in my opinion! Beautiful scenery.
Depending on what type of holiday you enjoy, there's Filey for the more traditional old fashioned seaside, Scarborough which is a bit more "towny" but still good, and Whitby (extremely busy end of April and Halloween weekend due to the influx of Goths though lol)

The Lake District in Cumbria is also a lovely area.
(Not near a beach though, but you say you like scenery)
Lots of lakes, walks, beautiful views.
If you're into poetry, visit Grasmere (or even if you're not!) as it's the home of poet William Wordsworth.
Can get all wistful and romantic lol.
If you do go to Grasmere you can't leave without some gingerbread

This thread is making me realise how much of the UK I still have to visit - I really should venture Darn Sarf more

JOKE lol

Totnes, I had a lovely time there.

West Cumbria. The area between Maryport past Mawbray to the Solway Firth (AONB) is less well known and stunning. Maryport has a maritime museum, climbing centre, Roman ruins. You can walk for ages and only pass a couple of people on the beach.

@WotchaTalkinBoutWillis same here... except I'm thinking we should go Up North more... xx West Country People xx

@WotchaTalkinBoutWillis It's not that far a drive to the coast from the Lake District, see my post. It is the Lake District's best kept secret IMHO.

I agree you get everything in the Lake District, although the weather can be unpredictable.

@GoldfishGirl oooh I'm now remembering a splendid weekend in and around Totnes thank you xx!

Fife on the east coast of Scotland is lovely, no midges.

The Fife Coastal Path is worth exploring, variety of water sports to try out, love the East Neuk and it's beautiful seaside villages.

Windermere.
It's just lovely

Oh I just read some other posts!
Yeh I went to Grasmere too and loved it although I had in my head the gingerbread shop would be a little bigger than it was. I expected a tour etc but then saw its about a meter2 lol