Undesirable holiday locations, please!

[WouldBeGood]

I’m far too scared to book a wholesome staycation in a beautiful tourist area, lest I be run out of town by angry locals; or refused service in the extortionately priced local farm shop.

So, I’m planning to go to places that are not holiday destinations, where they might be pleased people are visiting. Or, even better, not notice.

My sole requirement is a nice hotel.

Any recommendations?

@WouldBeGood oh God, why??
I am a bit concerned we will be eaten alive by midges (hut by a pond) and I've a feeling he's just going to sod off m biking whenever he gets a chance too

@PutYourBackIntoit oh, don’t worry, it’s just because I am not a fan of the great outdoors, and find it bleak up in the Highlands.

@borntobequiet

Worcester/South Worcestershire (eg Upton on Severn, Pershore). Historic enough with the Cotswolds/ Stratford/Forest of Dean/Black Mountains/Shropshire hills near enough for a half day outing. Boat trips on the Severn or Avon. Understated, lush, traditional countryside and many pretty villages.

Ooooo, we're going to Upton upon severn in a couple of weeks! Got a boat trip booked and lots of nice restaurants and a walk up the Malvern hills planned too. Can't wait!

Just thought of another - Bristol. Direct flights from Scotland and the area round the canal is lovely - I stayed at The Bristol Hotel once with work and it's gorgeous- always planned to go back for a break, you could also get the train to Bath and I think the seaside would also be doable, but not sure.

I shudder to think how the residents of Bristol would react to it being considered undesirable or unpopular. I lived there for a few years and almost everyone who lives there thinks it's the best place on earth.

My contribution is Gloucester.

Gloucester is full of surprises. The best-preserved Roman street plan in the country (I think) and, for example, Meek’s shoe first floor sales room has a beautifully preserved C1600 plaster ceiling.

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4195128

I have a long history of trying to make the most out of non-touristy destinations, but even so I was pretty underwhelmed by Carlisle. I was there for a family event in 2019, and appeared to be the only tourist in the place. It wasn't awful by any means, just perhaps not interesting enough to go there specifically for tourist purposes. The area around the cathedral (closed, couldn't go in) was pretty and its history was interesting, but you'd want a guided tour to get the most from the castle. Its main claim to being a good base seems to be that it's not far from the Lakes or Edinburgh - so why not go directly there instead. There are going to be gorgeous parts of the Lake District that aren't so overcrowded, even this summer - just keep away from the hotspots. Sorry Carlisle!

Norwich and the North Norfolk Coastline would be my choice, plenty of City Break type hotels and Inns around the quaint towns and villages offering accomodation, and a fair few Chains of Travelodge type accommodation for an overnight stop off too.
Call in and sample the Tranquility and Wildlife of the Norfolk Broads, stop off for a riverboat ride in Wroxham, and shop at the world's largest Village Store. Head out to Brammerton Staithe and watch the RSPB sanctuary and footpaths along the salt Marshes. By a freshly Caught seafood Lunch from the little cabin on the staithe, freshly Caught Crab, Lobster, Prawns and Seafood salads with all the trimmings at a reasonable price. Learn the history of the area from the information boards, or watch the Sailing school learning the basics at High tide!

Woops! Brancaster Staithe not Brammerton for the North Norfolk Coast, Typo sorry!

@Rayna37 I didn't mean to insult Bristol at all. I meant instead it's more of a hidden gem as not many people would think of holidaying there, but it certainly looked very worthy of a trip to me.

Go to the Lincolnshire coast. We went to Mablethorpe last year and I could not believe how few people go there. There are several beautiful quiet stretches of Sandy, safe beach along there (Mablethorpe/Cleethorpe), Lincoln city if you fancy a bit of the castle/cathedral history, some amazing pubs and restaurants. And if you fancy a bit of silly there is Skegness/Grimsby.

We had a brilliant time and no one gave a shit who we were or what we were doing!

Not sure of the hotels as we did air bnb but I'm sure there will be some nice ones near Lincoln!

For Pure Luxury of a Hotel set in Beautiful Countryside try the East Lodge Hotel at Rowsley, Derbyshire. Set in a Property just off the A6 Matlock to Buxton Road, and steeped in history, it offers a Country house style surrounded by many options and directions to explore. It even has it's own Helipad and you may spot a celebrity or two dining there if you are Lucky,
The food is Mitchalin Star quality, and the gardens are stunning.

In the highly unlikely event that you do go to Stoke, make sure you visit the Burleigh Pottery in Longport. It's lovely and it's where they filmed some of the scenes from Peaky Blinders if that is of any interest to you. Also where they filmed the Great Pottery Showdown (think that's what it's called?) Then Emma Bridgewater and the Gladstone Pottery Museum. Basically if you like pottery then you'll like Stoke but it's a bit of a niche market 😁

*Great Pottery Throwdown

@FudgeFlake The Jorvik in York is quite low key if you’re interested in archaeology, good for families and school groups,
I’d recommend walking the walls, or doing the open top bus tour if lots of steps aren’t possible (eg mobility issues, buggies)
Merchant Adventurer’s Hall is interesting in terms of history.
The Castle museum is really large and incorporates everything from a couple of reconstructed Victorian streets to the condemned cell where Dick Turpin spent his last night. Lots of costumes, pottery and local history too. The Minster is beautiful and boat trips up the river if you like that sort of thing. And a walk down The Shambles, including a Ghost Shop!

We've been to Swindon, Newcastle, Birkenhead and Sheffield (we have a weird hobby) and have found gems in all of them!

Fylde coast is lovely. Lots of coastal promenades. Lytham, st Anne’s, are top spots and likely to be overbooked. Lytham has a fantastic restaurant/bar scene. Fleetwood is a bit run down but has a lovely hotel ( north euxton) and can do day trips to lytham etc. can also do a day trip to the lakes or ribble valley from there. Ribble valley is also a beautiful area.

@stillcrazyafterall Birkenhead is fascinating. The layout of Central Park in NY was modelled on Birkenhead Park.
There's an old Abbey, a beautiful square, an art gallery, Oxton village, a gorgeous antique shop which has a vintage tea room. Don't know if it will open atm. You can also get a ferry across the Mersey.

@Oneeyeopen that’s so interesting. I’d never ever have thought of Birkenhead without this thread!

I had never even heard of Birkenhead

A quick google - it looks great. Expect a sudden influx of MNers on their holidays there this summer!

The Future is Birkenhead!

I think it was where Letter to Brezhnev was set, in the olden days but I might be wrong.

We've got family in Birkenhead and it is a lot nicer than people expect. I don't think anyone has mentioned the U boat museum yet? It's by the ferry terminal and is very good. It's not far to Port Sunlight which is also very interesting. In fact the Wirral in general is nice - I particularly like Parkgate - and you're well placed to visit Liverpool and Chester too. The Blue Planet Aquarium near Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village is good and there's a boat museum in Ellesmere Port that's worth a look. Frodsham Hill and Delamere Forest are not far either if you fancy a walk.
I'd never have considered it as a holiday destination as it's just somewhere we go to see out family IYSWIM, but thinking about it there's a lot to see and do in the area.

@Carycy

Fylde coast is lovely. Lots of coastal promenades. Lytham, st Anne’s, are top spots and likely to be overbooked. Lytham has a fantastic restaurant/bar scene. Fleetwood is a bit run down but has a lovely hotel ( north euxton) and can do day trips to lytham etc. can also do a day trip to the lakes or ribble valley from there. Ribble valley is also a beautiful area.

I was also going to suggest Fleetwood and The North Euston!

Or The Grand in Lytham St Anne’s.

Bracknell or Basingstoke

I think if you're open minded, you can have a nice break pretty much anywhere, for a couple of days or so at least or maybe even a long weekend or Monday to Friday break.

Most cities have parks, museums, galleries, NT places, nice places to eat and drink, interesting architecture plus bigger parks and gardens on the outskirts and if it's a break away, you've got the hotel facilities to enjoy too. And that's before you consider the real 'destination' national museums, monuments etc that people travel to see. So easily enough to fill a few days and have a change of scene and quality time with loved ones.