Weekend by the sea

[Gocatgo]

Apparently DH has decided to be a better gift buyer this Christmas and birthday. He wants to take me away for the weekend in February.

Does anyone have any recommendations of places with long sandy beaches for winter walks and good hotel? Ideally within 2 hours of north London.

I know Norfolk would fit the bill but I would love to know if anyone has any hidden gems for both location and hotel. Both are equally important.

No sandy beach, but near to London, with lots of walks - Whitstable.

If you go further down to Thanet (Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs), you can get sand!

I’ve no idea about hotels as we only did a day trip, but Frinton has a lovely sandy beach and a little high street with some nice cafes and took us just over an hour from our bit of north London.

Weymouth? I'm not sure how far that is though.
If you wanted to drive an extra hour you could get y to Swansea in 3 and the Gower Penisula has mile after mile of beautiful beaches and Little bays.

Northumbria, Gower Peninsula, Dorset.. all a bit further than 2 hours but you can train it..

Whitstable is lovely though.

Southwold

Thanks! We’ve not been to the Kent coast so that could be a new adventure 🙂.

Northumbria is somewhere I really want to go to, but maybe too far for the weekend. I adore the Lake District but I also think it’s too far for this.

Holkham, north Norfolk. The best beach in the world, spectacular in the winter. Stay at The Victoria for open fires and gorgeous food.

Nice places to stay in Wells next to the sea

Walmer to Kingsdown is a lovely walk on the Kent Coast. It's years since we were there but we stayed at the Clarendon Hotel in Deal.

www.watersmeethotel.co.uk/

Deal, Whitstable & Broadstairs are pleasant. Margate & Ramsgate are a bit more of the typical British sea side/had its heyday/now a bit rundown kind of vibe.
Camber & Rye are lovely (about 1 hour from London…on the Kent/E Sussex border) and Dungeness (just next door to Camber) is worth a wander around for its uniqueness.

This place is popular (it’s always been booked when I’ve looked at staying): thegallivant.co.uk/
My (fussy) sister has been for a break here & enjoyed her stay.

Whitstable/Tankerton, it'll be far less crowded than the Summer and still loads to do

Can I come too please!

As has been said previously....Whitstable is lovely but am biased as have loved nearby for years. Hythe and Deal are also nice.

Camber Sands is a fantastic long sandy beach; highly recommend staying at Jeakes House in Rye

www.whitstablefishermanshuts.com/

Are right on the sea

Camber is an amazing beach

thegallivant.co.uk/stay/

Apparently DH has decided to be a better gift buyer this Christmas and birthday. He wants to take me away for the weekend in February

Then I'd expect him doing the research, planning, booking etc to be part of the gift. How is it 'from him' if you and Mumsnet do the work?

OK, in true Mumsnet style I'm going to go off grid from your description but, maybe for another time, I would love to..

Take the sleeper from Paddington down to Cornwall, waking up in Penzance. Stay somewhere local there, possibly taking another train to St Ives, and then catch train back at the end of the weekend.

I live down this way and often do the sleeper the other way but always feel its such an experience.

St Ives is great for beach walking. There were even swimmers in on Saturday without wetsuits!

That's actually a really nice idea Kezzie

Make the travel part of the experience rather than something that needs to be limited so it doesn't impose on the weekend. I wonder if you can get luxury weekend packages to include a nice double cabin and dinner on Friday night?

After all, if the OP is looking at destinations within 2 hours drive of London, that's something they can do as a day trip whenever they like.

@Kezzie200 sleeper train? I thought it was only 4 hours from London to Cornwall?

So, that will be to "just" get to the border near Plymouth. Cornwall is quite long so you'll be looking at about 2 extra hours to get to Penzance.

Yes, a sleeper isn't strictly necessary, but it runs even slower, and is very popular (up to London for businesspeople, and down to Penzance for holidays).

I think it leaves London about 10 and arrives about 5 (but you don't have to get off quite that early). Back when I used it, if you started in London you could use the GWR first class lounge from about 9 at night, whilst waiting to board.

It's all very "Famous Five" but I love it! (Although only been P to L, not the other way)

A double cabin would be a bunk twin, I think. Pretty sure that's all they do.

As they don't leave until late, you could have a lovely meal near Paddington, then go to the lounge (if it's still allowed) and then board. Or have a meal that lasts until boarding time.

A few images from Saturday in St Ives.

The Gallivant hotel at camber sands, rye should tick those boxes. It's stunning.