Weekend away ideas with DH - similar to Brighton

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Looking for a location for a break with DH later in the year. We managed to have 2 nights in Brighton earlier this summer and had a great time, as it is one of our favourite places to go too

looking for somewhere similar in terms of lots of independent bars / pubs and relaxed atmosphere, Ideally within a couple of hours from London.

I did think of Bristol but don’t know the city that well. We would probably book an Airbnb rather than a hotel.

Bristol. Stay near the docks.

I was going to say the same. Not by the sea but lots of lovely independent shops, bars and restaurants. Dh and I had a lovely weekend there this summer for his birthday.

Deal has lots of independent shops & possibly the vibe you’re after. Stay at the Rose & visit Deal Pier Kitchen for breakfast or brunch

Rye lovely, there’s a great little champagne/jazz bar tucked down a side street. Whitstable is also lovely & has lots of independent shops, it is quieter in the evening.

Broadstairs isn't massively lively at night but it is a lovely little town and has some nice pubs and restaurants - The Neptunes Inn is a favourite of ours.

We have had a nice weekend away in Liverpool before.

Bristol is good, lots of great drinking places, I would suggest booking one of the city centre premier inns, big city and some rougher areas to avoid Airbnbs in. We mostly stay local but Bristol is good for a night out (we live 45 minutes away on the coast, have great pubs and bars with live music on weekends here in walking distance so bothering to take the bus is an issue, nice problem to have!)

Thanks all , really good ideas.
Think we will do Bristol!

You could stay in a rooftop caravan in Bristol!

see here

It's a great city and compact enough to walk to most places easily. It's also a student city, so lots of night life. And a great food scene.

Yay! I’d not bother with a holiday let. The ones I’ve stayed in have been poor value.
The place that has the caravans that @BIWI mentioned is nice. Location is great too.

Rye and Whitstable are nice, but they’re not lively like Brighton is. Margate is probably a better bet.

I live near Brighton and my son is at uni at Bristol. I'd definitely recommend Bristol if you like Brighton. There's heaps to do...a weekend will be nowhere long enough. Clifton village is a nice place to stay, then you can do Cabot Tower and the suspension bridge and there's lots of lovely restaurants nearby. Shopping is amazing if you wander into town and the urban art and general art scene is fantastic. There's a great market on at the weekends too. God...I need to go back and I'm not even a city person.

Chichester?

The good thing about Bristol is that you can easily visit Bath for the day if you are going by car.

As mentioned upthread, traffic and parking in Bath is horrendous. Won't recommend driving there especially if unfamiliar with the area, although there are several good Park and Rides on the outskirts of Bath.

Oooh, that's good to know about the Park and Ride. I will try that next time I visit.

There's 3 different P&R's to choose from.

Thanks all. We’ve booked an Airbnb which has a car parking space near Gloucester Road which, I understand, is good for bars and restaurants.

We won’t be arriving till Friday evening so not much time for a trip beyond Bristol, but sounds like there is loads to see anyhow

can’t wait! Thanks