Where to take my mum for the night

[Overheater]

My mum has said that instead of a Christmas present she’d rather I organised an experience for us to enjoy together.

TLDR; where to take my mum away for the night??

Longer version;
We live South East and tend to do a lot of West End nights (bargain last minute tickets) so want to do something different and I’m thinking a night away somewhere.

However. I’m struggling to think of where to go. Needs to be a city where we can mooch around the shops, have a wonder, a nice dinner and a couple of drinks. Only going for the night so don’t want a long journey.

To help guide, we’ve been to Bath and Manchester together and she loved both. She has been to Leeds and Nottingham a few times and always enjoyed them. She didn’t enjoy her time in Belfast or Newcastle.

Help!

Oxford is lovely for a mooch about.

York is a lov

Sorry - lovely city!

What was it she didn’t like about Belfast and Newcastle but liked about Nottingham?

How about Chichester? Could do the theatre thing if you both like those and it’s getting some pretty decent hotels and restaurants now. Or Norwich and Cardiff are both nice, but depends where you are in the SE whether they’re viable for the night.

I was thinking Oxford. Do you have any hotel suggestions?

Liverpool

York for christmas markets and general festive vibes! I've booked to go with SIL

She said she didn’t like the atmosphere with Belfast and Newcastle was full of lots of drunk people throwing up, weeing or getting into fights. I think she did go to Newcastle whilst the football was on in the middle of summer so kind of her own fault there.

She loves how easy Nottingham is to do by foot.

Chichester hadn’t even crossed my mind so will take a look!

Winchester?

She’s not snooty. She loves going to Blackpool and Southend and we do that a lot. Just think Newcastle was a bit much for her that day as a party city. Think Liverpool might be similar so might not be right for her.

Cotswolds ? Morton in the Marsh visit Amanda Brooks shop it’s lovely at Christmas 😊

Winchester hadn’t even crossed my mind. But one of her oldest friends has recently retired to Hampshire so we could tie it in with a visit to see her!

DH and I have stayed in The Courtyard by Marriott before and were impressed. The room was a bit small iirc, but most are in Oxford. It was central, with a pretty walk along the water into town.

The Randolph and Malmaison are the more upmarket hotels but you can get good deals on them both.

Thank you! Will look into them

@Overheater DH and I have just returned from a short break in Oxford. We stayed at The Old Bank Hotel it is in a great location, close to everything, the rooms are beautiful. We had dinner on two evenings it was delicious. The staff were attentive but not overbearing, there is also free parking at the hotel which is not so easy to get on Oxford. Overall I can't recommend this hotel enough. DH has already declared we will be returning next year in the run up to Christmas.

I’d also avoid York if Newcastle was too much. It’s a gorgeous city, but stag and hen parties can take over a bit at night.

For Oxford I’d stay anywhere but the Malmaison. I treated myself to a night there once - hardest beds ever. I know it’s in a former prison, but I did expect some degree of comfort!

In Oxford - the Malmaison is an unusual building - it is the old prison! See here.

Free parking is a definite bonus! Thanks

Harrogate is lovely for a night away

Good to know on York. I’ve always wanted to go but I’d probably join in 😂

Cross posted with @IGotItFromAgnes - maybe things have changed. We have stayed there a couple of times and not had any issue with the beds!

I know you say no long journey but it's often faster to get to Paris or Brussels from the south east than it is to go to Newcastle or York - would you consider a eurostar break? Brussels is lovely and you could even go on to Bruges.

She does love a quirky hotel or b&b so would probably see past the hard beds. Need to see if it’s in budget. I swear sometimes it’s cheaper to go abroad than a night in the U.K. once you’ve paid for hotels and train tickets.

Perhaps I was just unlucky! It is a fantastic building to stay in.

Liverpool - lovely theatres, restaurants shopping and sights.