Recovering from Cancer and would like your help with short UK break

[lisalisa]

Hi All
as the thread title says I’m recovering from breast cancer and after a gruelling 6 months in Chemo and mastectomy would like to plan a weeks stay in England somewhere not too far from London where I live. Wouid be for the summer when the weather is nice and to stay in a cottage rather than hotel .
ideally in the countryside in nature but near a beach Wouid be lovely too.
Previously we’ve loved Devon but the drive is a bit far. We’ve also loved Suffolk and areas of country around Oxford . Not a city break ; looking to chill in nature ( and count my blessings and cry wth happiness from time to time too ).
thank you all for any recommendations for areas for gentle walks , countryside , possibly sea, pretty villages etc

What about the Cotswolds?

Not sure if that is too far from London. I do hope your recovery goes well x

Drive down the A3. Plenty of nice places in the countryside. This is my friends studio. Fab pretty village, great pub with good food ( locals but not upself) easy walks into country, close to a nice town (Lido pool is 20 mins walk away)
Southsea is 25 minutes further south for the sea.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/51357993?adults=2&check_in=2025-04-02&check_out=2025-04-04&location=Petersfield%2C%20England%2C%20United%20Kingdom&search_mode=regular_search&source_impression_id=p3_1742416347_P32YvoINftPxK-XU&previous_page_section_name=1001

@crumpet thNk you for your good wishes and for the recommendation for Cotswolds. It isn’t too far and I’ve never been but was wondering about the crowds in summer ?
@Amperoblue thsbk you for this - your friends cottage looks very nice

What about the Norfolk coast, perhaps near Blakeney or Sheringham? Lots of self catering properties, though they do book up quickly.

Or if Norfolk is too far away, consider Kent, perhaps outside Whitstable, Broadstairs or Rye, all lovely towns?

I hope your recovery progresses very well @lisalisa .

New Forest.
Isle of Wight either stay or day trip on ferry
If Dorset isn’t too far West Bay and Bridport area.

Wishing you all the best after your treatment and have a brilliant holiday wherever you choose.

What about somewhere near or in Avebury? If time in a special place is what you need then a walk along the Ridgeway and some time looking at very, very old things could work. We stayed in a tiny thatched cottage in Lockeridge last summer, did the odd trip to Marlborough and a day out to Lacock too. Wishing you all the best for your recovery too

https://somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk/

You might want to try applying for something from here.

Rye / camber sands

Emsworth, Witterings, Bracklesham. Anywhere around Chichester.

@AdaColeman i think Rye looks wonderful thank you so much ! It's high on the list of contenders !!

@boulevardofbrokendreamss just seen you've recommended it too x Thanks

@ArmyBarbie that's so kind of you ! Going to have a look at it

I recommend the Isle of Wight if you don’t mind the trip to Portsmouth harbour to get there of course. It’s got so much there and really feels like you’re on holiday. If you go just before or after the school holidays, it won’t feel crowded.

Otherwise Rye and Norfolk sound lovely

Good luck! I've never found a break there to suit me (I've got young children and they're mostly term time) but I've received a few tickets and vouchers from them.