To ask UK birthday & op recovery getaway

[Neron]

I know IABU to ask in this forum, as it's not the purpose of it, but I'm looking for help with ideas

It's DH birthday next month and I want to take him away for a couple of days in the UK to say thanks for all he's done for me lately. His best friend also wants to do something, and it would be a surprise.
Best friends wife however is recovering from a hysterectomy. We'd need to go somewhere it will suit the 4 of us, so nothing too strenuous. The boys love golf and I thought may be Celtic manor, but equally they love scuba diving so open to that. I guess the issue is more what's suitable for BF wife. She'll be about 4 or 5 weeks post OP by the time we go.

We are in the SE but will drive/get the train so open to suggestions if anyone has any...

The Belfry in Birmingham? World-class golf course and a fantastic spa, so would be nice for your friend’s wife to relax.

Thank you, just looking at that now, looks lovely

Celtic manor has a lovely spa which would be relaxing for you and the wife? Apart from that and the golf there isn't much to do though and it's hard to leave the compound! Drinks and food are also very average and expensive....

The belfry is lovely, but it’s rubbish for public transport and not really in a spot with other nice things to do. Where do you live? I would pick somewhere that the dw doesn’t have to travel far to. Does she actually want to go? She could still be feeling rough. Could you postpone by a few weeks to give her a bit more recovery time?

@kitk thanks for being honest. Spa would be ok with me whilst the boys played golf but not great there's not much else to do

@Didiusfalco definately still want to go, they are viewing it as a time to relax and recover plus a couple of days kid free. They've been through a lot too this year and I think they want to just get away. We just need to be mindful of activities suitable for BF DW. We are SE, Birmingham is about 3 hours by car and I'll drive. Originally we were thinking Norfolk/the coast but she can't walk too far although she is getting out and about now, albeit taking it slow

If it’s three hours away I wouldn’t do Birmingham. What about the Cotswolds? It’s beautiful there and you could definitely find a hotel with a spa and golf.

She may not be up for travel 4-5 weeks post surgery. I've been told it's 6-8 weeks recovery as have been considering it. For info I was off work for 6 weeks for surgery for endometriosis.
How far do you want to travel? There's a lovely place in Maidstone but if your SE maybe too close to home?

Worth checking if your BF DW is able to use a spa if the wound is still healing. Hope you find somewhere lovely to go.

I've had a hysterectomy and we went away six weeks post op. I really struggled to be honest. I just wanted to rest and be left alone. It's a much bigger operation than some people think. I hope this helps.

The Celtic Manor is nice but as a pp has said, there’s not much to do and it’s a bit out of the way.

The Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall is nice and, although I haven’t stayed there personally, the Cave hotel and golf resort in Boughton looks really nice, and is really close to Canterbury, so lots to do.

Ah yes Cotswolds, hadn't thought of that. Thank you

Happy to consider Maidstone @Kanga83 I'll have a look

I did wonder if she could use a spa @singtanana I know she has a consultant appointment this week so I'll suggest she should check

Thank you for sharing @Peanutbuttericecream, it's good to hear another who has been through it. I'm understanding as it's why I'm suggesting DH and his BF go off and do things whilst I stay with BG DW (we get on amazingly) but obviously I don't appreciate how tough it is for her at the mo

They really want to do something, but maybe I'll suggest 1 night away near us for a posh dinner or something and I'll do another night away with just DH and I. We have to go on his bday as he is off shift then and I can take time off

Was it an abdominal hysterectomy or vaginal?
4 weeks post vaginal many women would be well enough to enjoy a spa weekend, I'd reckon at least 6 weeks with abdominal incision.

Is the New Forest too far? Limewood and Chewton Glen are both special.

I am loving the look of The Cave hotel, thanks so much @Sn0tnose I think that would be great

To be honest I'm not sure which one it was @SingalittleSong. Thank you for the suggestions, looking at them I think they are somewhere for just me and DH to go to

Having just spoken to them, they definitely still want to get away from the kids so I'm going to look somewhere for 1 night. The boys can do golf, us girls will have treatments and no actual spa and lots of nice food I think. Thank you all for the suggestions

Neron Do double check if you decide to go, I’m sure I saw something on their website a while ago about building work over running (it’s quite new) and a few areas of the hotel being unavailable, but that could have been rectified by now.

Bailliffscourt at Climping on the West Sussex coast is a lovely hotel with a great spa. Not sure about golf but I'm sure you could find something nearby.

I second Baliffscourt, it’s in glorious grounds close to the sea and serves wonderful food.

Thank you all so much, I'll also check out Bailliffscourt