to ask for your unusual city/mini breaks?

[WaggingKnife]

We were all set to go away on holiday but a family crisis means we need to stay in the U.K.

We need some inspiration for a couples mini break, ideally a city break but not for the usual places like London, Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and York that everyone suggests.

Ideally we would be looking at a naice hotel for 2 nights somewhere we could drive to (disabilities make train travel a hassle) as we may need to leave quickly to attend to this family matter. We like places with good markets, galleries and a thriving food and drink/bar scene.

If not a city then somewhere by the sea would be ideal. And somewhere that is too, too hilly.

Sorry to use you as my personal travel agent but I’ve seen some amazing recommendations on here before and we are really stumped for ideas because of brains are so filled with family crisis stress.

Thank you!

Bristol, bath, whitstable, Canterbury, chester,

Ludlow

Grange over sands. Bristol. Bath. We have just come back from west Scotland- that was lovey just west of Dumfries.

How about Norwich?
Several museums, a market with lots of Street food options, quaint streets with independent shops. About half an hour drive to the coast as well so that can be a day trip.

portmeirion in Wales. Italianate place on coast. Weird but nicely so. Otherwise I’d go Marazion (close to Penzance) or Falmouth- though Cornwall may be too far.... Bath is great too- great galleries and fab ww2 years art exhibition on at mo.

Thank you all so much for your recommendations. I’ve heard lots about many of these places but haven’t had a chance to visit, I’m going to spend some time having a look at various hotels in these places.

Bath and Bristol, although a little hilly.
What about Oxford or Cambridge?

Salisbury

Hull. Interesting and free museums, lots of bars and food options.
Very flat area, Spurn point for the sea and also fascinating to visit.
Nearby is Beverly, a mini version of York.
Drive (or walk) across the Humber bridge.

Eastbourne (beach, pier, shopping)

Birmingham (art galleries, Cadbury world, Black Country museum, aquarium, shopping)

Northumberland - Hexham, Corbridge, Bamburgh, Alnwick. Lots of towns and villages with galleries, markets, small coffee shops & local restaurants both inland and coastal?

Plus you're only a short drive to Newcastle which has great galleries, museums, bar & food scene

If you’re thinking coastal, how about Whitstable? It’s only a small town, but quite ‘foody’ and arty, which you say you enjoy. Also only a short drive to Canterbury if you want to see the cathedral and want the amenities of a bigger town.

Portsmouth. Absolutely loads to do

Depending where you are Northern France might be easy to get to by ferry

Chester, Oxford, Durham, Bath, Norwich, Canterbury, Chichester ... if you didn’t somewhere smaller but with lots of other places nearby including the coast, Rye is absolutely lovely. Also a fan of Hay-On-Wye. St Ives in Cornwall is nice too.

Bournemouth

Lincoln AND it’s not too far from the sea. Win/win

Leicester is surprisingly interesting. Not near the coast, though.

Bath was my thought too.

Or if you like the sea, Bournemouth is gorgeous.

Oxwich Bay

Somewhere you can drive to? Surely that depends where you live - and you didn't specify. I'm going to assume you live in Aberdeen (for no good reason, just have to assume somewhere as you haven't said) and recommend the Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh as being super special.

Leeds

Whitstable
Ramsgate
Rye
Hythe
Portsmouth
Eastbourne
Isle of Wight

Southwold, Aldeburgh

Carlisle is ideal for a short break. I woukd have suggested going on the scenic Settle Carlisle railway, but saw that you need a car. The town is flat, has an interesting historic quarter, a castle, a nice shopping centre and some fantastic places to eat.