Getting away after a bereavement

[Cinateel]

It was my husband's funeral on Thursday, and I'm now realising this is it. For a long time I have cared for him and it was difficult for us to go away anywhere. I like my own company, and feel the need to get away, maybe just for a few days, though I'm not restricted by time. I would like to stay in Great Britain, perhaps in B&Bs, and I like driving, so it doesn't matter where, really. I need somewhere that has teashops, perhaps pubs for evening meals, and preferably somewhere beautiful where I can walk and just be sad when I need to.
Where would you go? I'm hoping that someone will suggest somewhere that is new to me.

Yorkshire Dales? You could do a loop from Skipton taking in Malham, Settle, Horton, Hawes and Aysgarth, then back via Kettlewell. Malham and Aygarth are best avoided on weekend days as they are busy, but beautiful.

I am so sorry for your loss and hope your trip brings you peace.

@SnakesAndArrows , thank you. I will look up those places online.

Colyton (Devon) take the tram to Seaton.

So sorry for your loss x

I’m sorry about your husband, but I know how you feel. 4 days after my husbands funeral I was on a plane to Japan. I wanted to be alone, but somewhere busy and Tokyo is the perfect city for that.

I’m not sure where in the UK you are, but Yorkshire is a good shout. As would be the Welsh borders / Herefordshire / Worcestershire. Some lovey walks and pubs in the Malverns. I find the coast / sea cathartic as well so maybe the Dorset coast?

Sorry for your loss. Lake District especially the Borrowdale Valley. We go to the Borrowdale Gates Hotel where the food is amazing and there are several walks from the door and Keswick is just 5 miles away. Also the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.

There are plenty of walks, tea shops and pubs, with beautiful scenery. Aysgarth has waterfalls. Malham has spectacular inland cliffs (the Cove and Goredale Scar). Settle and Hawes have marvellous cheese shops. There are lambs everywhere at this time of year.

Thanks @Bonniegirlie It looks like my first trip might be in the north then, either the lakes or the dales. It gives me something to look forward to!

Thanks, @MissPearlPratt and @Tryingtokeepgoing . I haven't been to Seaton for years. And Japan! That was very brave . I'm sorry for your loss, too.

Come to Dorset! Full of lovely little tea rooms, market towns to potter in, plenty of coastal walks, rivers and forest paths to get lost in or blow away cobwebs with.

I'm sorry for your loss, I hope you find what you need with your time away x

I’m sorry for your loss OP. When looking for similar, I went to Northumberland, and found all the things you mention (plus beautiful coastline).

There is an absolutely beautiful flat to let in St Ives called Lyonesse Four - they advertise on facebook. My grandmother told me she went to Cornwall to shout from the cliffs when my grandfather died, and the flat is owned by a friend of a friend and is lovely.

Stay on shores of Derwentwater in Lake District. You can get a boat all round the lake and there is an 8 mile footpath with beautiful walks. Peaceful friendly and calm with lovely cafe where Beatrix Potter was inspired by Mr McGregor’s garden.

Or how about exploring Scottish islands? Devon is lovely for SW coastpath, Dartmoor, seaside and lots of NT places and cafes.

So sorry for your loss OP and I hope you find the right place to just be.

So sorry to hear of you loss, thoughts are with you.
Wales, coastal areas are great, try around aberystwyth, good food, great scenery, right place it’s very quiet.
Have a peaceful time wherever you go.

My sincere condolences OP. Fellow widow here. The only thing I would advise is not to visit somewhere that meant something to you both. I did it myself and I've known others who have and it really doesn't work. Not so soon anyway.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your trip gives you some peace.
Depending on your starting point, I also wanted to say North Wales, which is often overlooked.
Snowdonia has B&Bs, tea rooms and pubs and beautiful walks and scenery. You could head there via Betws y Coed.

After Snowdonia, towards the coast, there is Conwy and Caernarfon in one direction, Anglesey straight on or the Lleyn Peninsula with some lovely places to stay or visit.

I stayed in a lovely guest house in Keswick last year, somewhere like that would work better than a big hotel I would think. Places to walk to, lovely scenery to drive to.

I do get it, my friend was similar, 5 years of caring meant that when the time came whilst she was sad, there was huge relief in many ways and she had this feeling to make up for lost time as you don't know how long you'll have your own health - she took a trip to Scotland straight after the funeral, then a few weeks later booked a last minute round the world cruise.

Sorry for your loss

I'm in tears here, thank you everyone for taking the time to recommend places.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Northumberland is lovely - Alnwick and a browse at the famous Barter Books, followed by tea and cake in their cafe, walks on the coast a few miles away. Seahouses, maybe a boat to the Farne Islands from there to blow the cobwebs away? There are lovely places in Durham on the way up (or down) and you can enjoy the peace and beauty of the cathedral there.

I hope that wherever you choose brings you some comfort and peace.

Another widow here, my beautiful husband died under 2 years ago, I live on the North Norfolk coast and I found walking on the beach watching the sea very therapeutic. It gave me time to think and grieve. I will never get over his death but am not sure I want to.
Take care and try to think of the happy times.

Thank you. I’m up again in the night, unable to sleep. Northumberland sounds lovely and so does Norfolk. @mumof2many1943 I agree with you about not wanting to get over it. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'd recommend somewhere like the Lake District.

I'm.so sorry. Another widow here and getting away after dh died was really helpful.

Lots of lovely places here, my mind went to Pembrokeshire and Broadhaven with some walking on the Pembrokeshire coastal path. But I think any of the places here would be good. Wishing you time and space.

I’m thinking that after making a couple of family visits I might plan a few trips away, so that I can try some of these places. I like driving and I can be flexible and spontaneous. Thanks for your advice and good wishes.