Last min adult trip debate with DH - help!

[Mildoom]

DGP are having the kids next week for 6 precious nights of freedom! It happens once a year, but last year I was ill, and year prior it was shorter following Covid, so we are beyond excited at having some adult time😊

We’ve left it stupidly late to book anything and now we’re debating where to go (in UK) but have settled on 3/4 options - please help us make a decision as we’re going in circles now..

1. Devon (south hams area to be close to beaches, but stay in countryside/somewhere peaceful).
2. Lake District (not sure where is nicest/least full of kids off school though!).
3. North Wales (somewhere in or around Snowdonia Nat Park).
4. NE Yorks coastline (village-y type place near beaches).

We’re in the SE, so travel to all of the above is similar journey time ish. The only area I’d the 4 we’ve spent much time in before is Devon, which we love, but maybe nice to go elsewhere for a change!

Main concerns are: not being surrounded by holidaying young families (given we’re having a rest from our own kids!) and beautiful views / places to visit without too much effort involved.

Love to hear everyone’s thoughts / suggestions.

Budget is mid range and up a bit, but we’re not rolling in it and can’t go mega posh😅

I would check out weather forecasts as if you don't want rain that may affect which of those. Pembrokeshire is lovely as well. Devon if you have been to already would go elsewhere.

Staithes in North Yorkshire?

Thanks both!

Am bumping for evening traffic :)

If you can make it up to Scotland (by train?), schools started back this week up here so would be way fewer kids around and also likely to be cheaper

What kind of things do you and dh enjoy doing? Hikes, pubs, museums, beaches, water sports, spa breaks?

I’d avoid the Lake District. Fresh hell on earth with tourists and kids.

Agree Scotland if do-able.

if not I’d go N Yorks if weather ok, if not kne if the others

We really loved Norfolk - found it much quieter than Devon/Cornwall even in August, and some lovely beaches/quaint towns.

What are you wanting to do?

Forget those places and go to Northumberland instead.

North Wales and the Lakes will both be packed with families.

We’re going away next week to the West Midlands. We wanted to go somewhere with lots to do but not a ‘top holiday spot’.

The places you’ve mentioned will be quite full of holiday makers.

Second Northumberland / Joiners Arms Newton by the Sea, fab gastro pub with accommodation near by and then you can have some day trips out.
Craster, walk to the castle then eat at the jolly fisherman.
Alnwick, castle and gardens fab. Barter books worth a visit.
Bamburgh, lovely beaches, pubs, potted lobster to eat in if you can get a table! The butchers is really good for take out.
Seahouses for a boat tour of the farne islands then fish and chips, some good pubs as well.
Linisfarne/holy island for a wander round and try some mead. There's also a nice gin/candle shop!
Ps I don't live there, but would like too!

Oh that’s interesting! Will check weather for southern Scotland 👍🏻

Agree with all of this.

Wow, this sounds amazing. I was looking at the coastline in N Yorks, but didn’t go up as far as Northumberland, thank you, I will look.

To answer a few questions:

We are fairly low key, love walking on beaches and coastline paths, not really into mountain climbing / mega long hikes, but like a ‘good’ walk if you know what I mean.

Like pubs for lunch / few beers rather than big nights out (we’re both mid 40’s) and a good restaurant meal for a couple of treats wouldn’t go a miss. Don’t mind a spa, but probs wouldn’t stay in a hotel for 6 nights, so more likely to try and get an Airbnb for peace and privacy, plus a garden / balcony to sit on and enjoy the lack of (my own) kids ranting at me!

Love, love, love visiting beautiful gardens and have got Nat Trust m’ship😅

I love Suffolk, especially Aldeburgh and Southwold. Loads to do and lots of places to stroll around in the area.

S hams resident here

It's been pretty quiet generally this summer.
Last two days have been stunning.

Any questions I'm happy to answer!

I'd definitely do Northumberland. Scottish schools have gone back so that limits the tourists.

That is good to hear, I absolutely adore that area, you’re so lucky to live there🧡

Love Suffolk (and Norfolk) but we have been multiple times and fancy somewhere else this time :)

I’m just having a look at Airbnb type places - see what’s available.

Weather looks ok Mon-Wed, but a bit meh after and we wouldn’t arrive till late Monday - slightly off putting 😟

several fabulous national trust places near that area of Devon
Greenway -Agatha Christie’s holiday home
Coleton Fishacre- beautiful house and gardens
Overbeck’s garden- stunning

It might be too far but Isles of Scilly are gorgeous - Tresco gardens with the red squirrels is especially lovely and can just wander round the islands with nice pub lunches, kayaking, wildlife boat trips. Can also do as day trip from Penzance if there's availability on helicopter. Minarc theatre is great in Cornwall. Isles of Scilly weren't that busy when we went in August, stayed on Tresco. Can be hard to get accommodation last minute though think its a bit easier this year. Take the Skybus plane or Penzance helicopters over or one over, one back. Also a boat if you are brave.

In Devon we did Agatha Christie's house, boat trips from Ilfracombe to Lundy are great (Ilfracombe Sea Safari) and Dartmoor Llama trekking is good if its not booked out.

Adding to the Northumberland fanfare (do live here) with a national trust membership that would get you into Cragside and Wallington, both fabulous, and also Seaton Delaval Hall down the coast. They’re also opening the new section of coast path next week, so that path now runs all the way from Bridlington in Yorks right up to the Scottish Borders. The Northumberland section takes in all the highlights.

Check the weather though, it can be fairly chilly 😂