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'm in the lakes at the moment. Staying in far sawrey. It's beautiful with loads of great walks. Although towns are busy the area I'm in really isn't at all. No one on the little beaches this side or Windermere, hardly seen a soul on walks I've been on.

So do I, very underrated in my opinion.
Just had a lovely week in a cottage near Southwold. I actually live in Teesdale which is also underrated, lovely countryside and walks, and nice towns such as Barnard Castle and Durham

Am busy googling and checking Airbnb, not much left to book at this point, eeek!

Gilpin Lodge Windermere is where I'd go if I could!

I would 100% recommend North Wales. You can go from one town/village to the next very easily. - so much to see and do for all preferences.

Port Meirion is absolutely beautiful and is just like being abroad when the sun is out.

Prestatyn is a lovely little town with lots of small businesses / restaurants / bars - we also have a blue flag beach.

I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone, we had lots of holidays here as children and loved it. We now live here as adults and it’s the best thing we did.

Enjoy wherever you decide, the uk is just as good when we have the weather ☀️

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco
Wow I am inspired by this wonderful description !

Orkney is often overlooked but is stunning and not touristy. White sandy beaches, lots of walking with Neolithic things to see along the way.

Not that it's on your options, but I would get a last minute trip abroad! What if it rains the whole time as the UK is prone to do?

If you’re open to crossing the channel then we stayed in a wonderful B&B in France for a long weekend (so eminently doable for 5/6 days). There were so many to choose from but we opted for a little rural place just outside Le Touquet and all the lovely beaches on that stretch of coastline. It was about 90 mins drive from Calais. We had access to some fabulous little restaurants, beautiful scenery, proper town squares and markets and a hypermarche where I did my weekly shop before heading home! We live in the South East in the UK so it was actually quicker for us to get there than it does to visit family in the north of England.

If you're heading north, I recently booked a nice place in Saltburn with this lot:

I’d say Dorset too - quieter than Devon. Particularly the area around Bridport, West Bay and Eype. Day trip to Lyme Regis. Great food, lovely coastlines and little towns. Could always do a day in Weymouth for a bit of tacky seaside fun.

Pembrokeshire will be dead quiet compared to the usual tourist spots and is beautiful.

I agree ! At least in a month or two it’ll be back to deserted beaches

Not what you asked for but if you are in the south east would you consider Northern France? Le Touquet was nice.

I'm checking US flights right now. That looks absolutely ideal.

I’d get the hell out of UK if I wee you. This summer has been rubbish. It’s wet and grey. You could find something last minute to somewhere with cheap cost of living and end up not spending much more. I’ve just got back from mainland greece and you can eat out for £25 for two.

Yes, been on it 5y! I’m waiting for a menopause specialist appointment in the autumn to review as I think it needs adjusting.

Thanks so much for the suggestions to everyone who commented😊

Finally booked somewhere.. We ended up going for Cornwall.. (I know! It’ll be busy..). But we are going almost to Lands End in a tucked away hamlet with lots of moorland and walking paths nearby. So am reasonably hopeful that it’ll quieter than the typical hotspots - there are almost no houses / infrastructure in the area of the cottage 🤞🏻🙏🏻

Cornwall is lovely we stayed by there last year mid July and wasn’t too busy. Minark theatre was great, can take a day trip to Tresco if availability on the helicopter, lovely gardens with red squirrels. Sennen was good for surfing. Boat trips from Mousehole. Hired a classic car for day which was nice. St Michaels Mount there too we went kayaking to it as well as on it. Enjoy your trip.

Yayy.

Have a brilliant time and thank you for starting such a useful thread. I have saved it for future reference 😀

Barter Books is my favourite place in all the world 😍

If you opt for the Lakes, Low Wood Bay Spa on Windermere is absolutely lovely. Has child free times in the leisure area too which is nice but I wouldn’t say it’s the most family orientated hotel so not many kids around anyway. Loads to see and do around the Lakes too.

I see you've decided now (not sure on your choice, if wishing to avoid lots of children! but....)

Another place I was going to suggest is Shropshire. Lots of nice walking, but also places to visit such as Ironbridge (and the other 6 museums and sites on the group ticket), and towns such as Ludlow.
Your original suggestions all nice places, but all likely to be packed with families on holidays in August.

I’d definitely consider Northumberland as it’s gorgeous and lots of people have already covered that.

Scottish schools have gone back….but there are still lots of tourists here and I’d avoid the area around Edinburgh like the plague as the festival is in full swing, prices are as high as they get and it’s incredibly busy. We live in East Lothian and although it’s lovely it’s also affected by the Festival.

Happy holidays when they come! Have a fantastic time!

Devon resident here too.
it’s been eerily quiet here this summer ( thank goodness) . If you stay in the South Hams be sure to visit Bantham and Bigbury beaches they are the places dreams are made of.
You couid walk over Thurlstone have a pub lunch and walk back. It’s not a hike just a ‘good walk’ like you say.
I’d avoid Cornwall is really busy atm, we went down yesterday and I found it hrllush tbh.