Romantic break in England/ long weekend

[Beetree123]

Looking for a holiday for DH and I somewhere nice which doesn’t break the bank for 3 days. DH likes the outdoors and exploring so was thinking Scotland highlands but 3 days is short and we may have to fly as live in London so won’t have a car or may have to rent. We may be able to extend it to 4 days. Will be in May

Thank you

If you can work out how to get there easily I'd 100% say the Lake District. Sounds perfect for your requirements.

Maybe train from London Euston to Penrith?

Lake District 100%!

Lovely spa hotel, nice walks, good food. Can't go wrong!

The Peak District is is beautiful and also has some great walks and places to visit, as well as decent pubs and stuff to do. Castleton is a good starting point for somewhere central. There are so many walks to do all over the Peak District but Higger Tor, Mam Tor, Lady Bower and Hathersage to Grindleford are nice areas near Castleton, there’s also a few Caverns round there

Northumberland is beautiful. East Coast Mainline to Alnwick, taxi to Alnmouth (10 mins). Lots of lovely cottages by the sea. Great coastal walks, boat trip to Holy Island from Seahouses (3-4 hours to walk the island while the tide is in and it's cut off from the mainland), or boat to Farne Islands from Seahouses- seals, puffins, dolphins, lots of seabirds. Cheviots just half an hour inland. It's magical.

Another vote for the lake District.
Train from Euston to Oxenholme then another very short train ride to Windermere, and base yourself there.
Busses are only £2 each way at the moment so you can explore the lakes for very little.

I also recommend the Lake District as well! Windermere is nice

Sorry just seen you don’t have a car, might need to hire one for Peak District depending on where you base yourself. There are a lot of train stations at the places I mentioned though

North Derbyshire peaks or the Cotswolds

Sorry - if no car, I think Cotswolds would be difficult.
Article in the Telegraph recently about the Lake District being relatively easy by public transport but no personal experience

Thank you. We do have a car but will spend a long time driving for such a short holiday thought is not worth it.

We have been in Peak District, Northumberland and Lake District. DH loves Lake District though so maybe we repeat it. Have been twice already.

North Wales is beautiful

We have been in the Cotswolds too but will look at the place suggested.

Suffolk coast - Southwold/Aldeburgh

That’s a good idea and drivable from London. I initially thought overseas Madrid but it will be a bit expensive.

I was also going to say the Suffolk coast. It’s where we head to. Love Aldeburgh and Southwold. Used to stay at the Brudenell overlooking the sea.

this is what I came here to say. I love the gilpin hotel, but it is a little pricey. you can still use their spa if staying elsewhere though...

The Lakes! Ambleside is lovely with really varied things to do. There are good hills and fells to climb (Loughrigg circular walk is gorgeous), waterfalls to explore. You can walk around, swim or kayak on Lake Windemere, walk the 'coffin' path to Dove Cottage or visit Beatrix Potter's house. And there's quirky things to see wandering around the village, like the roman fort ruins, the cute tiny bridge house and local yellow raspberries that grow wild along the lake.

It has some incredible restaurants (The Old Stamp House and Kysty) at a fraction of London prices. Good cinema and bookshop if it's rainy.

I think it's a perfect place for a romantic long weekend.

Skye is wonderful - can fly to Inverness and hire a car though it is pricey.

Azores was wonderful and cheaper than Skye trip - Ryanair fly to Ponta Delgada but only once a week so need to come back or go via Porto or Lisbon.

How about Herefordshire/Worcestershire - around the Malvern hills? Very driveable from London, beautiful scenery and quaint towns. Lots of interesting accomodation options (converted railway carriages etc)

Chipping Norton. Easy to drive to. Loads of beautiful countryside, lovely days out, the little town has great places to eat. Or Blenheim next door. You have so many beautiful places drivable from London. The new forest? The Southdowns?

Thank you all. Good advice here. I would look at the places recommended this weekend and price them

I've just come back from Canterbury, I was impressed.

The Wye Valley / Shropshire around Symonds Yat, Ludlow or Hay on Wye? Lovely countryside and historic towns.

Isle of Wight ?
New Forest ?

Dorset? Easy train journey and quite good buses including some open top buses. A number of good hotels including The Priory in Wareham, The Pig on Studland, national trust cottages including at Corfe Castle. More quirky offerings at Plumber Manor and Knoll House, which has a lovely setting. Lots of good walking and there is the steam railway from Swanage. Or you could make a long term commitment to do the SW coast path in sections.