Help me find a location for a solo holiday

[Soloholidayadvice]

Following a stressful year (near marriage break-up, DH being a dick, autistic DS deciding he hates me etc.) I want to go away for a few days on my own this summer to get some headspace and reset, but I'm not sure where to go.

I'm in Sussex and will be travelling by train. I'd ideally like to go somewhere with a bit of culture so I can do museums, galleries etc. but I'd also like countryside accessible by public transport so I can go walking. Pubs & restaurants who won't bat an eyelid about a solo middle aged woman clearly on the verge of a breakdown dining alone would also be an advantage!

Ideally I'd book a nice little cottage or apartment somewhere where I can chill out but not have to travel too far to get to a town.

I've looked at Oxford (never been there, seems to tick lots of boxes) but accommodation is pricey. Anyone have any suggestions or been on a similar trip and can offer advice?

Winchester? Bath?

@BaleOfHay Ohhh Bath is a good idea. I'll do some research.

I wondered if id posted this and forgotten. My 18 year old son hates me. But at least he's not haying me from under my roof. I'm looking into solo type holidays. Looking gor inspiration. I am only medium brave, so I want a bit of adventure but I'm also a bit scared. Not terrified.

@LadyMuckRake Sounds stressful. My DS is only 10 but he full-on can't stand the sight of me and DH has decided for feck off for 'a few months' to 'find himself'. Right when we're in the middle of a parenting crisis and our marriage is in the pan (but that's a whole other post). I think floating around Bath or similar for a few days is definitely in order!

@LadyMuckRake how much adventure? Take a look at GutsyGirls and LoveHerWild for some inspiration if you like outdoorsy things;

https://www.gutsygirls.co.uk/

https://www.loveherwild.com/adventures/

@AltitudeCheck Oh I'm actually going away with Love Her Wild later this year. First time but it looks great.

Cardiff, York, Edinburgh

Not by train, but if you didn't mind a short flight, I had a nice couple of days in Belfast last summer. Museums and interesting things in the city, and then public transport to the coast to see the Giant's Causeway and other sites, and walk a bit there - could easily have been extended and perhaps stayed on the coast for night, seen more of the landscape, and gone to Derry as well. But it was quite doable on train/bus from Belfast.

If you are interested in Oxford it may be worth checking Goring or Wallingford for accommodation. The first is on the train line to Oxford, and the second is on a reasonably good bus route to Oxford, but both would might feel quieter and give easier access to walking, eg the Ridgeway or Thames path. Also access to Reading, which is not people's obvious choice, but has a good museum and abbey ruins to tour.

Oxford is a good bet for balance between pub walks and culture. If you stay a bit outside it's not too bad - there is a good bus service and you can always hire (or take) a bicycle and be like the locals!

Somewhere like Lancaster or even Sheffield or Liverpool would put you in touching distance of some nice countryside.

Or could stay somewhere like Charlestown in Cornwall - go to the Eden Project, lovely coastal walks etc.

Cambridge. Private rooms in the youth hostel are reasonably priced.

Bradford-on-Avon. It’s really pretty, there’s a canal and a river. Bath is 20 minutes by train.

I've got this lovely place in Herefordshire saved in my air bnb list for a quiet few days getting away from it all. https://www.airbnb.com/slink/r53diAEX. It's got a grand piano if that's at all appealing (it's why I've got it saved)

I know it's accessible from Sussex by public transport because my aunty lives a couple of miles down the road, my parents live in Hailsham and she comes to them by public transport. There's lots to do nearby and my aunt lives in Ledbury which is apparently thriving with lots to do and see and many nice eating places. I have lovely memories of Hay on Wye.