Where to go solo for two days either UK or Europe?

[Roxie99]

Good morning!

I have searched the threads and there are a few I've looked at but I have two midweek days to myself. I have been researching and researching places within 2 hours away and the UK and at this point my brain is saying sod it don't bother for 2 days! I am a mum and I work and just wanted to get away to another city I've never seen before , I like walking and would like some scenery and good food! The lakes and peak district, Snowdonia all about 5 hour drive for me. A city like Barcelona would be 2 hour flight but factor in getting there and to the hotel/apartment 4/5 anyway! I have been to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris , Denmark several times. I was thinking York or Bath to stay in the UK too. I just wanted some suggestions from lovely mumsnetters otherwise I could just save the money (saved ironically for a mini break) and spend it on the house ha

Might be helpful to tell us where you are roughly?

I live half an hour from Gatwick airport and 40 mins from Heathrow!

It doesn't have to be 2 hours away in the UK I was talking about flying 2 hour as I said those cities for a reason as they are all two hours away . I'm just trying to make the most of the two days ! I looked into a. Yoga retreat too in both UK and Alicante but you need at least 3 days to benefit.

Have a look at Extreme Day Trips (edt) on Facebook. 100s of ideas on there.
Ive never done it as I wouldnt have the energy, but would love to.

I'm currently up in Northumberland doing bits of Hadrian's Wall by myself, but that would be a trek (I came up from Hampshire.)

You could go down to the coast, walk some of the coast path. New Forest. South Downs. Dorset. Dartmoor. Exmoor. Salisbury Plain (need to check the ranges.) Chilterns.

Spa hotel.

You can find one or two day yoga retreats, though not necessarily mid-week.

Bristol, Brighton, Chester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Rye, Winchester, York

How far are you from an airport? Barcelona is very quick to get to from the airport. Florence is even easier, just a short tram. Do you like art? I would recommend Florence for a solo trip, I would love to go back on my own.

Look at where the cheap airlines fly from your nearest airport. If you are near the Eurostar there are cheap offers at the moment.

I do this all the time! Also close to Gatwick airport. I prefer flying over driving to reduce stress (listen to music or read a book or just plan my life while on flight).

I would recommend:
Barcelona
Amsterdam
Zurich
Porto
Rotterdam
Málaga

I personally would pick Málaga for the number of flights/cheap flights and hotels and the friendliness of the city. Lots to do but also not overwhelming.

All under 2 hours and short train rides into city centre. I have also taken mid week trips to Singapore and Bangkok but not counting those!

Norwich is a lovely city and is very compact so easy to do in a 2 day trip. Lovely walk along the river, lots of independent shops, two cathedrals, a castle, big covered market. Really good cafes and pubs too.

I would love to do this! I would do Amsterdam, Paris, Bordeaux, Brussels, Zurich, Vienna, Madrid, Lisbon? Plenty to do in all the above. I love Malaga city too as pp said. Enjoy!

Chichester is lovely if you don't already know it.
Canterbury worth a trip.
Or there's Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford, Wells/Glastonbury, Dorchester, Portsmouth, even Isle of Wight (not a city but nice).

So much choice in the UK. Personally I wouldn't bother with all the airport faff for 2 days; spend that time enjoying your destination.

Have you looked at the Eurostar? I’ve heard excellent things about Bruges from friends.

Oh wow such great feedback! Thank you so much for all this (off to research even further!)
I'd like to ideally go somewhere I've not been before (before or after kiddos!) just to experience something new!
Lisbon is somewhere that was on the top of my list but it's 3 hours (I need to take into account delays on the day too!) ah wish I could take a week now. Thanks again kind people!

Belfast?

Malaga is hot at the moment too if you wanted some sunshine!

Budapest over night for a spa day and look around the city

Rotterdam is a very underrated city, feels very safe as a lone female.
Also would suggest Utrecht, Düsseldorf or Den Haag

Thank you @doradoo been to Rotterdam loved it esp the pancake boat tour !!!

I’d fly to Malaga, short transfer, loads of flights.

or get the train to Winchester…..lovely town, very walkable.

or Liverpool, lots to do, great food, I spent a week there on my own for hospital appointments and loved it.

Salzburg or Vienna? Krakow, Leipzig or Magdeburg? Tallin, Riga or Lübeck on the Baltic?

I'd recommend Eurostar if you're in the SE (Although you don't say how long it would take you to get into central London). Perhaps Lille, or Brussels? I'm not a fan of Brusseks myself mind you, but maybe Gent? Or Cologne is 2 hours from Brussels. I might be tempted by Marseille, which is 3 hours from Paris. I went to Marseille by train in October and it was great.

York might suit you. Very walkable, including the walk on the city walls and there's a reasonable amount of green space.

Paris - jump on Eurostar & go. Easier than faffing around at airports.

I have just come back from Florence and agree. Airport is 25mins from centre and the city is small and you can do so much in 2 days. Felt very safe too, fantastic food and culture. Vueling from Gatwick, I got there at 12pm and had two full days. Definitely worth it.