Romantic short break on a budget

[Spudnik21]

Afternoon mumsnetters,

I am after some ideas please my mum has very generously offered to have the kids for a couple of nights ( 9 years old and 9 months old)

They live in Cumbria a good few hours drive for us to get there.

We have a limited budget after mat leave . So as cheap as possible. Last time we did this ( 5 years ago) we stayed at brimstone langdale and it was amazing but it is considerably out of our pice range this time . I really can't justify paying £900 for 2 nights. Even with unlimited spa access.

Budget £300 to £400
2 nights
Husband hates camping / glamping
we do like a pub stay.

So hit me with your ideas, where have you been that's lovely .

Thanks in advance

Bruges! Just beautiful and very romantic.

If abroad I’d go for Prague, uk maybe somewhere in the borders like Melrose or Peebles.

It would be in the UK, as it would take 3 hours to get up to mums , then a few hours to get back to an airport. That's a whole day wasted and we only have 2 nights.....

There are lots of lovely pubs with rooms in the Lakes. That’s where (now) DH and I first went away for a few days. No up to date recommendations sadly but I’m sure you could find something on line.

I know you said your DH doesn’t like glamping, but you should definitely consider the hideaways at Beacon Hill Farm in Northumberland. It’s not like camping at all - each one has heating, electricity, running water, smart TV, small kitchen, en-suite bathroom…They also each have privacy and a great view. There’s a spa onsite too.

Even so, see if you can get something in the evening (say Friday) from Ryanair from Newcastle or Manchester or Edinburgh to Bergamo, and then fly back Sunday lunchtime. Ryanair calls it "Milan-Bergamo" although but it's miles from Milan - but that doesn't matter because Bergamo is such a great place. 36 hours of Italian wonderfulness.

The Old England at Bowness? The Swan at Grasmere? Both have a lovely luxury vibe.

Could you keep driving on for a few hours and head towards Loch Lomond or Edinburgh?