Holiday from the US (not London!)

[americaninboston]

Hello! I live in the US with my husband and our 4 year old, but we really love the UK. I'm trying to plan a trip for next August. We'd likely be flying in and out of Heathrow, but we've been to London several times and would love to go elsewhere. I'm thinking of spending 3-4 days in a small city, and 3-4 days somewhere more rural or at the beach (ideally somewhere charming / not too touristy/kitschy). Also - we'd love to do this without renting a car - a bit nervous about driving on the other side of the road!

Some ideas I had are York + Scarborough, or Oxford + Bournemouth, or Chester + Llandudno. Thoughts? Other ideas? Are these terrible ideas? Thanks you!!

I was going to suggest Belfast and the Antrim coast but thought OP may not want another flight.

Fly into Manchester for York, there’s direct trains from the airport.
Edinburgh is great but in August it’s home to the worlds largest arts festival and the city is literally full to bursting with visitors and accommodation prices are about triple what they’d normally be.

Bristol then south Devon Teignmouth brixham totnes all accessible by train and bus and lots to see and do in both places

Cardiff

Oxford or Bristol/Bath combined with Mumbles (Swansea) or Tenby would be my suggestion.

I love Llandudno and it has classic Victoriana going on, but it can be very chilly as it has sea and coast on both sides! If you go to Llandudno, make sure you visit Conwy and Anglesey too.

Another vote for Newcastle/Northumberland. Such an amazing part of the world

Exactly what I was coming on to say.

Tynemouth, Bamburgh, Alnwick, Dunstanburgh, Lindisfarne etc

Doesn't get better than this!!

I was going to suggest Norfolk. Norwich for the medieval city, then North Norfolk beaches, could add in a day trip to Cambridge on the train, plus visit the Broads. Many are accessible by train. Southwold is nice and on a train line.

Not really ice cream / amusements / mini golf places though (although IIRC Alnwick Gardens did have mini golf)

Hire a car and go to Northumberland. It's got everything, Hadrian's Wall, castles, amazing beaches. You can go to Edinburgh for the day if you like too. I'd also squeeze in Beamish if you can, it's fabulous

If you can fly to Gatwick then I’d suggest Chichester, West Sussex. It’s an easy and quick train journey from the airport- Ifs a small city close to the South Downs national park as well as being close to the coast which is about 10min drive away. West wittering beach is gorgeous , as well as many others.

Liverpool, Chester, and then a North Wales rail pass.
https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/ticket-types/rovers-and-rangers/north-mid-wales-pass

Another vote for Newcastle and Northumberland lovely area with great bus and train options.

London to Cambridge is easy via train. The Norfolk coast is really lovely but I’m not sure how easy it is to access without a car. A previous poster mentioned the Norfolk Broads- perfect way to travel on your own boat. We spent out evenings moored up in pub gardens eating great food. We live in the Cotswolds and it’s stunning. Worth a visit. Easy access from London via train. There are a few tour companies who offer Cotswold tours where they drive you to all the beautiful villages.

The Lake District and Scottish Borders

If you are set on flying into London, then with a 4 year old there is no way I’d be travelling by train a long distance eg to Newcastle, York or Cornwall - it will be exhausting(and expensive!).

I would suggest Cambridge (2 hrs by train from Heathrow) and then go to Hunstanton Beach (train to Kings Lynn and then taxi or bus).

Do think really hard what your 4 yo will enjoy, before you decide!

Bournemouth is a big city - you’d probably be disappointed that it doesn’t have the cute seaside vibe you want.

Liverpool then you can do Chester and Llandudno easily. As well as beaches in North Wales there are also New Brighton and Crosby in Merseyside (they get busy but not too touristy iyswim

Agreed! I LOVE Conwy - we take DS at least a couple of times a year

Oxford/Bath then Cornwall.

York and Scarborough are a great combination but it’s a lot of travel having the transatlantic flight and then getting all the way to York from Heathrow for only a weeks trip?

I agree with PP that Bath/Bristol, Oxford, Chichester would be good for the city elements. Winchester also possibly? You might like the Isle of Wight for the beach element.

My left of field suggestion would be Canterbury for history and interesting small city, then head to Broadstairs for beaches, fish and chips etc. You can also visit Margate for art galleries etc from there.

York and Scarborough hits your brief. Book accommodation near the north bay for quieter beach, Peasholm Park, Sealife, little train etc. Been a lot of dolphin sightings this year in the bay. I know a few people who have enjoyed staying in these apartments https://escape2thesands.com/ (you can find them on booking.com too).

Cardiff, then up the country from there on Transport for Wales train.

I like this idea! The less travel time, the better.

Isle of Wight

Wait, all this way for a week? Why?