Unusual UK holiday ideas

[SarahBernhardtsLeg]

Currently on my possibles list - A La Ronde - Portmeirion - Kew (for the Marianne North Gallery) - St Michaels Mount - New Forest

There are so many places I want to go to but I appear to have forgotten them all... sigh... I love places that just feel different. (I appear to have forgotten how to explain myself too.)

Holidayed loads in the UK for many years and looking like I'm back at it this year, as not comfortable going overseas because of being DM's sole carer. It's me and 19-year-old DD. We love a good rummage in a charity or antiques shop so bonus points for anywhere that might offer that as well as something esoteric and odd. We are not hikers - we very much like a pavement, a lovely restaurant, a comfy bed and to gaze upon something that makes us go - oh!

I'm about as far east and south as it's possible to get without falling in the sea. Get me out of Kent!

Shrewsbury/Oswestry. Lots to do in the area and quaint town centres. I think there are interesting campsites nearby for Glamping. You can also stay in Shrewsbury Prison for a night.

Robin Hood’s Bay
Cheddar Gorge
Tobermory
Bourton-on-the-Water
Rye
Port Isaac
Sandbanks
Blists Hill

Liverpool

Belfast

Isle of Wight

York

Devon

At the National Trust's Windermere campsite, you can stay in a tree tent! It wasn't exactly comfy but it was definitely different! And at Blackberry Wood near Lewes you can stay in a converted Search and Rescue helicopter.

I almost suggested Lewis for mooching around.

Tavistock and Plymouth are another suggestion.

I’d suggest Haworth or Edinburgh but it’s too far. You would be closer to home if you travelled abroad no doubt.

https://southlytchettmanor.co.uk/?utm_source=google-business-profile&utm_medium=knowledge-graph

Was tempted by glamping at this site, but the dates I wanted were all booked up. Lots of different options.

The National Trust has some quirky places you can stay also.

Isle of Man is another possible destination. Lots of interesting stuff to do there.

Could you do a little road trip? We went to Lincoln for a few days and it was lovely but wouldn't stay more than 3 days or so. Could maybe go Lincoln, Hull, Berwick (always wanted to go there but it is far...spectacular views). Depends how much you enjoy the driving and exploring side of it too.

Alnwick would fit the bill - Barter Books is a great second hand bookshop and Alnwick Gardens are pretty and quirky. Plus you could visit Holy Island and Alnmouth. I would also recommend Shropshire for Hawkstone Park. https://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/ I don't know what your budget is, but you could stay somewhere like this: https://hostunusual.com/property/the-pink-cottage/

Norfolk - north Norfolk coast or the Broads
Suffolk coast - Aldeburgh, Southwold
Buxton in the Peak District

I will try and get some more info on this if you like the idea? My friends stayed in a lighthouse that was occupied by a keeper. I think it was in Wales. He was quite a character! I know that you had to stay in your room until he knocked on your door to say breakfast is ready.No choice. You eat whatever he's eating.😁 It sounded like a memorable experience!

There's flights from Gatwick to Edinburgh!

Norfolk over the years
I have stayed in a windmill in Norfolk
Seal trips on boat
National Trust properties to visit
Hired boat on Norfolk broads
Steam trains
Charity shops
Beaches
Wildlife

I have stayed in one of the odd shaped properties at Portmerion. Also had one evening meal in the hotel there.
Lovely walks along the river & in the forest there.
Includes access to Portmerion

Have you been to Northern Ireland, the north coast is beautiful. Giants causeway, coastal route, beaches.

Lymington was lovely- very near the New Forest but with Isle of Wight trip potential, shops to rummage in, and a brilliant Lido where I learned to paddleboard (also DD who at that time was too young for most paddleboard courses in more open water).

Ironbridge is my favourite - great 2nd hand bookshop and antiques centre too.

Have you seen Thorpeness? There is a lot in the towns and coastal parts around that area to do, I am not too far and love to go out of season.

Edited to add: stayed on the edge of Somerset last year and got a day membership to The Newt estate just to see 'Villa Ventorum' - a modern reconstruction of a Somerset Roman villa that has been discovered on the estate. It was pricy but it exceeded expectations and I would love to return.

Shropshire is lovely

another Northern Ireland vote - Belfast is fun, the coast is beautiful, the Mournes are incredible (however they are all big and mostly very steep, so maybe depending on fitness level)

Hebden Bridge as a base and visit Haworth (Brontë sisters as well as cute independent shops) and Heptonstall (grave of Sylvia Plath).
Just make sure you go mid to later week as some places tend to close early in the week.
Also Manchester is half an hour a way by train.