Weekend in England, away from London?

[TahiraFaye]

Hi. I was wondering, does anyone know a nice place not too far from London to spend a weekend with family, including a 4 year old? We feel we need some fresh air, but we don't know the area vey well yet. I'm thinking not a big place, but rather a nice country inn or a small town were you can walk around and such.

Windsor?
Cambridge?

Thanks, will look it up. We just moved to England and I really don't know of any parts, except London.

Well Tahira - windsor is lovely (haven't been myself but my parents love it). You've got the castle and pretty town to look around.
Cambridge is further but straight M11 if you drive or not long on the train. Cambridge is gorgeous; good shopping and pretty university buildings with some lovely museums and parks to look around, as well going punting on the river. Which country have you moved from?

Thank you so much! Cambridge sounds just lovely. That is just the sort of thing we're looking for. We moved from Sweden in October, my husband got a job offer and here we are.

I live in Bath which isn't too far from London and is really stunning. Gorgeous architecture to walk around, lovely big parks (including a playground which is a lifesaver for me!), plus things like the Roman Baths which are interesting though pricey for tourists.

I wouldn't come on a bank holiday weekend though - lots of tourists! Though that's probably true of most nice places.

York -- not particularly close as the crow flies but quick to get to on the train, and there's a lot to do there with a 4yo (I took my now-5-yo on a long weekend there at this time last year)

Hit Send too soon... again, York not a small town exactly but it's very walkable around with a lovely river to stroll along and little winding streets.

Where in London are you? Because it can make a big difference to travel time, especially on a bank holiday weekend if that's what you're thinking about.

prof - York is 4 hrs from Peterborough so 5 from London surely? Agree York is lovely - was there last weekend and visited Castle Howard for the first time.
You could always pop to the Kent coast or countryside (think the Darling Buds of May). Gorgeous and loads of fresh air.

Brighton - a bit trashy in that seaside town sort of way, but lovely if you have a car and take yourself off for a stroll on the South Downs - lovely country villages such as Ditching.
Druscilla's wildlike park would be a big hit with DS (although that's in Eastbourne?)

Another vote for Bath - lots to do/see.Roman theme is fun for kids. If driving you could visit somewhere like Stonehenge on the way?

Bristol (near Bath) is also lovely with great waterfront activities and close to lovely countryside (Cheddar Gorge/ Wells etc)

Cotswolds - quaint towns

Have a look at English Heritage and National Trust sites under 'family' for other ideas?

Bath. Dorset. Kent.
Any of those appeal ?

York is a good five hours driving from London, but Kings Cross to York is only an hour and 53 minutes by train (which is why I specified "quick to get to on the train") and if only going for a weekend the OP wouldn't need a car as there is plenty to do on foot.

Oh whoops - was thinking about edinburgh!
That is v quick then only 1.53 hr.

Cambridge is lovely, I had a great weekend there last year.

Southwold, in Suffolk, is completely adorable and also has a lovely beach and pier so v DC-friendly.

Somewhere near Leeds Castle in Kent - lots of fabulous pubs that do B&B and excellent pies for dinner. Not far, either.

Do you have a car?

Oh, thank you all so much.

squeaver - We're in Westminster, 10 min from Victoria, so it's quite easy for us to get around by public transport.

Neither of us drives though, so places easy accesible by train are the best.

I'll definitely look up all your ideas, seems like there's quite a lot of places that would be great for us.

Is Cambridge ok for children? York and Bath seems to be.

North Norfolk is stunning but easier with a car. Are you into cycling? Train to Sheringham and then hire bikes? Maybe for a later trip but do bear in it mind!

Bath is beautiful
As is Oxford

I think you can get from Waterloo to Winchester really easily. Tis lovely too.

Actually - maybe not this time - but you should go to Brighton sometime. So easy to get from where you are.

Cambridge is fab for kids - punting on the river, open top bus tours and the best Museum of geology with loads of fossils. There's a huge whale fossil hanging over the seps of the entrance. We were there for hours and they have regular activites and drawing comps etc for kids to do whilst you're there. Eating places are really friendly for kids too. Can really recommend
this lovely italian set in the beautiful market square.

Here is a 2nd vote for.... crabbing, beer and fish and chips in dear old SOUTHWOLD!!!!

www.exploresouthwold.co.uk/

If you rent a cottage try and get one with a beach hut because your 4yr old will simply LOVE having a den next to the sea!

Southwold is not accessible though without a car.

How about Norwich, 2hrs on the train from London Liverpool Street station?

For Southwold, I think you can catch a train at Liverpool Street station and then you have a choice of either getting off at the station at Darsham or the station at Halesworth. Both are about ten miles from Southwold so a taxi will be needed afterwards.

Fimbo is right - Norwich is very nice too! Your four year old would love the castle! I also love Cambridge dearly and think you would enjoy it as most people do. I was thinking - If you are feeling brave... what about renting a boat on The Broads?

Thank you all so much! I've witten everything down and will consult the rest of the family. Looks like there's plenty of things to do around the area.