recommend a destination for child free weekend?

[susannahmoodie]

Within 3-4 hour drive of Newcastle at the end of the summer.....

We are after somewhere can can do things we can't usually do with kids in tow eg potter in shops, drink during the day, eat extravagant dinner out.....not really bothered about spa but not averse to it either.

Possibilities include

Harrogate?
Glasgow?

We do love Edinburgh but we have done it a gazillion times and have a week booked there in October.....

Anyone?

We've just been to Cardiff Bay - definitely go back St Davids Hotel is lush!!! Also what about Leeds? Or Birmingham about a 2-2½ hour drive

We went to York a couple of times when DS was younger for a child free break. Absolutely lovely as loads of little shops to potter round and lots of lovely (grown up) restaurants, plus a bit of history to explore.

Or if you like walking the Lake District is great. We stayed outside of Keswick recently and Keswick itself had lots to recommend it. Nice little market on a Saturday, good places to eat and good country pubs as well.

Keswick would be nice actually, we haven't been to the lakes for ages. Would you recommend a hotel?

We stayed in The Borrowdale Hotel which was outside of Keswick. It was fine, but I'd probably not rush to stay at that hotel again as wasn't unique or anything particularly special. It was on the bus route to Keswick though which was fab as we could stay in the splendid countryside but then go into town for a bit of life, so I'd recommend the Borrowdale area.

We've stayed in the Drunken Duck which is more Central lakes area and that was fabulous - lovely romantic rooms, fabulous food, all a little pricey though and not within walking distance of anywhere else.

I love the Lake District - either with or without DS