My parents have offered to come and look after DS for a weekend - where should DH and I go?

[bran]

We live in East London and I would like somewhere within 2-3 hours drive (in case we need to come back in a hurry). Money isn't a big issue, but I don't want to spend really silly amounts. We both like really good food and walking, so perhaps somewhere in the South Downs would be good or along the coast.

I would particularly like somewhere with a 'focus' eg where the owners are passionate about organic food or provide treatments. But equally if the place is comfortable enough dh and I can make our own amusement (ie stay in bed all day ).

I swear by warner holidays. No kids but don't think it's organic food. Really good food though.

Whitstable? Stay at the Continental - llots of nice places to eat and inland and coastal walks?

have you looked here?

Hotel du Vin Brighton?
Seaside walks, great restaurants and easy access to lovely walks on the South Downs.

Penhros Court is on that list Ulysees, which I've fancied going to for a while. But I think it might be a bit far away. None of the others really grabbed me I'm afraid.

I like the look of Hotel du Vin AR, I'll see what dh thinks. I suspect he might want something a bit more rural than Brighton though as it's very urban where we are now. I'll check out Whitstable, thanks Blu, not sure about the Continental though, is the food good?.

Something like this would be great, but closer to London

Dinosaur has been to the Continental - she liked it a lot. The food is by the same people who run the Royal Oyster Stores restaurant in Whitstable, so should be good! We stayed in a fabulous small flat when we went - owned by the people who run a very lovely shop called 'Frank' in the main street. But Whitstable is teeming with excellent restaurants.

Aldeborough in Suffolk? Close to Snape, the Wentworth Hotel is v nice...good food.

If you want to be away from it all but near to various places of interest Bath and Bristol and fab walking how about here - my friends own it:

nailey farm

Wow, that looks fab yim, but more like the kind of place that it would be good to go with ds. Self-catering is just not indulgent.

I am getting more drawn to Whitstable, just thinking about fresh oysters is making me drool a little. This place looks pretty good, and gets good reviews on trip advisor (The Continental got some terrible reviews).

Sorry, not yim, that should have been yiam.

I answer to most things !!

So - Windy Ridge - bet you get beans with the breakfast !!

sorry am so jealous

have never had a night away in 9 years

DH and I don't need beans to achieve that effect yiam, especially DH.

Once I started considering b&bs rather than hotels I found this and this , which both look good. I'd still prefer a hotel I think, I'd like somewhere with a lounge, squashy sofas and a roaring fire.

at not being away for 9 years ssd. I am hoping my parents really enjoy their weekend with ds so they will want to do it again, and again, and again . . .

probably quite common for those of us with elderly parent/s

and shit hopeless families

Bran, what's your most important thing? Squishy sofas? Or walking nearby? Tell me and I'll have a think.

Bran, if you like the Kent coast I have heard very good things of Wallett's Court near Dover...

If you're into seafood, Aldeburgh also has wonderful shacks on the beach where fishermen sell fresh stuff (is this the oyster season? Can't remember).

I have heard good things about The Place at Camber Sands...nice beach (away from the caravan site bit) very close to Rye - which has lovely meandering possibilities and restaurants, close to Dungeness.

All the places I recommend are sort of pebbly and atmospheric!

Here is really nice Strattons Hotel Swaffham . Organic food and close to the Norfolk coast for lovely breezy walks along the beach followed by pub lunches. We stayed in the ridiculously OTT Red Room many years ago (pre Children), which has a four-poster bed and bath so big I couldn't actually comfortably lie in it, being quite short.

ashdown park on the way to brighton

They all look good, especially The Place. We can't go to Norfolk unfortunately as we have friends there and I really fancy having time for just the two of us. I also found this from a link from Strattons Hotel, which looks charming and would be good for walking.

WWW, I think walking (or something to do) is more important than squashy sofas, but it would be nice to have squashy sofas to fall back on (metaporically and literally) in case the weather's really horrible. I would prefer not to be somewhere where we have to go out whether we want to or not.

We went to The Place last summer and it was nice and the food was lovely but the rooms are very small.
I'd imagine it would be a bit bleak out of season. The beach is fantastic but the village of Camber is a bit grotty.
Dungeness is nearby which is weird and fascinating.

Yes, Camber is grotty. Rye is nice though.

What about somewhere near Avebury, what's that walk along chalky hills around there? And the circle and the long barrow?

I'm trying to think of somewhere close to the odd gallery or museum or indoor attraction in case it is pouring. Oxford? Cambridge?

Mid wales any good? Went to a fantastic B&B in October, only 3 bedrooms, all ensuite, good walking straight from the B&B, view straight out over a lake, and up the valley. Did great evening meals too for about £17 for 3 courses iirc. Also afternoon tea warm from aga. Really fab setting - we hope to go back this year sometime