ok, who can suggest a really pretty rural area of england to visit this easter?

[noonar]

we live on the south coast and would like to go somewhere within 4-5 hrs drive or so, that we've not been to before. we like walking -but nothing too adventurous as have dds 2.8 and 5.

we've been to :
devon
dorset
cotswolds
bath
somerset
stratford upon avon area
peakdistrict area nr bakewell

we esp liked the last 2 areas, so might return, but can anyone suggest anywhere less well known that we might not have considered?

whats sherwood forest area like? please forgive my shameless tourist- speak also, where is 'bronte country'?(have been on a cottage renatls website)

Bronte country is Yorkshire I think
What about Brighton? Sea, pier, cafes, pretty.

hhhmmm, brighton...we actually live there!

Oh right, ok will think again!

New forest ?

oh yeah, New Forest

drop in and see how my parents are would you? Just don't get chatting to my mother or she'll have your hind leg off. And don't mention the War to my dad or you'll hear how they had to move their beach hut incase Jerry invaded.

Nice and rural though.

Suffolk is pretty with really quaint little towns such as lavenham (real old world). If you look at the official tourist websiite I am sure you will find something.

Have fun

Cheddar?
Salcombe

oi beety
I 'm doing the juice thing

any tips?

Pop over to the Isle of Wight? Go to west Wight though, which is very rural and pretty - avoid the east coast, which is touristy and seaside towny tacky.

ah, thanks. been to isle of wight and new forest havent thought of sufflk, though....hmmm.

forest of dean, gloucestershire

Message withdrawn

Yorkshire.

It's maybe at the top end of your driving time-scale but you've got the Dales, the Moors, the Wolds, you've got some beautiful coastline and you've got Bronte country.

It's luvverly.

And you get to see this

Yorkshire is MASSIVE!!! Bronte country is in the south/west'ish part. North Yorkshire moors are also good.

Go to the Peak District. Loads of walking (recommend Lathkill Dale and Millers Dale which are near Bakewell). DCs will enjoy Chatsworth gardens (and adventure playground). You could also hire bikes with child seats/trailers and cycle one of the trails - Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail or Manifold Trail). Bakewell and Matlock area will be very busy if you are going Easter weekend so best to avoid.
The western side (west of Buxton to Ashbourne road) of the Peak District is also very good and less busy. Manifold Valley is in that area, also Hartington, Alstonefield.

Lily! As a PEak Districter, I'd also say all of these, but the OP names the Peaks as a place she has already been and is off her list for this time. As I read it anyway....

Herefordshire & Shropshire, lots of lovely places (including Ludlow).

thanks all. have finally booked 4 nights in a cottage on the edge of the peak district. its technically in sheffield,in a village called totley bents, but only 10-15 mins to the peak dictrict. i really loved that area when we last visited, so am glad to be going back.

i'm in suffolk and tho it's rubbish for shopping we do have some lovely countryside, very pretty little villages to explore, both coastal and inshore, and plenty of possibilities for walking that aren't too difficult with a child

You made a good choice there!
Get out into Bradfield if you can. Follow road to Loxley and keep heading west - lovely little village with a very nice village green and tea-shop/post-office.

Northumberland - fab coast line (great beaches to walk along), loads of castles and stuff like that and good walking in the Cheviots. Very beautiful!

unquiet dad, thanks for the tip!

will bear other suggestions in mind for future trips

pembrokeshire. it's a well kept secret.

Bradfield link for you, noonar