Tell me about your favourite bit of England (please)

[CooDeGrass]

I’m from the NE, but have family/friends in Scotland. U.K. hols have therefore always been north of the border or Northumberland.

Looking for inspiration to discover somewhere in our actual own country this year .

4 DC (10-16); reasonably active; not averse to a bit of city sight seeing and limited National Trust trips. Sadly, probably starting to be too old to just spend a week on the beach (—in cossies and cagoules—)

I’d like a cottage with peace and quiet and views.

Where wouldn’t I think to look?

Thank you!

The costal area of Poole in Dorset

I was going to come on here and say "Northumberland" but that's not going to help!

• Lake District - Lots of peaceful lakes and views, and good hill-walking and activities on water!

• I also love the Bristol/Bath area for city/ sight-seeing and you could pop into Wales for the Brecon Beacons or Wye Valley

Cornwall

I don’t know the Peak District well, but I really loved it when I went there and it’s always stayed with me.

Mendip hills. From there, you can visit Bath and Bristol for city. A bit of beach at Weston and Clevedon. Also Wells, Glastobury, Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge. You may also just be able to reach Cardiff for the Royal mint (book ahead) and St Fagans. Or base yourself nearer the Forest of Dean/Wye Valley or the Brecon Beacons.

Isle of Wight.

Peak district- Chatsworth, Bakewell, Matlock Bath, Dovedale (quite busy though)

Shropshire way- Ironbridge (they have about 9 parts to visit), Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock, Ludlow and Church Stretton. Could even dive into Wales.

These are great, thank you! Really like the sound of Mendip Hills and Bristol/Bath.

We’re so used to beach holidays in Northumberland that I’m having to stop myself from trying to replicate it elsewhere (and remind myself that giant teen DC are no longer going to be happy with some sand and a bucket and spade for a week!)

Oooh so, so much of the U.K. is stunning beautiful p.
Looking down on Derwentwater from atop Catbells; the breathtaking beauty and isolation of Newlands Valley; the charming houses and quay when pottering around Dartmouth; A hot tub looking out over Soar Mill Cove; the rolling green South Downs.

With children Bristol and Bath have lots going on but so does Brighton. Somewhere like IronBridge can easily occupy a week.
London is a must for all children; so much to see and do and lots is free.

Reading your list I think I’d plump for either
A cottage along somewhere near Brighton but up on the Downs with time in Brighton (funfair, cafes, good people watching, nice buzz), a trip to Arundel with castle, lido, wetlands centre, cathedral, boat trips.
Between the two somewhere near Lancing might work.
They could do a trip to London very easily too.
Plenty of NT places too.

Or
Warminster area cottage with trips to Bristol and Bath, a picnic on a canal day-boat barge, swimming in the river at Farleigh Hungerford swimming club, Longleat possibly.

The Midlands often get overlooked for holidays because there is no seaside. But the Cotswolds are beautiful, you've got Birmingham & Coventry if you want city life, Warwick Castle & Stratford Upon Avon for history... Loads to do.

North Cheshire area. Loads of national trust type places, easy walking, day trip to North Wales for castles / beach, Chester and Manchester for city sightseeing, or even the Trafford Centre for the teens.

North Wales is Number one but its not in England so Shropshire is No1 in England

Thank you again.

Should have clarified, DH had a lot of childhood holidays in Wales. Neither of us really know England much, though, hence resolve to try and discover somewhere new (if we’re allowed to go further than our front doors, that is )

Lake District, Cornwall and North Devon for me. We live on the edge of the Lake District now and it's just so stunning here. Cornwall is fabulous, and I live the North Devon coastline- it's a bit more rugged and dramatic than the cosier south coast imo.

Our favourites have been Robins Hood Bay and Swanage. They are both beaches though, although lots to do in the area, that isn't beach related.

We often go to Lake District for short breaks, and always enjoy it.

Cotswolds or North Devon.
We usually head to Northumberland or Dumfries as they tend to be a bit quieter ( we have a collie dog who hates crowds of people) but in the past have really liked these other two places. If you go to the Cotswolds then a day trip to Oxford is a good idea too.

I would also say Cheshire - staying around Chester. Train access to Liverpool and Manchester. The zoo. Delamere Forest. Loads of walking and places to visit. An underrated county in my humble opinion.
The city of Chester is beautiful

As above Chester is an excellent base as so much stuff within 1 hours drive

I think Shropshire is underrated. The Long Mynd is great for hikes and getting close to nature. Lots of nice restaurants in Ludlow and cafes in church stretton . It’s close to wales for a pop across the border. There will be National Trust properties and historic farms etc to visit. We have stayed at the Bunkhouse in Church Stretton which is a youth hostel.