Which of these is best South East stay for 2 nights?

[wheresmymojo]

As with a lot of people we haven't been away for 15mths.

I'm stir crazy and work have given us a 'well-being day' off on Fri 25th June.

It's just me & DH. I'd like to see the sea...otherwise we like the usual kind of things: eating out, mooching around independent shops, interesting day trips/museums, exploring new places.

We don't want to travel far for 2 nights so I've narrowed it down to a few places...

• Lymington/New Forest
• Bournemouth
• Lyme Regis
• Bognor Regis

I haven't been to any of them except for Bournemouth as a sulky teen.

I don't mind if it's a bit twee in a British seaside way but don't want anywhere (a) grim like Blackpool or in a horrible depressing state of decline or (b) there's nothing to do if it rains.

Any thoughts from those that have been?

I've included Bognor as despite being the butt of jokes I thought that might just be due to the distinctly unglamorous name, for all I know it could be nice(?)

Also any other thoughts on places to consider welcome!

We're based in mid/North Hampshire.

Don't go to Bognor. We escaped Butlins once for a few hours and Bognor itself was nice enough but I wouldn't make a special trip back.
I live locally to the other places and they're all lovely but it depends on what you're hoping to do whilst there. What are you plans OP?

I don't live near Lyme Regis though and haven't visited recently so can't comment.

We've just visited my FIL for his 85th birthday
He lives between Rye and Hastings in East Sussex
We stayed in the premier inn Hastings the night before for £85 as 4-5 hours driving in one day at our age is a bit meh
We walked around Rye and had lunch in the fish cafe then went to Camber Sands for the afternoon - a bit blowy but wonderful sand dunes!
Next day we had breakfast out then went over to see him and take him to The Wild Mushroom for lunch - it's near him - we left to come home about 6
My DD and her boyfriend came with us and they stayed another night and went to Hastings in the morning and for lunch, a quick visit to Bexhill and then visited Bodiam castle on the way home!
A short but very enjoyable time!

Lymington is very small, 1 high street and not a lot else, it's also on the river not the seaside, there's no beach.

Bournemouth has a lot more going on, and not far from Poole which is also good.

Oh and they're all class as south/south west not south east!

I live on the South Coast, I would chose Brighton every time. (Also appreciate there are divided opinions on Brighton, but we love it) I know it's not on your list but there's so much to do there. Out of your list I'd say Lymington/Lyndhurst in the New Forest but that's a lot of tea shops, little shops etc which is great but maybe not for 2 days. Burley in the New Forest is worth a visit if you do go there. Bournemouth is great for the beach and having shops close by, but don't think they are the sort you'll want to spend time looking around, more standard high street.

Ah...I think because we count as South East in Hampshire even though we're not particularly East!

I will avoid Bognor then :)

Will take a look at how long it takes to get to Rye...

Of that lot, Lyme Regis first choice, Lymington/New Forest second. Avoid Bognor like the plague.

@Notgoingonholiday I would choose Brighton first too, and am going there for my birthday treat. My absolute favourite.

Go to Christ Church near Bournemouth.

Bognor is dreadful.

Purplewithred yeah it's great. Have a fab birthday there! If you haven't been before try The Breakfast Club for breakfast/brunch it's lush.

Lymington is lovely and I would say ideal for 2 nights. Nice street of independent shops/restaurants/cafes, a big harbour full of boats and a lovely wetlands nature reserve within walking distance if you like walking/bird watching. If you have a car with you the new forest is also very accessible as is Brockenhurst (nice town in the NF) by direct train. I live nearby and I love it. But as previous PP have said no beach - Lepe and Milford on sea are close but not of the standard of say Bournemouth.

Lyme Regis is also very nice. I’ve had a few holidays around there and really like it. More in the way of shops, lovely fish restaurants and lots of historical stuff related to the Jurassic coast. The beach is mostly pebble but there is a stretch of man made sandy beach. You wouldn’t go wrong here either but a lot further to go from North Hampshire!

Bournemouth is fine and obviously has lots going on. You go for the beach, which is lovely all the way from Christchurch down to Sandbanks. I’ve had many super walks along there. But personally, Lyme Regis and Lymington are nicer towns then Bournemouth.

Enjoy your holiday!

DH and I have been visiting Brighton for the past 15 years but won't be back again fir a while.

The shops there are brilliant as are the restaurants but the town and beach are absolutely filthy. I'm surprised how down at heel it has become and wasn't helped by two drug addicts accosting us and our two young DC on the way back from our evening meal. My young DD was really frightened.

It's such a shame as brighton was always our go to destination if we wanted a night away and it felt pretty safe.

Im in Bognor right now 🙈....what I will say is that yes the town is run down but the beach front walk is lovely, I won at crazy golf, the sun is shining and Ive had my first '99' with a flake in about 15 years, however I wouldnt recommend it for a special couple of nights away 😂.

I really like Southsea, again a lovely sea front, bars etc, walking distance to Gunwharf Quays and the historic Portsmouth waterfront.
Tomorrow we are off to Poole & Bournemouth, never been to either and really looking forward to it.
We had planned to goto Cornwall but the G7 stopped that one, I think maybe, just maybe we made the better choice 😊

Of those I would say Lime Regis , if you actually want somewhere in the SE then Whitstable .

What about Portsmouth? It offers:

Spinaker tower
The historic dockyard
Gunwharf keys for shopping and restaurants
Harbour boat rides
Southsea for beach
Hovercraft over to the isle of wight

First choice.. Lyme Regis / walking coast path / Golden Cap.
Second choice.. New Forest / walking / cycling.

Lyme Regis is gorgeous. So much to see, do. Great vibe. Go there

This place in Christchurch is nice for a treat weekend away: www.harbourhotels.co.uk/christchurch?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjMmJq-eU8QIVEtnVCh3ttgcuEAAYAiAAEgIdkPD_BwE

Lyme Regis has lots to see, can you easily get to the Isle if Wight from where you are,

Lyme is lovely.

Also, rye, rye harbour, winchelsea.

Thanks everyone, we actually looked at a PP's suggestion of Hastings/Rye and have booked a lovely room at St Leonard's on Sea for £59 a night(!)

We're also going to travel straight after work on Thursday as looks to be lots to do down there so have ended up in the 'proper' South East after all!

Will probably do a day trip to Lymington / New Forest instead as not that far for us and bear in mind Lyme Regis kind of way for another break.

Hastings is the home of the world miniature golf championship so worth doing a round while you are there .

Christchurch Harbour Hotel

You won’t regret it

Easy reach of new Forest for walking/cycling, nice town centre for pootling and fabulous hotel restaurant and spa