DOORSTEP JEWELS! Top 10 UK places to visit/things to see please!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I havent seen anywhere near enough of the UK. I've never been to Wales, or Northern/Republic of Ireland.

Give me your top must-see places please - I'd like to see some of my home country this year.

[Carnival]

The House of Dun in Montrose, my DD was enthralled by the little playpark and the 'roomy' ladies in the teashop, they asked me if it was ok to give her a home-baked cookie (you betcha) and filled her pockets with jelly beans, when we were leaving.

In general, the National Trust has some gorgeous places, which normally cater pretty well for the kids in terms of play parks and places to eat and the staff are usually fab.

www.nts.org.uk/Home/

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

[choosyfloosy]

Oxford is great right now (winter) - maybe next year? Try getting college accommodation in the vacation (never tried this, so alternative would be the Town House Hotel on Ship Street which is just like staying in a detective novel of the 30s). Oxford colleges seem to close to tourists at the drop of a hat so it's a way round that. Then go out from about 4pm and wander the streets between Broad Street and the High, which will be quiet and full of footsteps, mist and chills. Next morning, go out of town to the White Horse at Uffington (nearer than Wantage, sorry!)

In the late spring, pick cherries at Crowhurst Farm, close to where I grew up (near Plaxtol in Kent, take The Street down the hill and carry on a bit further. Hope it's still operating - it used to be friendly and a bit down-at-heel. There should be other PYO farms locally. Have lunch at the Golding Hop pub which is [http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=560000&Y=154500&width=700&height=400&gride=5 60003&gridn=154696&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=pc&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=TN150PT&advanced=&local=&localin fosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=10000&out.x=6&out.y=10 here]], very nearby as you can see - they brew their own cider, or used to. I think Old Soar Manor which you can see on the map is National Trust, have a feeling it's very important but can't remember there being much to see there.

[PrismManchip]

Not to be pedantic but Mallaig isn't near Aviemore!
I think going on the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William and then on to Mallaig (but crucially stopping at Morar and not bothering with Mallaig, which is a bit uninspiring itself) is one of the loveliest train journeys and is, of course, the Harry Potter line.... Then go for a walk around the shore of Loch Morar, play on the wee beach, walk back and catch the train again, having checked the timetable very carefully. Loch Morar is stunning.

Sanna Point on Ardnamurchan peninsula is another place that makes me go tingly...nice beach too. You can stay in Kilchoan (wee village, has a shop) and watch the weather come in. And say "Ooh, there's a bit of weather over there..." in a very British manner.

THe Orkney Islands are amazing. Very green, very windy, treeless, almost, but chock full of neolithic monuments. There's Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar and Maes Howe chambered cairn with Viking graffiti. Stunning beaches. Loads of WW2 history as well, like Scapa Floe and the Churchill Barriers (complete with shipwrecks visible at low tide) and the Italian Chapel, painted by the Italian POWs. And all over, people who have dropped out and come north to do their thing, spinning, weaving, pottery - a sign points you down a dirt track and there's a shed with someone doing something creative. And they have a folk music festival every year if that's your thing.

Oh and the Isle of Mull. Bala Tobermory is almost the least interesting part of that.

[karen999]

Edinburgh when the Festival is on - its fantastic - so much to see and do finished off by brilliant fireworks - what more could you want!?

[Clary]

oh yes overrated I like North Norfolk coast too, Holkham, Heacham, Sheringham, Wells.

Stripey that's well weird. Tho an hour from the Peaks (which we are too) could of course be 2 hrs from me!

How wonderful to live in Tenby at one time. I am always trying to work out how I could makea living there and fantasising about owning a house there (drooling over estate agents windows when we are there!)

[edam]

Agree with Stripey's recommendation re. the Peak District. Also Yorkshire around Holmfirth (near Huddersfield). The moors are lovely and the people are fab.

Lleyn Penisula also a favourite, spent all my childhood holidays there. Gorgeous beaches, beautiful mountains, lots for children to do and Portmeirion too.

[JossStick]

loch Ness / Inverness

Avebury / Stonehenge

Glastonbury

North Wales - Conwy / LLanfairfechan etc.

Lleyn Peninsular - Dinas Dinlle

[JossStick]

Cheddar Gorge / Caves etc. overpriced & uninteresting IMHO

[kittylouise]

North Devon - beautiful countryside and coastline. Stunning beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde. Wilderness of Exmoor, coastal villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.

Just don't go in July or August or Bank Holidays; any other time of year is half empty.

Bit of a pita to get to, though, poor road links (but so worth it).

[ChippyMinton]

choosyfloosy - i stayed in an Oxford college last summer, as a tourist, and it was awesome. The rooms were fine, but the best bit was breakfast in the great hall, at long tables with incredibly attentive staff. Like being in an episode of Morse.

My list would include:
Swanage, Corfe Castle and Studland beach
Wye Valley, Symonds Yat, Tintern, Monmouth

[ScienceTeacher]

Historic docks at Portsmouth - fab day(s) out for the whole family.

[FoJo]

off to derbyshire next week and searching threads for stuff to do and i thought this thread was good and worth 'resurrecting'. I;d add Brimham Rocks near harrogate (ish) in north yorkshire. Fab cheap day, let the kids run riot climbing the huge rocks. Anyone else any thoughts??

[SaggyHairyArse]

Durdle Door

[BikeRunSki]

We are very lucky to live 5 mins drive from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and 20 mins from the aforementioned Holmfirth and surroundings, 50 mins to Castleton bit of the Peaks. Used to live between Castleton and Hope, adored it.

Fojo if you are off to Derbyshire then, hire bikes on Tissington/Monsal trails or at Ladybower; Ladybower good for easy walking too (assuming small kids in tow); explore Peverill Castle in Castleton; Climb Mam Tor (steps up from west side for little legs); Visit any of the 4 show caves in Castleton (there's the Blue John "Wonder Cave", Speedwell Cavern which you go down by boat, and, erm, I can't remeMber the others); Huge meals and legendary service that is so-rude-its-funny at Grindleford station cake, then wear it off walking up Padley Gorge.

If you venture into/around Sheffield, there's Magna; The Yorkshire Sculpture Park; Millenium Galleries usually have a kid friendly activity on; Fire Museum (if you have any children obssessed with Fire Engines) and a couple of decent climbing walls (the Foundry and the Edge)

A bit further afield (Although I don't know where in Derbs you are staying) the The Tramway Museum outside Matlock, Gulliver's Kingdom and Conkers (fab eco playground/theme park thing).

[FoJo]

hello, we are at the good old travelodge at alfreton. Liked the look of heights of abraham? Had thought we might give the other caves/caverns a miss as we've done them in other parts of the country and there are also some at house of abraham, but if there's a boat that gives a different aspect doesnt it, so even more to think about!! Is four days enough i wonder??

[mummymeister]

Looe in Cornwall on New Year's Eve. Borthy y Gest in Wales in the summer. Bath when the weathers not so good and go for a massage and a huge afternoon tea in the pump room. London off the beaten track. Ironbridge museum but you need several days to do it all justice. Get a map and put a pin in it and you are sure to find somewhere with something you havent seen before!

[cruelladepoppins]

Just back from Alnwick in Northumberland which kept us well-occupied for a week. It's very historic and the nearby coastal villages are gorgeous (and the weather was right for the beach, yippee - not bikini weather but good active sandcastle building weather.)

Can recommend particularly:
Alnwick Castle (they really make an effort with children, lots of dressing-up, games and activities)
Alnwick Garden (beautiful cascades, gorgeous planting even this early in the season)
Bamburgh - fantastic beach
Alnmouth - lovely beach, lots of coffee shops
the walk from Alnwick to Alnmouth - mostly along the river - took us all morning but was well worth it.

Newcastle isn't too far away if you need a bit of metropolis!

[follyfoot]

We live in the Peak District. Dont think you can beat it really (smug emoticon) but like a couple of other posters, I also love Whitby and RHB (out of season). Warkworth in Northumberland is another favourite and there's a cottage we've stayed in in Ennerdale that is heavenly.