Short uk break in February, but where?

[Ricardothesnowman]

I prefer cities, museums, etc, DS is 14 and prefers countryside, walks, nature reserves etc.
Somewhere around 3 hours maximum drive from Southampton.

im totally stumped trying to find somewhere we will both enjoy, and that won't be too cold wet and miserable in February half term.

Any suggestions please?

Somewhere in Shropshire so you can go to the Iron Gorge Museum. There’s lots of other stuff to do and nice countryside.

Bath? Beautiful historic city, the Cotswolds are on the doorstep and the Mendips are only a short drive away.

Cambridge - there’s a lovely walk through meadows along the River Cam to Granchester, and Wicken Fen (a National Trust Nature Reserve) is half an hour away. As well as several good museums, there’s a first class botanic garden and of course the punting!

Fivemoreminutes1, Cambridge sounds perfect, tha ks for the idea

Or on a similar theme but closer to Southampton: how about Oxford?

River (ok for walks if it's not too muddy), museums, colleges, plenty of nearby countryside/market towns. If you have a car you can go to the Cotswolds, the Wildlife Park near Burford, Blenheim Palace (also on bus route)... loads to do and see depending on interests and what the weather is.

HappyHolidai, thanks. We went to the cotswolds this summer, so looking to head in a different direction this time.
It was so beautiful though, definitely worth another visit in the future.

Another vote for Shropshire.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/shropshire-autumn-weekend/

North Wales is a bit farther but well worth it, what about a Mini Road trip?

No for some thing totally Different
This cost the same as a weekend in Anglesey for a family of 4!
www.donthibernate.co.uk/winter-weekend-in-cyprus/

Shropshire is too far, and Cyprus certainly is! We need to be 3 hours from home max.

Its a pity as North Wales is packed with stuff to see and do, Normally a City Break would be good but Liverpool is too far from you, I am not too clued up on Cities in your area sorry
Dorset must have something suitable?

This chap does excellent tours to look for fossils on the beach at Lyme Regis
www.lymeregisfossilsforsale.co.uk/fossil-walks.html

How about Leicester? There's museums (most free) space centre and Richard iii centre in the city and the bosworth battlefield museum and walks in the countryside. Add in the cultural side (and the best Indian food in the U.K.! and it's reasonably priced

North Wales is fab, but just lost close family who lived there, so would really be too hard to visit now.
I've booked Cambridge now, but a flexible booking that can be cancelled up to 48 hours before, so I still can change my mind if I want to.

Could you go on the train as my recommendation would be Harrogate - we did a similar weekend trip in Jan 2020

Bath?
Cardiff
Cambridge