Tell me an amazing place to take my mum for weekend away

[Verbena17]

Ok so I’ve been thrashing through threads to see if I’m inspired and I just can’t decide where would be good to go for a 2 night break away with my mum.

She is 71 and I’m mid 40’s.
She has been to loads of popular uk destinations - me not so much.
We are both quite similar in what we like but she could browse round shops all day long - compared to me who is a minimalist and hates buying ‘stuff’ for the sake of it.

She is lactose intolerant so it needs to either be like an Airbnb stay or somewhere where’s there’s plenty of dining out choices that will do lactose free/vegan food.

I hate large busy cities but I don’t particularly want to spend a weekend walking round villages that don’t have much there except prettiness.

Is it a lost cause or can someone suggest somewhere that will tick all the boxes. We live in the East Midlands not far from Stamford so not near here.

So far, I‘ve wondered about….
Woodbridge
Castle Combe/Corsham - might be a bit boring?
Chatsworth House area/Bakewell - mum’s been to area but not to visit the house.
Maldon, Essex
Leamington Spa - want to feel relaxed - is it a bit posh? 😂

I'm guessing you've both already done Birmingham and Nottingham? And maybe, like Ludlow, Shrewsbury is a bit far?

What about Nottingham or Lincoln, or Newcastle? Worcester, Oxford, or maybe Salisbury?

Wells is lovely but tiny and while Exeter might be a good option (and nice beaches not too far away) suspect it might also be a bit far?

North of the border we love Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh but again probably a bit far for you and I guess the same applies to Chester?

Or what about Gloucester? Lovely cathedral and surprisingly friendly plus not too mad busy.

Whitstable might work.
or what about Hastings Old Town or Rye?

Maldon is cute but it's not weekend away material unless you drive out to other attractions. I like to drive somewhere and just leave my car for a rest.

Winchester is lovely small enough to not tire you out but plenty to see and do. Cathedral and a walk along the river, small musuem with lots nice
Shops and eating places. Salisbury is nice too.

Helmsley, North Yorkshire

A pretty market town

We went to Derbyshire a few years ago. Chatsworth is a full day and gets very busy inside. The audio guides are excellent. I'd also recommend Hardwick Hall (NT, and the old hall is EH) and Bolsover Castle (EH).

Northumberland is a good long weekend as well, Alnwick Garden and Castle (we took a day for each), Lindesfarne, Bamburgh Castle (EH), Belsay Castle (EH).

I also love North Wales. If you like castles, or historic railways or beaches or industrial heritage you'll find lots to do.

Southwold or Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast?

@jocktamsonsbairn defo wouldn’t fly within the uk - sadly I don’t fly…..ever 😕.
But we come up to Scotland every year as my mum is half Scottish. We just wanted somewhere for a quick weekend break and the Scotland drive is a bit too far - although if it was for longer, it would be my top preference.

@Feuillemille23
DD is at Lincoln and me and mum are just going to make it for the two of us this time.
Dont fancy Nottingham or b’rum (they’re more like day trips really).
We had considered Hereford but maybe bit too far.

So currently thinking Winchester or Cirencester….probs the former.

I’ve lived in Suffolk (military) for 6 years so done much of the coast and inland too.

@JaninaDuszejko I’ll have another look at the Peak District. Discovered mum has also been to Chatsworth House - so I don’t want to make her go again, even though I know she’d say she doesn’t mind.

I thin the further away places, like Cumbria, Northumberland etc, are more like a week/ 2 week places for a longer break. This is specifically going to be a 2/maybe 3 night break max.

I’m lactose intolerant. Sometimes I fancy something with lactose in, I’m thinking ice cream or cheesecake, or it just can’t be avoided. I always have Holland and Barrett’s lactase tablets in my handbag for these occasions.

Have you considered Lymington for a weekend away? It’s a bit further but it’s absolutely lovely. There are nice bars and coffee shops, loads of independent shops to go in and a beautiful waterfront with a marina.

Skye

Thank you - I don’t think my mum knows about lactase tablets so I’ll let her know - brilliant idea!
i think Lymington is too far for 2 nights.

Ive never been to Skye - we already have a little holiday lodge in the lowlands so tend to only really go there and to visit family a bit further up.
But I do plan to tour around Scotland again some day and definitely want to visit Skye.

Me and my mum went to Wells. Stayed in a lovely place - beryl-wells.co.uk/house.php/house.php

@Blueuggboots thamks. We have been to Wells I used to live in Somerset so wanted to go somewhere new really and a bit far for weekend this time.

Near to Winchester is Mottisfont NT property which is lovely to visit. We also stopped en route for a coffee at Stockbridge- picturesque little town with a river walk.
The Fox pub/ restaurant was memorable at the time of our visit a few years back.

Thanks so much - I’ll have a look at the NT house online. We were hoping to visit an NT property on 2nd day.

Well that’s all swapped round!
We’ve decided to go to the Richmond, (N.Yorkshire) area. Mum has been to quite a few places round there but really likes that area and I’ve only been to near Yarm for my honeymoon so I think we will find plenty to do for a long weekend.

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone 😊