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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Somewhere lovely by the sea

49 replies

stickybear · 30/08/2024 21:40

I have a big birthday coming up and would like to celebrate with a couple of nights away by the sea, with my husband and possibly our two children (haven't decided yet whether they'll be coming with us or staying with their grandparents Grin). My birthday is in the winter time, but I'd love to be somewhere where we could maybe have a blustery walk on the beach then watch the waves from the hotel. A pool would be perfect, especially if the kids come, but not essential. Anywhere in the south west, south wales or along the south coast would be do-able. Would love any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
stickybear · 31/08/2024 11:07

So many lovely suggestions, thank you! I've always fancied Rye but don't know that part of the world at all. I'm much more familiar with the West Country! Love the look of Gara Rock.

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 31/08/2024 11:11

When are you going? Rye and Romney Marshes are very mysterious on a misty autumn day. Not sure there’s enough there for a weekend, though.

ElizabethVonArnim · 31/08/2024 11:23

Lots of great options suggested above - obviously it all depends on your budget and your preference, but these are the ones I've been to that I have really loved:

https://thegeorgeinrye.com - in the town rather than by the sea but excellent food and lovely atmosphere, plus Camber Sands and all the Cinque Ports coastline nearby

https://thegallivant.co.uk - right by Camber Sands, very nice seafood

www.hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt - fabulous spa, private beach, beautiful gardens, posh and pricey

https://luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/locations/moonfleet-manor/?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoocSG67hZXMaXrNFyqXj8TU4hux&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsq2BhCUARIsAIVqmQuvddp51y8r23PaDtS7E-MRgFQ3xGkB5PBXwiqZlppPB7vvNFKjLMaAtmeEALww_wcB - lovely spa treatments, right by Chesil Beach, a bit shambly but gorgeous and also family-friendly

Astonishingly, as a cheap option, the Travelodge in Weymouth is great. Perfect sea views, clean and tidy, comfortable beds, near to the beach sauna, the Crab Shack and the Whisky Rooms.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 31/08/2024 11:27

St Brides Spa hotel

Lordofmyflies · 31/08/2024 11:29

Headland Hotel, Fistral. Amazing new aqua centre, on the beach and cosy enough to watch the waves from the lounge.

coolkatt · 31/08/2024 11:30

Broughty ferry, Dundee

ElizabethVonArnim · 31/08/2024 11:32

Ooh, or, if you are really pushing the boat out, www.burghisland.com is great in the winter

thepilotboat.co.uk in Lyme Regis has lovely rooms and good food but a less fancy vibe.

MrsSkylerWhite · 31/08/2024 11:42

Burgh Island was awful when we went. Damp, mould in the bathroom. (In June) We booked the Noel Coward suite. The furniture was dreadful. Uncomfortable bed and dirty, smelly old chairs that looked like charity shop find. The (leaking) doors to the balcony wouldn’t lock but we were expected to leave our then three year old in the bedroom whilst we dined as she was not permitted in the dining room for dinner.

My husband is an art deco expert. Our house has many period pieces by Epsteins, Adnet, Icart, Tirtoff, etc, none in the awful conditions we saw at Burgh Island.

This was 20 plus years ago. It may well be lovely now but honestly, I’d go for lunch and ask to look around before booking.

Oh and the guy who drove the (filthy) sea tractor was surly as hell and both of our clothes had oil stains when we got off.

ElizabethVonArnim · 31/08/2024 15:21

That's such a shame! Our room at Burgh Island was lovely when we went and everything was up together and in good order. I'm by no means expert in the period - I'm just an Agatha Christie fan so was caught up in it all - but nothing was in poor condition as far as I could see, and we were warm and comfortable in February. I thought it was all lovely. This was about 3 years ago.

steadywinner · 31/08/2024 15:26

Watergate bay hotel Cornwall?

stickybear · 31/08/2024 22:49

I'd love to stay at Burgh Island one day, but probably not this time - our budget is in three figures rather than four! The George at Rye and Moonfleet Manor are on the list though Smile And I don't know why I didn't think of the Pig on the Beach. We ate there a few years ago when self catering nearby and loved it.

OP posts:
hillyholman · 31/08/2024 23:22

BlackboardMonitorVimes · 30/08/2024 22:29

The Old Success Inn in Sennen, no pool but ticks all the rest of your boxes. Get one of the rooms facing the sea and you'll hear the waves crash throughout the night.

If you do decide to stay there, please eat elsewhere. Owned by a big brewery chain. Service is terrible and the food is 'pinged'. I live locally.

MrsSkylerWhite · 01/09/2024 09:08

ElizabethVonArnim · Yesterday 15:21
That's such a shame! Our room at Burgh Island was lovely when we went and everything was up together and in good order. I'm by no means expert in the period - I'm just an Agatha Christie fan so was caught up in it all - but nothing was in poor condition as far as I could see, and we were warm and comfortable in February. I thought it was all lovely. This was about 3 years ago.

So glad to hear it! We thought there was such potential but it was in a sorry state and very poorly managed back then. Still very pricey, though.

The service was awful, too. We arrived at the appointed time, were told to wait in the bar lounge because our room wasn’t ready (with the if I remember semi-circular marble I think? stairs: they were all cracked and badly filled) A member of staff was hoovering across the bar and ignored us for 10 minutes. When she finally turned it off, she literally shouted across the room “do you want anything, sandwich or whatever?”! My husband was ready to leave then but I said we should see our room. That made up both of our minds and we left.

The owner had the nerve to chase us down the path, yelling at us (with our 3 year old) that he’d “taken our booking in good faith”. We told him we’d booked with the same good faith and left. Thank goodness we were able to walk across the causeway by then: would have been awkward flouncing off then having to sit and wait for several hours 🤣

We’d promised our little one a week by the seaside so drove about a bit (no google then!) and stumbled across a family hotel on the beach at Salcombe and booked in there for a week. She had a lovely time.

There, got that off my chest after all these years 🤣

I imagine the hotel is under different management now and I’m really pleased that you had a lovely stay.

Crickets7 · 01/09/2024 09:11

longdistanceclaraclara · 30/08/2024 23:39

Really? Its hen and stag central at the wrong end and the walk down past the station is awful.

Rye
Woolacombe
Most of Norfolk and Suffolk
Deal

You can't watch the waves from a Rye hotel 🫢

Maddy70 · 01/09/2024 09:21

Whitby
Northumberland
Devon

ElizabethVonArnim · 01/09/2024 12:56

@MrsSkylerWhite
That sounds terrible! When we arrived, someone whisked our bags away and a waiter said 'You look like a lady who'd like a glass of champagne." It all went on in the same vein from there 😊

MinnieMountain · 02/09/2024 06:58

I second the Headland hotel.

Ciri · 02/09/2024 07:03

rosydreams · 30/08/2024 21:42

weymouth a lovely place to visit

That’s mean, the OP might think you’re being genuine.

Waterboatlass · 02/09/2024 07:09

The Burgh Island Hotel!

Waterboatlass · 02/09/2024 07:10

Cross post!

rosydreams · 02/09/2024 08:41

Ciri · 02/09/2024 07:03

That’s mean, the OP might think you’re being genuine.

I didn't realize people looked down so much on places.All places can have troublesome visitors it is up to the individual traveler to research hotels and parts of a area to see if they are suitable for them.Different hotels have different rules to and different hotels are more suited to different groups of people

I have always had very positive experiences of weymouth

If middle of town not your cup of tea there is a wide range of places to stay from the beach town to outside in more rural area which are very beautiful .From weymouth to lulworth to birdport there is a wide range of choice for that area

Ciri · 02/09/2024 10:00

rosydreams · 02/09/2024 08:41

I didn't realize people looked down so much on places.All places can have troublesome visitors it is up to the individual traveler to research hotels and parts of a area to see if they are suitable for them.Different hotels have different rules to and different hotels are more suited to different groups of people

I have always had very positive experiences of weymouth

If middle of town not your cup of tea there is a wide range of places to stay from the beach town to outside in more rural area which are very beautiful .From weymouth to lulworth to birdport there is a wide range of choice for that area

It's fine but really quite run down in parts. I just got the impression the OP was after windswept picturesque beauty.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/09/2024 10:04

longdistanceclaraclara · 30/08/2024 23:39

Really? Its hen and stag central at the wrong end and the walk down past the station is awful.

Rye
Woolacombe
Most of Norfolk and Suffolk
Deal

Rye isn’t technically by the sea, Winchelsea is very nice though. Rye is stunning though and you can get taxis or drive to nearby locations.

rosydreams · 02/09/2024 12:05

Ciri · 02/09/2024 10:00

It's fine but really quite run down in parts. I just got the impression the OP was after windswept picturesque beauty.

its a fun place when you have children, yes one of two shops shut down but i have seen worst.The seafront very lovely and if the town center not your thing look to the left or right of weymouth .Like lulworth cove is more scenic very beautiful ,dont skip the area because of one town.If weymouth not your thing its so beautiful the countryside surrounding it and theres other more secluded beaches if thats your thing

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