Suggestions of best scenic places to stay in UK

[Bythesea1982]

Hi there. Looking into somewhere to book this summer (yes, I realise I’ve left it quite late!). Looking for suggestions of anywhere that’s scenic and preferably coastal with nice walks but also some other things to do too. Additionally somewhere that has good cycling options (although would need to be off road so maybe coastal paths or National Trust type places). Ruling out North Somerset, Dorset, Norfolk and Whitby as we’ve holidayed there. Also probably ruling out Cornwall due to distance and how busy I’ve heard it can get in the summer.

The Northumberland coast has lovely walks, castles, nice harbour towns and there’s interesting things inland or en route depending where you’re coming from eg Hadrians Wall forts& museums. I don’t know about cycling.

North wales has everything - coast, mountains, castles, and we did some cycling there too.

do you have kids and where will you be travelling from?

@ErrolTheDragon Yes, I forgot to say I’ll be travelling with two children - 11 and 14. We’re in the midlands. Is there any specifically on the Northumberland coast you’d recommend?

Pembrokeshire - we discovered it during the pandemic, absolutely loved it. We stayed in Tenby, there are so many gorgeous beaches, Barafundle, Manorbier, Broadhaven, Freshwater East… A lot of it is National Trust, some wonderful coastal walks.

@Hypercatalectic I had contemplated Pembrokeshire as beaches look lovely. Would you recommend staying in Tenby? I’d like somewhere with a bit of life but not too touristy.

I used to live in Tenby. It’s a beautiful area, the town is busy in summer but not as bad as Cornwall. Lovely walks and beaches. No idea about cycling.

north wales has great scenery and beaches. There’s some good off road cycling like the track from Barmouth to Dolgellau. There’s also Coed y brenin for cycl8ng, there’s nice gravel tracks, it’s not just mountain biking. There’s also other off road forests round the Snowdonia area you can cycle in. Not too sure about costal walks but there must be some, certainly on Anglesey there is.

We liked Tenby (we were camping just outside the town), it is the tourist town but it’s a real place too, it has its own beach, harbour and castle ruins which are a nice spot for a fish & chip supper. I imagine it’s a bit like Cornwall was before it became Cornwall. Pembroke has a proper castle but it’s not such a nice town. St David’s is nice and not far from Freshwater West which is good for surfing. Tenby is a good base to explore from.

Northumberland around Bamburgh Castle
Lake District
Peak District
Yorkshire Dales
Convy
Dorset

You might struggle to find much choice in Tenby now. Pembrokeshire is amazing though.

@Hypercatalectic That’s all really helpful, thank you. I’d read St David’s is nice to explore too.
@MoominUnderWater Thanks for the info. I’ll look into North Wales to see if there’s more cycling options that might be a better option.

Dover. The castle is amazing and lots to see and do there.
St Margaret’s bay in Dover is a lovely day out.

North Wales, travelling from the Midlands you could go to Llangollen on the way head for Barmouth and then turn right for the Llyn Peninsular of left for Mid wales either is great
Llyn Peninsular here's a few places worth seeing but plenty I haven't mentioned.
Criccieth like stepping back in time in a good way
Llanbedrog
Abersoch Snoby boaty type place but some like it
Porth Dinellen Great beach and walk to the pub on the beach Ty Coch Inn
Also see seals on the walks near the pub

Mid wales
Aberystwyth nice town
Borth ( Not everyones cup of tea we liked it as we are Hinterland fans, good surfing plenty of nature walks etc
New Quay very nice often see dolphins from the carpark
Aberporth but don't tell anyone how good it is.
Aberaeron lovely little place
Machynlleth quite but comes alive on market day

Now thats just a snap shot of the coast loads to see and do inland as well
Bedgellert
Snowdon area
Or North of the Llyn Peninsular
Caernarfon Castle
Aberfalls fantastic walk
Llandudno Ski slope, Mine tours
Conwy ( Fortified medieval town with good crab fishing)
Towyn Fish Chips and Bingo, have a big market / car boot sale at Tir Prince Raceway, I believe the racing nights are great too

The areas have loads to offer much more than I can post here
Anything specific you want to see or do?

I can recommend North Devon beautiful with gorgeous beaches, 180 miles of Tarka trail - off road cycle path. Plenty of walks and body boarding/surfing. We’ve had a couple of lovely holidays round there, we stayed near Woolacombe. But lots of options.

Pembrokeshire has a stunningly beautiful coastline, and some spectacular beaches, but I wouldn't say the coastal path is ideal for cycling. Some of the costal path is very narrow, running along steep hillsides with a deep drop to the sea below.
I think you'd have more opportunities for cycling in North Wales or Mid Wales.

@AdaColeman Thanks for your comment. I’ll look into Mid and North Wales instead as we would like to take the bikes.
@Funf Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I’ll get looking into these.

@Ionacat I’d hadn’t considered North Devon but with an extensive off road cycle track I’ll look into it. Great shout - thank you!

Gower, Swansea
https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/west-wales/swansea-bay/exploring-gower-peninsula

Northumberland has the Coasts & Castles NCN cycle route that runs from Edinburgh to Newcastle. The Northumberland stretch is along the coast. Bamburgh, Seahouses & Beadnell might be worth looking at for places to stay & you would be close to Alnwick (for the castle & gardens). Craster & Dunstanburgh are beautiful & worth a visit.

Kent, East and West Sussex all have lovely coastlines and countryside.

The Scottish highlands. I'm here now in Fort William and the west coast has some wonderful scenery, there is something for everyone here as long as you don't get two weeks of rain and clag.

Northumberland around Bamburgh would be great. The beaches are fabulous and you could book activities like coasteering near Craster which the DC would enjoy.

Tenby is fun but incredibly crowded in the summer and if you book accomodation inside the walls you can't drive to it until late afternoon and the parking fills up very quickly. Sandersfoot is a bit quieter. However if you want a mainly outdoorsy holiday then I'd head for the Gower - the whole penninsula is glorious.

When we went to Tenby we made sure it included a parking space they rent them in the local Multi story so you defiantly can park. Fab place

the scottish highlands are indeed lovely (we had a week on a boat along the Caledonian canal in the recent perfect weather…fabulous! ) and if you want beaches the islands even moreso. But maybe a bit too much of a trek from the midlands if cornwall is too far for the OP.

Yes, sorry, I missed the distance restriction.