Solo midweek minibreak

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I've started a little tradition of going on a solo break for a couple of days in mid October, and I'm looking for inspiration for this year. Last year I did Bath and Bristol, which was lovely. I like a nice town or city, but also pretty countryside if possible. I live in South London and would prefer max 3 hour drive, or 4 hour train. Not Norfolk, Brighton or Portsmouth, done them lots. Don't mind staying in the countryside with access to a town or city, or staying town centre. It's my only opportunity to shop without kids in tow, so decent shops are essential.

Cheltenham if you’re shopping.

I know its a long way but the train to York is fast (you would be there in 2 and a bit hours from Kings Cross. If you like Bath it would be a good shout and there are nice parks walks etc. You could also have a day in Harrogate and go to the turkish baths and the gardens there that I currently can't remember the name of!

I had considered York. Fondly remember a childhood trip there many moons ago when we stayed at the Posthouse Forte hotel and got chocolates on our pillows, and visited the Jorvik viking centre (I can still remember the smell nearly 40 years later!)

Not considered Cheltenham, it's definitely an option

And more than shops I should have said, think it is a good place to spoil yourself: www.visitcheltenham.com

Cheltenham gets my vote. The Ivy is fabulous there too and you could go off into the Cotswolds for something different.

York or Harrogate both lovely. I've had 2 very enjoyable solo breaks in Harrogate. The Turkish Baths are gorgeous, Harlow Carr RHS garden is well worth a visit, plus Betty's Tea Rooms. I'd highly recommend if you've never been before.

My vote goes to Oxford. Has everything there, plus a hop & skip to Bicester Village if you like designer stuff, and people watching.

I was going to suggest York too. Lots of shops in the city centre and there’s an outlet village too. easy enough to get the bus or train out to some countryside.

Another vote for Oxford . We’ve stayed in the town several times, but last year rented a (moored) boat on the Thames at Shillingford, through Air B &B.
It was fabulous!
Very peaceful, beautiful walks and riverside pubs.
Easy ( far less stressful than driving and parking ! ) to hop on a bus into Oxford itself.

We had a couple of days in Lincoln, staying in the Old Palace Lodge which is at the top of the hill, next to the cathedral. The Cathedral and Castle are next to each other, both well worth a visit, and the streets around are similar to York, without the crowds. There are some v nice restaurants in this area too. It was the centre of Bomber Command in the war, so there are some interest sights and memorials from that period. Not as much to see as York, but interesting none the less.

I want to stay in the Malmaison Hotel, in the old prison.

I like Liverpool, the cathedrals are both gorgeous, there’s some great little museums and art galleries, the architecture is fantastic and there are some amazing restaurants. You could combine with a visit to Chester. Go to Crosby and see the gormley figures if it’s nice. The train from London doesn’t take that long.