Weekend adult only 3 hours west from SE London/Kent border

[reluctantbrit]

DH and I are looking to go away over the May Bank Holiday. We live at the SE London/Kent border and have covered most of Kent and Sussex over the last years on day trips.

We like history, small towns with window shopping/vintage/antique shops, sea side, hikes with aren't too hilly.

I am concerned about areas like New Forest if the weather is awful, the joy of May, you never know what you get.
We have been to Bournemouth before.

Thinking about Cotswolds or Dorset but not Bournemouth/Christchurch.

Either a nice B&B or a country hotel, ideally not more than £500ish for 2 nights. We may be able to stretch to 3 nights.

Have had v good weekends in Weymouth, Dorking, Poole around that way. Have really enjoyed St Albans etc as the train is so reliable and there’s enough to do without needing car there.

Summer Lodge near Dorchester or Pig on the Beach at Studland - Dorset. You won’t avoid dc in the May Bank holiday though! Impossible unless it’s adults only hotel. Foxhill Manor in Broadway might interest you. Thyme in the Cotswolds or somewhere owned by Daylesford. Boskarris hotel in St Ives might be too far. I’d avoid this weekend - unless you are teachers.

Sorry, I meant it's just DH and me, DD ist still at uni. It doesn't have to be an adult-only hotel.

I normally avoid May half term now but it's a special occassion and we want to go away a bit more than just the usual day trips. I didn't think of English school holidays when I got married in Germany.

We origianally hoped that DD would already finished uni and we would pick her up from Lincoln on the way back from a trip to Northumberland but she may still has assignments to finish so we don't want to go all the way up north and then back 2 weeks later to the Midlands.

How about Bath? Or maybe Stratford upon Avon? Both historical with inside activities/attractions if weather is foul but good countryside surrounding.

Wimborne is a lovely little town in Dorset , Burley, Lymington, or ringwood, even if its raining there's still plenty to do. Chipping Sodbury in the cotswold is similar and very close to Bath.

Salisbury is worth an overnight visit

Stow-on-the-Wold?

We have been to Bath and Sailsbury 3 years ago so I would try to avoid it even though they are great places to visit.

Will make a list of the other places and have a close look.

@reluctantbrit I’d look at a country house type hotel with good access to lovely villages. There’s plenty around Oxford - and that’s a great place to be but parking is a nightmare. The hotels around Stow on the Wold are numerous and it’s beautiful! Even Chipping Norton area gives lots of options. I know these areas well, and you cannot go wrong. Ditto with country house hotels in Dorset. Wiltshire has great options and Marlborough is lovely. The towns around here are not big tourist areas but lovely. Stockbridge is attractive.

Windsor and Eton?

Was also going to suggest here! Lots of walks in Windsor Great Park, history and shopping, nice restaurants etc. It's lovely in the summer.

While it's not around the corner, I see Windsor as a day trip. We went several times with visitors to the castle and park.

I wouldn't really feel it's a weekend away, sorry.

And I agree, Windsor is nice.

Lyme Regis and Bridport probably fit the bill.
Winchester? I know that’s a city but it’s still really interesting and pretty.

Lymington is lovely. Cute town, lovely shops, nice cafes. New Forest around you. You can do boat trips from the quay. Lyndhurst is nice and close by.

Bristol.
It's doable. I have relatives in Rochester and live on the outskirts of Bristol. We avoid the M4/M25 and by going M4/Bracknell/M3/M25 instead.

How about mid Sussex? Cowdray is a lovely base, easy to get to Arundel or Chichester for a bit more bustle. I know you said you’ve done Sussex but sometimes mid Sussex gets overlooked.

Cotswolds - Dormy House Hotel in Broadway is absolutely lovely and less than 3 hours drive, possible by train and taxi too.

Michelin restaurant onsite with tasting menu too 😊

Why west? Have you thought about Suffolk or Norfolk? IMHO it’s much overlooked so less busy than elsewhere. It’s not hugely dramatic (except Nth Norfolk coast) but very simple, nuanced, charming - like going back in time. Easy to get around. Lots of pretty historic villages in both or quaint coastal towns which are not crowded. Also the more east you go in the UK the least rain - think Suffolk is driest county in UK.

Look up Covehithe, Walberswick, Aldburgh, Southwood and Dunwich beaches in Suffolk - also Shingle Street and Orford / Ordord Ness. Holkam beach in Norfolk is stunning - as are many of the vast beaches up there. The Norfolk Broads are a unique experience as well.

Bath, Chichester, Lyme Regis, Winchester

The Suffolk suggestion is good

Add Woodbridge and Southwold to the list of towns / villages.

Aldeburgh would be a good base.

The New Forest has lots on offer come rain or shine. Beaches, forest , lovely villages, small towns and more. From there you can venture to Winchester with loads to see and do. There is also Southampton with museums, large shopping centre cinemas etc. The forest is a vast area but is a great base for exploring.
If you love gardens there are plenty. Exbury, Hillier’s Arboretum, Mottisfont to name a few.
A lovely trip is to visit Bucklers Hard and take the boat trip.

Thanks all, we have decided to check out the Cotswolds.

About Suffolk: we have to cross London every time we drive to Lincoln as DD is at uni there. We came to hate it, regardless of through London or the M25, DH doesn’t want to do it more than we have to.

we may stop if we have a bit of time and add an extra day when going to Lincoln but it’s not a trip we want to do in May.

Norfolk is nice, we went there a couple of years ago for May half term actually.

Might be a bit far, by Hay on Wye is lovely. We did it as a bank holiday weekend from Kent. Lots of lovely book shops, nice places to eat and good walks.