Minibreak close to London

[Scorchingmed]

I'm looking to take my dd18 away in December. would like a hotel or air&b close to London (using public transport).

Would love an area that has walks and nice touristy things to do and decent vegetarian/vegan food and feels like a real break away from the city without travelling too far.

Really hoping for some ideas and recommendations, as would love a mini holiday without going abroad.

This sounds nuts, but York can be 1:46 from King’s Cross and ticks all your boxes in a big way.

The trains between Christmas and New Year can be a bit patchy an busy as so many are not running.

DH and I had a wonderful winter city break in Bristol. We booked a swim, massages and a meal at the Clifton Lido, went to the St Nicholas Christmas Market, visited the Bristol Museum and the M Shed, had a walk over the Clifton Bridge, mooched around various areas with independent shops, and went for dinner at a really nice small plates restaurant that as I recall had a vegan menu (Cor on North Street, Bedminster).

@AndrewMountbattenWindsor I can't think of any exclusively veggie restaurants in Windsor, but Pennington's Brasserie, Lee Lee and the Ivy all have nice veggie options.

@Nannydoodles. @MissMoneyFairy

Live in London so hoping to go away around a couple of hours from London. Happy to spend a around £500 for a 2 night break for 2, can stretch to a bit more.

I did look at The grove Watford and it looks amazing however sadly too expensive for me.
Thanks for recommendations everyone!

I get quite restless in that bit between xmas and new year and promised myself I'd book something this year.

What is your nearest mainline, London station? I already posted up thread, but might have other suggestions.

@Scorchingmed , You're spoilt for choice. I'm sticking to my suggestion of Liverpool but York could be a good one. I'd do some research on a few cities and see what takes your fancy, then see what accommodation you could get in your top ones.

King's Cross and Waterloo as well as Hornsey which is served by Great northern.

Whitstable or Margate. Easy train from St Pancras. Lovely seaside walks, and a foodie scene with lots of veggie/vegan options. Plus lots of little independent shops to do any last minute Christmas shopping.

I live in Bath - I would do Bath/Bristol as only 11 miles apart and 12 minutes on train - personally I would stay in Bath - as its more compact - lots of veggie stuff around- Root, Green Rocket, a posh restaurant I’ve forgot name of - Hampton by Hilton is quite cheap and central, Apex is nice and central and will be cheap that time of year - treat yourself to the thermal spa !!

I can't either. Plenty of good restaurants but nowhere with lots of choices.
As a strict vegetarian, it's a joy to have a wide choice.
Not tried many but I'll check those out. I usually eat at home unless it's a special occasion.
Thanks

I already posted about the two together rail card. When DH and I got one, we made a point of going to a few places we'd never been before.
Eastbourne, Southend, Suffolk coast, Brighton, Oxford and Cambridge were ones I recall. Not too far away but things to see and do at each.

I like Hastings (Old town), and St Leonard's. Plenty for a weekend. Bit hipper than Brighton which feels very mainstream these days.

What about Brighton?

lots of vegan food!

Whitstable or Lewes.

Folkestone on the fast train from st pancras

Bath, Brighton or Windsor

York is further away but there is a direct train, it was fab for a mini break

I think that close to London could be a day out.
Windsor is great for a mini-break if you want to go to London or nearby for a day, but OP is in London.

Re the vegan/vegetarian restaurant:
If OP is like me, she prefers a vegetarian/vegan restaurant. Veggie options in a regular restaurant might look great if you aren't a veggie, but they're often a bit unimaginative.