Weekend away without kids, near London. Recommend me a hotel/B+B/something?

[NotQuiteCockney]

It's our 10-year wedding anniversary. The ILs are having both boys, for the first time ever. So we're having a weekend to ourselves, for the first time since DS1 was born.

We need to be near London (2 hours drive at most - east easier than west). We'd like to have the option of walking a bit, maybe? (Coast? Hills?) It'll be April, so beaches not relevant. Spa or swimming pool would be nice. Good food would be good, too. I think we'll be driving, so it doesn't need to be near trains.

I don't think we want super-luxury, but good food would be good.

Suggestions?

Pennyhill Park is lovely - food, spa, grounds all tick the boxes, and very easy to get to from London. But might count as 'super-luxury'?

The Grove in Herts?

Hmmm, The Grove is lovely, but pretty formal (and expensive, I think?). We stayed there on a work thing, a few years ago. It was nice, but maybe a bit too posh? (Is there a pool?)

In the current economic climate, would it be sensible for me to try laterooms or similar, close to the date? We're not that bothered about where we are. If we are well-rested and not-ill, then walks and swims would be nice. If we are poorly and/or tired (odds are, at least one of us will be), then relaxing calm and well-catered would be a hit.

The New Forest

We have (pre-DC) stayed at Nutfield Priory in Redhill and Pendley Manor in Tring -- at both we've generally paid £99 for a night's B&B either through Lastminute or just phoning directly a few days before. They are both very relaxing and have lovely pools/spas. Not sure about local walking because I don't think we ever got further than the jacuzzi!

dh and i had a lovely late-pregnancy weekend at [[http://www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk/ Danesfield House. Couldn't afford it now... am slightly at their two-night 'special offer' deals, although the one-night prices are a bit better. Very near the Thames Path i think if you fancy a bit of that. i thought the food was lovely but am not very experienced with fine dining.

The Bath Priory looks amazing - not been there - seem to be a few deals. it has one Michelin star. Though I would be more inclined to stay in Bath and go to Bath Thermae Spa - longing to do that.

We stayed at Alexander House many moons ago pre-children and it was lovely, and that was before it was refurbished!

We're going here for our anniversary weekend - friends have been and said it's gorgeous, and in a lovely location.

Ok, lots of options. I don't have time to go through them all now, but thanks! I found an area on Last Minute of country hotels, within an hour of London. Oh, the joys of living in the Centre of the Universe! So I can see there are lots of options out there, at reasonable prices. I'll have to pick something and see how prices go in the run up to a weekend, to see whether it makes sense to book now, or in the week before we go.

Thanks, guys!