Recommendations for a November weekend break in England please?

[Catalan3200]

It's for Novermber C, so the coast is not very appealing.

I think the shortlist is:
- Chester
- Lincoln
- Warwick

Lincoln is a bugger to get to from anywhere.

Chester is beautiful and you could visit DickyGrace as well ... Though that could prove a tad expensive

 

[npaskin]

I suggest the Cotswolds. Burford, Stow-on-the Wold, Moreton-in Marsh are all within 15 mins of each other via very nice driving roads, Burford in particular has good food and hotels (I recommend the Lamb) and church and museum; plus there are lots of nice pubs in between those three towns . It's a bit of a cliche but for good reason. And no more than 2 hours drive.

 

[CatmanV2]

Burford is close to The Pot Kiln which was one of the most memorable meals of my life

C

 

[rossyl]

I'm keen to make this a really special birthday. My Dad's not getting any younger and this is a milestone birthday. He also had a bit of medical news today that while not serious, reminds us kids that our Dad is not invincible and is old now.

So I'd like to do something he'd enjoy - he loves historical places but has seen a fair bit of the UK already.

Burford sounds pretty nice. I'll have a look into it.

I forgot we'd been to York a few times when I was younger, so that's off the list.

Chester he last went to before I was born, so it remains on.

He's always wanted to go to Warwick castle but just never gone, so it's certainly on the list.
My only thoughts about Warwick are that the town has old buildings dotted around, but does it not really have a nice old high street with a fair bit of life.

 

[npaskin]

Highly recommend this place for a special meal: country pub in a small village, about 10 mins drive from Burford: http://www.thefeatherednestinn.co.uk/ has won several awards.

It's half way between Burford and Stow and they have rooms so also maybe worth considering for accommodation (though there is nothing else in the village at all apart from some rather posh houses)

(Oh: and since this is the SM forum: it's off the A424 from Burford to Stow which is a fantastic driving road....often take the Mas there just to drive it )

 

[Maser Sod]

Bibury is nice also, and not too far away.

 

[npaskin]

Oh: and November would be a very good time to see Burford, as it's mobbed in the summer. I'll shut up now....

 

[rossyl]

Appreciate it Norman it looks lovely. I'll have to chat to my sister & bro-in-law as driving between places can be a bit of a faff when you've got three little ones. Which is why I've thought being in the same place and having everything there might be easier.

 

[drewf]

All three would tick many boxes, but York a lot more than 3 hours isn't it?


P

No, not from North London. Granted, it's pretty close to 3 hours, but I'm certain it would usually be achievable in less.

 

[drewf]

Lincoln is a bugger to get to from anywhere.

It's about 30 minutes from here - what are you trying to say?! ;-)

 

[BennyD]

Goldsborough Hall between York and Harrogate. It's a fantastic place and the owner used to have a Maserati spyder but sold it last year. I bought my wind deflector off him. We are going for 2 nights in early November. Heartily recommended.

 

[Ewan]

How about the original capital city - Winchester. Plenty of history, from King Alfred, Arthur etc. You could even detour to Portsmoth for Victory, Mary Rose etc. And less than 2 hrs from N.London. (Portsmoth to Clapham, S.London is only 1 hour).
Half an hour further west would take you to the New Forset, which means the Meridien Modena showroom at Lyndhurst.

 

[alfatwo]

How about staying in Dunchurch...As I'ts November with Guy Fawkes, the plot was hatched at our local village pub,easy drive to Leamington Spa.Warwick and Stratford on Avon,ect ...Theres some lovely country estates that do B&B around here
Lots of Italian cars around these parts too!

Dave

 

[rossyl]

Massive thanks to Norman for sending me the most incredibly detailed PM on the high points of the Cotswolds! If I don't go there with my parents I'll definitely take the wide to that part of the Cotswolds.

 

[rossyl]

Thanks everyone for all you recommendations - I'm going to have a chat with the a few family members and try and make a decision today.

 

[TridentTested]

- no more than a 3 hour drive from North London;

Lille.

An easy drive, off-peak on the tunnel is cheap, great restaurants, shops, lots of historic stuff to do around including Ypres nearby - particularly poignant given next year's centenary.



Gent, a little further would be another contender. Gorgeous old town and canals.

 

[Felonious Crud]

... particularly poignant given next year's centenary.

D-Day... Semi-off-topic, but is anyone else going next year? We have a family pilgrimage with my uncle, a D-Day veteran who lied about his age to join the forces because it was the only way he could get any certainty of eating. Quite a story!

 

[rossyl]

Well the current plan is..... Warwick as my Dad would quite like to see the castle. Depends on if we can get somewhere decent to stay

I've PM'd our resident expert Catalan, and am hoping he can advise.

 

[Parisien]

Yeah......castle is great.......our son loved it when the guy did the archery bit, he was also impressed by the size of his sword.........when place on his 6 year old shoulder.......


P

 

[Catalan3200]

Well the current plan is..... Warwick as my Dad would quite like to see the castle. Depends on if we can get somewhere decent to stay

I've PM'd our resident expert Catalan, and am hoping he can advise.

Brilliant choice and expert advice delivered via PM. And I have 4 passes for the castle that can be used anytime by me and my guests!