Recommendations places to visit UK

What about taking a train to Cheltenham Spa? That is a lovely town to start your journey. Lots of shops, restaurants, theatre and fine buildings. From there you can get a bus to Bourton on the Water, one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds. Then, taking the same bus, move on to Stow on the Wold and after that to Moreton in Marsh. Depending on how much time you spend in each of these places, you could go on to Stratford-upon-Avon. One of my favourites, but then I used to live there! All these places will be quite crowded in high season though.
The bus from Cheltenham runs two hourly but you might have the check that. You could just go as far as Moreton in Marsh and take a train back down to Reading and further South.
I've done this without a car quite easily, You do need to book hotels/airb&b well in advance. If you are without a car, make sure you know how far your accommodation is from the bus stop/railway station. Travel very light!

Norfolk has everything. Fantastic coastline, golden beaches, marshland, forests, heathland, the Norfolk Broads, countless lovely, small market towns, no motorways, the best sunshine records in the UK, some of the best hotels and eateries in the country, loads of National Trust properties and you can still wander around norfolk villages and not hear a pin drop!

Northumberland has the loveliest beaches I agree but if you don't have a car getting to them can be tricky. The weather can be quite bit cooler and windier there too.
I am not going to point out any particular place because there are so many and also most of tehm can be tourist traps.
That is why I'm not going to advertise my beautiful part of the country- we like to keep it to ourselves thank you!

Yes, Bath is lovely - and York.
I'm also fond of Hebden Bridge tbh!

I’ve just returned from a four day stay in Bath, I absolutely love this city and this has been my third visit in 7 months. Lots to do and see.

I agree that Northumberlnd is lovely and Barter Books wonderful.
If you don't want to go so far, what about Leicester and the fantastic food in Leicestershire? Easy on a train from some parts of Hertfordshire.
Peak District is also relatively easy to get at, lovely food and beautiful walks at all levels.

Meant to add
www.visitcorbridge.co.uk/
www.visithexham.net/blog/whats-hexham-may-2024

Inland Northumberland is lovely as has been mentioned above. It’s often missed in favour of our beautiful coastline but it’s well worth a visit. I wouldn’t try to do both in a week though… Northumberland is far bigger than folk imagine. Transport, especially public transport between the coast and the west of the county is limited and lengthy (but lovely as it’s usually across green countryside.
Corbridge and Hexham are both easily accessible by train (a branch line from Carlisle or Newcastle running approximately every half hour from either end) the stations are very close to both towns, easy 5 - 10 minutes walking. Lots of pretty villages along the route too. Both towns have a range of accommodation options and plenty to see locally for a few days: eg Hexham Abbey, The Old Gaol, ancient market place, parks, Pele Towers and loads of interesting history.
There’s also a bus around every half hour into Newcastle- which is a town worth visiting.
From Hexham bus station (or rail station) there’s the Hadrian’s Wall Bus (The AD 122 ) a public service bus which stops all along the wall.
There’s a lot of good places to eat in Hexham and Corbridge covering several cuisines: Pub food, Italian, Greek, Chinese and some of the best Indian food in the U.K.

Been to Northumberland several times and just love it. The places mentioned are all worthy of a visit. The bird life on the Farnes is fascinating and the castles are lovely. We stayed one year near Dunstanbrugh and once in Rothbury. Other quite small places too, ok with a car. I envy you your trip and wish you a lovely birthday.

Durhan Cathedral is Romanesque with Gothic and Norman thrown in - in case I’ve insulted others in Europe!

Oh dear …… we try and keep Durham and Northumberland a secret!!
Obviously, can’t recommend it enough Bamburgh, home of Grace Darling and a fabulous restaurant-The Potted Lobster.
The Castle takes your breath away at first glimpse.
Amble - cute little harbour and lunch in The Boat House. Maybe a little trip to and around Coquet Island?
Holy Island (Lindisfarne) but get the tide timetable, or else …..!
Seahouses Harbour has boats across to the Farne Islands, maybe see a seal (or hundreds) and puffins!
Dunstanburgh Castle ruins - fabulous and so atmospheric.
An excursion down to Newcastle to see the famous Tyne and Millenium Bridges? Grey Street, voted the finest street in England for Adam’s Architecture leading to Mosley Street the first street in the World to be street lit, curtesy of Joseph Swan, inventor of the incandescent light bulb (not, repeat not Thomas Edison!)
Then down to Durham - to the finest Cathedral in Europe!

Just a few suggestions.

Northumberland is lovey . I visited on school trips and more recenty travelled back from Scotland with my son and his family stopping off at Bambrough. I'd like to visit Lindisfarne again and maybe stay on the island but I'm sure there are many places there I've missed.
A former neighbour of mine moved to Warkworth and bought a place to run as an Air BnB. The photo's she posts of the beaches where she walks her dogs look lovely, but I haven't been there myself.

Juicylucy I spent a wonderful time in Berwick upon Tweed last week. Monday to Friday. Very friendly people and beautiful places to visit. I am disabled but went via train with travel assistance from the train company. Berwick is on a large hill. I stayed at the premier Inn as they have rooms for wheelchair users and people like me. The room was very big and had everything I need.

The icing on the cake was MayBee70 who I met on the pears thread said they would be there the same time as me. We had never met in person . So my description of myself must have been spot as she said my name on the platform. Felt like I had known her forever. I had pre booked my taxi before leaving home to take me to the hotel.
Then went for a drink and they said they would take me to Lindisfarne the next day. It was wonderful. We then went to the honey farm. And the country side is beautiful.

Wednesday had the day in Berwick . Had looked at bus times and rail but buses where only ever 2 hours where you would have liked to go and disruption on the trains . But had a wonderful time going in shops taking to people.

Thursday MayBee and me went on a 2 hour boat trip round the Farne islands. The deckhands where great at getting me on the boat . It was wonderful the sea was calm. Saw Puffins and other sea birds ,seals in and out of the water. The time fly by. I went to their home it was lovely .

I can not thank them enough for their kindness. I had mentioned things I would like to do on the thread and these wonderful people took me.

I went to Northumberland because I had never been with my late husband and didn't want to go somewhere I had been with him. My first holiday in 19 years was a great success . I will go back to Northumberland one year but stay in a different part.

Personally living in Alnwick I wouldn't rely on the local bus services. There's not a regular setvice connecting with the trains.Definitely recommend booking a taxi in advance as we don't have many up here.

Septimia

Try Alnwick. Should be plenty to see with the castle and Alnwick Garden. Alnmouth and other places on the coast should be accessible by bus. You could also get the train to Berwick or Newcastle from there.

Spot on! That would make for a lovely break - Happy Birthday 🎉

Hi, I live in Alnwick ! the Northumbrian tourist board has done a good job advertising lol !! No, seriously its a fabulous place and I can recommend it, especially before it gets really in the height of the summer. The nearest railway station is Alnmouth about 3 miles away, would suggest booking taxis to connect with the train. The town has many places to eat and drink. If you have a car there's so many places to visit Rothbury ( Cragside) Holy Island, Dunstanburgh, Warworth....oh I could spend all day telling you. Alternatively, The Tyne Valley is lovely and probably more accesable by train. Corbridge in particular is lovely and Hexham is nice, not forgetting Hadrians Wall, I believe there are busses laid on to all the sites. Hope this has been helpful.

Have you got a railcard? I suggest booking train for long distance in advance, but, to get a cheaper ticket you might have to travel on a specific train.

The village of Warkworth is in that area too. Lovely river and a 20 min walk to a lovely beach.

It’s my birthday this week and we’re heading up to Alnwick on Friday for a couple of days. Never been before but heard it’s lovely.

I heartily agree with Septimia's suggestions, I think she is spot on.

Try Alnwick. Should be plenty to see with the castle and Alnwick Garden. Alnmouth and other places on the coast should be accessible by bus. You could also get the train to Berwick or Newcastle from there.