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Short Break

(59 Posts)
Newatthis Wed 25-Aug-21 17:34:58

I'm looking to take a short break perhaps October, before it gets too cold. I would quite like to go somewhere not far from London, but with plenty to see and do and is still open and not locked for the season end. I have read this morning the UK that the prices for UK self catering accommodation have risen considerably and was wondering if any of you might have any suggestions.

Blossoming Fri 27-Aug-21 12:05:19

Don’t bother with the Randolph, it’s not worth the price, looking very tired and dated these days.

GrammaH Fri 27-Aug-21 12:06:18

Cirencester is a beautiful little town with lots of wonderful places including the huge Cotswold Water Park close by. We were always hotel fans but have recently stayed in some excellent Air bnbs at realistic prices.

Juliet27 Fri 27-Aug-21 12:14:28

What about Canterbury or Bath?

I was going to suggest the same vegansrock

kangaroo73 Fri 27-Aug-21 12:54:16

Are all these suggestions good for a single traveller?

Juicylucy Fri 27-Aug-21 13:14:49

Look at st St Albans Hertfordshire,historical Roman city with a lake lovely tea rooms quaint shops. 28 mins on train into St Pancras.

Paperbackwriter Fri 27-Aug-21 13:21:29

Blossoming

Oxford is not far from London and plenty to see and do. I can’t help with self catering accommodation though, I have always stayed in Malmaison.

The Malmaison is gorgeous. I stayed there one night a few years ago but I wasn't at all happy there. I could feel the misery seeping through the walls from its previous existence as Oxford Jail. (I had visited it during that era as well, a friend was unfortunately 'staying' there as a guest of Her Majesty)

Annaram1 Fri 27-Aug-21 13:27:36

I am going to York next month. My mobility is challenged and I walk with 2 sticks. Its been suggested that I should buy a walker so I can hang on to it. Has anybody tried one?

Grannymyers1954 Fri 27-Aug-21 13:41:35

Hever Castle in Kent have lovely bedrooms and some self catering cottages. Local pub serving food. Highly recommend it.

squirrel5 Fri 27-Aug-21 13:51:23

We had a lovely break in Suffolk recently,we stayed i n Ipswich,which has a nice shopping area,and a marina,visited Sutton hoo, Constable country,saw Flatford mill, fish and chips at Aldeburgh,also visited a friend near Clacton,plenty to see and do,we want to return and visit Colchester,Framlingham castle etc,all ok if you have a car

aonk Fri 27-Aug-21 13:55:26

I second Eastbourne. We have stayed several times at the Hydro Hotel. It’s so comfortable and friendly and the food is excellent both at breakfast and dinner. We go half board but if you don’t they charge £32 for a lovely 3 course meal with about 10 choices for each course.

rosie1959 Fri 27-Aug-21 14:02:37

Annaram1

I am going to York next month. My mobility is challenged and I walk with 2 sticks. Its been suggested that I should buy a walker so I can hang on to it. Has anybody tried one?

York is lovely perhaps a Walker may help be warned though it can get very crowded and the Shambles is particularly narrow with uneven cobbles
York itself is relatively flat

NotSpaghetti Fri 27-Aug-21 14:17:26

Annaram my mother in law has one and can now zip along again. She is rather pleased with hers.

The one she has is a deep burgundy colour with an attached bag/pouch. I think it's probably aluminium as it's very light. It's actually quite smart and very easy to manoeuvre.

Hers doesn't have a seat - some others do. I can't believe it's an expensive item as she was given it by her local hospital after a fall. It's made a huge difference to her, that's for sure.

Just make sure you get familiar with the brakes! My mother-in-law took a few goes to get the hang of them when she was going downhill!

I hope you find one that suits.

Jane43 Fri 27-Aug-21 14:18:04

Annaram1

I am going to York next month. My mobility is challenged and I walk with 2 sticks. Its been suggested that I should buy a walker so I can hang on to it. Has anybody tried one?

My sister-in-law suffers from stenosis of the spine and uses a walker all the time. She finds it gives her more confidence than sticks and hers has a seat on it so if she gets tired she stops and sits on it for a few minutes. It also has a compartment for shopping and her personal possessions.

NotSpaghetti Fri 27-Aug-21 14:18:13

Oh yes Rosie, I'd forgotten about the cobbles.

rosie1959 Fri 27-Aug-21 14:24:50

Yes NotSpaghetti if it is busy you really have to watch it I have, no problem but my husband who has Lymphadema really has to watch his step

undecided Fri 27-Aug-21 15:11:09

I am 72 and finally divorced, and after this Covid thing would really like to take a few overnight stays away from London I have never done this on my own and not sure whether I would feel conspicuous being a woman and travelling on my own. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Lucy127 Fri 27-Aug-21 15:50:39

I’m 73 and divorced. Though I’m told I look younger! I would love to go away for a few days but my mobility is a problem. I’m a two sticker when out. I can drive okay. Been housebound without a lift. Any ideas please? So frustrated at being a burden to family. Need to break free for a while. I’m not very good at explaining but hope you get the picture.

Supergran1946 Fri 27-Aug-21 16:21:51

Agree about Oxford we have just had a three day break there.All the major sights though need to be booked online in advance, but we enjoyed a couple of lovely walks along the Thames to get out of the hustle and bustle. The other break we really enjoyed was in the New Forest, peace, quiet and varied walks

rosie1959 Fri 27-Aug-21 16:32:04

For those with walking difficulties Eastbourne is nice
A nice seafront not usually too busy and it’s flat
I also love Bournemouth but a little less easy on the legs
Torquay is actually quite good with its wide flat seafront just make sure your hotel is near the front or it’s uphill The Belgrave Sands spa hotel is absolutely wonderful but very booked up I know I have tried

PennyWhistle Fri 27-Aug-21 16:48:49

I have recently returned from a four-area vacation in our glorious country, using Premier Inns which were booked several months earlier. Once booked, I regularly check the price of each hotel and simply cancel/rebook at the lower rate if the price goes down. We managed to enjoy a wonderful break at pretty good accommodation prices this way.

Lucca Fri 27-Aug-21 17:10:28

LovelyLady

Just can’t believe all who are having ‘Pandemic Breaks’
Air b@b during a pandemic. Really?

Dont understand this post

Grandmadinosaur Fri 27-Aug-21 18:06:51

Annaram1 York city centre is very busy at the moment- just a warning. Went through it on the Park and Ride en route to the Railway museum.

Eloethan Fri 27-Aug-21 18:09:44

Rye is very nice, as is Hastings and Battle.

4allweknow Fri 27-Aug-21 18:10:02

Brighton if you can find accommodation. School holidays in October may add extra pressure.

Hetty58 Fri 27-Aug-21 18:15:32

Lucca, I understand how LovelyLady feels. I'd love a break - but I'd be too nervous about contact with others and exposure to the virus, hardly relaxing!

I'm double-jabbed but aware that immunity begins to wane after five or six months, so I'll wait until a few weeks after my booster jab!