Unexpected opportunity to have a few days break next week and would love some recommendations

I would go for the Gower coast, West of Swansea. Got very low rainfall, but near enough to Pendine (long enough for the land speed record and the home of Dylan Thomas), several coastal country parks, (Brecon Beacons, Pembrey) Dan y Og Of caves and waterfalls, plus the Garden of Wales (a domed tiny version of the Eden project) Long walk around Llanelli Bay (a hidden gem) and the Swansea Marina. And a short drive to Tenby and Saundersfoot - pretty beach towns to rival any of the Cornish variety.

Lots of Suffolk and Norfolk beaches (a regular at Hunstanton and Cromer in the North) Warners and Potters at Lowestoft in the South, and known for plenty of sunshine, and Southwold was my mum's favourite

Pembrokeshire is stunning, but if it’s too far the coast of Glamorgan is also lovely and of course the Gower is unbeatable for big flat sandy beaches

Anglesey north wales. Loads of lovely beaches and seaside villages.

Gower peninsula

I second Saundersfoot Tenby and Anglesey

Norfolk from Brancaster to Sheringham lots of lovely beaches. Suffolk, Aldeburgh,Orford, Walberswick and Southwold.

We live in Bournemouth and have miles of lovely beaches. Poole is only a few miles away with great beaches and a ferry across to Swanage.
Highcliffe castle is a beautiful venue to visit and have afternoon tea
The new forest is very close by with many different places to walk and great pubs for a good lunch
Many more places to visit these are only a few suggestions

I recommend North Wales and Snowdonia. Spectacular coastal scenery, good roads, trams taking you up Mount Snowdon and Great Orme. Historic steam railway on which you can travel through beautiful countryside. Lots to see and do.

We booked with Warners, and stayed at Bodelwyddan Castle, touring the area each day.

Waterfall farm cottages in Norfolk.
Lovely family, very quiet and use of a pool to yourself each day x

DeeAitch56

East Yorkshire
Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, plus the option to go a bit inland and visit York

Agree with Whitby, RH Bay etc we had lovely holidays up there when the kids were small.

York is interesting if you can fight your way through the crowds. My son used to live there and it was crazy busy so not enjoyable.

East Yorkshire
Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, plus the option to go a bit inland and visit York

dorset has many lovely places to go and the new forest is within easy reach.
i moved here almost 40 years ago and still haven't seen all there is to see.
we have scenic little villages and several interesting towns. not to mention our beaches.
you don't say where you are op but dorset is easily accessible by motorway although we don't have one ourselves!!
but, one word of warning - I would avoid Bournemouth like the plague - all the world and his wife and family want to go on the beach there - it's absolutely chaos!!

Whitby

Not Cornwall but Devon. Topsham. Day trips by car, or train, into Exeter, Exmouth. Nature reserves, Dart farm shop (a day out in itself). Lovely scenery.

I see you have already chosen a destination but, for future consideration, I would suggest West and East Sussex - Eastbourne is very nice - a hop on, hop off double decker bus does the route Beachy Head, Birling Gap - better for views but car OK too. Also Seven Sisters country park. Beautiful Downs scenery. Camber Sands - lovely beach with sand dunes. Hastings and Hastings country park, Rye - very quaint and interesting town.

Thanks very much to you all for your replies and good wishes. Really appreciated. We’ve decided on Norfolk this time, but will keep other suggestions in mind for another time!

And yes, Gran22boys, aren’t we lucky to have such beautiful places to visit!

Aren’t we lucky to have such a beautiful country (countries).

If you choose Norfolk, then use the Coasthopper. A regular bus service between Hunstanton and Cromer via Wells. Lots of stops along the way.

You cannot beat Mid Wales. Aberdyfi has a lovely seaside, seven miles of sand all the way to Tywyn where you can find the little trains. A day trip to Harlech or Port Meirion perhaps or a visit to Machynlleth.

Can't beat The Lake District if geographically within a 3 hour drive. Bowness on Windermere, Orrest Head walk start is next to Windermete Hotel. Keswick (Friars Crag, Derwent Water) Fell Foot Park so many. Great place also if you're a National Trust member. Likely to be busy though.
Norfolk - Cromer, again NT properties to visit. Holkham Beach, Loads of walks in Blakeney, good 'Treasure Hunt' too. Wroxham. Lovely walk through Sheringham Park. Where ever you go have an enjoyable break.

I am naturally biased but would recommend North Yorkshire, because you could have a variety of great places within a short distance. If you like the dales and walking, then you could try somewhere like Richmond from where you can go up Swaledale and over the buttertubs and come back down Wensleydale. They are quite different in style and there are many lovely walks along the river and through the dales with beautiful meadows. There are castles and gardens you could visit. Then going the other way I agree with another poster that Saltburn is a lovely quieter place with good sand to walk on and you can go up and down the coast to larger places if you like. You can look up the buses and there are some lovely coastal trips where you could enjoy sitting upstairs and have a great view. I would choose somewhere in this area and if the weather is not too good you have cities to visit York and Ripon in easy reach, and Yorks park and ride is the way to get round. A whole range of accommodation from yurts and b/b s and hotels. Better stop now or you will think I work for yorkshire tourist board! Think you will end up with lots of places to visit over time.Hope you have a good time

welshgirl2017 I spent my honeymoon on the Gower in several b&bs it was wonderful I agree.

tanith

West Wales so many beautiful quiet beaches and coastal villages. Saundersfoot/Wiseman’s Bridge near Tenby is a favourite of mine.

And the Gower in west Wales (near Swansea) is lovely too!

Not sure where you are but Shropshire is beautiful. Shrewsbury is the main town which is the home of Darwin. Many ancient buildings, very near to Chester (Roman Town and very beautiful), Ludlow - castle and home of Henry 7th/8th, it's on the Welsh border and driving distance from North Wales Welsh Beaches. A hidden gem.

Weymouth is nice

Wales - The Mumbles or Tenby . They are not too far apart where South Wales finishes and West Wales starts