Interesting land-based short breaks.

[Boris+]

We're busy looking at land-based short breaks to fit in in-between cruises. We've got such a wonderful country here - so we've looked at various options.

We've found an hotel which was once used by Agatha Christie (quite fancy that for a short break), and also we've found an hotel which now houses the dining room from either RMS Olympic/RMS Titanic (depending on how you subscribe to the conspiracy theory). Another interesting thing is a restaurant with a dining room modelled closely on the original Queen Mary.

So - anyone with any good ideas or bad experiences?

Em

[GillD46]

We have always meant to stay at Burgh Island, so far have only had lunch there, but it's such a horrible journey through twisty lanes, and I get car sick, so we have not yet returned.

I can recommend the Vineyard at Stockcross if you like good food - and especially, as the name implies, good wine. The rooms and suites are pretty good too!

[Kendhni]

I can recommend Giants Causeway, Carrick a rede, Titanic museum and Ulster Folk Museum.

Can also recommend Amsterdam for a weekend (Ann Frank house, Van Gogh museum, etc.

[Silver_Shiney]

I can recommend Giants Causeway, Carrick a rede, Titanic museum and Ulster Folk Museum.

Can also recommend Amsterdam for a weekend (Ann Frank house, Van Gogh museum, etc.

My daughter would concur with Amsterdam - she went there for her honeymoon.

I would always recommend looking on Trip Advisor before booking a hotel. I wish we'd done that a few years before booking the Wentworth Hotel in Bath.... I keep an occasional eye on its reviews - nothing seems to have changed.

The Snooty Fox near Looe was very good, ideal for the Eden Project.

[Dark Knight]

we do a lot of breaks to Cornwall
loads to see and do and some very fine restaurants as well

[Silver_Shiney]

we do a lot of breaks to Cornwall
loads to see and do and some very fine restaurants as well

Next time you go, pop in and say hello, you're practically passing our door

[Silver_Shiney]

I think Bristol is a dump as far as shopping goes (we prefer to go to Cardiff) but it's got some good historical gems tucked away, and the Harbour Festival is interesting. Loads of good restaurants, too.

[Boris+]

I have to agree wholeheartedly that Cardiff is lovely for shopping - but I can't see us heading that way this year. I do fancy going over to the Giants Causeway etc., but it would mean flying over and getting a hire car.

There are some lovely suggestions coming through, more research to do. I think Lincolnshire is worth a nice visit - we have had so many rushed and worrying trips there, it would be nice to go back and take our time.

However, I think that my mostest favourite hotels have to be in Southampton ........ for obvious reasons!

Keep the ideas and information rolling in ....

Em

[Debbie W]

Fort William is beautiful but a bit of a hike for a short break, depending on where you live. However, for somewhere closer to home and holding a very special place in my heart, how about Liverpool?

- Only London has more listed buildings than we do

- The oldest established Chinese community in the UK

- The vast majority of our museums and art galleries are free (and we have some fantastic ones. check out: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ )

- Fabulous shopping, restaurants, and nightlife

- Very friendly people

- The Beatles (of course )

- Best of all (or not depending on your viewpoint) you may get to meet me !

[Mo2013]

How about Yorkshire, God's own country? We have York and its Minster and Howarth where the Brontes lived, and beautiful countryside. Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire Coast, Herriott country, Hebden Bridge and Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine), not forgetting the moors.

[Meg 50]

The Lake District is amazing..

[Redrosegirlie]

Edinburgh is a lovely place to visit with plenty to do there

[oldbluefox]

If anybody is visiting Holmfirth do your homework first since many of the scenes for Last of the Summer Wine were filmed in locations away from Holmfirth. That's Yorkshire for you.

[Boris+]

Ah yes, but Yorkshire is home to Betty's!!!

Em

[gfwgfw]

We were pleasantly surprise how very good Warner holidays turned out to be

Bembridge IOW was excellent with great views of cruise ships passing too and throe

If lucky, you may encounter our lovely HK (Helen)

Don't forget your Passport

[paultheeagle]

If you want a different break, away from it all and 'another world'....visit the Isles of Scilly...they are amazing.

And yeah Warners are great.

[Quizzical Bob]

We have always meant to stay at Burgh Island, so far have only had lunch there, but it's such a horrible journey through twisty lanes, and I get car sick, so we have not yet returned.

Me too, but the dress code puts me off.

[Romig1]

If anybody is visiting Holmfirth do your homework first since many of the scenes for Last of the Summer Wine were filmed in locations away from Holmfirth. That's Yorkshire for you.

Don't be so pedantic Foxy.... the majority of the scenery shots that weren't in the Holme Valley are actually in the adjoining Colne Valley...home to Huddersfield.
Nora's house, Sid's Cafe are just two of the locations found in the centre of Holmfirth.

[oldbluefox]

For walking I love the Yorkshire Dales with its gently rolling hills, beautiful valleys and one of the best bacon butties ever at Gunnerside. For anybody interested in industrial archaeology this area is fascinating with its hushes, peat stores and remnants of lead mining. I would love to explore further but entering any of these mines would be far too dangerous.
A bit further south around Ingleton there are some magnificent walks with waterfalls, wonderful views and plenty of holes in the ground. For those who want the big cave experience without the gear try out Yorda's Cave in Kingsdale. Finish the day off in Dent for a pint of Dent Ale in The Sun Inn.

Another of my favourite spots is Northumberland. There's loads to see and do whether it be the castles on Holy Island, at Bamburgh or the hauntingly spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, set on the cliff tops and very reminiscent, even in its ruined state of days gone by. Get your kippers in Craster. Whilst going to visit Bamburgh Castle you can also pop into the Grace Darling Museum and visit her grave in the churchyard. Being a little more adventurous take a boat trip out to the Farne Islands to view the lighthouses famed for the Grace Darling story and to see the sea birds and seals. Lindisfarne is a magical place from the moment you cross the tidal causeway. There's the castle you can visit as well as the Priory ruins although a walk along the coast will bring lovely feelings of peace and solitude.

And in all of these there's not a Marks & Spencer or John Lewis' in sight!!

[rita17]

The Peak District is lovely too. Ideal for walking and cycling. Stately homes such as Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall both not far from Bakewell. In fact, my sister-in-law has asked us to take her to Chatsworth for her birthday treat, I can feel a weekend or midweek break coming on!

Worcestershire or the Cotswolds are also good for short breaks.

[Romig1]

I would agree with Foxy, that Northumbria is lovely, with plenty to see. There's also the castle and gardens at Alnwick.
Bamburgh is a nice spot, with a beautiful white sand beach that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean.

[Manoverboard]

.... Nora's house, Sid's Cafe are just two of the locations found in the centre of Holmfirth.

Plus the LotSW Museum of course

We have lots of favourites but that is because we have been doing 4 night UK breaks for the past 30 years or more, did anybody mention Suffolk ?

[GillD46]

And if you like beautiful beaches, you could do a lot worse than the beautiful Gower Peninsula - the first Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Uk - although I am biased!

[oldbluefox]

Thanks, Romig. I forgot about Alnwick with its castle and gardens. And some of the best scones around in the Strawberry Cafe.

The other beauty about Northumberland is the absence of heavy traffic. The roads around there, by comparison with the rest of the country, are so quiet.

[Boris+]

Alnwick is on our list - there is an hotel in the area which bought (and installed) the dining room from RMS Olympic/Titanic; and I'd like to have a meal there and see it.

Yes, I know that the Gower is absolutely stunning, and although my husband and I had holidays there when we were young we didn't meet there.

Well, it helps to pass the time whilst counting down for Southampton. If we go to Alnwick we can try to go to Hadrian's Wall too I hope.

I hope we can squeeze in also the West Country and Darzet too this year. Scotland maybe next year - along with either Lincolnshire and wonderful breathtaking Yorkshire.

Em