Oh wise and discerning STW lot….

Mrs Binners, in what I think is an inspired idea, has suggested that instead of buying each other stuff we don’t need for christmas, we should buy ourselves a weekend away, sans kids, instead.

So… I need your suggestions on somewhere suitable. A nice guest house, say, in a suitably lovely, and interesting part of the world. Need to be within a finishing-work-on-a-Friday-at-5 drive from Manchester, so the lakes, north wales, Yaaaaarkshire. Other than that, I’m open to suggestions. Bikes will not be involved. Nice walks, good food and wine most certainly will.

Obviously its now a competition. My destination has to be better than hers. You’re a well travelled lot. Your suggestions please….

Cardiff

may be too close to you for your liking, but do you fancy matlock?

we found a lovely little b&b called the cables.
owners cant do enough for you, hot tub and pizza stone outside and youve got the peaks on your doorstep (hence why i said it may be too close for you at manchester).

we’ve been a couple of times and it always seemed to get no1 rating on tripadvisor.

‘s easy – York.

My once a year kid free weekend destination of choice.

we always stay here….

http://www.bronte-guesthouse.com/

A weekend without the kids you say? I believe Center Parks is traditional…

Coppermines cottages in Coniston. Ticks all boxes.

A weekend without the kids you say? I believe Center Parks is traditional…

…in which case you’ll need this.

Punchbowl, Crosthwaite. Seriously good.

Home

http://www.longmynd.co.uk/

good walking from the door, with lots of pub refuges around.
Other things to do in the area.

You could go to Keswick?
http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/plan-your-visit/how-to-find-us/

Blackpool obviously…

Afternoon at the Pleasure Beach, pub crawl down the Golden Mile, kebab, quick fight with the locals, then take her up the Tower Ballroom.

No shortage of convenient and well-rated guest houses.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186332-d1154976-Reviews-The_Black_Diamond-Blackpool_Lancashire_England.html

What kind of budget do we have to play with ?

http://Www.rose-and-crown.Co.uk

Cowley Manor just outside Cheltenham. Mid jan/feb should be able to get a ‘deal’ too. Lovely for a couple of nights.

Ludlow

Excellent places to eat and drink, lovely countryside etc

i believe The Inn at Whitewell is very good, or Nigel Howarth’s Northcote

Ambleside is my pick of the lakes’ villages. Accommodation and food to suit every and all budgets. Thoroughly lovely place to base yourself for a long weekend.

What about doing a section of the coast to coast? Different places each night?

Victoria Inn in Durham City

Super little B&B in a brilliant award winning pretty much like it would have been in the 1900’s pub, in the best little city in the world. History, architecture, riverside walks, restaurants, some shopping in little gift type shops and some of the majors, or if the wife *needs* retail therapy then Newcastle or the Metro centre are easy reach.

And then back to the Vic for some quality beers with a proper fire burning.

Good breakfasts too. If you go, tell the breakfast lady one of her November reunion regulars recommended you.

+1 for York. Lovely place.

Thanks very much for the suggestions folks. Some lovely looking places. Got to say that I’m leaning towards York at the moment. Its beautiful place and I’ve not been there for years

Cowley Manor just outside Cheltenham.

Is indeed lovely. Or there’s the Green Dragon just down the road.

The yewdale in Coniston, http://yewdaleinn.com/
We stayed there and had a lovely time, big fluffy duvets and some lovely pubs in the town. Consiton is a lot smaller than other lakes towns like ambleside or keswick, consequently great views up the fells directly above the village. Lots of walking in the area, up high or along the lake edge, also Tarn Hows for a shorter low level walk and Grizedale for a forest stroll not far away.

Cowley Manor

Im not sure Binners could take a whole weekend of the Southern Cotswold Aesthetic. It’s a long way from a Greggs too.

Green Dragon is ace though.

Durham is a fantastic city, plenty of walks or indoorsy stuff depending on the weather. The finest example of Norman architecture is there for starters! There’s the Durham Light Infantry museum which is well worth a visit (get there quick, the dopey council are on about closing it) The Gulbenkian museum of oriental art/stuff is excellent, It’s a real friendly place & It’s my home town so there.

I was a bit disappointed by York’s city centre, a lot of closed shops and some pretty average pubs and eateries. I’d go for Ludlow.

I was a bit disappointed by York’s city centre, a lot of closed shops and some pretty average pubs and eateries.

There are 3 Greggs in the city centre though. Three.
You could go on a Greggs crawl. 😀

If York way then this place is nice and just outside. Food is excellent as you would expect from a Michelin star place, albeit the pricing also reflects that.

http://www.thestaratharome.co.uk/

Hmmmmmm…… Durham is a good call too. I’ve only been up there once, and it was on a photoshoot. One with a really hectic schedule, so I got to see virtually none of it as I whizzed from one location to the next, but I remember thinking it looked nice

“then take her up the tower ballroom”
“sniggers”

Durham is like a slightly smaller version of York but Durham Cathedral makes York Minster look like a bungalow, plus It’s free to get in & you may be able to go up the tower for some real good views if it’s open.

There’s a Greggs as well, bonus.

While York no doubt t has Gregg’s, it also has Thomas’ for a curd tart to help the steak and cheese roll go down.

I wouldn’t be driving, get the train then you don’t need to worry about the drive home and can have a tipple with your sunday lunch.

Train to Glasgow, take in all the free museums and enjoy the buzz that a city at Christmas gives.

Feversham Arms – Helmsley, North Yorks – Small hotel. Very good food. Heated out door pool. Lovely small village square. Plenty of walks. Not Michelin but great food and good facilities.

http://www.fevershamarmshotel.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g635918-d193536-Reviews-Feversham_Arms_Hotel_Verbena_Spa-Helmsley_North_Yorkshire_England.html

More remote – Black Swan, Oldstead. Michelin * – but not posh. Just down from Sutton-bank for plenty of walks. Very quiet.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2216505-d1122887-Reviews-The_Black_Swan_at_Oldstead-Oldstead_North_Yorkshire_England.html

Neither are particularly cheap etc.

I do think Feversham Arms needs a bit of money spending on the rooms, but the food and set up is still great.

Stratford upon Avon? Too far for me for the weekend but you’re already halfway there.
Take in a bit of Shakespeare and that? Lovely.

Either Durham or York would have the advantage of just jumping on the train. I quite fancy not bothering driving for the weekend

Durham is nowhere near as appealing as York IMO.

Ludlow is a easy train journey from Manchester…. however if you drove the Stagg at Titley is execellent both to dine + to stay

http://www.thestagg.co.uk/The_Stagg_Inn/Home.html

Friday night/Saturday in Durham, Saturday night/Sunday in York?

Ludlow is a great shout, best place we’ve been in England for a few days.

Thanks very much for the suggestions folks. Some lovely looking places. Got to say that I’m leaning towards York at the moment. Its beautiful place and I’ve not been there for years

We went twice in the 90’s. Mrs Sandwich got pregnant both times!! Pack your rubberwear (unless you want more kids). 😆