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Thread: Wanted: uncrowded UK holiday destination

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  1. #1
    Master
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    Wanted: uncrowded UK holiday destination

    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?
    Hull?

  3. #3
    Master TheGent's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dougair View Post
    Hull?



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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheGent View Post



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    He will need the recovery position after a trip to hull

    Lincoln is a good shout, great city or head out into the wolds, Louth is gorgeous and lots of nice places to eat/drink/walk.. I highly recommend the Royal Oak at little cawthorpe, great food and drink and beautiful river walk


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  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?
    Stay at home. I can't think of too many things worse than going on holiday this year.

    (not the Tresanton, is it?)

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by worldwidewebs View Post
    Stay at home. I can't think of too many things worse than going on holiday this year.

    (not the Tresanton, is it?)
    Love the place!


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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by worldwidewebs View Post
    Stay at home. I can't think of too many things worse than going on holiday this year.

    (not the Tresanton, is it?)
    Nope. The Victoria in Sidmouth + the Royal Duchy in Falmouth.

  8. #8
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    We’ve been to Charmouth for the last few years (last year aside) and always found it pretty quiet relative to anywhere else on the Jurassic coast.
    Not a million miles from Sidmouth too.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    Nope. The Victoria in Sidmouth + the Royal Duchy in Falmouth.
    Great hotels :-)

  10. #10
    Norfolk Broads on a hire cruiser.

  11. #11
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    We’ve taken a couple of trips to Shropshire now over the last couple of years and have really enjoyed it. Very quiet, lots of lovely walks and Airbnb’s to stay in.

    I guess it all depends on what you’re after when you’re there. A nice beach is likely to be pretty busy this summer wherever you go!

  12. #12
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheTigerUK View Post
    Norfolk Broads on a hire cruiser.
    See you there! Booked a 3 nights away mid July
    “ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG

  13. #13
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheTigerUK View Post
    Norfolk Broads on a hire cruiser.
    I've often fancied it - never done it though.

    Do the Broads get busy?
    Cheers,
    Neil.

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  14. #14
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    If you want areas to be uncrowded, don’t mention them. Let people quietly make their own discoveries, and keep them to themselves. There are 64,000,000 people in the UK. With a landmass far smaller than places like France.
    It’s an overcrowded country, Covid made that pretty obvious. One of the highest population densitIes in industrial Europe.
    Last edited by paskinner; 9th June 2021 at 12:13.

  15. #15
    Just avoid a nice sandy beach with a nearby car park, there’s usually a second tier place just down the road that’s nice and quiet, you just might have to walk or wear trainers on the shingle.

    I’m from the south coast Kent/Sussex border, this last year we took a train trip to Folkestone (one of Kent’s insalubrious resorts) and walked along the warren right up to samphire hoe, the harbour arm was heaving but we just kept walking along the coast, beaches were empty, sun was out. Just what we needed.
    Just before half term we had a week between Tenterden and Rye. Avoided both and didn’t bother with camber sands, spent time in winchelsea, pett level, rye harbour and visited some wineries down narrow country lanes and had the place more or less to ourselves, having grown up down there no locals would dare go to rye/camber in holiday season, leave that to the grockles sitting in their car for an hour to get 3 miles down the road.

    I’m sure this goes for everywhere in the country, there’s a lovely place not far from the tourist hot-spots.

  16. #16
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
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    Saltburn by the Sea, just voted the best beach in England!!😎

  17. #17
    Plenty of room in Tipton.

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
    Saltburn by the Sea, just voted the best beach in England!!
    A lovely flat stretch of sand. If you have any metalwork you need sandblasting just bring it with you.

  19. #19
    Master MakeColdplayHistory's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
    Saltburn by the Sea, just voted the best beach in England!!
    Shh.... don't tell everyone.

    You're right though, Saltburn's great.

    The whole of the NE coast is good - I don't know this for a fact but if you worked out miles of coast per holiday bed I don't think you could beat the North East.

  20. #20
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    Anywhere half decent is rammed. So may has well visit Peterborough, Leicester and Stevenage
    Last edited by J J Carter; 8th June 2021 at 19:01.

  21. #21
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MakeColdplayHistory View Post
    Shh.... don't tell everyone.

    You're right though, Saltburn's great.

    The whole of the NE coast is good - I don't know this for a fact but if you worked out miles of coast per holiday bed I don't think you could beat the North East.
    I was born there and schooled there. Spent my childhood between Marske and Saltburn. Did 3 years as a lifeguard too. Great for access to the North Yorkshire scenery which is beautiful.

  22. #22
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    The beautiful city of Edinburgh

    Popped in to pick up a watch (obviously) this morning.

    I have never seen the city so quiet

  23. #23
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    Scottish Islands? orkneys, inner/outer Hebrides?

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by mrushton View Post
    Scottish Islands? orkneys, inner/outer Hebrides?
    Very difficult to get accommodation in these places and also a lot of ferries will be booked up already

  25. #25
    Master Templogin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mrushton View Post
    Scottish Islands? orkneys, inner/outer Hebrides?
    We have enough thank you. The cruise ships haven't arrived, but the TV series seems to have encourage many in this direction.

  26. #26
    Craftsman Paradiddle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?
    We also recently booked a long weekend in Penzance for early July. Hotels and rooms ran out very quickly during the time that we booked, all the sleeper train cabins taken. Still managed to book a rental car very easily though.

    I think it'll be difficult to find many places that won't be crowded even on weekdays. Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides have featured heavily on social media which means that there will be lots of tourists looking to visit.

    Feels like you'd have to go the extra mile to find some peace and quiet. Maybe one of the more remote Scottish islands or even Jersey if you don't mind having to do a PCR when you arrive and spending 1 day inside.

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?

    The Island of Lundy isn't that far from Cornwall and even on it's busiest day(s), I can't really see it filling up that much.

  28. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    The Island of Lundy isn't that far from Cornwall and even on it's busiest day(s), I can't really see it filling up that much.
    Spent a week there a while back. Not bad at all.
    Last edited by Slamdoor; 8th June 2021 at 14:20.

  29. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    The Island of Lundy isn't that far from Cornwall and even on it's busiest day(s), I can't really see it filling up that much.
    I can just about see Lundy from my kitchen window on a good day. My wife’s mum is off there next week for a week with a friend, which seems a long time to me. If the weather stays good it will be nice.

  30. #30
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    We are currently at a place called Loose Reins at Shillingstone in Dorset. Very quiet and tranquil.



  31. #31
    Master Chukas's Avatar
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    North West Scotland is absolutely mental busy, it’s like whacky races with people trying to overtake caravans / camper vans so not a pleasant experience, hopefully it will calm down when the European countries open up again.

  32. #32
    Master hhhh's Avatar
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    Somewhere on the Northumberland coast.

    My mum lives up there and, as a dyed-in-the-wool Southerner, every time I venture up there it never fails to surprise me how beautifully unspoilt and empty the place is.

    The almost deserted beaches knock Sandbanks out of the park.



    And there’s parks where you can go from lakes, through forest to the dunes (nature reserve) and onto the beach all in the space of about a 20 minute walk.

    Last edited by hhhh; 8th June 2021 at 15:11.

  33. #33
    Quote Originally Posted by hhhh View Post
    Somewhere on the Northumberland coast.

    My mum lives up there and, as a dyed-in-the-wool Southerner, every time I venture up there it never fails to surprise me how beautifully unspoilt and empty the place is.

    The almost deserted beaches knock Sandbanks out of the park.



    And there’s parks where you can go from lakes, through forest to the dunes (nature reserve) and onto the beach all in the space of about a 20 minute walk.

    Let me guess...Druridge Bay ? Very close to where I'm from..and heading back for a visit in 3 weeks..really can't wait

  34. #34
    Master hhhh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ellietwed View Post
    Let me guess...Druridge Bay ? Very close to where I'm from..and heading back for a visit in 3 weeks..really can't wait
    Had to check what it was called, and you are correct, it is indeed Druridge Bay Country Park.

    My mum lives in Ellington.

  35. #35
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    Let’s head steadily to the seaside, always west. Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor, Selsey, Padstow, East Wittering. Best bet, all of them, within 30 minutes drive. Great beaches. Look around, stop moaning. I’d recommend Littlehampton, huge beach and very ‘old school’. Try the east and west beaches at selsey. Pretty down at heel but unique and unspoilt. Good Times. The fish are very flat and weird looking.
    And that’s not the locals….
    Last edited by paskinner; 19th July 2021 at 17:14.

  36. #36
    south wales has some nice uncrowded beaches and areas if you know where to look , my sister lives near bridgend and ive been to ogmore by sea and southerndown many times and seen very few people for such a large beach (ogmore by sea) - its between cardiff and swansea so a short drive to a major city for a resturant or a change of pace or if you fancy some time away from the beach then brecon has some great walks.

  37. #37
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    OP have you thought about the Isle of Sheppey? Nobody wants to go there…
    It’s so nice they built 3 prisons there.

    On a serious note I think I will avoid the UK tourist hot spots this year. I don’t like people.

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    OP have you thought about the Isle of Sheppey? Nobody wants to go there…
    It’s so nice they built 3 prisons there.

    On a serious note I think I will avoid the UK tourist hot spots this year. I don’t like people.
    Totally OT but I used to have an isle of sheppy RFC jersey that I swopped from someone at the Lichfield tournament very many years ago. Sadly lost now but I did love it.

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  39. #39
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    OP have you thought about the Isle of Sheppey? Nobody wants to go there…
    It’s so nice they built 3 prisons there.
    Scene of many happy childhood holidays (no prisons then).

    I returned a few years back, it was chav central.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

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  40. #40
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    I spent an enjoyable break away from it all in Inversnaid recently. You do need to like the outdoors if you plan to visit.

    It’s at the end of a 15 mile long no through road.


  41. #41
    Master senraw's Avatar
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    Take a trip to Pakefield.

    https://youtu.be/ZM_o4uUuaag

    Peaceful, Great pub's and beaches. Cheap accommodation and only a short walk/drive from Carlton Marshes, Benacre, Coveheithe, Southwold, Walberswick and Dunwich.

    https://youtu.be/QQscvGLJmVY

    (Lived here all my life and will never move.)

    You'll have a lovely time. ;)
    Last edited by senraw; 8th June 2021 at 19:59.

  42. #42
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    I wouldn’t bother with Norfolk or Suffolk both are very crowded and the people are horrible, apart from Karl of course.

    Pitch

  43. #43
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by senraw View Post
    Take a trip to Pakefield.

    https://youtu.be/ZM_o4uUuaag

    Peaceful, Great pub's and beaches. Cheap accommodation and only a short walk/drive from Carlton Marshes, Benacre, Coveheithe, Southwold, Walberswick and Dunwich.

    https://youtu.be/QQscvGLJmVY

    (Lived here all my life and will never move.)

    You'll have a lovely time. ;)
    The pub in Dunwich - good grub and nice accommodation - recommended
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  44. #44
    There are quiet places in Devon, for a reason, they will be in the middle of nowhere . If you like walking then between Tavistock and Okehampton is quiet if you can find an air B&B

    South Hams will be rammed around Bigbury and forget Dartmouth

    Falmouth St Ives and Padstow are mental right now, avoid

    Cornwall rural isn't that great, pretty dull countryside , Exmoor Dartmoor are much nicer places of you can find a farmhouse

    Minehead had no beaches but is a nice place with nice walks

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  45. #45
    Grand Master TheFlyingBanana's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daveya. View Post

    Minehead had no beaches but is a nice place with nice walks
    Do you mean apart from this one?

    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Locat...t_England.html

    So clever my foot fell off.

  46. #46
    Quote Originally Posted by TheFlyingBanana View Post
    Lol good point

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  47. #47
    Master Red Steve's Avatar
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    Just back from a few days in the Forest of Dean...really lovely and very green part of the UK, but not has busy as some other tourist favourites....

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  48. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slamdoor View Post
    In August we’re off to a very pleasant hotel in Cornwall that was booked ages ago. It’s going to be hell down there and I’m looking forward to it - not!
    As a contrast and to regain my sanity, where can I go to recover within these fine shores?
    Cornwall (& Devon) is always rammed in August…I don’t think it will be much worse than normal!

  49. #49
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    Have a look around the Cranbourne Chase area. It’s beautiful.

    But I am biased.

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by AlexG View Post
    Cornwall (& Devon) is always rammed in August…I don’t think it will be much worse than normal!
    It will be, this year will be every camo site full, every motorhome down here and every local still down here , busiest I've ever seen it last week

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