I would definitely go to Cornwall. The beaches are super, and it’s a completely different vibe. The drive is worth it.
I would definitely go to Cornwall. The beaches are super, and it’s a completely different vibe. The drive is worth it.
Another fan of Suffolk here. Had plenty of family summer holidays there over the last ten years. I can't remember any of them being a complete wash out. A couple of days rain in a fortnight perhaps.
As already said London, Cambridge and Ely are a day trip away(although London may be an early start).
Cornwall is a long old shlep from Dover and probably best broken up by an overnight stop on the way. It can also get very crowded in the summer which can be tricky on the narrow lanes.
South Wales is a good call, it probably offers everything that Cornwall does except, possibly less busy. Friends of mine have been summering in Tenby for years and absolutely love it.
Seriously though, download this (or the equivalent on Android) before you decide on your destination/choice of activities :
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/safer-...e/id1458786821
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Once a year I travel down to Exeter from J28 of the M25 and it usually takes between four and five hours. Cornwall is a bit further beyond.
Obviously it does depend on time of day and day of the week you travel. Friday evenings are the worst. Made that mistake once and it took seven and half hours.
Perhaps a break is a bit extreme but I find driving long distance in this country hard work. I like my holidays to be relaxed so splitting up long drives helps. I'm sounding twenty years older than I am.
Thanks again for all your input. I'm leaning towards the Norfolk route, but I will have to persuade my wife. If we choose Dover-Cornwall I'll take your advice and plan an extra stop halfway there.
Just a quick update to this thread, because your suggestions have been very helpful. We chose a shorter circuit with less driving time and more opportunities to relax.
- short stay in Canterbury, as it's close to the tunnel
- longer stay on the Jurassic Coast, near Swanage
- few days in Oxford + visit to the Cotswolds
- couple of days in London (near Shoreditch Park)
Then back home. It's all been booked, so please don't tell me I've made a grave mistake. ;)
Any must sees in these locations are of course very welcome (and I will bear in mind all the excellent advice in the thread so far).
If you're around Swanage go to Chococo (assuming you like chocolate).
If there is time do the coast road drive from Weymouth to Bridport, it's a great trip. Stop in Abbotsbury and go to Dansel for quirky wooden things and take a walk up to the abbey.
Even better there is the Jurassic coaster open top bus that does this very trip.
As you're staying in Oxford, visit The Trout Inn for a meal.
Thanks for the suggestions.
That's brilliant! My wife will be so pleased when I take her there.
This was already at the top of my list and we'll definitely go there, thanks.
Just checked the site and it looks good, thank you.
As you are staying in Oxford you'll need to visit the Pitts Rivers Museum.
https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
A cracking place on a par with (and perhaps even better than) the Natural History Museum.
That's an absolutely astonishing collection. I'm also rather fond of the History of Science Museum: https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/home
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Depending on the kids, if your into military history there’s the Tank Museum at Bovington and the Army Air Corps museum at Middle Wallop.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app