Where to visit for 3-5 days next week within UK :)

Hi

We were planning a five day trip to Paris next week, but we ended up not booking because we've been a little under the weather (one coming out of it, the other going in to it)   Plus then we thought we better visit when the weather is much nicer, if we get a chance...

We were trying to think of any cozy places to visit somewhere closer (and cheaper) in the UK, maybe somewhere quieter a bit more romantic instead of hectic, since we may still not be feeling super well.   Somewhere where you could find a nice hotel at cheaper non-big-city prices where we could either stroll around the town/sightings or stay in and relax if the weather turns out a bit wet...

Has anybody taken any similar trips around the UK recently?  It would be our first trip and first time outside of London, so almost any place will be super exciting for sure

I would suggest heading up towards Bath.  With weather like this, you may be hard pressed to enjoy an outing anywhere in this country, but if its romance and relaxation you are after, I'd look there!

This time of year I'd head South - You could go to Winchester for a nice town center and a beautiful cathedral - then to Salisbury for a few days.  Stop at a small village in-between or head over to the New Forest for a nice walk and tea and enjoy the free ranging animals.  

I'm so envious of the position you're in.  What I usually do is just look in a guid book and pick what looks interesting to me - there's something to visit just about every 50 ft in England.  Winchester is the original capitol of England - Salisbury has the tallest Cathedral Spire and is really close to Stonehenge and Sarum.  
Have a great time planning your trip!

What about Cornwall? There are lots of nice places to stay around there. I haven't been down there, but hear it's beautiful. You could do some research on it. A lot of people seem to like to go to Devon, as well. I'd say come up to Northumberland because it's gorgeous, but it's over 400 miles from London, so not exactly close. If you were going to do that, you may as well go to Scotland!

Canterbury! It can get a bit busy with tourists but is lovely at this time of year.

I would second Bath, but I'm a bit biased since I lived there. The Christmas market is also going on right now, so it is a bit manic. You can relax at the new Thermae Spa, which is reasonably priced for the basic heated roof top pool and aromatherapy steam rooms package. They offer other services for additional costs. 

wow!!  such wonderful suggestions!
 that's excellent, lovely, and brilliant!

I will research a bit on each of these suggestions...  
I have to say I really appreciate it because it helps a lot to have some good starting points!  

thank you  

If you like history, perhaps York?

Here is a link to a thread on Bath. Mrs R has linked to another Bath thread as well!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=49475.0

York!  Just 2 hrs from London by train.  Very historic.  Looking very festive at the moment.  Good shopping and eating.  Very manageable.  Very different from London.  Good for days out from the city into the national parks.  If your budget can stretch to it, try the Hotel Du Vin - they have some special offers on right now - you can stay for as little as £25 ppn on a Sunday.  Loads of other good hotels too.  There is also a well located Premier Inn just near the train station.

I was going to suggest Bath as well!  Jewlz suggestion of Cornwall is good, too but I'd wait til you were both feeling 100%, as the train ride from London down to Penzance (at the bottom of Cornwall) is 6 hours!

I just wanted to say - both Bath and Cornwall are excellent suggestions. If you do Cornwall try Carbis Bay.  It's really close to St.Ives and has the most amazing beach - there's a lovely coastal pathway from there to St. Ives and a train that can take you back if you don't want to walk back (it's only a mile or so).  Very cozy, fishing village feel.  You can see my pictures of Carbis bay here:http://www.englishmann.com/Family/2009/Carbis-Bay-Cornwall/8626974_eYyLw#569499426_aA2Ka

From summer vacation...

I say Bath as well.  It's a gorgeous city, there's lots to do and it's great for relaxing as well.  The only thing is that it's a bit pricey. 

You might also consider someplace in the New Forest.  It's very lovely and rural, with lots of hiking and shaggy ponies wandering at large.  DH and I had a long weekend there last year and it was really relaxing. 

Just a really unlikely suggestion, but Mr. A and I went to the Isle of Wight in the off season (although it was early spring and not early winter).  It was reasonably priced, not crowded at all in the off season, fairly a lot to do (even though a lot would be closed, some stuff still stays open), and there are a lot of different towns.  If you were to do this, I would pick a place in Ride or Newtown if you are not feeling well as some of the more rural accommodations can involve treks from travel hubs.  There is definitely a "Everyday is Like Sunday" vibe in the off season, but we had a really good time.  

ETA: Although a lot of it isn't quaint (I'd suggest somewhere else for that), there is a lot that is very picturesque.  The bigger towns have shopping. There's also several historically significant places on the island which I think are opened all year round.

Come to my house ! LOL

I'll blow up the air bed .Then you can drag me along as you explore Hampshire

I'm only sort of kidding here. Yes, I am nearly that desperate for company.

We went to Winchester once ,it was pretty cool .

http://catsonthecounter.blogspot.com/2009/01/titles-are-for-good-posts.html


 Also went to Stonehenge ,it was freezin' ass cold at the time.

http://catsonthecounter.blogspot.com/2008/12/help-us-were-freez.html