Small town outside London.
Feb 15, 2019, 7:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 110
Small town outside London.
Visiting London first two weeks of June. Its my wife, toddler, and Mother in law. Any suggestions on a small town South or Southeast of London to hang out at and relax for a couple days? Nature, parks, rivers and such to explore around. We fly out of Gatwick so the South and Southeast is easiest but open to other directions. We were planning on Brighton but it sounds like it would be crowded and doesn't seem all that interesting at first glance. Thanks in advance!
Feb 15, 2019, 8:50 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,203
Brighton not all that interesting?
It's one of the premier resorts in the UK with the Royal Pavilion, pier, i360 and not far from the south downs for walks etc. And that's just for starters.
Lewes is close by with the castle for example.
Walk the undercliff walk to Rottingdean and have a pub lunch (and get the bus back!)
And June isn't prime visitor time (other than weekends) as the kids will be still at school.
It's one of the premier resorts in the UK with the Royal Pavilion, pier, i360 and not far from the south downs for walks etc. And that's just for starters.
Lewes is close by with the castle for example.
Walk the undercliff walk to Rottingdean and have a pub lunch (and get the bus back!)
And June isn't prime visitor time (other than weekends) as the kids will be still at school.
Feb 15, 2019, 9:36 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,737
Winchester, the ancient capital of England?
Easy to reach from London, an hour on a fast train from Waterloo or straight down the M3 motorway if driving.
It has a fabulous cathedral (longest Gothic nave in Europe) and surrounded by beautiful countryside: rolling hills, rivers, large villages, perfect for country walks. Plus some great restaurants and pubs.
If you’ve been in London, I would say it’s a perfect counterpoint to the metropolitan buzz, without being too sleepy.
I love Brighton, but its nickname of ‘London-by-the-Sea’ has some merit.
Easy to reach from London, an hour on a fast train from Waterloo or straight down the M3 motorway if driving.
It has a fabulous cathedral (longest Gothic nave in Europe) and surrounded by beautiful countryside: rolling hills, rivers, large villages, perfect for country walks. Plus some great restaurants and pubs.
If you’ve been in London, I would say it’s a perfect counterpoint to the metropolitan buzz, without being too sleepy.
I love Brighton, but its nickname of ‘London-by-the-Sea’ has some merit.
Feb 15, 2019, 10:42 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 110
Feb 15, 2019, 11:03 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,449
Dover would be sub-optimal choice. Whitstable and Canterbury are much nicer Kentish options.
I’d endorse Winchester Lewes and also suggest Salisbury.
Pick wisely as there are plenty of small towns in the South that people pay good money to escape from. I know as I grew up in one 😉
I’d endorse Winchester Lewes and also suggest Salisbury.
Pick wisely as there are plenty of small towns in the South that people pay good money to escape from. I know as I grew up in one 😉
Feb 15, 2019, 12:05 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,203
For example Brighton schools break up for summer on 29th July and return on 5th September so much later than in the US. There maybe a couple of days variation in other parts of the UK though.
Feb 15, 2019, 12:06 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 110
Ah, good one actually. I've forgotten about Richmond Park, wanted to check that out last time I was there and didn't. Kew Gardens too.
Feb 15, 2019, 12:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,964
What do you mean by small town? Brighton has a population of about 250k I think - making it a very large town by U.K. standards (I think now it’s actually joined with Hove in city status).
A “small town” here is probably somewhere with no more than ~20k people, and quite possibly a lot less.
A “small town” here is probably somewhere with no more than ~20k people, and quite possibly a lot less.
Feb 15, 2019, 12:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,737
If you’re spending 2 weeks in London I would not recommend any of the above for your 2-3 day country trip.
Feb 15, 2019, 12:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,149
Visiting London first two weeks of June. Its my wife, toddler, and Mother in law. Any suggestions on a small town South or Southeast of London to hang out at and relax for a couple days? Nature, parks, rivers and such to explore around. We fly out of Gatwick so the South and Southeast is easiest but open to other directions. We were planning on Brighton but it sounds like it would be crowded and doesn't seem all that interesting at first glance. Thanks in advance!
Have you been to York. It's not south but might be just what you are looking for. I also Like Salisbury. The cathedral is amazing and you could always throw in Stonehenge.
Feb 15, 2019, 1:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,531
[QUOTE= .... I also Like Salisbury. The cathedral is amazing and you could always throw in Stonehenge.[/QUOTE]
Also been popular with Russian tourists recently because of the cathedral and its 123m tower and clock ...
Also been popular with Russian tourists recently because of the cathedral and its 123m tower and clock ...