A week in one spot in Great Britain

between Bristol and Edinburgh is rather a large area - might help to focus on one area to help narrow it down
i.e. if you want the North Yorks Moors then Whitby would be a good choice;
Alnwick if you want Northumberland;
Keswick if you want the Lake District;
Ludlow for Shropshire;
somewhere in the Cotswolds perhaps - what's in Twyning??

Have you looked at York or Durham? Both have easy access from Bristol by train and have lots to see and do within a reasonable distance.

I like the idea of York. Not too big, not too small. Well situated, with plenty to do.

Another vote for Durham. Stayed there last Fall. Loved it. PM'd you details.

Check out Ampleforth village north of York. I was there last summer for months, and didn't have a car for part of that time. There is a bus (Stephenson's - I think the 36x) that takes you to Helmsley, York, Pickering and other small towns. It's the area where James Harriott had his vet office (All Creatures Great and Small). It's an amazing area.

There are also plenty of walks - it's actually INSIDE North Yorkshire Moors National Park. You can even walk from Ampleforth to a few of the villages via the trails and through Ampleforth College campus. Nice to grab a pint of a local live ale and then walk "home" for the night.

Let me know if you pick it, and I'll give you a B&B recommendation in Ampleforth.

Susan
American living in Waterville, Ireland

I vote for Whitby. Stunning cliff top walks, history and great fish and chips! Alternatively, Alnwick for the stunning Northumberland beaches and castles.

York and Durham, although interesting won't give you the cosy town feel.

...my interest in hiking with my interest in basing out of a cozy town with a good pub....

The Lake District would fit the hiking, cozy villages with a good pub or two requirement.

http://www.thetrainline.com/nearest-station/lake-district

The nearest train station to the Lake District is Oxenholme Rail
Station, which serves as a good base to explore Kendal. However,
depending on which part of the Lake District you wish to visit, you
can also get trains to Windermere, Carlisle, Barrow, Kendal and
Penrith. When travelling from within England you can get connections
to the Lake District from many of the main stations, including
Manchester, Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, York and Leeds.

A few years ago we did an inn to inn three walking day holiday in the Lake District. Started and finished in Windermere with overnight stops in Grasmere and Coniston. No car needed. Local buses travel between these and other towns.

Thanks so much - this is a great set of suggestions! I think I will end up going to Whitby, which will make it easy to stop off for a bit in York (which looks fantastic) en route. The Lake District is really appealing, but I think it will have to wait until next time... really glad to know that it's doable without a car, though - I had assumed that would be too tough to manage. Thanks again, all!

You can do part of the Lakes without a car, but for maximum enjoyment, a car is essential as you can't get to Eskdale and other less touristy parts easily by public transport.

Take a peek at Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales national park. Grassington is a lovely medieval town with pubs/restaurants. Easy bus from Skipton or easy taxi from Skipton or Leeds. There are lovely walks between hamlets and villages or up to the mines. Plenty for relaxing week, but with options if you want. You don't need a car there, so take a peek at it.