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Is there the perfect city to stay?

My husband unexpectedly was given an additional 2 weeks vacation in honor of his 20 years with the company this year. Because of that he has been talking about his desire to spend the majority if those two weeks on a trip to England, which has me excited because of my love for England. He would really like to stay in a small town where we could get around easy using local transport or our feet, be within walking distance to a pub, grocery store, etc, could get to/from the airport without renting a car, still have access to trains to take day trips and where we could rent a house or flat. Our only issues are there are 3 of us, including our 4 1/2 year old daughter (hence not wanting to rent a car so we have to haul a carseat) and we would have to return home by the first of August when she starts kindergarten. Does anyone have good suggestions other than London itself?

We have previously stayed in Stockport (my best friend lived here) and had the ability to do this but thought we would try another town. We have also rented a cottage in Hertfordshire but had to drive into town to access everything. I would love to find somewhere around Manchester so I can visit my niece and go back to York for the day.

Posted by
7175 posts

One week in Rye in East Sussex.
Connected by rail to Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton to the west, and Dover, Sandwich, Margate, Canterbury to the east.

Perhaps somewhere near Leeds for the 2nd week. Easy connections by train to York and Manchester.

Posted by
2600 posts

small town near Manchester and York?

Wilmslow, Macclesfleld, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Hebden Bridge, Skipton and Buxton come to mind

Posted by
33998 posts

Harrogate is easy by train - it is well served by train, though not as well as its big sibling, York, just a few miles away.

You should be able to get there easily from Manchester Airport.

Very convenient to York, the Moors, and north and south. A nice centre, it has two - TWO!! - editions of Betty's Tea Room, one in the centre and the other just out of town at the Harlow Carr RHS Garden, which you could easily visit. Have a look at their linked website.

There is a linear park, well planted, all the way from the centre out to Harlow Carr. It is quite beautiful.

If it appeals there is more that can be said about Harrogate....

Posted by
2252 posts

I would definitely like to say more about Harrogate! I was fortunate to be able to accompany my husband on several business related stays there. What a fabulous small town! Friendly folks, lots to see and do and besides taking the train to York (easy!), I even took a few rail forays to some of the really tiny towns nearby. We thoroughly enjoyed our stays there. And then there's Betty's........Nigel, what a great suggestion and I enthusiastically add my "second".

Posted by
8293 posts

"Fur coat and no knickers". Love it, Emma!

Posted by
6113 posts

Most of the suggestions so far are either handy for either York or Manchester (or neither)! If I were you, to access both cities, I would search for towns and villages along the Manchester/York railway line. Places such as Huddersfield, Marsden or Greenfield will give you a view of smaller town England, whilst having great train access to Manchester and York.

Posted by
380 posts

Awesome suggestions, thank you everyone! The Chester Zoo would be great, my daughter loves them and we love the ones in Europe. I can't wait to check these out.

Posted by
4183 posts

Back in my home state of Texas, we'd say, "All hat and no cattle." At work at a large forest products company in the Seattle area, the phrase was, "Empty suit." I'm sure there are other locations that have similar descriptions for the concept. Thanks for the British version!