Help!!! We want to start exploring the UK coast to escape the hot summers of Maryland (outside of Washington DC). Where to go? Cornwall? Northumberland? Ireland? Scotland? Wales? We are overwhelmed!
We are looking for wild beauty, not museums, or art galleries, or fancy food. A replacement for the Maine coast, but across the pond. We are retired now, and want to realize our dream of seeing these beautiful places.
Where do we start???
Thanks to all.
K Craft
Cornwall is overrun in the summer. Ireland and Scotland are generally cooler and wetter. Can be much wetter!
For wild beauty, you could head to Pembrokeshire in South Wales, around St Davids, but there isn’t much to do here if the weather is grotty. Therefore, I would head to Northumberland. Holy Island would be a “must” for me, as would Cragside, one of my favourite National Trust properties near Rothbury. Kielder Water is a dark sky area and there is an Observatory there.
Have afternoon tea at the cafe/Post Office in Ford and Etal and try a singin’ hinny (local version of a scone). Plenty of castles, long sandy beaches, walking and stunning countryside.
I stayed in a gorgeous former coastguard’s cottage between the coast and Belford - rosscottages.co.uk. They are popular and get booked up well in advance.
If you want to escape hot summers and want rugged beauty, that is Northumberland.
Castles, islands, fishing villages also hills 30 minutes inland. And guaranteed it will not be too hot.
Thirding Northumberland. Wild, beautiful plus castles etc.
Northumberland and the east Yorkshire coast would be best.
Suffolk or Dorset would also be other good ideas.
Hi -
Jennifer seems to have posted on my behalf, agree with everything she has said! We’re going to have a hard time keeping Northumbria ‘secret’ at this rate though.
A couple of other points. The west coast of Scotland is equal to any coast line, anywhere. IF you get the weather. That can be a big ‘IF’ though! But at it’s best it is simply magnificent. Cornwall (and Devon) do get overrun in summer, but they are very busy for a reason - the scenery is excellent especially along the coast. I guess it is a case of what constitutes ‘too busy’. But if you really wanted to go see it, then you should.
It occurs to me that the places you mention and that we have suggested are scattered throughout the UK - dependent on how long you have here and where you fly into will affect which coastline you visit. I’m not sure trying to see them all in one trip (unless you have unlimited time) is the best idea. Most of the suggested places reward leisurely in-depth exploration (as do many other places). Wherever you go, have a great trip!
Ian
Thank you all for your wonderful replies. Within an hour of reading Jennifer's post, I had looked up the Ducket and grabbed four nights at the end of July (all they had left for this summer, and pending written confirmation from the place). I grew up on Cape Cod, so am truly allergic to summer crowds! I'm in a bit of a state of shock, as I have no flights, no idea where the heck I'm going, but I was mesmerized with the look of the place and the island...also, I've become addicted to "Vera," which just started airing in the US...
Shall I fly to Newcastle? Is that the best way? Hope to lean on you guys a bit as the trip progresses, but promise I won't be too bothersome.
Karen
Also, Ian, please know that this is only the beginning trip of what I hope will be a long summer association with the UK.
Best,
Karen
You could fly to Newcastle, if you can get a convenient flight from wherever you live -but I doubt it, it only does holiday flights to southern Europe.
I would try for flights to Edinburgh. Easy (and scenic) drive down to Northumberland. i guess you will be hiring a car.
...or you could book to fly to Newcastle from London Heathrow if you can get reasonable flights from where you are to London - it appears British Airways do a connecting flight.
You will need a car to get about in all likelihood. The beauty of Northumberland is that it is off the beaten track a bit.
Alternatively, you could fly to London (or Edinburgh) and then catch a train up/down the east coast line to either Berwick on Tweed or possibly Alnwick which will get you fairly close before you have to work out if there’s a bus or a ‘regional’ train that will get you to, say, Bamburgh. (I haven’t checked this out myself yet but might do in an idle moment!)
Ian
At the risk of prevailing on your kindness, I have decided not to go to the Ducket this summer. I did a little more research, and...
it looks exactly like Cape Cod!
I think I have to go to the more majestic west coast of the UK.
So I'm back to the drawing board, and welcome suggestions.
Thanks,
Karen
I would suggest the Pembrokeshire coast (SW Wales). Less crowded than Cornwall, odds of better weather than Scotland or Northumbria.https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/coastal-national-park
Tenby is the place in Pembrokeshire where you will find lots of people, however, it is well worth a visit:>https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/west-wales/pembrokeshire/10-things-enjoy-holiday-tenby
The coast west of Tenby has spectacular beaches and cliffs, for example:>https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole/features/stackpoles-beaches-and-coastline
In north Pembrokeshire:>https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/towns-and-villages/st-davids
I can't bare crowded beaches either (and loved my time in Cape Cod after Labor Day). Pembrokeshire has some beautiful coastline and if you are prepared to walk 15 minutes you could have a beach virtually to yourself even in July or August. https://www.facebook.com/mypembrokeshire/ Has some lovely images you can check out. If you decide to book PM me and I'll give you some recommendations for beaches but we don't want everyone to hear them!
Another recommendation from me would be the Island of Sark. Again, beach to youself as the day trippers don't get down to the beach but it's an island that sits high on a plateau so you have to be prepared to go up and down to get to the beach, but also lovely cliff top paths to sit on and watch glorious sunsets. Weather tends to be good as it's just off the coast of France but it won't be too hot. Oh and amazing Dark Skies for gazing at the stars.
