Which town in England for sabbatical?

I loved Norwich - perhaps it's too large for what you're seeking. I loved it. A place we were at last year was Bridgnorth (close to Welsh border). It's quite small but has many restaurants and the people are so very friendly.

Well, Dartmouth is my favourite place if I have two weeks to spare ever, off-season. It seems to have everything you have asked for, although it does get super-busy in the summer.

What time of year? If it is winter, bear in mind that the east can be colder than the west. Are you going to hire a car or use public transport?

Lymington is a major yachting centre on the south coast. The nearest major city is Southampton - not wonderful but somewhere to go if the weather is bad. Bournemouth to the west is a large seaside town with parks. The New Forest has plenty of trails.

Just returned from a 10 day Backroads tour of the Cotswolds, North Wales, Yorkshire, Lake District, North Umbria/Scottish Borders.

The Lake District would certainly fit your criteria. We stayed on Lake Windemere in Ambleside. You are spoilt for choice in this region. The stunning lakes, woodlands, The Fells are magnificent.

I would gladly go back to these areas for 4 weeks. Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire Moors, North Wales adjacent to Snowdonia. The countryside in the UK to me, is to quote a fellow traveller on our coach 'Heaven on a stick'

PS A town which I really impressed me which we visited on a day trip, was Canterbury.

Whitstable on the north Kent coast may suit - close to Canterbury, Dover and many great gardens including Sissinghurst if they are of interest. It's an old fishing village that is now also home to many art galleries and restaurants. It has an oyster festival in July. There are plenty walks too - see walkinginkent.co.uk/canterbury.php

You could get to London by train for the odd day trip or France!

What time of year are you visiting?

I throughly enjoyed Winchcombe in the Cotswolds. I also loved Durham. Both meet your criteria.

You might look at Lewes in Sussex

http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/places-to-visit/lewes-p196231

It's a nice little town in its own right with reasonable restaurants and pubs serving beer from Harvey's, the local brewery. It's on a river and the edge of the South Downs with easy access to some good walking.

You're also only just over an hour from London by train and can easily reach Brighton (full disclosure - I live there and so may be biased!), a lively seaside city with a good all year round cultural life and a marina for boating.

Alan

OP, you do realize your little dogs will be required to fly in the cargo hold on your flights, right? This is very risky for them. They will be cold & scared and incredibly stressed. Most small dogs are pretty fastidious, they will find themselves having to soil their crates (stress & turbulance can also cause them terrible motion sickness). They will be in unfamiliar, noisy surroundings (cargo holds are not quiet) with strangers bumping their carriers during ground transport.

Here is info regarding what you need to know before heading to the UK with your pets: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

Apparently, you could fly to France with your dogs in the main cabin. But, again, there is the problem with their need to go to the bathroom during the long flight.

Even if you get your dog to France, there is the problem of getting it across the channel. Eurostar bans dogs.
This is discussed here, though from the perspective of going from England to France: https://www.seat61.com/dogs-by-train.htm

If you want somewhere to chill out fro 4 weeks, Many options: Lewes, Isle of Wight, Cornwall
What time of year are you planning on? 4 weeks in winter can be more chilly than chill-out.

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions! A few of you asked about our travel dates...the plan is for May 2018.
A couple of you were concerned about the safety of our beloved dogs, Walter and Scout, and how we were planning on traveling with them. They will be with us IN CABIN on Alaska Airlines from Seattle to New York. We will then spend one or two nights there and then proceed via Air France (also in cabin) from NY to Paris. A friend who yearly travels with her small dogs to France says they do amazingly well enroute (but also in cabin). Our dogs have frequently flown with us in the states and interestingly they just seem to curl up and snooze the whole time while flying. They get excited when we pull out their travel bags:) Anyway, once in France we will pick up a car and drive to England.
Keep your ideas coming! Much appreciated!!

Official entry requirements 

What your pet will need when entering Britain from another EU country:

A microchip or tattoo (only if tattooed before 3rd July 2011) with identification number

Rabies vaccination (you have to microchip your pet before the vaccination and wait 21 days from the date of the vaccination before travelling)  

Pet passport (you can get this from your vet)

Tapeworm treatment must be given between 1 and 5 days before travelling to Britain. The treatment is not necessary if you travel from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway

A blood test and a tick treatment are no longer required for dogs entering Britain from an EU country. This has reduced the preparation time for a trip from 6 months to only 21 days (time between rabies vaccination and allowed entry date).

Other rules apply if more than five dogs are being taken into the country or if you are travelling from a non-EU country.

As to that last part, you may have further requirements as your dogs are not EU dogs. They are US dogs travelling via the EU.

Hope you (and, your dogs) have a great trip!

Anyway, once in France we will pick up a car and drive to England.

Leslie, Is this a rental car?

1) Have you double-checked you can take your car to the UK. Some car hire companies are funny. You would have to return this car in France.

2) For crossing the Channel, the quickest way is taking your car though the Channel Tunnel. https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/
That way you stay in the car with your dogs, unlike the ferries where you have to separate. They have a whole section on pet transport: https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/tickets/travelling-with-your-pet/

3) You will be driving a Left-Hand-Drive (French) car on the left hand side of the road. This has some difficulties: (a) seeing to overtake), (b) paying tolls and car parks.

"But, again, there is the problem with their need to go to the bathroom during the long flight."

Dogs have "bathrooms" on planes these days...........Who knew, I would've thought they'd need a toilet rather than a bathroom. :-)

Off topic as to place but on topic as to dogs: you should see the lovely dog bathrooms in JFK in the Delta terminal. A little fake grassy area for them to go to the bathroom and a hose to wash it down after. It was very impressive.