Slow travel style. Recommendations for UK?

Posted by jamesL on 11/14/24 03:04 AM

My wife and I like to travel slow. What I mean is ideally we like to go to a city or town that is interesting, get a hotel for 4 or 5 days. While there we explore one day locally, then take a train, bus, cab or Uber to other interesting places within an hour or so. Then explore locally. Then a day trip. You get the idea.

With that said, I’m hoping for suggestions for 3 or 4 towns or cities that fit the bill in the UK. We plan on ending our trip in London for 4 days before we head back. We’re planning on being there about one month.

Thank you all!

Posted by MapLady

Central Coast CA, USA

11/14/24 04:12 AM

133 posts

Welcome to the forum! Is this your first trip to the UK? What season?

The reason I ask is because the entire UK is very well suited to your travel style and there are SO many places you could base yourselves. If this is your first trip, there are the "top" ones like London, York, Bath, Edinburgh. If you have already been to these places, there are other ones that could equally fit the bill. Some examples are Oxford, Chester, Salisbury.

You may also want to consider your interests and the season you are traveling. I find the British countryside very interesting and I usually try to base myself in a combination of urban and rural locations. However, in winter rural locations are not as much fun. Do you like hiking? History? Shopping? Cathedrals?

I'm afraid I have asked more questions than provided answers. I hope this helps to start off your planning journey. The Rick Steves UK travel books are very helpful as they have some "model" itineraries that you can use as a starting point and then tweak to your taste. Good luck!

Posted by ramblin' on

Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus

11/14/24 07:09 AM

2594 posts

If you want slow travel then check out this excellent series of travel books https://www.bradtguides.com/product-category/books/slow-travel/ that focus on different regions

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

11/14/24 10:43 AM

16240 posts

I've been traveling to the UK for over 30 years. In the past few years I've spent between two and four months in the country. I travel all over and I've never rented a car. Just about all can be seen with a combination of train, bus, plane and day tours.

Before I can help, I need to know what time of year do you plan to go and what do you want to see

Posted by Mardee

Duluth 🛶

11/14/24 12:32 PM

7914 posts

it would also help to know what your interests are and what you look for on day trips. Do you prefer hiking or enjoy seeing museums, old ruins, castles? And do you have any idea of the areas you would like to spend time in? Would you prefer a coastal area or one with moors? Or a combination of all?

I spent almost 6 weeks in England earlier this year, and stayed anywhere from 4-7 nights in Cornwall/Devon, The Peak District, Yorkshire and Northumberland (also London and Liverpool). Every one of those places was fantastic and I loved them all. That said, I had a rental car, which made it easier to get around. Some of my favorites were Devon, especially Dartmoor National Park; The Peak (I stayed in Castleton and loved it), and North Yorkshire (I stayed at a small cottage on the moors about 5 miles from Helmsley).

Posted by jamesL OP

11/14/24 12:41 PM

2 posts

Thank for your responses! We are thinking September, even early October might be a good time. Stick to shoulder season. As for types of things we’re interested in, we both love art, architecture, history, cultural types of things. I know most locals aren’t hanging around tourists destinations, but I’d like to get the feel, as much as possible, of authentic UK along the way. Thanks again!