I’ve got a free weekend and I want to get away. My criteria: I’ll be on my own, so there’s got to be enough to keep me entertained. I don’t drive, so public transport’s got to be good. I finish work at 6pm (although I could wangle finishing at 5) on Friday and I’d rather not have a six-hour train journey to get to my destination (travelling from Reading station). I’m not exactly flush, so money is a consideration. Hostels a bonus.
So, where shall I go? I’m thinking maybe Bath or somewhere in Wales. Or more north. Or somewhere else. I don’t know! Suggestions?
I was going to suggest Edinburgh, as its gorgeous, but it’ll be a long train journey from Reading. How about the Peak District, and do some hill walking or something, and take in the scenery…
I’m more of a city person than a walking-in-the-hills person. But I do like castles. And roman ruins. Bath is looking increasingly promising. They must have hostels there. Think they’ll need booking this time of year? Anyone want to come with me?
Go to Ben’s Cookies. They are down one of the little side streets near the baths. There are no better biscuits anywhere.
If you go to the baths themselves, and you get one of those things with buttons which tell the history of the place, press #99. This triggers a stroppy message telling you to stop stealing the handset. Turn the sound up really loud and enjoy!
Otherwise I’d second Lyme Regis or suggest Betws-Y-Coed.
One day when I was working in a shop, an elderly gentleman came in wearing a Ben’s Cookies T-shirt. I went up to him and said “Great sweatshirt! I LOVE Ben’s Cookies!” He replied: “I’m Ben.”
Superb people watching, great historic ‘stuff’ (Abbey, Tor, etc), lots of nice nicey-nackey ‘shoppes’ - as well as the dippy-hippy nonsense, the B&B’s are reasonably cheap and Matron says the prospect of sex with strangers is surprisingly high.
Oh yeah, what London_Calling said. Glastonbury town is gorgeous, and there are lots of hostels. And the train goes there too. The Chalice Well gardens are wonderfully peaceful (and you can see where I got the inspiration for my tattoo) and the view from the top of the Tor is extraordinary.
Hmmm, seems I was a bit wrong: Castle Cary’s the nearest station to the festival (which isn’t itself actually in Glastonbury) but I can’t find a rail map to see if there’s anywhere nearer.
Or a little coastal run to, say, Cyril’s old chum Lyme Regis - in sunnny Dorset, ennit, me ole darrr.
v. popular with girlies wanting to do the Meryl Streep thing on the Cobb and a quaint little gaff all ‘round.
Bonus: Cream tea with a buch of leering and dribling old codgers, even If I won’t be there.
Can’t help with the Railway, I’m afraid. I do know Wells isn’t that far away, though.
Saw the title, Fran, and immediately thought of 1001 places. Then I remembered that you don’t drive…
Unfortunately I’m one of these inconsiderate and hypocritical yahoos who views the countryside as the perfect place to visit but insists on driving there. Then bitches about all the cars. And I hate cities. As such, my input is somewhat less than stellar on this question.
