I Need A Change Of Air. Recommendations Please.

[Vimto]

This question is prompted by the desire to find my ideal short break holiday destination. My health precludes strenuous exercise so hilly places are a problem. I dislike:
Busy, crowded places.
Noisy places.
Fast food.

I like:
British destination.
A fine hotel with good facilities.
Easy situated compact amenities.
Gardens & nice parks.
Band concerts.
First-class restaurants.
Good pubs but not noisy.
Boat trips.
Good ice-cream.
Good weather is a gimmee but I can read the weather forecast.

I live in Lancashire. I drive .Can anyone please recommend my perfect destination. Budget is not an issue although value for money is..

[waterboatman]

If you like the countryside and would like to stay in an excellent 4* hotel attached to and excellent pub on a canal bank, how about this one?

http://www.thetudorarms.co.uk/

I've been eating here for about 20 years. I'm a boatmaster for Cotswold Canals Trust, the favourite charter we do is a lunch charter to this pub.

[murraymints]

north Norfolk coast..Blakeney..lovely spot ..Blakeney arms hotel I think it is called..on nature reserve for bird watching..salt marsh..serene , quiet and lots of nice wee villages around to visit for lunch if you wish, Kings Lynn and Norwich not far if you want a bit more action ...Cromer nearby for a few crabs 1

[murraymints]

http://www.bing.com/search?pc=AMAZ&form=AMAZWB&setmkt=en-US&q=blakeney+arms+hotel



look here vimto

[murraymints]

you can also take boat trips out to see the seals and/or do a bit of fishing

[Buenchico]

I live in East Anglia and I'm happy to endorse MM's suggestion of the North Norfolk coast. (Also check out here Southwold in Suffolk - it's delightful)

However I'll also suggest Kent's wonderful gem, Whitstable, as well. It's very flat, with some excellent restaurants, lots of independent shops, a good range of pubs and just about everything else you could want from a ('classy but not posh') seaside resort.

Copeland House offers 4 star B&B accommodation (as good, if not better, than many top hotels). I loved staying there:
http://www.copelandhouse.co.uk/

Whitstable is also a great base for exploring. It actually falls within the Canterbury City Council district, with that fine city just a few miles away. It's also on a rail line with a good service to lovely towns such as Broadstairs and Ramsgate (which has moved itself very 'up market' in recent years), so that you could explore the local pubs without taking your car:
http://www.canterbury.co.uk/canterbury-district/Whitstable.aspx

[Buenchico]

^^^here Southwold????

I'm reversing my words now!
(I really should learn not to post when I'm sober - I never get it right!)
;-)

[VHG]

I would also give a vote for North Norfolk Coast.

I went there for the first time about 7 years ago and loved it, been back twice since.

Very flat, big skies, big beaches, lots of nature, and old fashioned seaside towns like Sherringham and Cromer.

We stayed at Hunstanton, part of which is a lovely old Victorian town.

[ummmm]

My mother lives in Wells. Lovely part of the world but very very busy.

[sunny-dave]

Helmsley is a lovely (and flat) town for a short break.

This hotel is among the best I've stayed in - fine food & comfy rooms and friendly staff :

http://www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk/restaurantsyorkshire/restaurant/

They also have a very fancy Tea Shoppe

http://www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk/restaurantsyorkshire/tearoom/

Helmsley is a very pleasant place for a wander around - lots of small 'individual' shops.

It's also a good base for some scenic drives around the N Yorks Moors.

[MargoTester]

If you did end up in North Norfolk you should visit Holt. It's a lovely Georgian town with lots of independent shops and fairly close to Sherringham. Lots of very good National Trust houses around the area too. Sandringham is also in the vicinity and I really enjoyed my visit there.