A nice seaside...

[fliptheswitch]

I want to go out for the day on Saturday, to a 'nice' seaside.
I've always really fancied Brighton, but wondered if anyone else had any other good suggestions.
I am quite fussy about what I want, and I'm after something 'traditional'... so no loud fun fairs or loads of pubs and clubs. I know that's quite tricky these days, but there MUST be somewhere which is nostalgic. Surely??

Oh, and it has to be on the south or south/east coast.

Thanks! :)

[askyourgran]

Christchurch is nice and Lyme Regis Swanage and Dorchester.

[bednobs]

but 5 hours away chris

[joggerjayne]

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, Boxy.

I just don't like the outlet stores, theme restaurants, and modern pub. It has a "let's go and colonize Brighton" air about it.

The casino is very jolly, although I still usually play at The Grosvenor ... which is one of the most beautiful buildings in the town ... Art Deco at its gorgeous, sexy best, nestling there modestly, right opposite the Pier.

[boxtops]

Is it the Albion hotel at the foot of the pier too, used to be owned by Arabs, had some spectacular marble pillars in the foyer?

[Ann]

Right - if you are only 2 hours away from Lyme Regis why not go to "Golden Cap" its a little cove between West bay and Charmouth not far from Lyme Regis. We have stayed at a caravan park there right on the beach. If you like walking there is a clifftop walk in both directions with views over the fantastic Chesil Beach (pebbles) also at Charmouth you can look for fossils in the stones on the beach. Not far along that coast is Abbotsbury Swannery where you can see the swans on their nests and walk among them (fairly tame) and the beautiful village of Burton Bradstock with thatched cottages and chocolate box houses is nearby. Or further along is Portland, very quiet and if I remember rightly you drive over a causeway to get to it. We climbed up to the top of Portland Bill lighthouse - magnificent views (donation to charity) but it was a few years ago so maybe with health and safety rules (!) they may have stopped this. You are so fortunate having such a wonderful scenic coast near to you - the best we have is Mablethorpe and Skegness (avoid like the plague! Enjoy your day out and hope the sun shines for you B-)

[Buenchico]

I'm still sticking with Southwold, despite what Sherrardk has said!

Nearer, but a very poor second:
http://www.seewhitstable.com/

[Maydup]

Chris - I tried to sell Southwold earlier but fliptheswitch is in Bristol.

[sherrardk]

Bunechico - it was a hideous day out and I am probably not being fair to Southwold! The drive from Dunstable took ages, there was something wrong with the bus, had to sit with the worst colleagues imaginable, when we got there the bus reversed into a wall and the teachers had to take it in turns to guard the bus as the doors couldn't be locked. The sound of the word Southwold is on a par with Wookey Hole for me!

[joggerjayne]

That hotel is a bit horrid, Boxy. It's a fab location, isn't it ... but it always looks a bit ... "seedy" ?

[Buenchico]

What, a school trip when the teachers couldn't sneak off to the pub?

Now that really is bad!
(Been there, done that!)
;-)

[boxtops]

When you want a bit longer away, come and do a week's touring round Kent - we have a bit of everything here, castles, history, some lovely beaches (and some not), Canterbury with the cathedral and historical sites, Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, Sandwich - some lovely little villages - come and take a look!

[Prudie]

Surely if you're only going for the day then travel time on a BH Saturday must be a factor? Bristol to Brighton is well over 3 hours and Whitstable even longer. That'll be 7 odd hours just travelling.

[fliptheswitch]

Just had a look at the Mumbles.... it's The Gower, right? I've been to The Gower and absolutely loved it there!
I would really love to visit southwold, but it really is a tad too far for a day out.
Forget Brighton now. I've gone right off the idea.

[fliptheswitch]

Oh Sugar! I completely forgot it was a bank holiday. Bugger!

[boxtops]

LOL flip - yes, we didn't realise where you live when we were making these suggestions - but yes, it's the BH biggie on Saturday, everywhere will be heaving!

[Maydup]

In my experience of living in a tourist area, on a Bank Holiday weekend its best to go to the beach on a Saturday .

Saturday is generally the "change over day". People who've booked accomodation are arriving and last week's are going home. The roads are busy by mid morning but the beaches are quiet. They hot up again on Sunday and are positively packed by Monday.

[237SJ]

I didn`t realise you were in Bristol. I thought you were in London. That`s why I was struggling to think of somewhere nice within easy reach - it doesn`t exist! You could head to Croyde or somewhere in N Devon. Croyde`s lovely although it doesn`t have a pier. The N Devon beaches are like Cornwall.

[fliptheswitch]

Sorry, I should have said! lol!
But yeah, I was just thinking down that way because of the whole 'Brighton' thing.
I'd actually completely forgot it was a BH, but I'm not going to let that put me off... I'll just have to allow an extra hour (or two) for travelling.
I think I'm going to go with Lyme Regis, as it's not too far away and quite a few people have recommended it.

Yes, North Devon is lovely. I have been there loads and loads though, so just fancy trying something a bit different.

Thanks for all your help everyone. It really is much appreciated :-)

[giveup]

Try Sidmouth,Devon. Less than 2 hours from Bristol.

[Ann]

Fliptheswitch - We are all on tenderhooks to know if you did go to Lyme Regis and what you thought of it? It was quite a nice day here in the East midlands, bit of a cool breeze but nice and sunny on and off - hope it was ok for you and the traffic didn't hold you up. Please let us know.