Comes over one an absolute necessity to move
February 2, 2011 2:36 PM Subscribe
Recommendations for somewhere within a two-hour plane or train trip of London (not including time to get to LHR, LGW, LCY, KGX, etc.) for a three-day personal retreat. Ideally, self-catering or B&B.
Suggestions?
As with many life-changing events, I am about to achieve a major milestone and subsequently would like to take some time to reflect on life goals and professional/personal direction.
The idea is to take four days (two 1/2 travel days + three days of reflection).
Ideally, self-catering accommodation sounds ideal. Alternatively, a B&B or boutique hotel would work as well.
All suggestions are welcome, from major city centres to hideaway cottages off the beaten track. If you have a specific flat or cottage to recommend, that's even better. Cost isn't an issue but I'm thinking more rustic luxury than flash.
Some features that might be interesting are biking towns, hiking paths, farmers markets, local jazz cafes, walking cities, hillside staircases, private restaurants, vineyards, forests, artists colonies and the like. I would like great local restaurants and parks to sit and write.
I'm not thinking of anything programatic or touristy like cooking classes, yoga weekend, nightclubs, bar streets, shopping, museums, etc.
This cannot be completely off-grid as I'll be going during the week but really only a GPRS mobile signal is required.
I'd been keen to here of specific places that inspired MeFites and any similar personal journeys and tips/suggestions/input.
Also any activity suggestions to help elucidate passions/goals/desires/ambitions.
As with many life-changing events, I am about to achieve a major milestone and subsequently would like to take some time to reflect on life goals and professional/personal direction.
The idea is to take four days (two 1/2 travel days + three days of reflection).
Ideally, self-catering accommodation sounds ideal. Alternatively, a B&B or boutique hotel would work as well.
All suggestions are welcome, from major city centres to hideaway cottages off the beaten track. If you have a specific flat or cottage to recommend, that's even better. Cost isn't an issue but I'm thinking more rustic luxury than flash.
Some features that might be interesting are biking towns, hiking paths, farmers markets, local jazz cafes, walking cities, hillside staircases, private restaurants, vineyards, forests, artists colonies and the like. I would like great local restaurants and parks to sit and write.
I'm not thinking of anything programatic or touristy like cooking classes, yoga weekend, nightclubs, bar streets, shopping, museums, etc.
This cannot be completely off-grid as I'll be going during the week but really only a GPRS mobile signal is required.
I'd been keen to here of specific places that inspired MeFites and any similar personal journeys and tips/suggestions/input.
Also any activity suggestions to help elucidate passions/goals/desires/ambitions.
Canterbury could work; I've been twice and found it a nice change of pace when I lived in London.
Maybe Norwich as well -- there was a write-up of the city as a haven for writers and readers recently in the New York Times.
posted by midatlanticwanderer at 8:21 PM on February 2, 2011
Maybe Norwich as well -- there was a write-up of the city as a haven for writers and readers recently in the New York Times.
posted by midatlanticwanderer at 8:21 PM on February 2, 2011
How about Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It's half an hour from Gatwick and walks along the stunning, wild south cliffs, heading down to hidden little bays are good for the soul (as well as the thighs). There's enough walking for three days - and as the island is a tourist destination, loads of accommodation, although it's obviously off-season at the moment. If you want to get away even further, you could always go to Sark which is another hour by boat from Guernsey, also has a lot of cliffs and has no cars. Both have decent phone coverage.
posted by rhymer at 12:57 AM on February 3, 2011
posted by rhymer at 12:57 AM on February 3, 2011
Response by poster: Great suggestions thus far... any ideas for the continent itself welcome as well! Wonderful ideas, thank you thus far...
posted by nickrussell at 2:35 AM on February 3, 2011
posted by nickrussell at 2:35 AM on February 3, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by katemonster at 3:17 PM on February 2, 2011