South Of England

[megfitz]

Looking for recommendations for a destination in the South of England for 6 friends to meet up for a night or possibly 2 over a weekend in the Autumn. I looked at Bath but that seems pricey to stay in the centre, other ideas are on the coast or Oxford, Arundel etc. Any ideas please.

[bednobs]

oxford = expensive. Does the location actually matter, or are you just going out/eating/drinking? Spa hotel?

[yogi-bear]

Depends on what you want, megfitz....a quiet weekend or lively one with a bit of noise and thump....Arundel is lovely and quant...nice B&B's and great restaurants, visit the castleand its grounds, a pitch and putt , Wetlands Nature Park which is really a nice day out and on the river with birds of different species and a boat safari, lovely pubs in the area, best being The Black Rabbit which is on the river near the Wetlands Centre.
Nearby there is Swanbourne Lake with its Tea Room house and very nice walk along the lake.

Now the thump -

Butlins Bognor Regis is about 6 miles from Arundel and they have some great themed weekends all throughout the year with 60's - current music artists playing there.

Brighton is just FULL of things to do - visit the lanes, the pier, the Sea Life centre, the shops which are just great if you like to shop till you drop, great pubs, restaurants and clubs ( if you wanna let your hair down )

Nearby Worthing is great too, like Brighton but with a bit of mellow thrown in, so not so hectic. Great restaurants and pubs too and lovely hotels or Guest houses to stay at.
Above all Worthing, Brighton and Bognor Regis offer you the Sea, which is brilliant to see out of your hotel window in the morning and Arundel offers you beautiful countryside And the sea is 5 mins drive down to Littlehampton/Climping

Whatever you choose.....enjoy yourselves xxxx

[Prudie]

have to add if you want a thumping time then definitely look at Bournemouth. It's nothing like its cliched reputation.

[MallyJ]

The south of England ... from London southwards? includiing the Isle of Wight ... starting in the esst at Margate? following the coast to Penzance and all places in between? Really think you need to narrow it down a bit... Hastings is interesting as is Ramsgate and Dover and Hythe have the best seafood restaurants I have found... then we could work on from there ...I think this .. if you want serious and sensible answers is far too open a question ...

[nilrac52]

Torquay???

[Maydup]

Personally I'd look for a weekend holiday let in the countryside. Maybe a barn or a lodge where you can relax, eat out, go for walks or try a particular local activity. Google holiday cottage , wiltshire, sleeps 6 , and see where you end up.

[Buenchico]

I'll add my support to Brighton.

There are lots of lovely little hotels around New Steine and you're never short of something to do in the city:
http://www.visitbrighton.com/

(Brighon is pure heaven for fans of real ale and live music!)

[hammerman]

Just north east of Brighton is the county town of Lewes.....my home town. Good rail and road links to everywhere, full of superb history, lots of eateries and lots of pubs.

Some of the locals can be a bit strange....a few have webbed fingers, drive 2CV's, wear hand knitted hemp sandals and have beards.....and that's just the women

http://lewes.co.uk/