Recommend me a UK south coastal(ish) stopover
Discussion
I’m visiting the U.K. at the end of July and an American friend is joining me on their first trip to the U.K. We land around 7am and our first night will be a stopover in the New Forest/Bournemouth area. I’m considering Blandford Forum, Wimborne Minster or Lymington, or another quintessential smallish English market type town.
Which of those would you recommend or I’m open to other suggestions. Possibly Wareham too.
Which of those would you recommend or I’m open to other suggestions. Possibly Wareham too.
Of the ones mentioned I'd recommend Wimborne, although I can't really comment on Lymington as haven't been there for years. Blandford and Wareham in particular are a little quiet at night and a bit out on a limb although as suggested Wareham is close to Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast. Wareham has a small quay area with a couple of nice pubs on it but apart from that not much else.
Wimborne has a charm of its own and some real history although the town is expanding rapidly . For example King Ethelred of Wessex (brother of Alfred the Great) is buried somewhere in the Minster which has public access. There are some nice restuarants, pubs and tea rooms. You're also just a short direct drive to Poole so could pop down to Poole Quay, Poole harbour, see Sandbanks ! etc for more options.
Wimborne has a charm of its own and some real history although the town is expanding rapidly . For example King Ethelred of Wessex (brother of Alfred the Great) is buried somewhere in the Minster which has public access. There are some nice restuarants, pubs and tea rooms. You're also just a short direct drive to Poole so could pop down to Poole Quay, Poole harbour, see Sandbanks ! etc for more options.
Sherbourne, IMHO the quintessential market town.
https://www.visit-dorset.com/sherborne/things-to-d...
https://www.visit-dorset.com/sherborne/things-to-d...
Bobtherallyfan said:
I d opt for Lymington as it has the advantage of being on the rail network, on the coast and has easy access to the New Forest.
It's not that attractive as a town though IMO, and is heaving in summer. IMO it very much depends on where you're going next or want to see in the area. New Forest Vs Jurassic coast, Blandford/Wareham are further west which adds travel time and is less convenient travelling on unless you're heading that way.
Of the 3 you mention I'd take Wimbourne. I live very close to it & use it for supermarket shopping. It is a very nice town, though is getting very nuilt up on the outskirts with new build. Its certainly more pleasant than Lymington. To be fair there are a lot of smallish markets towns/villages in the area that you wouldn't go too far wrong with. Other examples would be Romsey, Stockbridge, Downton.
Out of the 3 I'd also vote Wimborne, especially if you're there in the evening and want a few more options.
After that it depends on how much time you have and which direction you want to head. You've got Corfe and Swanage just to the south. If you're heading north then Shaftesbury is nice with the ruined abbey, Gold Hill, etc, and you could then had over to Salisbury for a "small big city", again with a lot of history.
Or if you wanted to head towards the New Forest then Burley is a great place to visit during the day, a couple of nice pubs and nestled right in the middle of the forest with all the ponies, old buildings, etc.
After that it depends on how much time you have and which direction you want to head. You've got Corfe and Swanage just to the south. If you're heading north then Shaftesbury is nice with the ruined abbey, Gold Hill, etc, and you could then had over to Salisbury for a "small big city", again with a lot of history.
Or if you wanted to head towards the New Forest then Burley is a great place to visit during the day, a couple of nice pubs and nestled right in the middle of the forest with all the ponies, old buildings, etc.
OP here. Thanks for the input. Wimborne it is then and accommodation is now booked. I didn’t want to go much further west for two reasons. One I’ll be tired after a red eye arrival and two we are heading to Exeter the next day then onto Cornwall. I’m guessing a mid-morning arrival in Wimborne, lunch, a wander around, dinner and an early night.
Thanks again. Let’s hope some of that sun will still be shining.
Thanks again. Let’s hope some of that sun will still be shining.
geeman237 said:
OP here. Thanks for the input. Wimborne it is then and accommodation is now booked. I didn t want to go much further west for two reasons. One I ll be tired after a red eye arrival and two we are heading to Exeter the next day then onto Cornwall. I m guessing a mid-morning arrival in Wimborne, lunch, a wander around, dinner and an early night.
Thanks again. Let s hope some of that sun will still be shining.
Good choice, you're also just off the A31 for your arrival and the next days trip to Exeter . The A31 can be a bit of a nightmare if good weather in July, especially on a Friday / Sat from the M27 down to Ferndown / Wimborne. Heading down to Exeter after your visit I'd probably leave before 10am, there's a few choke points where the traffic can build later on(Dorchester by pass), Bridport etc. Thanks again. Let s hope some of that sun will still be shining.
As I said the Minster is interesting, there's a small library upstairs with volunteers who'll give a fascinating talk on the history of the place, a model village a few minutes walk away. If you're in the National Trust, Kingston Lacey is a few minutes drive away.
There's a lovely riverside walk at 'Eyebridge' which is only a few minutes away from the town centre but best driven to(narrow lanes) with a free car park.
Thanks for the info. I’m familiar with the roads being a potential nightmare in summer. I lived in Cornwall and Exeter for a few years each. I’ve been in the U.S. 21 years now but I still love visiting the West Country. Appreciate the tip on the river walk too.
DT1975 said:
Good choice, you're also just off the A31 for your arrival and the next days trip to Exeter . The A31 can be a bit of a nightmare if good weather in July, especially on a Friday / Sat from the M27 down to Ferndown / Wimborne. Heading down to Exeter after your visit I'd probably leave before 10am, there's a few choke points where the traffic can build later on(Dorchester by pass), Bridport etc.
As I said the Minster is interesting, there's a small library upstairs with volunteers who'll give a fascinating talk on the history of the place, a model village a few minutes walk away. If you're in the National Trust, Kingston Lacey is a few minutes drive away.
There's a lovely riverside walk at 'Eyebridge' which is only a few minutes away from the town centre but best driven to(narrow lanes) with a free car park.
As I said the Minster is interesting, there's a small library upstairs with volunteers who'll give a fascinating talk on the history of the place, a model village a few minutes walk away. If you're in the National Trust, Kingston Lacey is a few minutes drive away.
There's a lovely riverside walk at 'Eyebridge' which is only a few minutes away from the town centre but best driven to(narrow lanes) with a free car park.
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