Need ideas for a Sat night / weekend thing for the missus

[mcanny]

It's her birthday on Saturday and the plans I'd made already have fallen through, this leaves me with a last minute panic to find something for her / us to do to celebrate the occasion.

We usually go aware somewhere for the night, have a nice meal, few drinks and then have a wander around something cultural / shops / tourist stuff on the Sunday.

I'm thinking of something closer to home like York / Harrogate but at this notice everything nice seems to be booked up so I'm looking a bit further out now, happy to consider anything within 100 miles of Leeds really as I want to spend more time at the place than driving too and from it.

Ideals:

1. Nice place to stay for ~£150 a night (hotel ideally, scared of B&Bs)
2. Somewhere nearby that does good food
3. Bar with cocktails & real ale to keep us both amused
4. Respectable people - I'm not old but I act like a biddy and don't like yoofs going large
5. Somewhere interesting to visit on Sunday, ideally with some kind of traditional tea room nearby to keep her happy.

I was thinking Manchester might be an option but I've never really been there for anything but gigs and when presented with lots of choice I panic a bit so it's been tricky to narrow down the search at all.

York appeals to me because it's somewhere I know and somewhere she likes but with it being the school holidays and short notice I'm struggling a bit. Having Betty's to hand would solve the tea room thing and I'm sure food and drink won't be too much of an issue, it's the hotel I can't seem to sort out.

Ideas of places to go, vague or direct would be appreciated, any hidden gems also welcome, small villages in the middle of nowhere, log cabins, tree houses etc... anything has to be better than the prospect of staying at home.

Have been trawling through all the usual hotel sites like laterooms, lastminute etc but nothing is really jumping out at me, thought it would be packed with bargains this close to the date too but if anything it seems to be more expensive.

[The Riddler]

What about the log cabins at Malton?

Although they are self catering i believe.

[gemini]

Try Middlethorpe Hall at York

Throw in a health spa treat
They do a wonderful afternoon tea too so no need for Bettys (which is over rated)
Take her to the shops the culture and then the Designer Centre is nearby for the last minute clothes bargain.

[bobda]

soxboy might be willing to sell you an evening in Bradford.

[mcanny]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, will look into those

She's from darn sarf so the whole generic Betty's thing seems to fill her with glee and I must admit the quality of their baked goods is high, I wouldn't queue for it like most do though.

bobda said:

soxboy might be willing to sell you an evening in Bradford.

Tempting as it might be I think I'd have to pass on that one, I've only been in Bradford on a night out once and I said I'd never do it again.

[Greensleeves]

Amerdale House

I can't find it's own website but here's a link on Tripadvisor. It's billed as Skipton but is actually in the heart of Littondale, gorgeous place and you'll pass loads more nice places on the way. Highly reccommended if you can get in.


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g209940-d2...

[mcanny]

Thanks again, will do some more investigation on those ones, I know the Crab & Lobster is out though, I've been pestering them for months now in the hope of a cancellation but no joy as yet... still hoping

[Greensleeves]

Jump on a choo choo pap to the big smoke and pay a visit to L'Atalier du Joel Robuchon, watch a show and stay at the Novotel Euston.

Or go the other way and enjoy Haggis Neeps and Tatties in the Wee Windaes on Princes Street in Edinburgh. Train tickets are for nowt at the minute.

[Loaded1me]

Get yourself to Scarborough! A night in a hotel and go to the Stephen Joseph Theatre.Pirates of Penzance will be playing on Saturday night. Don't be put off (not a traditional version) it's a fantastic show, and very very funny. Also the SJT has a fantastic restaurant run by Peppers, one of the best restaurants in N.Yorks.
I'm slightly biased as I work there, but it'll be a memorable night out, and something different if you're not theatre goers.

[soxboy]

bobda said:

soxboy might be willing to sell you an evening in Bradford.

I'm only doing it because it's free! (also the missus seems to hate Bradford less than me so she is quite happy to go there)

If I had bought it as a surprise birthday treat I would be in big trouble.

As for the OP's dilemma, there's Helmsley (nice hotels and cafes, plus great roads) or may be worth checking out a Malmaison or Hotel du Vin. I recently got a cracking offer on a Malmaison, suggest have a look at their website.

[blackcab]

Paddy_n_Murphy said:

Crab & Lobster Junction of A1 and A19 more or less :

Crab & Lobster

Failing that Judges up by Yarm,
Crathorne Hall again by Yarm.....


Might be fully booked mind, as it is v popular, and a Wedding Venue place too (mine there three weeks ago ;-) but I 'think' they won't do those on a Saturday )

Fit the bill :

Good food & Drinks,
Real Ale,
Rooms and / or Cabins
Some with Jacuzzi / Hot tubs too.

Cracking place - highly reccomended

[mcanny]

Thanks again but I've given up on this one for now, going to treat her with the money that would have paid for the hotel etc and then I'll book something for next month keeping all these great suggestions in mind. Sorry to ask for help and then not respond to it but this has given me some nice ideas for later

Cheers!

[delboy735]

The Blue Bell at Weaverthorpe.Admire the Aston's and Rangeys in the car-park.

Excellent food, Champagne aplenty, traditional ales, and probably very comfortable for a night. Then on Sunday, get yourself to Helmsley, and then onto Sutton bank and enjoy some great roads.

Both happy.

Job done.

[mcanny]

I'm in the dog house now it seems *sigh*

[Disko]

See if you can get yourself a late deal at Hotel Du Vin in Harrogate should have avilability and that will got you our of the dog house. Foods great, rooms are nice and parking is good and secure for the cars!

[mcanny]

Plan G now in effect, night in Sheffield, not what I had in mind but it seems to have diffused the situation and the hotel looks quite nice. Not somewhere I've ever really spent any time other than Meadowhall and gigs so I guess it'll be a new experience... one way or another

Going to be close to Leopold Square so if any locals have suggestions for food and drink around there that would be good. Warnings also appreciated, if it's safer to lock us in the room with a bag of crisps and a can of Tenants Extra then please let me know!

I'll pick up on the nicer ideas when I have more time to plan and don't have someone glaring at me all the time

[snotrag]

Sheffield is not very big across the centre so your walking distance of nearly all of it. Theres a few restaurants in Leopold square, cant remember what though. Runaway girl is a nice small bar near Hallam University.

Theres nothing mega posh in Sheffield, but its also not ALL pound-a-pint student chain pubs, as many would assume( I know those bits very well ). Some pleasant corners to eat and drink the world away.

ETA - also, contrary to what most people whove never been there assume - the city centre is rather nice nowaday - certainly makes leeds look like the filth infested dump that it is.

Edited by snotrag on Thursday 6th August 23:22

[mcanny]

Thanks snotrag, it's certainly looked nice enough down there when I've been recently so hopefully we'll have a good look around the place.

P'n'M - I suspect I'd be thrown off any golf course I dare to tread on, my skills are limited to crazy golf these days, my nearest golf experience is pitch and putt in the park in Skipton

We've stayed at a few De Vere places using their offers though, usually decent enough value as long as there isn't a wedding on.

[mcanny]

Thumbs up to Sheffield and the Leopold Hotel, had a really nice 24 hours down there, stayed around Millennium and Leopold squares mainly but went on the wheel, had nice food, bit of a wander, much more cosmopolitan that I expected and had a nicer feel to it than Leeds.

Thanks again.

[mat13]

if your goin to sheffied and are a real ale buff you have to visit either the fat cat or the devonshire ca, they do some of the best local real ale around and also have a really good atmosphere. Also tequila bar on west street is a nice relaxed bar that do some amazing cocktails.