craftyhunnypie Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 I didn't want to hijack a thread, so have posted separately! We are planning a caravan holiday starting in Aberytwyth / Devils Bridge, then on to Newport, Gloucester & Bristol areas. Thing is I get bored with the same old high streets. Anyone recommend anywhere round those areas to visit that have independent shops, quaint winding streets, hidden treasures, pubs & cafes? I like rivers too! Seaside or lakes & mountains - we love it all! Just fed up with the same old stuff when I go on holiday...Claires, Monsoon, WHSmiths, Boots and so on. Stuff I can buy in my home town. Want something a bit different as well as these regular shops. Plus suggestions of what to do in certain places of stay We've been on the Devil's bridge railway, we've done Cheddar Gorge. Hubby wasn't that impressed with Glastonbury. So any other recommendations? Pleease? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 have you tried going North bound? or East? we have some interesting places on the East coast - Whitby is fab for its weird shops and dracula theme and there are plenty of places near whitby - Staithes, Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire Moors - you could go to Heartbeat country you could even go a little further north for Saltburn (oldest cliff-lift - vertical railway i think its officially called) or Hartlepool for the Tall ships race (comes in about 8th August )(Redcar and see me ) Newcastle, Durham, Northumberland, Alwnick (Harry Potter No. 1 was filmed here) Ok, ive just re-read your post and realised that you are starting down south, so you would have a mega journey to get up here - sorry, should have read properly first cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebC Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Westonbirt arboretum is lovely. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Don't know if it would be too far out of your way, but I always like Monmouth for a wander around. Oh, and if you were heading more towards Gloucester rather than Bristol, I'd recommend stopping at Ross on Wye, just a few miles from us and a fairly unspoilt little country town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Symonds Yat maybe? & Malvern - not sure what the shops are like though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 The Wye Valley's lovely, you've got Tintern Abbey and Tintern Old Station and a walk along a section of Offa's Dyke is pleasant. I've done it from Tintern to Chepstow (nice shops and very impressive castle). You can walk across the old Severn bridge. Newport's a bit iffy, although there's a lot of work being done there (and before anyone gets offended, I was born in the Lydia Beynon (now the Celtic Manor Resort) and lived around there for 24 years, so I speak from experience! ). Though it does have Tredegar House on the western outskirts. Caerleon is good if you like the Romans, excellent amphitheatre and Caerwent is just down the A48 with well preserved Roman walls. Dewstow Gardens are very pretty, http://www.dewstow.co.uk/gardens.htm off the beaten track just outside Caldicot, restored Victorian grottoes and underground gardens. Taurus Crafts, just outside Lydney http://www.tauruscrafts.co.uk/ has a really nice cafe and some lovely craft shops and deli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 If you go to Aberystwyth there's a lovely walk you can do over the hill at the North end of North beach which takes you to Clarach bay (the next bay along), and if you feel up to it, continue to Borth (the next bay again). Also, there are some lovely little shops called Polly's which I love which you could visit. There's also plenty of rivers nearby with lovely walks alongside them. If you go down to Bristol, would a visit to Bath be an option? There are some lovely unique shops there. I can't remeber the name at the moment, but theres a lovely beads shop where you can buy beads and everything you need to make your own jewellery. Worth a visit if that sort of thing interests you. Actually in/around Bristol, there are some really nice pubs near the centre, about a 5 minute walk from the shopping areas, and there's St Nicholas' Market which is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 If you fancy a visit to the Cotswolds whilst down that way I'd recommend Bourton on the Water. Quaint little shops, a nice river you can dip your toes in and lots of nice places to eat. http://www.bourtoninfo.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share Posted May 30, 2010 We go to Aberystwyth a lot - as we love the area & plan on moving that way. Oooo Bourton on the water. Only ever passed through there. I like Bath! I love the sound of the market - love a good mooch round a traditional market! Was that Bristol or Bath? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 St Nick's market in Bristol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
