Seaside towns without hills for elderly people?

[Minitoots]

My parents both have bad arthritis and can only walk very slowly with sticks, and are looking a coastal resort for their summer holiday. Their first choice is Devon- ideally somewhere picturesque with lots of art galleries too!

If not Devon, probably the south coast or Wales rather than the North of England.

Any suggestions?

[Kes]

How about Exmouth? There is a long hill down to the sea but there are hotels etc by the sea and a long flat path along the front once you're there. Not sure about galleries but if they have a car there are nice places nearby that will have them

[womanofdulwich]

I seem to remember Bournemouth has lifts down to the beach-and Cromer!

[Minitoots]

thanks for the suggestions - they aren't so bothered about going onto the beach, it's more finding a town which is flat to walk around, which is near the sea, with nice shops, museums etc nearby etc. They will not have a car...

[fapl]

Southwold?

[BeccaL]

Aldeburgh is pretty flat, doesn't have tonnes of museums but nice shops, restaurants etc

[stellakis]

Whitstable is lovely, and pretty creative. Not sure about museums, you'd need to look into it. Hope they have fun.

[intexasatthe moment]

Paignton ,Torquay ,Dartmouth ,.

Latter probably favourite IMO .

Dartmouth is good for pottering around ,has a market ,good river cruises ,fish and chips etc .

[oimissus]

Whitstable is only a hop skip and a jump from Margate and the Turner gallery there. Winchelsea is very lovely.

[cashewnut]

Sidmouth is lovely. I know of elderly people who have moved there partly as it is easy to get around. There are hills towards the edge of the town so they would have to make sure they weren't staying up one of those.

www.visitsidmouth.co.uk

[cathy p j]

I would second Exmouth. You can get there by train (change at Exeter St Davids) and it is fairly flat once there. As previously stated the long promenade is totally flat and there are cafes along the seafront for breaks. There aren't many galleries or museums but it is a short train (or bus) ride into Exeter, and if you get off the train at Exeter Central station (rather than St David's) then you are right next door to the award-winning Royal Albert Museum, and a short walk to the excellent shopping centre and the Cathedral. Exeter also has a couple of theatres (easy taxi from the train / bus station). There is a wonderful, unique National Trust property, A La Ronde, on the outskirts of Exmouth (short taxi ride from the sea-front / station / hotel) which is well worth a visit.

Trains from Exmouth to Exeter go along the very scenic River Exe estuary, and you can get off at Topsham (lots of lovely small shops, craft shops, museum, cafes etc) and beyond Exeter you can go to Dawlish and Teignmouth for a day out (or just for the ride!) without changing trains. Buses run along the coast from Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth as well, both fairly flat once you get there.

I do hope they have a lovely time wherever they decide to go!

[alice]

worthing is very flat, has a pier and long seafront promenade but somehow very very boring

[Minitoots]

ha ha, yes I know Worthing, and have to agree most of it is boring although there are some great bonkers boathouses at Shoreham on sea nearby...

Thanks for all the other suggestions too.

My parents have now started talking about Brighton (!!!) as they've never been and like the idea of The Lanes etc, so that could be where they end up instead, but I'll keep a note of all the other places in case they decide against Brighton...

[Pugwash]

Long walk from the station at Brighton and part of the high street is hilly. Bournmouth is not bad if you have a hotel nerar the park and town centre.

[oaurvey]

Devon's coast are really scenic. If you go for a holiday with your parents in Devon, I think you should stay at an accommodation which is near the coast. Jurasic coast is one of the famous coasts in East Devon to explore. I has a lot of excellet reviews as I have seen from tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g198665-d268141-Reviews-Jurassic_Coast_Dorset_and_East_Devon_Coast-English_Riviera_Devon_England.html. If you want to go there, here are lists of cottages where you can explore Jurasic coast easily: http://www.bluechipholidays.co.uk/devon-holiday-cottage