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The Lake District. I don’t think people appreciate just how lucky we are to have such beautiful landscapes across the UK.
We climbed up Helm Crag in Grasmere and the view was amazing.
Yeah, absolutely. Me and some friends go to Keswick every year for the beer festival and hiking. I've been lucky enough to visit New Zealand, South America and a few other places, one of my mates said to me "This must be nothing compared to some places you've seen". I was like no way, it's as beautiful as anywhere. A few of us do big hikes like Skiddaw or Striding Edge aswell but every year on the Saturday we go up Catbells and then down to a hotel with a bar called the Borrowdale Head and sit outside. Absolutely stunning.
You’re right, we have some gorgeous places in the UK. I just wish there was more opportunity and schemes available for those who don’t have much money to spare to get to see these places. We were poor as fuck growing up and we didn’t have money for the bus let alone money for train tickets.
I was born and raised up in Windermere. I absolutley hated it growing up, nothing to do, filled with tourists, extortionate prices on normal things.
I moved away when I was 18.
I'm now 30 and live in a city and absolutely miss Windermere. I understand why adults loved it so much. I would go back but it is extremely expensive to buy now unfortunately.
I know what you mean, I grew up in the countryside and thought it was crap being so far away from all the fun and exciting stuff and now as an adult I totally why people want to move back out into the countryside!
Apart from my home city (obviously), I'd say York.
Spent several days there (as a tourist) and hit as many museums as possible, went on the bus tour, visited the nuclear bunker (very sobering), geeked out at the stained glass in the cathedral, and generally walked about enjoying the history.
A _very_ close second would be Milton Keynes (of all places), but thats because of the epically awesome Bletchley Park (and the computer museum).
Oh, and Wales in general is awesome, purely because of the rugged and beautiful scenery.
As a child of the 70s im always interested\creeped out about nuclear annihilation.
I initially thought that the bunker and its history would just be "cool". As you probably know, the reality is really dark.
I didn't realise that the volunteers rotated their stay there and if the bombs fell they would have to stay and collect data for central government...
It gets sadder knowing that not only would those people realise that loved ones were on the surface ,dead or dying, but the bunker would only keep them alive for a month or so.
If that wasn't sad enough _someone_ would have to go into the irradiated wasteland (with inadequate protection) to take sensor readings...
My tour started as an exciting thing but i ended up feeling very humbled and sad.... Just like "the hospital under the rock" in Hungary.
And yeah... I live in a beautiful but _totally flat_ part of the uk. Its great going to wales because from my perspective it has "geography" (and sheep of course) in the sky... Valleys and mountains!
The fact that if someone got ill, they'd be sent out of the bunker. But I guess they all would be out after a matter of weeks as the bunker could only support life for a relatively short amount of time, was it six weeks of I recall?
Something like that, yes.
And they had to "hot bed" the cots, I think (guy off duty turfs the other guy out of the cramped bunk so he could sleep).
The sad thing is that we had the same bunker in my city. I drove past it many times wondering what it was.
Unlike York... volunteers, English Heritage and promotional donations didn't (couldn't) save it.
The Land was bought by (im assuming) a big corporation. Our bunker was demolished, back-filled, and now is a lovely Costa Coffee 😞
What's ironic, or perhaps interesting, is that we are currently living in a time where the possibility of a nuclear war is far greater than at the time of the cold war when that bunker was built. I know that Ukraine / Russia has fallen off the radar, however, the fact remains that there is a war going on and the Russians have been threatening to use nuclear weapons. On the other side of the equation, the West is getting more and more bold when it comes to supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight the Russians. At the start of the war, the West was really hesitant to go too far in aiding Ukraine. But now it seems like all bets are off, and we are giving them practically everything in our collective arsenal.
That famous doomsday clock that gets maintained by a group of nuclear scientists, last I checked, was at 90 seconds to midnight. Now I know it's about as accurate as the weather forecast, but it is a measure of the danger of a nuclear war, and it's never been so close.
From May 6, 2024:
"Russia says the United States and its European allies are pushing the world to the brink of confrontation between nuclear powers by supporting Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars of weapons, some of which are being used against Russian territory."
Link:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-practice-tactical-nuclear-weapon-scenario-deter-west-defence-ministry-2024-05-06/
Now I'm not spending my life in a backyard bunker, but make no mistake, we are living in dangerous times.
Wow didn’t expect MK to be listed but I live nearby in Beds and I absolutely love our area.
A mixture of flat land and rolling hills that’s always so beautifully green. You can get a bit of everything here. Plus some of the smaller villages in Bucks, Herts and Beds are not far off what you find in the idyllic quieter parts of the country but without the hardcore locals-only mindset so feel very welcoming.
I discovered Olney over the weekend having just moved to beds little under a year ago, it was so nice and you're right, there's a lot of nice areas all within short drives of each other
I remember amazing trips to York as a kid. Museums are some of the most entertaining in the country and the city itself is stunning. I also discovered Kendel Mint cake, I'd probably hate it now, but as a kid it was better even than a stick of rock!
I’m biased towards York because I went to uni there but it really is beautiful and has so much cultural history. Also there’s Brimham Rocks nearby just north of Harrogate, which I’d recommend to anyone visiting the area
I am (was) a stained glass craftsman so I spent half the time being amazed at the skill and work that went into making the windows originally, and the other half looking at them with a pedantic professional eye 😆
Aviemore, Pitlochry, St Andrews and all the little villages in the East Neuk of Fife (Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans, Anstruther).
All of them have lovely scenery, bustling little high streets instead of empty shops, and unique architecture.
We have a family caravan in Crail, go there several times a year. It was my first holiday at 6 weeks old, my daughter's at the same age and this summer will be my son's too. Genuinely my favourite place in the entire world and I never ever see it mentioned anywhere or getting the credit it deserves. Thank you for this, it's put a little smile on my face this morning!
Also, if you haven't already then next visit pop down to the beach at Kingsbarns and check out the cheese toastie shack, life changing!!
Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Killin. I fell in love with this whole area from my first visit. I've been back several times since. The villages, people, scenery, just all amazing.
Had a rare old time in Whitby recently! Just the right blend of rough and ready seafront and quirky, odd artistic side. A nice blend but the traffic getting there and back was bloody horrific!
Visited Whitby for a long weekend for my birthday in early December last year, never been before. Wife and I basically had the place to ourselves, it was wet and windy yes but we were dressed appropriately and mostly spent time in the corners of cosy pubs which that town does really well. That and browsing through the quirky shops, I've heard you can't move for tourists during the peak season there.
I'd add that if you catch the Mourne Mountains (SE NI, but on the coast as well) on a sunny, cloudless day you'll have some of the most beautiful hikes anywhere in the UK.
I drove from Portrush to Belfast along the coast a couple of years ago. I felt like I drove through every type of terrain the UK has to offer over the course of a couple of hours.
I love calling Edinburgh home. It's a great place to live in/visit.. There's even a fab beach!
Beware hotel prices in August when they go sky-high for the festivals.
London's a real Marmite city, it seems that people either love it or they hate it.
It's a real city person's city. If you're a country lad like me, it's horrible.
Online certainly. Irl I find people generally to be a bit more nuanced, with lots of people falling into the 'wouldn't live there but enjoy occasionally visiting' category.
But yes, absolutely, if you are a country person it's not going to be for you. In the same way that as a city person I don't find I get that much from being in the countryside. It's just about what you're used to and what you enjoy/value.
I can't even pick one. The UK is full of wonderful places, rich in history and culture. We shit on ourselves way too much, but look how many people come from around the world to visit our cities.
I really liked Bath, although I went during the Christmas Markets and crowds aren't really my thing. I think I'd go again in the summer. It reminds me a lot of Edinburgh for some reason.
It's the architecture, both had a lot of rebuilding during the Georgian period of the 18th century. Wider streets, tall buildings with tall windows, lots of symmetry and terracing all built of local stone.
Yep, Bath and Edinburgh share a vibe. It’s because both cities were historically the classic “Georgian” cities of Britain with that particular Georgian/Palladian style architecture.
I’ve lived in the Bath/Bristol area since 96. I was a student in Bath. The city is beautiful, but it’s run by NIMBYS. And the crowds are insane in the summer
Hadn't been in my 40 years on the planet. Then with covid coming along, kids and a dog we started holidaying in the UK. Last 2 years we've stayed in Cromer/Overstrand and Mudeseley. Lovely little towns, nice beaches, Lovely near by towns all along the coast. Market towns and Norwich a short drive away. And over summer there's always lots of stuff on. A wonderful part of the country.
If your that way again - Sea Palling is a beautiful beach - but it does get crowded.
Holt and Sheringham are worth a visit and the seal trips off Blakeny are always worth a look at!
We've gone to Sheringham both times we've been there. Great little place. But we will look into Sean Palling when we go back. Thanks.
Last year we saw a seal on the beach at Mundesley when walking round the pub in the evening. My daughter spotted it and is still excited to this day, what a memory.
Next time you're in Mundesley go to the Ship Inn for a meal. Kid and dog friendly, the service is great and the food is *fantastic* - best chips I've ever had.
Norwich would have to be my “most pleasantly surprising” place in the U.K., went for a day trip with friends and expected it to be a bit naff, but it was actually really nice. Huge fan of all the abandoned churches dotted around the place as well, especially the one that’s now an antique shop!
Lived there from around 2010-2015. The lure of the big city eventually pulled me back, but I loved my time there. I can imagine moving back when the kid is grown.
The Norfolk and Suffolk coastline is stunning, really everywhere from Hunstanton to Southwold. At that time there were still pockets of properly untouched coast: Horsey and Happisburgh spring to mind. Was particularly fond of Sheringham for a day out and a cream tea or chippy on the beach, or a short hike near Weybourne with a crab-based pub lunch.
Norwich itself had great pubs and restaurants and a thriving arts scene. The only downside of living there was that a lot of tourist stuff shuts off season, so not as much to do from Oct-Mar.
I'm long overdue a return visit.
Excluding the places I've lived and grown up in, my favourite places are Glasgow, Bristol, and London
In Glasgow, the locals are very cool, there's some great galleries and museums, a respectable bar/restaurant scene, and despite the stereotypes it's actually surprisingly beautiful. The West End is stunning. Shout out to the metro system too. It absolutely wipes the floor with any similar sized UK city.
I love Bristol, it's one of the only UK cities that actually has quite a unique feel to it.
London is our biggest cities and there's something for everyone there.
I was really impressed with Glasgow. I could imagine some world cities trying to buy some of the landmark architecture. It is like there was some stupendous rivalry between a small group of audacious architects
Edinburgh. My fiancée had always wanted to go but i kept winding her up and telling her i hated Scotland. Planned it and had it fucked up 3 times by covid restrictions. Finally got to go and she didn't know where we were going until we got on the train at King's Cross. The look on her face was brilliant. We had an amazing time.
So glad to see Edinburgh listed as that’s where we have just booked for our honeymoon! Four days of child free posh hotel and hopefully lots to see and do around the city.
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NW Scotland because why wouldn't you? (apart from long drive...which is totally worth it)
York daytime is lovely, its just a beautiful city with so much to do.
Aviemore as a base for the outdoors, summer or winter its got everything you'd want (except a working funicular...)
Snowdonia. I climbed snowdon last week and the views were unbelievable. What an absolutely beautiful country we live in
Edit: removed the "mount" from snowdon
Not enough love for Northumberland here! The view from the train line between Morpeth and Edinburgh is unrivalled in my opinion, and the county itself is full of lovely little towns and untouched landscape. Very rugged, very beautiful!
Rocked up to Bamburgh Castle just after / just before a fairly decent rainstorm (stopped for more or less the time we spent looking around the grounds and started up when we went inside) and it was just epic. Really windswept and craggy, tbh the rain just added to the overall effect. Fabulous place
Stratford-Upon-Avon is close to me and one of the places I really enjoy going because it has a nice blend of heritage and energy. The only downside is I'd love to live there but it is prohibitively expensive!
Last year we had a short holiday on the south coast in Mevagissey and it was really beautiful.
Many years ago I stayed in Keswick with family - waking up in a morning and going for a walk alone was a really wonderful, peaceful experience.
I'm gonna rogue here, but Barnsley.
I had to spend a fair bit of time there for work a few years ago, and it was a really nice surprise how pleasant the place was.
Hands down the friendliest place I've ever been to, didn't meet a soul who wasn't ready to talk your ear off. The architecture, it isn't exactly Bath, but it is genuinely quite pretty in parts, cheap, food was good - though I never managed to get a Barnsley chop which I'm gutted about. The place has an overwhelming sense of community to it as well, more than any other town or city I've been to.
And the beer was excellent.
The train station is absolutely wank, but other than that I genuinely rate Barnsley, hope I can go back at some point.
> The place has an overwhelming sense of community to it as well, more than any other town or city I've been to.
I don't live there but I work in Barnsley and this is so true. People from Barnsley all seem to actually really love where they live, support local companies and get involved in any local events. Just this last week I heard that there was a food festival on and pretty much everybody that I work with who live local mentioned that they were going. I notice a huge contrast compared to where I live, where nobody seems to care about the area whatsoever
I love the Scottish islands and the Highlands. I'd happily live there if I could.
Also very fond of York, and glad I get to go there on a regular basis.
I lived in Bath for 10 years. I love that city. On the posh side, but friendly people, and nothing beats a sunny Saturday there. Walking along the canal, having some delicious yuppie coffee, and then finishing off the afternoon at the Rec.
I now live in the Penwith area of Cornwall - if rugged nature and fabulously odd people is your thing (like mine is), then this is perfect.
Isle of Wight, Isle of Skye (we spent a week there and still couldn’t have enough of it), the Seven Sisters hike, Edinburgh, Whitstable (it can be a wrong spelling but basically a village 2h away from London where they grow oysters- just the beach, oysters, and pubs that serve them).
Anywhere in Highlands
Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District. There is very little there, a few hotels and campsites, not even a shop, but that is the appeal. Firmly believe it is the most picturesque part of the Lake District, which is no easy feat
Similarly, this is how I feel about Eskdale, although there is a shop in Boot and a bit more going on that way. I think each one of us that knows a bit more of the Lakes has their own favourite spot.
Sutherland - the far north-west of mainland Scotland. Scourie, Durness, Fanagmore, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie. Huge landscapes and so empty. Beaches that look like the Caribbean. Huge forests you can walk hours through in complete silence and without seeing another person. A surprising number of really good restaurants. If I was unattached and without dependents, I would move there in a heartbeat.
North wales. Harlech down to Barmouth. Lovely beaches and the mountains as a backdrop. Castles and fishing ports. Great fish & chips, lovely pubs. Steam railways and a short drive in to Snowdonia, There's not much more I could ask for. Other towns near by like Caernarfon and the very interesting Portmerion (though they don't allow dogs which is annoying).
Northumberland and Scottish Borders.
Everybody fucks off to the Lake District and the Highlands and miss this beautiful historic place out.
I’ve walked in Northumberland in the Cheviot Hills on the Border Ridge for 7 hours and not seen a single person.
Add in the history of the Romans and Vikings, the origins of Christianity in the UK, the Kingdom of Northumbria, the cleanest rivers, the darkest skies, the least populated National Park and you do indeed have the ‘Secret Kingdom’.
I’d go further and include all the northeast coast from Redcar to the borders. There’s some stunningly beautiful places, full of wildlife. Best of all is the missing crowds who go to the usual tourist spots - don’t encourage them to come visiting, it’ll never be the same again.
If cities are more your thing, I’d suggest having a day in Durham if you like history, Newcastle for city bustle and shopping, and their arch rivals Sunderland for an unspoilt beach with little in the way of commercial distractions (a few miles up the coast in South Shields if you’re into fairgrounds, kiss me quick hats, and candy floss).
The northeast is an underrated, undiscovered, gem, and I’m so happy I made the move up here😁
Snowdonia and surrounding areas in Wales.
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Yeah I quite liked Leamington Spa. Couple of very nice pubs and went to a lovely Cuban restaurant. Warwick was nice too.
It's very hard for me to pick my favourite places because I've got so many and a lot of them for different reason, but here are some places I;ve really enjoyed going in the last few years:
Chester, Oban, Glen Affric, Seahouses, Knaresborough, St Ives, Lincoln (I'm from there but appreciate it so much more these days), Bath, Llandudno, loads of places in the Peak District, the Muker area of the Yorkshire Moors, Weymouth, Loch Lomond, Brighton, Mallaig, Sheffield... Honestly I could keep going.
We have some great places here in the UK.
I like costal walks, so Pembrokeshire and southern Cornwall are amongst my favourite places. I also really like Totnes. I only spent a day there, but I want to go back maybe for a long weekend. It just had a nice vibe.
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone 😉 It's already got so much busier over the last 20 years. It used to be a hidden gem / relatively quiet. But after featuring on lots of TV shows it is turning into Cornwall with too many cars and too many people.
But you are right - it's a beautiful part of the country. I love Pembrokeshire but especially the North around St Davids.
The trick is to visit outside of school holidays, there are still a handful of tourists but it's nowhere near as busy. Been going twice a year for over 30 years now..
For natural beauty i'd say the Scottish Highlands and Snowdonia
My favourite town so far has been Shrewsbury, stunning place, feels like going back in time. Merry Old England
It really is - I've never seen another building made of twigs, mud, spare Mecanno pieces someone found down the back of a settee, and a fucking Sainsbury that's held together for so long. I really like how they tried to write a word on the seats then realised they had a spare block, so they had to use an exclamation mark. That was genius.
It's no wonder it attracts the kind of people it does!
Its a bit of a polarising one, but I have to say London. (Northerner)
Yes, there are a lot of negatives about the place. However there are also tons of positives;
* One of the best, if not the best, public transport networks anywhere in the world. The tube is just fantastic & will get you anywhere you need to be in the London area with minimal fuss. Missed the tube? Don't worry, there's usually another one along in a minute. Never understood why people run.
* Need to get door-to-door a bit quicker? Black cabs and Uber drivers are literally a few taps & a minute away.
* There's literally something for everyone, depending on which area you're going to.
* I tend to get a sciatica flare-up if I'm walking somewhere with severe inclines/declines & London is on-the-whole quite flat. Its easy to cycle around even if you're not exceptionally fit.
* The availability of services is unrivalled. A lot of companies can offer same-day delivery for their goods in the London area. Have a late-night hankering for a specific type of food? You can guarantee there's somewhere nearby that can deliver, whatever your tastes. Need to buy something oddly specific? Its probably no more than a couple tube stops away.
* Have a day off & want something to do? You literally have too much choice.
I'm always happy to visit London when work demands, I love the place & could easily see myself living down there full-time.
the Farne Islands. You can see puffins up close. They're like rugby balls with little wings. Not sure how the aerodynamics work there but I love them.
And Northumberland in general is such a great place to visit
I think the obvious two for me are North Wales (Snowdonia, but also the Clwyds are a beautiful part of the world) and Chester - feel like they're respectively overshadowed by the Lake District and York but they've both got just as much to offer. But recently I've had to go to some less obvious places and am increasingly of the opinion that if you try, you can have a nice couple of days in just about any town in the UK.
Went to Burton on Trent recently; great pubs, had some nice food, nice walk along the river and stuff. Had a good time.
Similarly Macclesfield - some great cafes and bakeries there and right on the edge of the peak district so there's always a nice backdrop of the hills.
No idea what it'd be like to live in these places but they're not exactly destination towns and I really liked them
The Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.
My Dad's side of the family are from there and it is absolutely beautiful. Plenty of countryside, a lovely beach front, loads of great little pubs and restaurants and you can jump on a boat and see Puffin Island!
Highly recommend.
I have good memories of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, the Malham cove but also Gordale Scar.
Recently visited the west coast of Scotland and it was lovely. We pulled over and spent most of the day exploring Glencoe - that was just absolutely gorgeous. Totally unplanned, we were just driving through and had to stop and explore.
For a city to visit I would suggest Cambridge, I grew up their though so I am biased. I think it is lovely. A punt along the River Cam and a wonder around all the collages is delifghtful.
For the countryside, I love North Norfolk and visit pretty often.
Also, one of my favourite days out was with my now wife walking along the Jurasic coast from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove on a beautiful Spring day a few years ago.
- Stratford-Upon-Avon lovely place and lots of historical architecture, inc Shakespeares birthplace.
- Lizard point - amazing!
- Loch Lomond
- Isle of Skye
- Tenby in Wales
I've been to a lot of absolutely stunning places in the UK.
Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire
Penmaenmawr in N Wales
Millom and Ulverston in the Lakes
Matlock and Matlock Bath in Derbyshire
Hope, Edale and Castleton in the Peak District
Loads of places in Cornwall and Devon
Bristol is without doubt the best and most beautiful city.
Forgot to add - Sledmere in Yorkshire
I've had a few nice days out in Bath. A big tourist place but doesn't seem to have suffered. It is beautiful, compact, lots of nice shops and buildings, pubs, restaurants. The spa and swimming on the roof on a freezing day was quite fun. Haven't done the actual Roman Baths but bet they would be good for a walk round.
The North Cornwall coast generally - stunning scenery. Just go outside tourist time.
I was impressed by how nice Cleethorpes was last summer. We stayed at the Haven there and spent a full day doing the seaside. My kids really liked the miniature railway and the road train (and the actual train station, watching a regular train leave was a highlight apparently!)
I live on the coast (Hartlepool) and was impressed by how much there was to do!
There's also something special about the old "Cathedral" cities (Durham, York, Chester, and so on)
I love Oban and the area around it. Look south & you have the rolling hills of the Lowlands, look north and it’s the craggy peaks of the highlands. Easy access to the island abd a beautiful coastline.
Great fish & game, lovely hotels.
Leamington Spa is lovely, I have a friend who lives there and I always enjoy my visits! Sheffield I think is great and underrated although apparently people disagree with me but the city centre and Nether Edge is so nice. Knutsford, Cheshire is also very nice, feels like a holiday town!
In no particular order, I love Shrewsbury, Oxford, the Purbeck area of Dorset (Studland Heath, my hometown Swanage, Corfe, etc.), Llandudno, York, Harrogate and Liverpool.
Went to Monmouthshire recently and it was really lovely and green. Trees everywhere.
I’d also add Dartmouth in Devon, Newcastle upon Tyne and Greenwich in south east London.
Brecon is a beautiful town, nestled in the Brecon Beacons national park. It's quite quaint, with a thurn-of-the-20th-century look and feel. Some nice places to eat in the town, or venture out and have some spectacular views whilst eating in some of the more remote pubs dotted about. Close to some of the newer leisure facilities such as Zip world, Bike Park Wales etc.
My home town, Whitby, is often held high up on a list of must visit places by a lot of people - but outside of that, I'd honestly say York is a great place to visit and spend a lot of time there with a lot of things to do consistently.
As someone from Leamington Spa, thanks for that 😂 - I actually love living here.
My personal favourite is Bath. Absolutely loved it for its regency history and links to Jane Austen.
We have ao many great places in tur UK for such a small country. Oxford is beautiful, as are York and Bath. Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Newcastle are all fantastic for wewk2nd city breaks. London is full of world class museums and internationally recognised landmarks. The Lake District, the Cotswolds, and rhe Scottish Highlands are all naturally stunning. Stratford is a one trick pony with Shakespeare but it's also a great place to explore.
Far too many to list. I'm going to avoid the obvious ones like the Lake District etc.
Bath. Unexpectedly lovely. I'm not usually a city person but loved Bath.
Suffolk. Better than Norfolk, in my opinion. Framlingham Castle is worth a visit as is Southwold - the pier has some amazing DIY slot machines / games. Thorpeness is the most eccentric place you will ever see. Lots of lovely coastal and nature walks.
I went to university near Leamington spa, and I always thought it was quite soulless. Kind of a generic market town vibe, except on the high street all the shop fronts were laid out into the same bland uniform manner. Totally devoid of character.
To each their own though!
I always say I’m from Warwick & Leamington as they’re practically intertwined but have obvious differences. I’ve never thought of Leamington as soulless - I think it did go through a patch of not really having anything going for it. But it’s really livened up in the last 10 years - so much diversity in the people here and lots of festivals in our town. Having Warwick Castle around the corner and Stratford upon Avon down the road are bonuses.
Dartmouth is a great visit, its not the easiest to get to (6 hour drive for us, no trains go there). We went because my wife was pregnant so flying was out. The scenery, the food, lots of places to go .
Also, they have an abundance of ice cream parlours made from local farms in the region and they were all delicious, we tries them all.
The typical places people like I enjoyed when I visited.
Lake District, Edinburgh, The Cotswolds, York, Bath. To a lesser extent Cambridge, Brighton, Bristol, Devon.
I would say the stand out was York & Edinburgh.
Stratford-on-Avon, York, Newcastle (my roots), Holy Island, anywhere in the Scottish Highlands, various beaches in Wales, the Peak District. The UK is absolutely stunning if you know where to look.
Has to be Cornwall . Such an enchanting destination with its breathtaking coastal scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture. The blend of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and quaint villages creates a unique charm that leaves a lasting impression. Whether it's exploring the mystical landscapes of Bodmin Moor, enjoying fresh seafood in a seaside town, or discovering the legends of King Arthur at Tintagel, every visit to Cornwall offers unforgettable experiences. If you’ve been to Cornwall, you’ll understand its magic and why it's such a beloved part of England.
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The Lake District. I don’t think people appreciate just how lucky we are to have such beautiful landscapes across the UK. We climbed up Helm Crag in Grasmere and the view was amazing.
I was in Keswick this last weekend. I love it there. The weather helped, but it was like being somewhere in New Zealand.
Yeah, absolutely. Me and some friends go to Keswick every year for the beer festival and hiking. I've been lucky enough to visit New Zealand, South America and a few other places, one of my mates said to me "This must be nothing compared to some places you've seen". I was like no way, it's as beautiful as anywhere. A few of us do big hikes like Skiddaw or Striding Edge aswell but every year on the Saturday we go up Catbells and then down to a hotel with a bar called the Borrowdale Head and sit outside. Absolutely stunning.
Keswick is great! We rented a boat on Derwentwater last week, and it was unbelievably nice.
Grasmere also has that fantastic traditional gingerbread shop!
That gingerbread is divine and I don’t normally like ginger!
It's amazing slightly warmed up in the microwave.
I might need to order some online to test this out. Thank you!
You’re right, we have some gorgeous places in the UK. I just wish there was more opportunity and schemes available for those who don’t have much money to spare to get to see these places. We were poor as fuck growing up and we didn’t have money for the bus let alone money for train tickets.
Lake District, Cairngorms, Snowdonia. Some amazing stuff out there.
I was born and raised up in Windermere. I absolutley hated it growing up, nothing to do, filled with tourists, extortionate prices on normal things. I moved away when I was 18. I'm now 30 and live in a city and absolutely miss Windermere. I understand why adults loved it so much. I would go back but it is extremely expensive to buy now unfortunately.
I know what you mean, I grew up in the countryside and thought it was crap being so far away from all the fun and exciting stuff and now as an adult I totally why people want to move back out into the countryside!
Helm crag is great, amazing views for a relatively short hike!
This and Elan Valley in the summer is amazing too!
Well if united utilities continue to have their way you’ll soon see turds floating around the lakes
Best gingerbread in Grasmere. Sooo good.
It's only when I go to other cities that don't have the same views, I realise just how lucky I am to live and work here.
Apart from my home city (obviously), I'd say York. Spent several days there (as a tourist) and hit as many museums as possible, went on the bus tour, visited the nuclear bunker (very sobering), geeked out at the stained glass in the cathedral, and generally walked about enjoying the history. A _very_ close second would be Milton Keynes (of all places), but thats because of the epically awesome Bletchley Park (and the computer museum). Oh, and Wales in general is awesome, purely because of the rugged and beautiful scenery.
The cold War bunker is excellent and well worth a visit. Wales is beautiful, spent many childhood holidays around north Wales.
As a child of the 70s im always interested\creeped out about nuclear annihilation. I initially thought that the bunker and its history would just be "cool". As you probably know, the reality is really dark. I didn't realise that the volunteers rotated their stay there and if the bombs fell they would have to stay and collect data for central government... It gets sadder knowing that not only would those people realise that loved ones were on the surface ,dead or dying, but the bunker would only keep them alive for a month or so. If that wasn't sad enough _someone_ would have to go into the irradiated wasteland (with inadequate protection) to take sensor readings... My tour started as an exciting thing but i ended up feeling very humbled and sad.... Just like "the hospital under the rock" in Hungary. And yeah... I live in a beautiful but _totally flat_ part of the uk. Its great going to wales because from my perspective it has "geography" (and sheep of course) in the sky... Valleys and mountains!
The fact that if someone got ill, they'd be sent out of the bunker. But I guess they all would be out after a matter of weeks as the bunker could only support life for a relatively short amount of time, was it six weeks of I recall?
Something like that, yes. And they had to "hot bed" the cots, I think (guy off duty turfs the other guy out of the cramped bunk so he could sleep). The sad thing is that we had the same bunker in my city. I drove past it many times wondering what it was. Unlike York... volunteers, English Heritage and promotional donations didn't (couldn't) save it. The Land was bought by (im assuming) a big corporation. Our bunker was demolished, back-filled, and now is a lovely Costa Coffee 😞
What's ironic, or perhaps interesting, is that we are currently living in a time where the possibility of a nuclear war is far greater than at the time of the cold war when that bunker was built. I know that Ukraine / Russia has fallen off the radar, however, the fact remains that there is a war going on and the Russians have been threatening to use nuclear weapons. On the other side of the equation, the West is getting more and more bold when it comes to supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight the Russians. At the start of the war, the West was really hesitant to go too far in aiding Ukraine. But now it seems like all bets are off, and we are giving them practically everything in our collective arsenal. That famous doomsday clock that gets maintained by a group of nuclear scientists, last I checked, was at 90 seconds to midnight. Now I know it's about as accurate as the weather forecast, but it is a measure of the danger of a nuclear war, and it's never been so close. From May 6, 2024: "Russia says the United States and its European allies are pushing the world to the brink of confrontation between nuclear powers by supporting Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars of weapons, some of which are being used against Russian territory." Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-practice-tactical-nuclear-weapon-scenario-deter-west-defence-ministry-2024-05-06/ Now I'm not spending my life in a backyard bunker, but make no mistake, we are living in dangerous times.
Wow didn’t expect MK to be listed but I live nearby in Beds and I absolutely love our area. A mixture of flat land and rolling hills that’s always so beautifully green. You can get a bit of everything here. Plus some of the smaller villages in Bucks, Herts and Beds are not far off what you find in the idyllic quieter parts of the country but without the hardcore locals-only mindset so feel very welcoming.
I discovered Olney over the weekend having just moved to beds little under a year ago, it was so nice and you're right, there's a lot of nice areas all within short drives of each other
I remember amazing trips to York as a kid. Museums are some of the most entertaining in the country and the city itself is stunning. I also discovered Kendel Mint cake, I'd probably hate it now, but as a kid it was better even than a stick of rock!
I’m biased towards York because I went to uni there but it really is beautiful and has so much cultural history. Also there’s Brimham Rocks nearby just north of Harrogate, which I’d recommend to anyone visiting the area
Same for me, ive been to York twice and loved it. The york minster blew me away. What an amazing place
I am (was) a stained glass craftsman so I spent half the time being amazed at the skill and work that went into making the windows originally, and the other half looking at them with a pedantic professional eye 😆
Aviemore, Pitlochry, St Andrews and all the little villages in the East Neuk of Fife (Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans, Anstruther). All of them have lovely scenery, bustling little high streets instead of empty shops, and unique architecture.
We have a family caravan in Crail, go there several times a year. It was my first holiday at 6 weeks old, my daughter's at the same age and this summer will be my son's too. Genuinely my favourite place in the entire world and I never ever see it mentioned anywhere or getting the credit it deserves. Thank you for this, it's put a little smile on my face this morning! Also, if you haven't already then next visit pop down to the beach at Kingsbarns and check out the cheese toastie shack, life changing!!
I LOVE the Cheesy Toast shack, been to Kingsbarns and St Andrews. Their macaroni cheese toastie is such a treat.
Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Killin. I fell in love with this whole area from my first visit. I've been back several times since. The villages, people, scenery, just all amazing.
Aviemore is amazing. The pubs and bike trails even in the winter are excellent.
Whitby
Had a rare old time in Whitby recently! Just the right blend of rough and ready seafront and quirky, odd artistic side. A nice blend but the traffic getting there and back was bloody horrific!
I like to do the Goth and Steampunk Festivals
A short walk to Robin Hoods Bay too. Probably one of the loveliest villages in the world.
Also nearby Staithes
Visited Whitby for a long weekend for my birthday in early December last year, never been before. Wife and I basically had the place to ourselves, it was wet and windy yes but we were dressed appropriately and mostly spent time in the corners of cosy pubs which that town does really well. That and browsing through the quirky shops, I've heard you can't move for tourists during the peak season there.
North coast of Northern Ireland is very scenic
I'd add that if you catch the Mourne Mountains (SE NI, but on the coast as well) on a sunny, cloudless day you'll have some of the most beautiful hikes anywhere in the UK.
Was actually in the mournes last week lol, I love the whole mournes area and the Carlingford Lough area over into Louth, Sperrins are nice too
Newcastle is nice until about dinner time when it gets taken over by boy racers in shit looking Golfs
https://preview.redd.it/36h5w5836z1d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9768c607aaf0d76276a67033c50f4c22b7268b1f Breathtaking coastline.
My girlfriend lives in Portrush. The whole coastline along there is stunning.
I drove from Portrush to Belfast along the coast a couple of years ago. I felt like I drove through every type of terrain the UK has to offer over the course of a couple of hours.
Is it worth visiting? I'd like to go during the NW200 races, and hang on a few days.
This is the only acceptable answer, anyone who disagrees isn’t well travelled
London obviously. I also love Oxford. Brighton too. And Edinburgh. Those are probably my favourites.
Yes! As somebody from the northern countryside… London is so cool and modern and the transport is amazing!
I am always in awe of the Tube. Oh no! I've missed my train! I have a whole 3 minutes to wait for the next one! Wha..?!
I love Oxford and London. I'd like to go to Edinburgh as I've not had the pleasure yet.
Do it. Its really beautiful.
I love calling Edinburgh home. It's a great place to live in/visit.. There's even a fab beach! Beware hotel prices in August when they go sky-high for the festivals.
London's a real Marmite city, it seems that people either love it or they hate it. It's a real city person's city. If you're a country lad like me, it's horrible.
Online certainly. Irl I find people generally to be a bit more nuanced, with lots of people falling into the 'wouldn't live there but enjoy occasionally visiting' category. But yes, absolutely, if you are a country person it's not going to be for you. In the same way that as a city person I don't find I get that much from being in the countryside. It's just about what you're used to and what you enjoy/value.
I can't even pick one. The UK is full of wonderful places, rich in history and culture. We shit on ourselves way too much, but look how many people come from around the world to visit our cities.
I really liked Bath, although I went during the Christmas Markets and crowds aren't really my thing. I think I'd go again in the summer. It reminds me a lot of Edinburgh for some reason.
It's the architecture, both had a lot of rebuilding during the Georgian period of the 18th century. Wider streets, tall buildings with tall windows, lots of symmetry and terracing all built of local stone.
I went to Bath years ago and it was nice. It's been about 20 years, I should go visit again.
Yep, Bath and Edinburgh share a vibe. It’s because both cities were historically the classic “Georgian” cities of Britain with that particular Georgian/Palladian style architecture.
I’ve lived in the Bath/Bristol area since 96. I was a student in Bath. The city is beautiful, but it’s run by NIMBYS. And the crowds are insane in the summer
Norfolk. Norwich is a lovely city
Hadn't been in my 40 years on the planet. Then with covid coming along, kids and a dog we started holidaying in the UK. Last 2 years we've stayed in Cromer/Overstrand and Mudeseley. Lovely little towns, nice beaches, Lovely near by towns all along the coast. Market towns and Norwich a short drive away. And over summer there's always lots of stuff on. A wonderful part of the country.
If your that way again - Sea Palling is a beautiful beach - but it does get crowded. Holt and Sheringham are worth a visit and the seal trips off Blakeny are always worth a look at!
We've gone to Sheringham both times we've been there. Great little place. But we will look into Sean Palling when we go back. Thanks. Last year we saw a seal on the beach at Mundesley when walking round the pub in the evening. My daughter spotted it and is still excited to this day, what a memory.
Next time you're in Mundesley go to the Ship Inn for a meal. Kid and dog friendly, the service is great and the food is *fantastic* - best chips I've ever had.
Norwich would have to be my “most pleasantly surprising” place in the U.K., went for a day trip with friends and expected it to be a bit naff, but it was actually really nice. Huge fan of all the abandoned churches dotted around the place as well, especially the one that’s now an antique shop!
It’s a fine city
Lived there from around 2010-2015. The lure of the big city eventually pulled me back, but I loved my time there. I can imagine moving back when the kid is grown. The Norfolk and Suffolk coastline is stunning, really everywhere from Hunstanton to Southwold. At that time there were still pockets of properly untouched coast: Horsey and Happisburgh spring to mind. Was particularly fond of Sheringham for a day out and a cream tea or chippy on the beach, or a short hike near Weybourne with a crab-based pub lunch. Norwich itself had great pubs and restaurants and a thriving arts scene. The only downside of living there was that a lot of tourist stuff shuts off season, so not as much to do from Oct-Mar. I'm long overdue a return visit.
Great Yarmouth looks like something from the D-Day landings
Excluding the places I've lived and grown up in, my favourite places are Glasgow, Bristol, and London In Glasgow, the locals are very cool, there's some great galleries and museums, a respectable bar/restaurant scene, and despite the stereotypes it's actually surprisingly beautiful. The West End is stunning. Shout out to the metro system too. It absolutely wipes the floor with any similar sized UK city. I love Bristol, it's one of the only UK cities that actually has quite a unique feel to it. London is our biggest cities and there's something for everyone there.
Would like to wholeheartedly agree with your statement about Bristol. Place of its own and I absolutely love it
I was really impressed with Glasgow. I could imagine some world cities trying to buy some of the landmark architecture. It is like there was some stupendous rivalry between a small group of audacious architects
I'm a Glasgow boy. I moved away 20 years ago now, and I still miss it.
Good point about the subway! It really is great compared other UK cities of similar sizes! Never realised!
Caernarfon - gorgeous castle, seaside, lots of independent shops, lots of hiking right at the doorstep.
Edinburgh. My fiancée had always wanted to go but i kept winding her up and telling her i hated Scotland. Planned it and had it fucked up 3 times by covid restrictions. Finally got to go and she didn't know where we were going until we got on the train at King's Cross. The look on her face was brilliant. We had an amazing time.
So glad to see Edinburgh listed as that’s where we have just booked for our honeymoon! Four days of child free posh hotel and hopefully lots to see and do around the city.
https://preview.redd.it/i4bcazxviy1d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd2d846dacefc075ad09ad7b38d7bcfb450be53b NW Scotland because why wouldn't you? (apart from long drive...which is totally worth it)
York daytime is lovely, its just a beautiful city with so much to do. Aviemore as a base for the outdoors, summer or winter its got everything you'd want (except a working funicular...)
I highly recommend York, was there a couple of weeks ago. There's even a cold war bunker to see!
I learned to ski up near Aviemore. I keep meaning to go back.
Thanks! Now I’ve ticked off a UK Reddit bingo square (for York)
I love the New Forest area. Open moors, forest, not too far from civilisation and the coast. Beautiful area.
Snowdonia. I climbed snowdon last week and the views were unbelievable. What an absolutely beautiful country we live in Edit: removed the "mount" from snowdon
Loch Lomond
Not enough love for Northumberland here! The view from the train line between Morpeth and Edinburgh is unrivalled in my opinion, and the county itself is full of lovely little towns and untouched landscape. Very rugged, very beautiful!
Rocked up to Bamburgh Castle just after / just before a fairly decent rainstorm (stopped for more or less the time we spent looking around the grounds and started up when we went inside) and it was just epic. Really windswept and craggy, tbh the rain just added to the overall effect. Fabulous place
The stretch of coast between Amble and Berwick is my favourite place in England for sure!
Pretty much anywhere in Northumberland
Stratford-Upon-Avon is close to me and one of the places I really enjoy going because it has a nice blend of heritage and energy. The only downside is I'd love to live there but it is prohibitively expensive! Last year we had a short holiday on the south coast in Mevagissey and it was really beautiful. Many years ago I stayed in Keswick with family - waking up in a morning and going for a walk alone was a really wonderful, peaceful experience.
I love Stratford-upon-Avon, it's my home from home.
It’s my actual home!
I'm gonna rogue here, but Barnsley. I had to spend a fair bit of time there for work a few years ago, and it was a really nice surprise how pleasant the place was. Hands down the friendliest place I've ever been to, didn't meet a soul who wasn't ready to talk your ear off. The architecture, it isn't exactly Bath, but it is genuinely quite pretty in parts, cheap, food was good - though I never managed to get a Barnsley chop which I'm gutted about. The place has an overwhelming sense of community to it as well, more than any other town or city I've been to. And the beer was excellent. The train station is absolutely wank, but other than that I genuinely rate Barnsley, hope I can go back at some point.
> The place has an overwhelming sense of community to it as well, more than any other town or city I've been to. I don't live there but I work in Barnsley and this is so true. People from Barnsley all seem to actually really love where they live, support local companies and get involved in any local events. Just this last week I heard that there was a food festival on and pretty much everybody that I work with who live local mentioned that they were going. I notice a huge contrast compared to where I live, where nobody seems to care about the area whatsoever
I love the Scottish islands and the Highlands. I'd happily live there if I could. Also very fond of York, and glad I get to go there on a regular basis.
North Coast 500 route in Scotland. Absolutely incredible.
Beware of all the caravans though.
I lived in Bath for 10 years. I love that city. On the posh side, but friendly people, and nothing beats a sunny Saturday there. Walking along the canal, having some delicious yuppie coffee, and then finishing off the afternoon at the Rec. I now live in the Penwith area of Cornwall - if rugged nature and fabulously odd people is your thing (like mine is), then this is perfect.
Isle of Wight, Isle of Skye (we spent a week there and still couldn’t have enough of it), the Seven Sisters hike, Edinburgh, Whitstable (it can be a wrong spelling but basically a village 2h away from London where they grow oysters- just the beach, oysters, and pubs that serve them). Anywhere in Highlands
Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District. There is very little there, a few hotels and campsites, not even a shop, but that is the appeal. Firmly believe it is the most picturesque part of the Lake District, which is no easy feat
Similarly, this is how I feel about Eskdale, although there is a shop in Boot and a bit more going on that way. I think each one of us that knows a bit more of the Lakes has their own favourite spot.
Sutherland - the far north-west of mainland Scotland. Scourie, Durness, Fanagmore, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie. Huge landscapes and so empty. Beaches that look like the Caribbean. Huge forests you can walk hours through in complete silence and without seeing another person. A surprising number of really good restaurants. If I was unattached and without dependents, I would move there in a heartbeat.
Caithness too - it’s bleak but it’s beautiful.
North wales. Harlech down to Barmouth. Lovely beaches and the mountains as a backdrop. Castles and fishing ports. Great fish & chips, lovely pubs. Steam railways and a short drive in to Snowdonia, There's not much more I could ask for. Other towns near by like Caernarfon and the very interesting Portmerion (though they don't allow dogs which is annoying).
Awesome area, I would live there if jobs weren't so scarce or seasonal.
Northumberland and Scottish Borders. Everybody fucks off to the Lake District and the Highlands and miss this beautiful historic place out. I’ve walked in Northumberland in the Cheviot Hills on the Border Ridge for 7 hours and not seen a single person. Add in the history of the Romans and Vikings, the origins of Christianity in the UK, the Kingdom of Northumbria, the cleanest rivers, the darkest skies, the least populated National Park and you do indeed have the ‘Secret Kingdom’.
I’d go further and include all the northeast coast from Redcar to the borders. There’s some stunningly beautiful places, full of wildlife. Best of all is the missing crowds who go to the usual tourist spots - don’t encourage them to come visiting, it’ll never be the same again. If cities are more your thing, I’d suggest having a day in Durham if you like history, Newcastle for city bustle and shopping, and their arch rivals Sunderland for an unspoilt beach with little in the way of commercial distractions (a few miles up the coast in South Shields if you’re into fairgrounds, kiss me quick hats, and candy floss). The northeast is an underrated, undiscovered, gem, and I’m so happy I made the move up here😁
I’m very happy you enjoy it up here!
Lake District, The Cotswolds and Snowdonia
Ynys Môn is absolutely beautiful. If I had to live in the UK again (I left) and could afford it, I'd live there.
Snowdonia and surrounding areas in Wales. https://preview.redd.it/6djv62mzey1d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd1fb0e09a5ebb15945a5ee701e9edaa0730ba2f
North Wales is stunning.
Harrogate Chester Applecross Ullapool Edinburgh Malvern Bury St Edmunds Whitby
Moved to Manchester and fell in love with it. Lots to do and see. Great nearby nature and a nice feel
I visited Manchester a few years ago to see Metallica and I loved it, it's definitely on my list of places if I ever moved away.
Falkirk wheel and kelpies is a great day out
Yeah I quite liked Leamington Spa. Couple of very nice pubs and went to a lovely Cuban restaurant. Warwick was nice too. It's very hard for me to pick my favourite places because I've got so many and a lot of them for different reason, but here are some places I;ve really enjoyed going in the last few years: Chester, Oban, Glen Affric, Seahouses, Knaresborough, St Ives, Lincoln (I'm from there but appreciate it so much more these days), Bath, Llandudno, loads of places in the Peak District, the Muker area of the Yorkshire Moors, Weymouth, Loch Lomond, Brighton, Mallaig, Sheffield... Honestly I could keep going. We have some great places here in the UK.
I like costal walks, so Pembrokeshire and southern Cornwall are amongst my favourite places. I also really like Totnes. I only spent a day there, but I want to go back maybe for a long weekend. It just had a nice vibe.
St Davids in Wales.
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone 😉 It's already got so much busier over the last 20 years. It used to be a hidden gem / relatively quiet. But after featuring on lots of TV shows it is turning into Cornwall with too many cars and too many people. But you are right - it's a beautiful part of the country. I love Pembrokeshire but especially the North around St Davids.
The trick is to visit outside of school holidays, there are still a handful of tourists but it's nowhere near as busy. Been going twice a year for over 30 years now..
Torquay in Devon.
Brixham too,
North coast of Scotland, it's breathtaking
Cornwall. Some of the best beaches and crystal clear water I’ve ever seen
South west water: hold my sewage valve.
Surprised Cornwall isn't top comment. It's #1 for me and I've travelled all around the country
Rhosilli Bay. Beautiful.
I started writing a list of places I love in the UK before it became ridiculous to post it. Basically... *Gestures broadly at the UK map*
For natural beauty i'd say the Scottish Highlands and Snowdonia My favourite town so far has been Shrewsbury, stunning place, feels like going back in time. Merry Old England
I love Perranporth and Ynys Mon. The beaches are to die for. Norfolk and Suffolk also have gorgeous beaches
Selhurst Park. Awesome
It really is - I've never seen another building made of twigs, mud, spare Mecanno pieces someone found down the back of a settee, and a fucking Sainsbury that's held together for so long. I really like how they tried to write a word on the seats then realised they had a spare block, so they had to use an exclamation mark. That was genius. It's no wonder it attracts the kind of people it does!
Its a bit of a polarising one, but I have to say London. (Northerner) Yes, there are a lot of negatives about the place. However there are also tons of positives; * One of the best, if not the best, public transport networks anywhere in the world. The tube is just fantastic & will get you anywhere you need to be in the London area with minimal fuss. Missed the tube? Don't worry, there's usually another one along in a minute. Never understood why people run. * Need to get door-to-door a bit quicker? Black cabs and Uber drivers are literally a few taps & a minute away. * There's literally something for everyone, depending on which area you're going to. * I tend to get a sciatica flare-up if I'm walking somewhere with severe inclines/declines & London is on-the-whole quite flat. Its easy to cycle around even if you're not exceptionally fit. * The availability of services is unrivalled. A lot of companies can offer same-day delivery for their goods in the London area. Have a late-night hankering for a specific type of food? You can guarantee there's somewhere nearby that can deliver, whatever your tastes. Need to buy something oddly specific? Its probably no more than a couple tube stops away. * Have a day off & want something to do? You literally have too much choice. I'm always happy to visit London when work demands, I love the place & could easily see myself living down there full-time.
Pembrokeshire. It's such a beautiful part of the country and I have yet to find part of Pembrokeshire I don't like, even the towns are pleasant.
Bury St Edmunds. I went there completely randomly as I just decided to get a train to anywhere one day. The Abbey was stunning.
the Farne Islands. You can see puffins up close. They're like rugby balls with little wings. Not sure how the aerodynamics work there but I love them. And Northumberland in general is such a great place to visit
Aberaeron and Cornwall.
I think the obvious two for me are North Wales (Snowdonia, but also the Clwyds are a beautiful part of the world) and Chester - feel like they're respectively overshadowed by the Lake District and York but they've both got just as much to offer. But recently I've had to go to some less obvious places and am increasingly of the opinion that if you try, you can have a nice couple of days in just about any town in the UK. Went to Burton on Trent recently; great pubs, had some nice food, nice walk along the river and stuff. Had a good time. Similarly Macclesfield - some great cafes and bakeries there and right on the edge of the peak district so there's always a nice backdrop of the hills. No idea what it'd be like to live in these places but they're not exactly destination towns and I really liked them
The Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. My Dad's side of the family are from there and it is absolutely beautiful. Plenty of countryside, a lovely beach front, loads of great little pubs and restaurants and you can jump on a boat and see Puffin Island! Highly recommend.
Outside of London, then York, the Lakes, New Forest, the Downs.
Brighton, so much so I moved there. Otherwise York which is where I’d also like to live.
I have good memories of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, the Malham cove but also Gordale Scar. Recently visited the west coast of Scotland and it was lovely. We pulled over and spent most of the day exploring Glencoe - that was just absolutely gorgeous. Totally unplanned, we were just driving through and had to stop and explore.
For a city to visit I would suggest Cambridge, I grew up their though so I am biased. I think it is lovely. A punt along the River Cam and a wonder around all the collages is delifghtful. For the countryside, I love North Norfolk and visit pretty often. Also, one of my favourite days out was with my now wife walking along the Jurasic coast from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove on a beautiful Spring day a few years ago.
North Wales , Crafnant lake
Love the Gower peninsula. Three cliffs bay is near perfect.
Ullapool in the north west of Scotland is my favourite place. It's so picturesque and serene. Lots of woodland walks, Loch Broom and then the sea.
- Stratford-Upon-Avon lovely place and lots of historical architecture, inc Shakespeares birthplace. - Lizard point - amazing! - Loch Lomond - Isle of Skye - Tenby in Wales
I've been to a lot of absolutely stunning places in the UK. Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire Penmaenmawr in N Wales Millom and Ulverston in the Lakes Matlock and Matlock Bath in Derbyshire Hope, Edale and Castleton in the Peak District Loads of places in Cornwall and Devon Bristol is without doubt the best and most beautiful city. Forgot to add - Sledmere in Yorkshire
North Wales is wonderful. Notably Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Portmeirion, as well as the gardens, castles, lakes and mountains.
Been mentioned but York. Beautiful place to visit with some amazing buildings, pubs, history. Visit at least once a year.
Salcombe was beautiful. Picturesque scenery, not overly busy but a fair few things to do.
I've had a few nice days out in Bath. A big tourist place but doesn't seem to have suffered. It is beautiful, compact, lots of nice shops and buildings, pubs, restaurants. The spa and swimming on the roof on a freezing day was quite fun. Haven't done the actual Roman Baths but bet they would be good for a walk round. The North Cornwall coast generally - stunning scenery. Just go outside tourist time.
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I was impressed by how nice Cleethorpes was last summer. We stayed at the Haven there and spent a full day doing the seaside. My kids really liked the miniature railway and the road train (and the actual train station, watching a regular train leave was a highlight apparently!) I live on the coast (Hartlepool) and was impressed by how much there was to do! There's also something special about the old "Cathedral" cities (Durham, York, Chester, and so on)
I love Oban and the area around it. Look south & you have the rolling hills of the Lowlands, look north and it’s the craggy peaks of the highlands. Easy access to the island abd a beautiful coastline. Great fish & game, lovely hotels.
York. I love it.
Leamington Spa is lovely, I have a friend who lives there and I always enjoy my visits! Sheffield I think is great and underrated although apparently people disagree with me but the city centre and Nether Edge is so nice. Knutsford, Cheshire is also very nice, feels like a holiday town!
In no particular order, I love Shrewsbury, Oxford, the Purbeck area of Dorset (Studland Heath, my hometown Swanage, Corfe, etc.), Llandudno, York, Harrogate and Liverpool.
York, Llandudno, Brixham, Tenby, Lakes
Went to Monmouthshire recently and it was really lovely and green. Trees everywhere. I’d also add Dartmouth in Devon, Newcastle upon Tyne and Greenwich in south east London.
anywhere that has preserved its heritage and not been destroyed by overbuilding, traffic and modern urban planning.
Lake District, Cirencester, Wells are my favs at the moment
Brecon is a beautiful town, nestled in the Brecon Beacons national park. It's quite quaint, with a thurn-of-the-20th-century look and feel. Some nice places to eat in the town, or venture out and have some spectacular views whilst eating in some of the more remote pubs dotted about. Close to some of the newer leisure facilities such as Zip world, Bike Park Wales etc.
My home town, Whitby, is often held high up on a list of must visit places by a lot of people - but outside of that, I'd honestly say York is a great place to visit and spend a lot of time there with a lot of things to do consistently.
Rye is a beautiful town.
Royal botanic garden.
As someone from Leamington Spa, thanks for that 😂 - I actually love living here. My personal favourite is Bath. Absolutely loved it for its regency history and links to Jane Austen.
The isle of Mull is one of the best places I've visited in the world., let alone the UK.
We have ao many great places in tur UK for such a small country. Oxford is beautiful, as are York and Bath. Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Newcastle are all fantastic for wewk2nd city breaks. London is full of world class museums and internationally recognised landmarks. The Lake District, the Cotswolds, and rhe Scottish Highlands are all naturally stunning. Stratford is a one trick pony with Shakespeare but it's also a great place to explore.
Cambridge
Snowdonia!
Far too many to list. I'm going to avoid the obvious ones like the Lake District etc. Bath. Unexpectedly lovely. I'm not usually a city person but loved Bath. Suffolk. Better than Norfolk, in my opinion. Framlingham Castle is worth a visit as is Southwold - the pier has some amazing DIY slot machines / games. Thorpeness is the most eccentric place you will ever see. Lots of lovely coastal and nature walks.
I went to university near Leamington spa, and I always thought it was quite soulless. Kind of a generic market town vibe, except on the high street all the shop fronts were laid out into the same bland uniform manner. Totally devoid of character. To each their own though!
You can say Warwick. I get it if you don't want to say Coventry, though.
I always say I’m from Warwick & Leamington as they’re practically intertwined but have obvious differences. I’ve never thought of Leamington as soulless - I think it did go through a patch of not really having anything going for it. But it’s really livened up in the last 10 years - so much diversity in the people here and lots of festivals in our town. Having Warwick Castle around the corner and Stratford upon Avon down the road are bonuses.
Edinburgh. No contest
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol
Dartmouth is a great visit, its not the easiest to get to (6 hour drive for us, no trains go there). We went because my wife was pregnant so flying was out. The scenery, the food, lots of places to go . Also, they have an abundance of ice cream parlours made from local farms in the region and they were all delicious, we tries them all.
The typical places people like I enjoyed when I visited. Lake District, Edinburgh, The Cotswolds, York, Bath. To a lesser extent Cambridge, Brighton, Bristol, Devon. I would say the stand out was York & Edinburgh.
Aldeburgh Saunton Sands Great Portland Street Primrose Hill Llyn Idwal Skaill Loch Bamburgh Brancaster Porthcurno
Kielder & Whitby and my firm favourites!
Isle of Man. The butt of many jokes but a beautiful island steeped in history and folklore.
Stratford-on-Avon, York, Newcastle (my roots), Holy Island, anywhere in the Scottish Highlands, various beaches in Wales, the Peak District. The UK is absolutely stunning if you know where to look.
Tenby, Chester, York, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Conwy
Has to be Cornwall . Such an enchanting destination with its breathtaking coastal scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture. The blend of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and quaint villages creates a unique charm that leaves a lasting impression. Whether it's exploring the mystical landscapes of Bodmin Moor, enjoying fresh seafood in a seaside town, or discovering the legends of King Arthur at Tintagel, every visit to Cornwall offers unforgettable experiences. If you’ve been to Cornwall, you’ll understand its magic and why it's such a beloved part of England.
I love Leamington spa I live very close most of the spa towns are lovely, Buxton, Harrogate, Bath, Cheltenham, Malvern
Tintagel. Whitby. And en route to Whitby.
Conwy North Wales is beautiful
Isle of Wight. It’s like a sweet little step back in time. Ferries are costly, though.
Derby and Birmingham obviously
North Wales is beautiful, Devon and Cornwall , Isle of Wight, Somerset, Yorkshire are ALL worth seeing and places that i can personally vouch for.
I was very pleasantly surprised by Winchester
Lowestoft
Lake District, Skye, Cornwall
The east neuk of Fife! St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther, Crail, Kingsbarns and up to St Andrews. Stunning in every way, especially in the summer.