The UK's top towns. The obvious and the overlooked
- Thread starter HarryB
- Start date
sean99
pfm Member
I always fancied the idea of cycling the coast of the England, Wales and Scotland. I'm not sure how the reality would hold up to my daydreams, but it does have some appeal.
Mullardman
Moderately extreme...
Had a week based in Alnwick last month. Alnwick itself is nice. As also are many of the coastal places between Alnwick and Bamburgh. Bloody freezing though...
martin clark
pinko bodger
Walking is the way to really see such edges; I've done some chunks, quickly find one can add +30% just in up-and-down distance ...
Mullardman
Moderately extreme...
Being retired helps, as you get to visit the 'big' tourist places avoiding the lunacy of Bank Holidays and other busy times.
A few possibly lesser known places that I like are not so much single towns/cities, but areas or regions.
The 'White Peak' in Derbyshire. The more rugged and bleak 'Dark Peak'
West Somerset. That whole area bounded by Exmoor to the West, The Quantocks to the East and the Brendon and Blackdown hills.
Malvern
'The Dukeries' Basically North of Nottm.
Yorkshire Dales around Skipton/Ingleton/Settle/Dent.
That whole 'borders' area around the A49 from Shrewsbury down to Hereford and Worcester, including Malvern.
A few possibly lesser known places that I like are not so much single towns/cities, but areas or regions.
The 'White Peak' in Derbyshire. The more rugged and bleak 'Dark Peak'
West Somerset. That whole area bounded by Exmoor to the West, The Quantocks to the East and the Brendon and Blackdown hills.
Malvern
'The Dukeries' Basically North of Nottm.
Yorkshire Dales around Skipton/Ingleton/Settle/Dent.
That whole 'borders' area around the A49 from Shrewsbury down to Hereford and Worcester, including Malvern.
camverton
pfm Member
Bloomin’cheek! Born and bred in Southend-on-Sea and it didn’t do me too much harm
. It’s always been a town of many parts and hidden gems; Southchurch Hall Gardens for one.One of my favourite towns is Rye. Lewes is rather delightful. Although the presence of Harvey’s Brewery might add a touch of bias.
ks.234
Half way to Infinity
Here's a shameful admission. Saltburn is about 25 miles from where I live but I've never been. I'll put that right very soon. Thanks.
Yarm is a beautiful little place. I like to ride there on my bike. IIRC Ilkley has great pork pie place.
Snufkin
pfm Member
Bloomin’cheek! Born and bred in Southend-on-Sea and it didn’t do me too much harm
One of my favourite towns is Rye. Lewes is rather delightful. Although the presence of Harvey’s Brewery might add a touch of bias.
I am also an Essex boy born and bred in Saffend. It has its moments but like most tourist traps its best visited in February or on a rainy day in March/October. If you do end up there at that time of year, Old Leigh is worth visiting. However, please, please, please avoid Southend and its environs when its busy; like many 'popular' places, it is vile.
alanbeeb
pfm Member
Having a cathedral or some kind of big old church in the middle seems to be an advantage for getting onto the "Nice towns of England" list. Beverley is quite nice. I recently spent a few days working in Lincoln - lovely town centre with decent pubs and restaurants, though its a concern to see so many sleeping rough on the streets - is that the same in all towns in rural counties?
Up here in Scotland.... a lot of small towns seems a bit hard-bitten. Peebles is quite nice for a walk along the river, Melrose has its abbey, I'm told Dunbar has become quite pleasant and benefits now from the fact that North Berwick gets far too busy when the weather is good.
Up here in Scotland.... a lot of small towns seems a bit hard-bitten. Peebles is quite nice for a walk along the river, Melrose has its abbey, I'm told Dunbar has become quite pleasant and benefits now from the fact that North Berwick gets far too busy when the weather is good.
Re-Joyce
... Jason H that is.
Somerset levels, but not really for the towns. My parents camp site if you are down that way:
http://www.stathebungalowfarm.co.uk/
Peak District - hope valley, Buxton etc.
Oxford (apart from the mad tourist days)
Lucky enough to grow up on the former and now live 10 minutes from the latter.
http://www.stathebungalowfarm.co.uk/
Peak District - hope valley, Buxton etc.
Oxford (apart from the mad tourist days)
Lucky enough to grow up on the former and now live 10 minutes from the latter.
stephen bennett
Mr Enigma
Norwich is often overlooked. We have two cathedrals, a castle, and the Norfolk broads and beautiful coast are a stone's throw away.
C4 did a programme on the city's Tudor (and Dutch) heritage.
Stephen
C4 did a programme on the city's Tudor (and Dutch) heritage.
Stephen
gintonic
50 shades of grey pussy cats
Off peak it is delightful - we stayed 3 days over Christmas and it was lovely and quiet. At peak time it is horrendous
JensenHealey
pfm Member
I agree Norwich is lovely.
I am fortunate to live in a pretty small town on the River Seven. I keep reminding my girls that they are very lucky and that when go off to the world they are unlikely to be living anywhere as nice. But there is nothing here to keep young millennials occupied. If they do well they can come back in their 40s to enjoy it properly. Unless they work in Birmingham which is commutable.
I am fortunate to live in a pretty small town on the River Seven. I keep reminding my girls that they are very lucky and that when go off to the world they are unlikely to be living anywhere as nice. But there is nothing here to keep young millennials occupied. If they do well they can come back in their 40s to enjoy it properly. Unless they work in Birmingham which is commutable.