Places in the UK that have been surprisingly good/bad
Discussion
In the spirit of the other thread, and UK centric so we can test them out more easily, are there any hidden surprising places you have come across in the UK that you were not expecting, or conversely that you expected more from?
For me Bath was a bit meh. People have said Stonehenge.
I was surprised Newcastle was enjoyable and Bolton.
For me Bath was a bit meh. People have said Stonehenge.
I was surprised Newcastle was enjoyable and Bolton.
Jumped off a cruise ship in Liverpool a couple of years ago. Fantastic place and lovely people. Only had a day there but felt completely at home. I would heartily recommend a tour around the city and if you can, take in the museum at the docks. Lovely building and really interesting stuff about the 'pool.
JM
JM
theplayingmantis said:
For me Bath was a bit meh. People have said Stonehenge.
I've wanted to visit Stonehenge as it's not too far from where I live, others have suggested Avebury as an alternative. They seem pretty close to each other so why not see both I'm thinking?Things like this are something I think should be seen once, but once is usually enough.
theplayingmantis said:
I was surprised Newcastle was enjoyable and Bolton.
Speaking of the North, I've had Hartlepool suggested to me... but the bloke was from Hartlepool.In either case, looking forward to the responses as I intend on touring around the UK for a bit in the next year or two as I've got more time off.
captain_cynic said:
theplayingmantis said:
For me Bath was a bit meh. People have said Stonehenge.
I've wanted to visit Stonehenge as it's not too far from where I live, others have suggested Avebury as an alternative. They seem pretty close to each other so why not see both I'm thinking?Things like this are something I think should be seen once, but once is usually enough.
theplayingmantis said:
I was surprised Newcastle was enjoyable and Bolton.
Speaking of the North, I've had Hartlepool suggested to me... but the bloke was from Hartlepool.In either case, looking forward to the responses as I intend on touring around the UK for a bit in the next year or two as I've got more time off.
Avebury is great. a couple of decent pubs there too.Plus its in the whole world heritage site, along with west Kennet, the avenue, the ridgeway, silbury hill and the sanctuary, which i find very interesting, and there are some great walks linking all the sites and you can get up close and personal to them (apart from silbury these days, although people still climb up it) unlike Stonehenge.
Funnily enough the wife and I did Stonehenge and Avebury one day (with a pub lunch in the middle) last July (14th - I remember because it was our anniversary - Exciting stuff eh? 
)
Anyway, we had an English Heritage Membership, so it was free to get into Stonehenge - Always worth a look, but being old enough to remember the days when you could clamber over the rocks and stand up against them, it feels a bit remote now. One good thing is that you can reasonable photos, because the people aren't in the way!
I don't think I'd pay what they charge, though, to be honest.
Avebury isn't as impressive as Stonehenge, imo, but it's impressive in its own way, with the stones and the earthworks - It's actually quite a long drive (further than you think from looking at a map, anyway) between the two, but you can do them in a day.
Surprised people are a bit down on Bath, we did a trip around the baths at night once (20+ years ago now though), which was wonderful and it's a picturesque town.
Brighton always seems a bit disappointing to me, but even my old home town of Bournemouth is going the same way...
M.
)Anyway, we had an English Heritage Membership, so it was free to get into Stonehenge - Always worth a look, but being old enough to remember the days when you could clamber over the rocks and stand up against them, it feels a bit remote now. One good thing is that you can reasonable photos, because the people aren't in the way!
I don't think I'd pay what they charge, though, to be honest.
Avebury isn't as impressive as Stonehenge, imo, but it's impressive in its own way, with the stones and the earthworks - It's actually quite a long drive (further than you think from looking at a map, anyway) between the two, but you can do them in a day.
Surprised people are a bit down on Bath, we did a trip around the baths at night once (20+ years ago now though), which was wonderful and it's a picturesque town.
Brighton always seems a bit disappointing to me, but even my old home town of Bournemouth is going the same way...
M.
The Leaper said:
No, not pagans, just coincidence as we're stopping off in the area for two days on our way back from a week in Cornwall.
R.
'Avebury Well Water' is a very decent pint, despite being brewed by Greene KIng (not that they advertise it as such) and can be got in the Red Lion which is in the circle/village itself (think its chain pub but very historic). Waggon & Horses which is on the A4 just before the roundabout that you can turn off at for Avebury does far better food though imo.R.
if you haven't been before, there's a nice walk from avebury on the ridgeway around via silbury, then towards the sanctuary, cross the A4 down into East Kennet village then around the back crossing the a4 into avebury again beside the cricket pitch. if you feeling energetic can extend and divert it to west kennet long barrow or windmill hill and get all the sights/sites in.
marcosgt said:
Funnily enough the wife and I did Stonehenge and Avebury one day (with a pub lunch in the middle) last July (14th - I remember because it was our anniversary - Exciting stuff eh? )
Anyway, we had an English Heritage Membership, so it was free to get into Stonehenge - Always worth a look, but being old enough to remember the days when you could clamber over the rocks and stand up against them, it feels a bit remote now. One good thing is that you can reasonable photos, because the people aren't in the way!
I don't think I'd pay what they charge, though, to be honest.
Avebury isn't as impressive as Stonehenge, imo, but it's impressive in its own way, with the stones and the earthworks - It's actually quite a long drive (further than you think from looking at a map, anyway) between the two, but you can do them in a day.
Surprised people are a bit down on Bath, we did a trip around the baths at night once (20+ years ago now though), which was wonderful and it's a picturesque town.
Brighton always seems a bit disappointing to me, but even my old home town of Bournemouth is going the same way...
M.
yes they are a fair distance, always go a4 down to the west country, and come back a30/303 so always pass Avebury on the way down and stop as a start of holiday tradition. )Anyway, we had an English Heritage Membership, so it was free to get into Stonehenge - Always worth a look, but being old enough to remember the days when you could clamber over the rocks and stand up against them, it feels a bit remote now. One good thing is that you can reasonable photos, because the people aren't in the way!
I don't think I'd pay what they charge, though, to be honest.
Avebury isn't as impressive as Stonehenge, imo, but it's impressive in its own way, with the stones and the earthworks - It's actually quite a long drive (further than you think from looking at a map, anyway) between the two, but you can do them in a day.
Surprised people are a bit down on Bath, we did a trip around the baths at night once (20+ years ago now though), which was wonderful and it's a picturesque town.
Brighton always seems a bit disappointing to me, but even my old home town of Bournemouth is going the same way...
M.
bath does look good for a night tour, but I've been dragged round there town a couple of times for whole days and just couldn't see the point after we'd seen the baths and cathedral.
mantis,
Thanks for the info,
I've always wanted to visit Avebury, and we never have despite going reasonably close by (A303) to Cornwall twice a year out of season for the past 30 years or so for family visits.
I am sure we will visit one if not both pubs! We are actually staying in Chiseldon for two nights.
Not sure about the suggested walk, though: my knees and legs are probably not up for it now!
R.
Thanks for the info,
I've always wanted to visit Avebury, and we never have despite going reasonably close by (A303) to Cornwall twice a year out of season for the past 30 years or so for family visits.
I am sure we will visit one if not both pubs! We are actually staying in Chiseldon for two nights.
Not sure about the suggested walk, though: my knees and legs are probably not up for it now!
R.
The Leaper said:
mantis,
Thanks for the info,
I've always wanted to visit Avebury, and we never have despite going reasonably close by (A303) to Cornwall twice a year out of season for the past 30 years or so for family visits.
I am sure we will visit one if not both pubs! We are actually staying in Chiseldon for two nights.
Not sure about the suggested walk, though: my knees and legs are probably not up for it now!
R.
you wanna get on the a4 next time! (maybe a bit far north for you depending on where in surrey) its a great driving road down to the west, much more relaxing and fun than the m4, until you get to near chippenham when its a bit of a faf getting down to the 303 via trowbridge and frome.Thanks for the info,
I've always wanted to visit Avebury, and we never have despite going reasonably close by (A303) to Cornwall twice a year out of season for the past 30 years or so for family visits.
I am sure we will visit one if not both pubs! We are actually staying in Chiseldon for two nights.
Not sure about the suggested walk, though: my knees and legs are probably not up for it now!
R.
its worth checking out all those sites, either way, each has a carpark near enough, west kennet long barrow is slight walk uphill but its well worth it for views even if the long barrow itself isnt much to see, and to me at least they all give off a nice vibe. im not spirutual or into the new age stuff or anything like that, but the landscape around there does seem to give off a vibe that has something ancient/timeless about it, maybes is the sun on the chalk landscape and the effect it has on the light, i dont know, just seems slightly otherworldly in that neck of the woods. Its captured brilliantly by the artist Anna Dillon.
deckster said:
Lands End. My god, what a festering pustule disfiguring the otherwise beautiful backside of Britain.
Conversely, Glasgow. Worked there for three months and consistently found excellent restaurants, lively bars, and friendly people.
land end i remember as a kid going to see tunnels through time and my gran getting stuck on the land train (she had done her knee in playing tennis the day before and it didnt stop long enough for her to get off) and some petting zoo there and 'cornish gold' whatever that was.Conversely, Glasgow. Worked there for three months and consistently found excellent restaurants, lively bars, and friendly people.
its even more commercialized now it seems and the charges seem to be ridiculous i popped in in the summer and immediately turned around again in the car park. its worth visiting the end bit just to say you've been and there's some nice views. to avoid the silly pricing its worth parking at sennen cove and walking to lands end if your mildly fit.
Bexhill on Sea a very agreeable little place with impeccable automotive heritage http://www.bexhill100.co.uk/history/bexhillmotorin... which was a surprise...
Riley Blue said:
One area that never disappoints is the Northumberland coast; so much to see with great walks, lots of history and fantastic views and beaches.
I'd second that - the Ship Inn in Newton by the Sea has to be one of the best places ever for a pint and sea-food lunch. Stunning coastline.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff