Places in the UK that have been surprisingly good/bad
Discussion
theplayingmantis said:
Maldon likewise is in the process of being changed forever from a once small and characterful estuary town that has benefited from no railway in retaining its charm, to a huge over developed dormitory town - at least the population growth should solve the rampant inbreeding in Maldon! That is if the incomers can bear the barmysness of the locals!
Give me six!Know what you mean about Beaulieu Park but I think Chelmsford - as in the centre - retains a certain charm and niceness.
StevieBee said:
Going to put in a shout for north Essex; particularly Dedham Vale but most of the county north of the A120 (except Braintree) is one of the loveliest regions in the South East IMO.
Plymouth rarely gets a mention and a place I quite like. The Hoe and Barbican are great places.
On the other side, the one place I'd really like to like but can't is Hull. I can't put my finger on why. People are nice enough and lots of interesting stuff there. A lot of money was spent to spruce the place up for the City of Culture thing but was really a grand exercise in municipal turd polishing.
I see your Braintree and raise you Harlow.Plymouth rarely gets a mention and a place I quite like. The Hoe and Barbican are great places.
On the other side, the one place I'd really like to like but can't is Hull. I can't put my finger on why. People are nice enough and lots of interesting stuff there. A lot of money was spent to spruce the place up for the City of Culture thing but was really a grand exercise in municipal turd polishing.
But don't bloody go round telling everyone how lovely the rest of rural north Essex is compared to the congested London overspill dormitory with attitude the middle and south of the county has become over the last 40 odd years otherwise it won't stay lovely for much longer.
I'm marking Cornwall down. I love the place, and spent many happy summers there with grandparents as a child.
But now it can't cope. Getting past Bristol to Cornwall in the summer takes about 50 billion hours. When you get there you will find that any town or beach is heaving - assuming that you were lucky enough to find somewhere to park in the first place.
You may then decide to head to a restaurant where you have previously eaten good grub. But you will find that the menu has been dumbed down for the summer tourists and it is now chicken in a basket....
And then you face the return journey, where it will take another 50 billion hours to break past Bristol.
This year we went to the Isle of Wright instead. and what a revelation. - but if you are reading this... please carry on heading to Cornwall instead!
But now it can't cope. Getting past Bristol to Cornwall in the summer takes about 50 billion hours. When you get there you will find that any town or beach is heaving - assuming that you were lucky enough to find somewhere to park in the first place.
You may then decide to head to a restaurant where you have previously eaten good grub. But you will find that the menu has been dumbed down for the summer tourists and it is now chicken in a basket....
And then you face the return journey, where it will take another 50 billion hours to break past Bristol.
This year we went to the Isle of Wright instead. and what a revelation. - but if you are reading this... please carry on heading to Cornwall instead!
We went to Cornwall a few years ago in a camper. I wasnt really looking forward to it that much, as I thought it'd be a bit over-rated and as I'm more at home with mountains and hills (Scotland/Lakes/Dales) then it wouldnt be for me but I loved it. We started beside North Devon and made our way right round the peninsula.
By far my favourite was the Lizard, just something about the place I couldnt quite put my finger on but I really liked it. The biggest let down was Newquay - total s
t hole in comparison. Lands End was disgustingly over-commercialised which meant I just passed it by in the car park.
I too didnt think much of the Cotswolds. Spend a couple of weekends there and whilst the villages are very pretty, the place is a bit dull with not much going on.
By far my favourite was the Lizard, just something about the place I couldnt quite put my finger on but I really liked it. The biggest let down was Newquay - total s
t hole in comparison. Lands End was disgustingly over-commercialised which meant I just passed it by in the car park. I too didnt think much of the Cotswolds. Spend a couple of weekends there and whilst the villages are very pretty, the place is a bit dull with not much going on.
schmunk said:
mrtwisty said:
Brighton - I'm told it's lovely...
I assure you it is not.'Lovely' not perhaps the word I would use, perhaps 'vibrant' would be better. Brighton has always had something about it, you just need to go out and find it.
had ham said:
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.Cornwall is undeniably great - except Newquay, which is uncharacteristically spoilt and down-market with stag and hen do types (my surprisingly bad nomination).
All of Cornwall is heaving in the summer hols though - when it is better to head to Pembrokeshire instead. Like Cornwall but quieter, and a lovely part of the country.
West Dorset and East Devon doesn't get much attention - Lyme Regis has been mentioned, but Sidmouth is a nice quiet original seaside town. Weston is pretty shabby in comparison though.
All of Cornwall is heaving in the summer hols though - when it is better to head to Pembrokeshire instead. Like Cornwall but quieter, and a lovely part of the country.
West Dorset and East Devon doesn't get much attention - Lyme Regis has been mentioned, but Sidmouth is a nice quiet original seaside town. Weston is pretty shabby in comparison though.
had ham said:
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.Addingham in Yorkshire; we wanted a relatively cheap midweek break in the summer for the 2 of us and 2 of our dogs, all the usual places that you think of; Cornwall, Wales, the Lakes etc were expensive and we thought probably too touristy, then a friend of the wife's suggested Addingham; we'd not even thought of Yorkshire.
It was glorious, the walks, the stunning scenery, it was lovely and we even had fantastic weather too (it was pissing down all week at home), plus the 1 bed studio flat was only £330 for 5 days.
It was glorious, the walks, the stunning scenery, it was lovely and we even had fantastic weather too (it was pissing down all week at home), plus the 1 bed studio flat was only £330 for 5 days.
Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 25th February 10:50
Edited by HTP99 on Sunday 25th February 10:51
surveyor said:
This year we went to the Isle of Wight instead. and what a revelation. - but if you are reading this... please carry on heading to Cornwall instead!
I had a great time there about 18 months ago. Really nice towns and villages, slightly weird but not threatening locals and a slower pace. I especially liked the pier in Sandown and the old tube stock trains. Tourism quite well restricted by the cost and capacity of the ferries so it will never get as crowded as Cornwall will. Saying that I have not been to Cornwall except as a small child. I would want to go off season and see everything without the crowds.I also liked Liverpool when I visited a few years back, there is quite a bit to see there.
Southampton was three years of my life I would rather have spent elsewhere.
Plus one for Liverpool, spent a couple of nights in the Albert dock last February and liked the place so much we were back for a few nights again in October with our caravan (Stayed outside Liverpool and went in on the train). Lots to see and do for most ages and the place was very clean.
Llandudno, York, Weymouth, Callander, Loch Lomand all nice.
Places I wouldn't go back to - Ayr, Evesham, Wrexham.
Llandudno, York, Weymouth, Callander, Loch Lomand all nice.
Places I wouldn't go back to - Ayr, Evesham, Wrexham.
StevieBee said:
Kewy said:
Was a little disappointed with the Cotswolds to be honest, had heard great things and although there were pockets of picturesque villages etc I found it a bit boring on the whole.
I'd second that. I'd also say I've yet to experience anywhere else in the UK where the locals so obviously make you feel unwelcome.
Love the Cotswolds - great driving roads, good shops, nice countryside, etc. and the people are generally friendly... so give it another go
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff