To ask for your experiences with Bath/strange atmospheres

[AliceInBlunderland13]

Semi-regular poster but I’ve name changed for this as the details could be quite outing. Also not really an AIBU but posting for traffic and all that…
There have been two periods in my life when I have lived and/or worked in the city of Bath, Somerset and I’ve experienced problems with my mental health on both occasions. The first was right after I finished by undergraduate degree in London and I moved to Bath to do a Masters at the university. I started in the October and by Christmas I was experiencing terrible panic attacks and depression. I did manage to complete the course but as soon as I finished I ended the tenancy on my flat early and moved back home. I then worked in my home town for a few years, during which time I had no problems with my mental health. Then I decided to do a PhD and took a position again at the uni in Bath. This time I didn’t move there but instead moved to a nearby town and commuted in. Yet again within a couple of months of being there I began experiencing daily panic attacks, terrible anxiety and feelings of dissociation, and depression. I tried to stick it out (had counselling, on meds etc) but I still felt utterly miserable so I recently quit the course and found a new job in another town.
Even after having counselling, I’ve never truly got to the bottom of what triggers these episodes. Logically, it could be stress related as both a Masters and a PhD are obviously a lot of work but then I dealt with the stresses of my undergraduate course just fine, and the job I had between my Masters and PhD was high-stress and I loved it – in fact I used to think I worked best with a bit of pressure.
Then the other day, I was reading an old thread on here (bored while I wait to start my new job ) about places people found creepy. Several people mentioned that they didn’t like Bath or that it had an odd atmosphere – I think one poster described it as ‘melancholy’. Now normally I’m very rational and logical (except when the anxiety takes over ) and wouldn’t give it a second thought, but I couldn’t help wondering if anyone has any experience of feeling anxious/down in a particular place, or if anyone else has felt this ‘atmosphere’ in Bath? I know some will say it’s a load of pish but I guess I’m just interested in other people’s experiences really…

[TheyDoDoThat]

You just sounded homesick.

[sirmione16]

It's very historic and some buildings can feel almost held in time. Perhaps that gives it the eerie feeling. I personally find Bath beautiful, if it wasn't so busy I'd live there

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

I had a strange experience in Hastings

Only way I can describe the feeling was that it was overwhelming menacing

I think feelings can be left in a place like stamped there but also knowing the history it’s easy to imagine something

[ShesGotBetteDavisEyes]

I’ve never been so can’t comment however I feel the same when we’ve visited Buxton - another spa town! You have to drive through a very bleak, desolate countryside to get there and it feels really cut off. We went into a victorian tearoom that was nice but a bit weird. There are some lovely things there like a big park with a lake and a big Victorian glasshouse but it always feels like a bit of strange atmosphere. I wouldn’t want to live there.

[lidoshuffle]

I love Bath and have always wanted to live there, so no, don't find it depressing.

On the other hand, I find Port Isaac creepy but everyone else thinks it's a lovely Cornish holiday destination. I think it's because one side was in deep shaddow on the times I've been there, but there's something else too.

[Handsnotwands]

I love Bath, but it is a city of extremes, a big homelessness problem juxtaposed with tourists taking photos and shopping and having fun, and not a great deal of "normalness" in between

[MerlinsBeard87]

I'm originally from Bath and still visit frequently to see family. No weird vibes from me I love it. I know people say similar about Glastonbury but I love it there too.

[annabell22]

DD is in her second year at Bath Uni now. She's as happy as Larry, as usual, and so are all her mates. Maybe you were just unlucky.

[ManonBlackbeak]

There’s a small town in North Wales called Betws Y Coed, it’s considered very pretty and is a touristy type of place. Coach trips often stop there for example. I find it depressing and oppressive and always have done, since I was child when my parents would often take us there for the day.

[happymummy12345]

I remember going to bath once. I quite liked it, especially the Roman baths.

[Bezalelle]

I get like this about the High Rocks in Kent. There's a big pub/inn there and the garden has such an oppressive atmosphere. DH and I had a really bizarre afternoon tea there. Absolutely no energy in the air. We felt like we were in some sort of dead zone.

[RingPiece]

I'm with you on this, OP. I've been a number of times as have friends who live there and each time I can't wait to leave. I just feel headachy, sick and tired when I'm there, and back to my usual self as soon as I've keft.I think it's something to do with it being in a dip or valley.

I also feel similarly ill around Bloomsbury in central London.

[ohtheholidays]

I went to Bath along time ago now but I really loved,I went once just me and my Mum and then the second time I went with my Mum and Dad,I loved the baths and the fudge shop was gorgeous as well.

One place I cannot stand is Stonehenge,any time we'd had to drive near there I felt such darkness and oppression it was horrible,it would make my head hurt and I would feel sick,thankfully we no longer drive past there.

[EstebanTheMagnificent]

There have been a few MN threads about people who have felt similarly in Malvern.

[NaiceHamPlease]

There are high levels of radon gas in in Bath, I wonder if the other places mentioned have similar, I know it's higher in Cornwall. I thought it was linked to lung cancer risks but you never know.

[TrixieTheWhore]

A lot of people say the same about Glastonbury and "ley lines".

[NaiceHamPlease]

Obviously looking for a non woo answer here but just check and Malvern and most of Wales have higher than average levels too......

[dogrilla]

The times I've lived in Bath have been by far the happiest of my life. I feel like its hills and history hold me in place. I get funny vibes in Glastonbury (but that's probably because every time I go there's something kicking off on the high street).

[Thisisanillegalbingogame]

I had that in a town in France called Cast St Guido (or something similar). Perfectly normal town but it just felt wrong to me. I have looked it up and found nothing about it but was a strange feeling.

[FruityWidow]

Born and bred Bathonian and I don't think the city has weird vibes but I do think it's dustier than anywhere else I've ever lived. Even friends who moved to the town have remarked about the dust. Possibly something to do with the oolitic limestone.

[lidoshuffle]

Plot your creepy experiences on the Radon map! Most plces mentioned here are bang in the middle, or at least on the edges, of them!
www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps

[Buscake]

Bath is my hometown and I hate it. I rarely go back - inbred, posh and out of touch. No mystic vibes that I’ve noticed though.

[NaiceHamPlease]

@lidoshuffle that's what I was looking at, there may be something in it! Interesting.

[Luckypoppy]

I feel like this in Le Havre.

[lidoshuffle]

@Naice - High Rocks isn't, so that's that theory down the plughole, but it is very near Tunbridge Wells, another old spa. Maybe there's some seriosly hacked off water nymphs cursing and calling us all CFs.