To ask for your experiences with Bath/strange atmospheres

The difference in atmosphere between West and East Sussex is staggering, well it is to me anyway, East Sussex feels very oppressive (especially St Leonard's Warrior Square) when I'm there I can't wait to get back across the border to West Sussex where I can finally breathe again. I can't explain why it makes me feel like that, it's very odd.

@oliversmumsarmy if you watch the film ‘Spring Breakers’ it gives you the general impression of the sort of ‘underbelly’ of Florida seaside resorts. It’s a bit of a bizarre film though

canyouseethesea

This was in the early 80s when it was more gunfight at the ok Corral than a nice seaside resort that it is today.

We were in a hotel and watching on the live news a shoot out happening that we could see from our bedroom window. Yet I felt like this was the place i should live as this was home (even with the bullets flying)

I have never felt like that ever in the UK and because of Dps job we have lived in a lot of towns and cities across the UK so it isn’t based on only living on one place.

King cole. "They have an ' Unbearable Lightness of Being' feeling about them. The past civilisations of Spa towns and Medieval towns eclipse the coffee, tourist towns they have become.

The past weighs down on you because when they were created they were monolithic workhouses, innovative and powerful. Unfortunately they have now become inert, surburban backwaters with little flow and energy?"

Interesting post. Could be right. Almost as though its a caricature of its previous self. Which would lend credence to "lets build a thermae spa, but shut down Dysons's project because we must uphold our spa heritage rather than actually develop something that could be useful to the new generation of kids and cultivating new talent.

I think the sheer volume of boarded up/derelict and abandoned shops definitely gives a vibe thats not great.

"Bath is mostly a shithole, everything is grimy, cramped, toxic but expensive. Bristol is so much better, why more people don't just stay on the train through bath spa and head on to TM is baffling"

Definitely agree. Definitely what I should have done.

Glastonbury
Weird, creepy place. I couldn’t wait to leave and I usually love little towns with cafes and crafty shops. DM lives very close, I have plenty of opportunity to return, but really would rather not. I’ve only been back once, to the b&q, once since that first visit to the town. Never been to the festival, no desire.

@Oliversmumsarmy oh I love Fort Lauderdale! We stayed there and never knew it was dangerous! The beach and restaurants sea facing were beautiful.

I visited Bath for the first time with a guy I was dating years ago. We drove from London and until we reach Bath, had been getting on like a house on fire. As soon we reached our (very nice) hotel, things started to feel strained and 'not right'. I couldn't wait to get home. I finished things soon after.

I have to add that Brighton is a thoroughly tired, depressing place, so many homeless heroine addicts, try hards, old ravers who refuse to grow up. The place just has a seedy, dark vibe and is a magnet for desperadoes. The 'beach' is shite too.

ElegantAndTired that sounds like you experienced a time slip.

Exeter gave me the creeps. I felt so nervous and on edge the whole time we were there, and it was ten times worse around the cathedral area. The only place I felt remotely comfortable was at the harbour. It's bizarre, as on paper Exeter should be a perfect place for me, but it felt like the place was evil.
I'll never forget the sense of relief I felt when our train home pulled out of the station.

I had a really really bad night out in Bath that involved lots of drama, looking after a drunk friend and falling out with everyone!

Lots of places Bath included are very creepy atm because empty!

Think I must be very thick skinned as I don’t get these feelings. Stuff like traffic rain and mean locals puts me off a place. A really horrible lady told us off for having a picnic in Vouvray in France whenever we see that wine Dh and I eye roll! That said Dd2 aged 8 saw a ghost in Dublin.

We lived in Bath for a year or so whilst growing up. DM and I absolutely loved it - but DF had similar issues to OP. He put it down to the damp. Bath sits in a sort valley and during winter it's damp while during the summer it doesn't get much ventilation so the air is thick and heavy (best description I can think of). Maybe some people are more sensitive to atmospheric factors like these? I know some people get headaches due to air pressure, so could be similar. Add that to probably feeling a bit homesick, stress of uni life, possible changes in diet? and the grey British winter = recipe for depression if you ask me.

I visited Bath many years ago and don't remember feeling anything in particular. It sounds like some people find the energy there somewhat vacuous and insincere? Maybe it's bland and some people find that oppressive?

I find Oxford, Canterbury and the Isles White uncomfortable. No feeling of dread or anything but Oxford feels disjointed and lack character, i just don't like being there at all, it feels a bit harsh. Canterbury feels gloomy and a bit menacing.

I don't believe in ghosts or anything but I had a really odd experience on the IoW about 20 years ago. Went with my then boyfriend and his lovely mum who was so much nicer than him. Stayed at a hotel on the 4th or 5th floor in a really old building.

When I woke up early in the morning maybe around 6.30am, i heard music so went to the window and looked out. We had a room with sea view but what completely weirded me out and i am not able to forget is that when i looked down to what was the back garden of the hotel, I saw a crowd of people who were socialising in 19th century clothes. Women and men were talking, there was piano music but when i tried to make sense of what i was looking at as their old-fashioned clothes were so weird.... I kid you not, all i could see was fog rising, it became very foggy very quickly and for about 10 minutes I couldn't see a thing down there after which there was sunshine and not a soul to be seen.

I looked like a ghost scene in a silly movie. I promise no drink or drugs were involved in this experience. I remember thinking that the ISle of White also had a gloomy and desolate feel.

I'm feeling a bit protective of brighton here! I will just say, obviously as a visitor or tourist you'll see the city centre most, and that's where most of the problems mentioned upthread (homelessness, stag dos etc) are concentrated.

To live in, Brighton is lovely. Really lovely, unlike any other parts of the U.K. I've lived in. The sea is glorious, and right on your doorstep, the family friendly events are many, the parks and playgrounds all well looked after, the people are generally friendly and talkative, with a high proportion of alternative/creative types, which suits me perfectly. the food is incredible for a city of its size - if you like to eat out, you're in luck! The support for parents and children is great - many baby classes, council run (props to Tarner children's centre in town) and private, the royal Sussex is a great hospital with a paediatric a and e and their nhs home birth provison is top in the country. Ah I love it here.

canyouseethesea Not Miami but in US terms not hugely far away. Fort Lauderdale.
Though I have visited other areas of the US and found I could live there much happier than the UK. Apart from New York. I don’t get the same feeling.

confusedandtired99

I use Astro.com under the travel horoscopes. The scalable world map is the most readable. Just click on where you are and get the full info at the side with the crossings and lines affecting that area

Agree about Bodmin!

I was in a small Dorset village recently and there was a set of stocks by the church and I had a sudden flash of the past not exactly a woo experience more of a sudden sense of mocking, resentment, fear, people shouting, danger. I was very glad to go back to the car.

Bodmin - what a strange place!

Overseas = best decision all round

Bath is mostly a shithole, everything is grimy, cramped, toxic but expensive. Bristol is so much better, why more people don't just stay on the train through bath spa and head on to TM is baffling.

I lived in Bath for a year and it was one of my favourite places to live. I found it fun, beautiful, loads to do, great atmosphere, everything within walking distance, loved it.

Having said that though, I do know what you mean about getting a weird feeling about a place. I have been to places (buildings rather than whole towns) that felt like they had a weird vibe to them. Then again, never underestimate how utterly awful homesickness and loneliness can make you feel.

Theres paperwork, details. Its not like just going on holiday. The Brexit situation has complicated things like that. I dont know why thats difficult grasp.