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Original poster

Following the 'what UK places weird you out', what places ground you?

115 replies

JellieT0tz · 19/04/2025 20:03

What places in the Uk make you feel that you can breathe again?!

I live in a North East England coastal town. Despite having the beach, I quite regularly have to drive out into the Yorkshire Moors to ground myself again.

I think it may be related to Biophilia however I dont get the same relief from visiting local nature.

OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 19/04/2025 21:57

The clifftop path along Milford on sea, looking out to the IOW and the needles lighthouse

Following the 'what UK places weird you out', what places ground you?
Ted27 · 19/04/2025 21:56

@Overhaul54

I've just come back from a week in Shanklin. We've stayed in the same flat on the Esplanade for the last 5 years.
It really is my happy place. Even the man in the cliff lift recognises me now. From the minute I get in that ferry I'm at peace with the world
I don't see it as built up at all, but I live in a big city.

At home, my happy place is my allotment

MyIvyGrows · 19/04/2025 21:55

khaa2091 · 19/04/2025 21:32

Pendennis Point car park. Honestly…
I’ve gone there my whole life, usually being blasted on the cliff top.
I have a painting that features the magic tree hanging from the artists mirror as he hunkered inside his car…

I visited there for the first time about 18 months ago and it was spectacular. I walked from the railway station through the trees and it was magical.

FruitBadger · 19/04/2025 21:54

Another vote for the South Downs, the West Sussex stretch for me. And woodland, the sound of breeze in leaves.

Threelionsandalioness · 19/04/2025 21:53

It's the sea ...so calming just the sound and looking out at the water very calming.
It also works for my son who is autistic it really helps balance out his emotions and grounds him he has to have a little paddle though whatever the weather

SpanThatWorld · 19/04/2025 21:51

Swimming in Kenwood Ladies' Pond on Hampstead Heath.
Especially first thing on a spring morning with the mist rising slowly from the water.

bringonyourwreckingball · 19/04/2025 21:51

Staithes North Yorkshire coast.

unicornpower · 19/04/2025 21:50

Rathmines in Dublin, walking down the road my Grandparents and dad lived on and where I spent so many happy years is a real calming force. Our family still have my grandparents house and there’s such a calm feeling whenever I’m there, it’s like a really warm hug.

Justsaywhatyoumean123 · 19/04/2025 21:47

Forest near where I grew up in Hertfordshire

Original poster
JellieT0tz · 19/04/2025 21:44

SlB09 · 19/04/2025 20:36

OP where about in the north east are you? Just I also live in NE and go 'home' to North Yorkshire to soak in that feeling when I need to. It's actually really nice to hear someone else does this!
Also the lake district never ever fails either.

Redcar, which incidentally was named a few times on the other thread, but I expect that is because of the heavy industry that is travelled through on one of the routes in. Like anywhere it has its chavvy dive estates and then affluent areas but driving in on one road is depressing with steelworks and chemical works at either side. Even the vast beach is overlooked by former steelworks which many people love but I have always found depressing and if someone was visiting me id have them in a country hall hotel further afield than recommend anything within the town as they are mainly contractors hotels and its embarassing. I dont find the town overall weird but there is a lot of low standards of self and mutual respect.

I know of someone who became wealthy and moved away to the countryside and wants to move back as they find the place magical.

People Flock to our seafront as soon as the sun is out, there is a lovely American diner ice cream shop and soft play pumping out 50s music which has a great vibe. Then there's a few arcades but the atmosphere is lacking since the prize bingo's went.

I love that we have York, Whitby, Scarborough, Leeds, The Lake District and Newcastle all within 90 mins drive and my children can go to a local school within 15 minutes walk rather than have to shlep for miles.

OP posts:
weegiemum · 19/04/2025 21:35

Anywhere in the Outer Hebrides. We lived there a while ago, go all the time (we kept our house) and in 10 years when we retire we’re moving back. There’s not an inch of Harris that doesn’t make me feel at home. Going back in May for a week after 2 weeks in March and just can’t wait.

I love Glasgow and Scotland is full of “thin” places where there is a deep connection with the world beyond. But there’s nowhere like the Hebrides.

khaa2091 · 19/04/2025 21:32

Pendennis Point car park. Honestly…
I’ve gone there my whole life, usually being blasted on the cliff top.
I have a painting that features the magic tree hanging from the artists mirror as he hunkered inside his car…

PigInADuvet · 19/04/2025 21:30

The most "at peace" I've ever felt is sitting on Tenby beach

VivienneDelacroix · 19/04/2025 21:29

By the sea for me too.

There's a lot of research into the positive effects being near water has on wellbeing.

Wackadaywideawake · 19/04/2025 21:28

I too live by the coast in the North East. It’s beautiful, but I crave green landscapes and trees and the seaside doesn’t come close to giving me the same feels. I’ve tried to explain this to my husband but he doesn’t get it.

MyIvyGrows · 19/04/2025 21:04

Another East Yorkshire coast fan here. Also the canal towpath near my house - it’s lovely - and Primrose Hill.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 19/04/2025 21:00

I get the feeling at a certain point on my way home, when you leave the built-up town/small city and then it suddenly turns green! It's then sheep and farms for as far as the eye can see. Funnily enough, some of my neighbours have also said the same.

StrongandNorthern · 19/04/2025 21:00

The Northumberland coast.

SlB09 · 19/04/2025 20:55

I feel like I need to experience some of these places now!

EdithStourton · 19/04/2025 20:54

Woodland.
The local estuary when the tide is out, esp on winter evenings.
Swimming in open water (summer only!)

Latenightreader · 19/04/2025 20:49

Durham, especially arriving by train. It is as if I can breathe deeper and my soul lifts a little.

A really good second hand bookshop - David's in Cambridge, Barter Books in Alnwick, Castle Books in Norwich are three favourites.

phoenixrosehere · 19/04/2025 20:45

The Fife Coastal Path

I’ve been to different coasts in Europe and in the States and nothing has matched it so far. Not sure what it is, but I feel very grounded there.

Frontroomroomjungle · 19/04/2025 20:42

North Cornwall and the Lake District, specifically Keswick.

Noshowlomo · 19/04/2025 20:41

Tenby. I just love it

ClareBlue · 19/04/2025 20:39

Have just googled bracken and it looks like I was being slowly poisoned by their spores in creating my out of body state, so I'm not recommending people to do it. It was great and I don't think I have lasting issues from it. My goats won't touch it. They know.

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