Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Snobbiest places in the UK?

865 replies

phranes · 15/05/2021 18:59

Following from similar threads about overrated and underrated places in the UK... where are the snobbiest places in the UK?

From the places I've been, I'd say Harrogate, Oxford, and the rest of the Cotswolds.

OP posts:
Killergigglebunnies · 15/05/2021 23:18

Everyone in Luton shops either in Milton Keynes, Brent Cross, (dare I say it Watford) and surprise! Harpenden. There are people with money in Luton, which you might be surprised by. But like ‘are all northerners on benefits and work down coal mines’, err, no, it’s a complete fallacy.

SarahAndQuack · 15/05/2021 23:19

Snobs are usually new money not old.

Grin But that's the worst sort of snobby comment in itself!

There are definitely twee bits of Bath and Edinburgh - most touristy cities have their twee element. Tea shops with arch names that cater to hen parties spring to mind.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 15/05/2021 23:20

@Killergigglebunnies

Everyone in Luton shops either in Milton Keynes, Brent Cross, (dare I say it Watford) and surprise! Harpenden. There are people with money in Luton, which you might be surprised by. But like ‘are all northerners on benefits and work down coal mines’, err, no, it’s a complete fallacy.
So where about's in Luton is safe to visit?
WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 15/05/2021 23:20

Harrogate
Ilkley

tonimitchell · 15/05/2021 23:20

Haha....love it! This is good insight as most of us probably don't have access to the whole spectrum of snobbery grin

If you have time, please do elaborate on the differences between the social climbers and those who were born into it!

I can tell you.

middle class are people that believe that they are upper class. I know air stewardesses that have married pilots and travel first class and know so and so from uni that knew one of the royal family. Their family did well a few decades ago and sent them to boarding school = higher life status.

I know upper middle class who actually don’t give a fuck about the class system because they are it. Their houses are are in magazines despite being total shitholes in real life, one of my friend who’s actually been in a home magazine and has a write up about her - her house is BAD. She has a gym horse and piano in her living room because they give zero fucks - and don’t own a tv.

SamW98 · 15/05/2021 23:23

@Jongleurterre

Portmeiron.
God yes - especially if you dare to be English, want to buy a drink and don't speak Welsh
Talkwhilstyouwalk · 15/05/2021 23:25

@tonimitchell

Haha....love it! This is good insight as most of us probably don't have access to the whole spectrum of snobbery grin

If you have time, please do elaborate on the differences between the social climbers and those who were born into it!

I can tell you.

middle class are people that believe that they are upper class. I know air stewardesses that have married pilots and travel first class and know so and so from uni that knew one of the royal family. Their family did well a few decades ago and sent them to boarding school = higher life status.

I know upper middle class who actually don’t give a fuck about the class system because they are it. Their houses are are in magazines despite being total shitholes in real life, one of my friend who’s actually been in a home magazine and has a write up about her - her house is BAD. She has a gym horse and piano in her living room because they give zero fucks - and don’t own a tv.

Fuck, I think I'm closer to middle class than upper class then! I went to boarding school but my house has certainly never been in a magazine! Grin
lostlife · 15/05/2021 23:25

@WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld

Harrogate Ilkley
The people of Harrogatd are delightful

It is the southern incomers who are arrogant and rude

wheresmymojo · 15/05/2021 23:27

Sunningdale in Surrey

wheresmymojo · 15/05/2021 23:29

@Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo

Winchester Farnham

Two of my favourite places Grin

Changechangychange · 15/05/2021 23:34

@wheresmymojo

Sunningdale in Surrey
Agree. Weybridge and Woking are also full of people with a completely inexplicable superiority complex Grin
Wiredforsound · 15/05/2021 23:35

It’s Portstewart in Northern Ireland, voted The Town Most Up Its Own Hole, 2020.

theulsterfry.com/world-news/portstewart-wins-town-most-up-its-own-hole-2020-after-extra-time-drama/

wheresmymojo · 15/05/2021 23:38

I'll also add New Alresford in Hampshire (just outside Winchester)

But I think I must be a snob as Guildford, Farnham, Winchester, New Alresford & Hartley Wintney are my favourite places and I've lived in two of them and got married in another!

Divebar2021 · 15/05/2021 23:38

Why this obsession with posh / snobs? There’s actually nothing wrong with being “posh” whatever your definition of that is. If we started a thread on common or chavvy places I’m sure that would go realllllllllyyyyyy well.

Sillybeagle · 15/05/2021 23:41

Agree with Holt and Burnham Market. Several years ago we were in a pub in Burnham Market (the main one) and we were sitting there having a drink next to a guy who had an adorable well behaved little dog with him- dog just happened to be a staffie. Suddenly there was a commotion as a family walked past us, the little girl about 3 went straight to pat said dog saying ‘oooh doggy!’ Only to be met by a cry of horror from her mother who pulled her back.

Now I thought she was going to tell the girl not to touch the dog without asking but oh no! She said ‘no dahhllling we never touch those sort of dogs!!’ Turns out you need to be a certain class of dog in Burnham market.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 15/05/2021 23:41

Woking? Isn't that where people who can't afford either Guildford or closer to London reside?

Alonim · 15/05/2021 23:42

Southwold and Salcombe

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 15/05/2021 23:42

@Divebar2021

Why this obsession with posh / snobs? There’s actually nothing wrong with being “posh” whatever your definition of that is. If we started a thread on common or chavvy places I’m sure that would go realllllllllyyyyyy well.
Haha, indeed. Not to mention anywhere specific but I actually think there might be a bit of overlap......
EastWestWhosBest · 15/05/2021 23:45

If you have time, please do elaborate on the differences between the social climbers and those who were born into it!

Social climbers want to be better than they are and are willing to shit on the person below them to get it.

The gentry know that we all need to work together. They need the working classes to actually do stuff for them so they know how to not be a complete dick.
When I was a kid both my parents worked ‘at the big house’. The family were lovely. In the summer they had a summer fair for local children and another one at Christmas. Over the summer holidays we could use their swimming pool on Tuesday and Thursdays. If a child from the village went to university then they would give them a small grant. They looked after the village organising litter picks and cleaning of the church yard. They owned nearly all the houses in the village and everyone rented from them. My parents rented from them and they bought the house eventually.
Sadly running a large house costs money which they simply didn’t have. They sold it and most of the houses they owned had be bought over the years. The big house is now a yoga retreat.

whiteroseredrose · 15/05/2021 23:45

Very handy thread this. Several places I've lived or live in have been mentioned. If I ever need to move I've already got a shortlist. Thanks.

Newstepchild · 15/05/2021 23:46

Yeah but posh isn’t the same as snobby

tonimitchell · 15/05/2021 23:46

Talkwhilstyouwalk I’m working class through and though but my kids go to private school and it’s amazing to see the dynamics of the parents.

Middle class climb over themselves to prove how established or well off they are. Everything is about perception. Upper classes give zero fucks and don’t care if their kids are crawling out of of the car looking like their kids hair hair have been brushed with a toffee apple and their tie is hanging off.

True story in my experience!

My area is full of middle class people thinking they are upper class!

queenofthenorthwest · 15/05/2021 23:47

South Liverpool. Just because they have more blossom trees.

queenofthenorthwest · 15/05/2021 23:47

@ZednotZee

West Kirby.

The only place in Merseyside that sells out of the Daily Fail by 10am.

West Kirby 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Furries · 15/05/2021 23:48

@Divebar2021

Why this obsession with posh / snobs? There’s actually nothing wrong with being “posh” whatever your definition of that is. If we started a thread on common or chavvy places I’m sure that would go realllllllllyyyyyy well.
In my eyes, there’s a difference between being posh and being a snob. I know some great posh people and have met some godawful snobs.

On the flip-side, there are many amazing people with not much to their name who are amazing and would do anything for anyone and then those who are absolute scrotes.

Being posh does definitely not equal being a snob. Snobs are in a whole class of their own!