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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:
AbsolutelyPatsy · 18/05/2021 07:11

*posh

Whereismymojo · 18/05/2021 07:12

Cambridge. I went back to the gym this week, to David Lloyd and was actually disgusted by the snobbish, ridiculous judgemental conversations between women in the changing room.

I mean, it’s always been like that. But when you’re in it day to day you don’t see it anymore. All of a sudden I hate the place.

Latelatelate · 18/05/2021 07:32

Parts of N London which parts? I'm curious.

Strangely, Stoke Newington for a start. Pretentious and snobbish all in one.

Cardiffwales · 18/05/2021 07:48

Berkhamsted. Rude and Snobby.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 18/05/2021 08:04

Stoke Newington used to be a dump. As did that whole Islington/Highbury sort of area. How things have changed!

I was just commenting to a friend that I was surprised at the many mentions of Oxford and not one for Cambridge (but see that's no longer the case). I would have thought with those two cities it's more academic snobbery than social climbing snobbery? And I'd put their residents on the same type of footing as Bath (although possibly not quite so affluent!).

Divebar2021 · 18/05/2021 08:07

I bet I could visit a lot of these places and not have a single “ snobby” encounter the whole time.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 18/05/2021 08:15

i was being rehoused to a notorious town, the health visitor said north or south, turns out north was ok, but south was where i was going. still it was better than the snobby town in which i met the hv

Letsgetreadytocrumble · 18/05/2021 08:15

Stoke Newington used to be a dump. As did that whole Islington/Highbury sort of area. How things have changed!

Dahling, I think you will find that the correct name for that place now is actually 'Stokey'... Wink

KaptainKaveman · 18/05/2021 08:16

Archway used to be proper rough. Now it's all pimped up and regenerated. I miss the old ways though. I grew up around there and my Nan lived on Despard Road. I used to walk all the way from Archway to Jones Bros on the Holloway Rd which died in the late 80s Sad.

Does anyone know if the dear old James Selby's is still there?

Spudlet · 18/05/2021 08:17

I was going to say nowhere I’ve been, but actually Ashstead, in Surrey. Where local residents started a campaign to prevent a house being converted into accommodation for families visiting wounded service people at Headley Court, which was a rehabilitation centre. People could be treated there for months or even years, and for many families the cost of a hotel was prohibitive, so a charity decided they could help. The locals complained that it would devalue their property.

The charity won.

Miserablecat · 18/05/2021 08:18

I live in one of the places that has come up regularly Blush
I'm sure I'm not snobby, I'm not posh , I earn a very average wage, I dont own red trousers and I dont eat duck eggs for breakfast!!
Most people here have (or seem to have) huge disposable income and some have no self awareness about it but I dont think they are snobby.
I fail to see how a whole town can be snobby?
People might have encountered snobs , or snobbish behaviour, in the towns they mention but I'm pretty sure they cant accurately say the towns entire population were snobs!

MN is pretty snobby in itself - I've never heard so many mentions of old money and new money until this thread!

Latelatelate · 18/05/2021 08:21

Stoke Newington used to be a dump. As did that whole Islington/Highbury sort of area. How things have changed!

I know! 😃

Chillychangchoo · 18/05/2021 08:24

@HelloCanYouHearMe

That’s hilarious, Cheylesmore 🤣. Bet that went down well.

DeeleysMum · 18/05/2021 08:31

@Divebar2021

I bet I could visit a lot of these places and not have a single “ snobby” encounter the whole time.
I tend to agree.
Darkmood · 18/05/2021 08:31

@Miserablecat

I live in one of the places that has come up regularly Blush I'm sure I'm not snobby, I'm not posh , I earn a very average wage, I dont own red trousers and I dont eat duck eggs for breakfast!! Most people here have (or seem to have) huge disposable income and some have no self awareness about it but I dont think they are snobby. I fail to see how a whole town can be snobby? People might have encountered snobs , or snobbish behaviour, in the towns they mention but I'm pretty sure they cant accurately say the towns entire population were snobs!

MN is pretty snobby in itself - I've never heard so many mentions of old money and new money until this thread!

And all the comments on this thread about Luton have been pretty snobby too!
orangecinnamon · 18/05/2021 08:33

@Spudlet

I was going to say nowhere I’ve been, but actually Ashstead, in Surrey. Where local residents started a campaign to prevent a house being converted into accommodation for families visiting wounded service people at Headley Court, which was a rehabilitation centre. People could be treated there for months or even years, and for many families the cost of a hotel was prohibitive, so a charity decided they could help. The locals complained that it would devalue their property.

The charity won.

Have not driven through the area for years but DH always used to get wound up by the sign that said 'Please drive carefully through OUR village' !
ExiledinIslington · 18/05/2021 08:41

@KaptainKaveman yes, James Selby's is still there although they dropped the James bit from the name a few years back.

buffyp · 18/05/2021 08:45

@Mrsjayy

Edinburgh all of it ? I can't say I've been anywhere specific that's been snobby.
It’s not. There are parts that are quite posh as with any city but I haven’t found it snobbish at all.
mynameisbiggles · 18/05/2021 08:47

Richmond in Yorkshire. Snobby and full of that 'Yorkshiremen speak their mind' shit.

pepsicolagirl · 18/05/2021 08:57

@sergeilavrov

Horsham. I’m convinced they based Hot Fuzz on the locals.
Grin

Yes it really is very snobby in Horsham and bugger all to do. Southwater is worse though. FULL of pretentious types.

Divebar2021 · 18/05/2021 09:11

Have not driven through the area for years but DH always used to get wound up by the sign that said 'Please drive carefully through OUR village'

Ashtead is an exceptionally normal place and that’s a very common sign in villages. If people are irate by very everyday occurrences they might want to consider some kind of relaxation techniques.

SamusIsAGirl · 18/05/2021 09:16

You think that's rude. How about 'Millbrook. Obey the Speed Limit'.

That was in Bedfordshire - I can see some people could see the villages in Bedfordshire snobby but I found a lot of places a bit insular and people a bit strange. Not many young people who didn't have children.

ohforarainyday · 18/05/2021 09:20

Gosh some of these places! Both Luton and Watford are the exact opposite of snobby - unless they're being snobby about whose children have the most ASBOS.

I'm from Barnes (SW London). It's very wealthy, certainly, but not at all snobby. It's an extremely friendly and down to earth place to live.

SamusIsAGirl · 18/05/2021 09:21

We used Millbrook as a village infested with undead in a LARP campaign DH and I wrote because it seemed so unfriendly.

Gladimnotcampinginthisweather · 18/05/2021 09:25

Having been born and bred in Watford (and couldn't wait to get away) I think I should point out that people pay a lot of money to live there in very modest houses, presumably because it is relatively close to London.