Places that make you feel uncomfortable.

[SingingKettles]

And those that make you feel very comfortable, too!
I mean in the UK, or could possibly be outside it too.
I don't mean tourism exactly, just places where you felt uncomfortable or were eager to return home from. It doesn't have to be a bad area, it could easily be somewhere known to be beautiful and thriving.

For me it was Hebden Bridge, a sort of looming gloominess I couldn't shake off. I know people who live there so visit a few times per year, and that sensation never changes. It isn't easy to explain.

As much as I adore Shrewsbury (it has a cat cafe, so it's a winner!) I have felt a bit off there, too. A sense of manic energy, insanely loud traffic in the town centre, I found that I couldn't seem to rest, even in the suburbs.. A shame because I loved so much about it and it is a very friendly place with gorgeous buildings.

Liverpool didn't work for me either. I find the local people to be so helpful and lovely, but something about the Mersey and especially the docks made me feel unutterably depressed (yes, I know it's history, but it wasn't simply that).

Ambleside made me on edge also, and unlike the rest of the areas amongst the fells I felt drained there. It didn't help having single file sized pavements so everything felt slightly dangerous and overwhelmed.

Now for my favourites:

I do love Ludlow though, I felt so calm and at peace there. The light was mellow and soft. There wasn't all that much to do, apart from the good grub and castle, but I could live in an attic there and paint all day forever. If only..

I also loved Edale in the Peak District. A very tiny village with one shop if I recall and a great pub called the Nag's Head. I used to feel as if my heart was being torn out when I had to go home. I felt as if the landscape there had it's arms around me, softly.

I was happy in Penrith, although this was 10 yrs ago so it may have changed somewhat since. I hadn't wanted to go as it looked miserable and grey but I felt so at home there.

I also adore just throwing myself into the heart of London. I always come alive there. Not sure I'd move in, even if I could afford it (!) but yeh.

In utter fairness to MK I went through by car immediately to a rather dystopian construction site so probably haven't seen its best sides!

Hate Milton Keynes, you can't see any landscape from many of the roads. so feel very claustrophobic and hemmed in. Like in a maze you can't get out of.

Love Brighton, feel very relaxed and at home the first time I visited.

Bristol
Blackpool
Most of south west London
North London
East London
I don't mind the actual city of London itself though

I wouldn’t describe The Coldharbour as “desolate”. Not much of it is social housing now either. What an odd thing to say

ALL of North and East London?

Love both Troon and Maidens. Maidens is better especially if you have lunch in the restaurant.

@ProcrastinationCentral - ah, give it another go! MK is made up of lots of small villages as well as modern housing. There's a lot of history there, and nature. And the shops are good!

Holt in Norfolk. All SUVs and expensive tat shops. Didn't feel uncomfortable as such but left after 20 minutes and will never go back.

Bolton Percy, near York. Very dark and overhanging, big black church and a never ending sad farmyard. It makes my spirits sink.
I know York quite well and don’t like Rowntrees Park either, very sanitised, it doesn’t feel real somehow, more like a stage set. Also incredibly rude people running the show, always yummy mummy toddlers wreaking havoc in the library-cafe. If your face doesn’t fit, you’ll have a hard time there (voice of experience).
Love Oxford, and St Ives was like some fairytale of friendliness when I went, have never forgotten it.

Great Yarmouth.
Blackpool.
Morecambe.

All need jetwashing in dettol.

Marazion and Penzance. Awful.

Burnham Beeches hotel, I’ve wondered for years what the hotel was called that I saw a ghost in. Stayed on a work trip in early 2000s. Beautiful hotel, but bizarre experience.

Same. Ive been so many times and to so many parts.

Masham and York