Page 3 | Where do you go that's quiet?

turkeymuffin · 2024-12-14T10:52:42+00:00

As the title says, looking for ideas that aren't full of PEOPLE. Shops, roads, trains, swimming pools are all full of noise and people. Where do you go for peace and quiet?

Parratha · 14/12/2024 16:13

Ineffable23 · 14/12/2024 10:54

My town has a private library, about £6 a month. It's usually quiet, it has comfy chairs and a great selection of magazines and books.

A private library. Sounds fantastic. Please tell me it's a silent one too (our council one which is small is not silent anymore) <<wails>>

naemates · 14/12/2024 16:19

I swim outdoors that's quiet

Washywishy · 14/12/2024 16:19

Church!

Sheknowsaboutme · 14/12/2024 17:05

Sit in the garden. Totally rural

HarpQuartet · 14/12/2024 18:14

@Weirdle funnily enough our local museum would be perfect as it's so lovely and quiet, but it's a "stand up, walk around" sort of place - no "sit down with a table" spaces. I'm hoping I can conjure up a dream of a private library tonight, 7.5h of imagining silence would do me a power of good. I've enjoyed googling private libraries today, and am now dreaming of retiring to the northeast of England so that I can be near lovely clean beaches, a city with loads of culture, and the Lit &Phil.

Mademetoxic · 14/12/2024 18:18

Dappy777 · 14/12/2024 14:05

I'm an introvert who craves space and silence. Unfortunately, that's increasingly hard to find. My local woods have been hacked down to make way for a new estate, and a second massive estate is being built at the other end of the village. Now we've been told the fields in the centre of the village are going to be built on as well. The country lanes are clogged with traffic (some of them are as congested as motorways) and the main road into town is going to have 500 new homes built along it. That road is choked with traffic now, so what the hell will happen when another 500 cars are added? Anyone out there who lives in a city and thinks they're going to retire to the country is deluded. By the time you retire, there won't be any country.

Even when I do find some woods to walk in I can still hear the screeching and exploding of boy racer cars. There's no peace anywhere. Every year there seem to be more and more people jammed into less and less space. In 1960, there were three billion humans. Today there are eight and we're heading for ten. Africa's birth rate is so high the African population is going to double. I've had the bad luck to be born an introvert at a time when the world's population is about to peak. Developers know there is a high demand, so they build tiny rathole houses and squeeze them on top of one another. If I was young, I'd leave the UK for Australia or Canada. In fact, I'd go anywhere I could have peace and quiet and be alone with nature.

It's a shame the council and MP don't listen to locals. That sounds awful. The poor wildlife who lived there too.

Ineffable23 · 14/12/2024 20:20

Weirdle · 14/12/2024 16:05

Oh! Young Person’s Membership, @Ineffable23?

I mean I think they do an abated membership for students (£30) and but I am a full member. I get great value just from the magazines.

@Parratha It's not silent but it's pretty close to silent. You can read undisturbed. The only talk is usually librarians to readers - sorting out books etc. I was there today and they've put cosy blankets out on the chairs. I really love it.

This has a list of independent libraries across the UK.

https://www.independentlibraries.co.uk/the-armitt-library

If you press the little tiny grey plus in the top right there's a list of all the members of the association. They seem quite varied, some are very expensive, some are cheaper, some are full of old fashioned books etc - but some might suit the quiet retreat vibes some people are looking for.

The Armitt Library — Independent Libraries Association

https://www.independentlibraries.co.uk/the-armitt-library

GrandHighPoohbah · 14/12/2024 20:34

Not so great at this time of year, but in summer I like to go out at 6am. It's usually very quiet then.

Weirdle · 14/12/2024 21:04

Ah - not The Portico, then? (So at least you weren’t maligning Manchester. )

Original poster

turkeymuffin · 14/12/2024 21:42

Dappy777 · 14/12/2024 14:05

I'm an introvert who craves space and silence. Unfortunately, that's increasingly hard to find. My local woods have been hacked down to make way for a new estate, and a second massive estate is being built at the other end of the village. Now we've been told the fields in the centre of the village are going to be built on as well. The country lanes are clogged with traffic (some of them are as congested as motorways) and the main road into town is going to have 500 new homes built along it. That road is choked with traffic now, so what the hell will happen when another 500 cars are added? Anyone out there who lives in a city and thinks they're going to retire to the country is deluded. By the time you retire, there won't be any country.

Even when I do find some woods to walk in I can still hear the screeching and exploding of boy racer cars. There's no peace anywhere. Every year there seem to be more and more people jammed into less and less space. In 1960, there were three billion humans. Today there are eight and we're heading for ten. Africa's birth rate is so high the African population is going to double. I've had the bad luck to be born an introvert at a time when the world's population is about to peak. Developers know there is a high demand, so they build tiny rathole houses and squeeze them on top of one another. If I was young, I'd leave the UK for Australia or Canada. In fact, I'd go anywhere I could have peace and quiet and be alone with nature.

Ageee with this. Noise pollution is everywhere. Even the yoga classes are a joke when you can hear the traffic & street outside.

OP posts:

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/12/2024 22:34

I've got a favourite cafe. I asked the owner when it was quiet and I go then.

Other than that, I like to get out in nature if I can.

henlake7 · 14/12/2024 22:46

I live in a very built up noisy area but if I want some peace and quiet I'll go for a walk or run around the graveyard.....
Literally 'quiet as the grave'😁

Twoshoesnewshoes · 14/12/2024 22:47

I walk out of my door and up the hill into woods and stream or down the hill through meadows to river.
no car noise at all, and it’s rare to meet anyone on my walk.
i don’t like lots of people around though - sometimes i like to be in the bustle but a day in the city is enough for me.

Joewickscarpet · 14/12/2024 22:53

Where in the absolute Harry fucking Potter are people going to private libraries 😂. I live in the arse end of the east midlands and the actual public library is all we get just about. Open only cause staffed by volunteers, on a Wednesday 2: til 5 😁

Stickinthemuddle · 14/12/2024 22:53

My allotment.

though spaces can be too quiet- you need some background noise like trees swaying or birdsong or a babbling river so you can’t hear incidental noises and be distracted.

I think I find the allotment so peaceful because I’m focussed on what I’m doing, even if there is someone chatting or with their radio on I know they won’t be approaching me and I can just get lost in weeding

Nomorecoconutboosts · 14/12/2024 22:56

Cathedrals are sometimes quiet - just check there isn’t an event on!
sit quietly and bow your head - it will be assumed you are praying and need peace. (Obviously not a big popular one like St Paul’s)

also steam room/sauna at local pool - counterintuitive but go at kids times… all the kids will be in the pool but most adults avoid those times apart from adults supervising their children.

baggyleggings · 14/12/2024 23:04

Cathedral

daffodilandtulip · 14/12/2024 23:07

Our library runs toddler groups morning and afternoon, and likes to dispel the myth that you have to be quiet in libraries...

I love the beach in winter, and our local churchyard at dusk.

yipyipyop · 14/12/2024 23:18

Home. Everywhere else is packed and busy. I live in an outer London suburb. Can't even scratch my arse in my own garden without someone seeing.