What are some nice towns to visit in the U.K?

[BlueberryGreenTea]

I’m looking for some nice towns or areas of cities that meet some of my criteria?

I’m looking for nice towns to potter about in. The type of towns that have independent shops, nice cafes, delis, bookshops and preferably a museum or two. Charity shops that sell books would be very welcome too.

Two places that I’ve visited relatively recently like this are St Andrews and Stockbridge in Edinburgh but any ideas would be very welcome.

TIA

Peebles in the Scottish Borders might suit you as well.

Bath. Well-known for indie bookshops and shops/cafes. Lots of charity shops. A couple of art museums.

Rye in Sussex. Stay and eat at the Mermaid.

Hebden Bridge
Lewes

Llangollen in north wales.

You need to visit Hay on Wye! I was astonished at how lovely it was, bearing in mind it’s less than an hour away, and kept saying, ‘But why have we never been here?! It’s fabulous.’

Shrewsbury! A little while ago it had the largest uninterrupted stretch of independent shops on any UK high street (if I’m remembering that correctly).

It’s absolutely bursting with great shopping, an award winning market hall, tons of bloody lovely cafes and restaurants, gorgeous green spaces such as our cherished Quarry and The Dingle, chock full of history and so much to do.

Just don’t go telling everyone cause it’s still a little under the radar and we don’t want it crammed to the rafters with folk.

Woodbridge in Suffolk is nice.

Bath, Henley, Oxford, Winchester, Hay on Wye, Lyme Regis, Marlow

Salisbury or Bath

If you go to Hebden Bridge get the train there. Absolutely do not drive. I'm local and it's lovely and worth a visit on. Thursday or Wednesday as weekends are getting rammed.

Alnwick has a brilliant second hand book shop although it's not a charity one. I could quite happily move in. The town itself is rather lovely too or at least it is on a sunny summer day

Norwich is lovely. A couple of massive antique places if that’s your sort of thing, some really interesting shops. I used to live not far from there and loved it.

Worcester is also really nice for a potter and there is a whole street of charity shops.

Leamington Spa - Georgian architecture, loads of independent shops and cafes
Hereford - strictly a city, but small, Mappa Mundi at the cathedral, lots of little shops in the lanes that lead up to it, black and white house museum in the square
Hay on Wye - books, books and more books
Appledore - village with delis, meandering lanes of decorated doors and little shops, book festival

I came on to say Hebden Bridge as I was there for the first time last Sunday, but I see a couple of people have beaten me to it!
Harrogate.
Brighton.
Oxford.

Marking my place so I can plan lots of lovely visits - thank you!

Ludlow
Dorchester
Wimborne Minster (also has a model village)
Brixham

Chester, Canterbury & Henley are lovely too.

We also love Glastonbury & Wells.

Marlborough
Cirencester
Burford
Morton in the Marsh

Wimborne Minster.
Wells.
Salisbury.

Beverley

Folkestone
Harbour and old high street

Harrogate
Ilkley
Chester
Hebden Bridge

Canterbury has a lot of charity shops ,splendid tea shops and restaurants for lunch.

Winchester, Bath, Oxford, Canterbury, Salisbury, Cambridge, Richmond (N York), Whitby and Norwich would be some of my choices. I love exploring book shops and historic towns.