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Original poster

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

109 replies

BlueberryGreenTea · 27/04/2025 15:37

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

OP posts:
BorgQueen · 27/04/2025 20:25

Beaumaris on Anglesey, it’s like stepping back 25 years.

QuietFlame · 27/04/2025 20:31

Hay on Wye
Stamford
Bakewell
Ripon
Helmsley
Shrewsbury
Ludlow
Monmouth
Bury St Edmunds
Knutsford
Leek
Melbourne
York
Bath
Buxton
Malton
Totnes
Porthleven.

Tigerlilian · 27/04/2025 20:34

Ironbridge
Hay on Wye

Dymaxion · 27/04/2025 20:37

How long are you visiting for @BlueberryGreenTea ? You could do Harrogate/Ripon and Fountains abbey over a decent weekend.

stickybear · 27/04/2025 20:41

Sweetbeansandmochi · 27/04/2025 18:44

Malmesbury and Westonbirt Arboretum (you would do it on the same day)

Also Tetbury in the same neck of the woods

Letsummercommence · 27/04/2025 20:44

I like Winchester, Chichester, Lincoln ( cities but with a town vibe )

Wickham in Hampshire is lovely. Still quite agricultural. It’s technically a village but a big one.

AusBoundDD · 27/04/2025 20:46

Belfast and nearby Holywood would fit the bill perfectly

Mochi1fudge · 27/04/2025 20:50

Keswick

Mrsgreen100 · 27/04/2025 20:51

Norwich has every thing but small enough to walk around
but it’s a city
doesn’t feel like it though

OverpricedCupcake · 27/04/2025 20:53

Durham, absolutely stunning cathedral and river walks.

2BRN2B · 27/04/2025 20:55

Another vote for Bury St Edmunds.

feellikeanalien · 27/04/2025 20:58

Another one for Hexham and Corbridge. Hexham has the abbey, loads of independent shops and coffee places and lovely walks

Also Durham. I went there for the first time in many years the other day and it was lovely. Mind you the gorgeous weather helped.

Comtesse · 27/04/2025 20:58

I really liked Folkestone recently. Oxford, Bath, York, Rye all great. i used to like Frome as well when I was a kid.

slet · 27/04/2025 20:59

Corbridge
Durham
Alnwick
York
Hebden Bridge

RainbowZebraWarrior · 27/04/2025 21:02

Raera · 27/04/2025 19:50

Pickering and Helmsley are very close to each other. Also Malton close by and their food festivals are brilliant.
Just down the road - Thornton le Dale

Absolutely agree with this. My favourite place to visit.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 27/04/2025 21:03

feellikeanalien · 27/04/2025 20:58

Another one for Hexham and Corbridge. Hexham has the abbey, loads of independent shops and coffee places and lovely walks

Also Durham. I went there for the first time in many years the other day and it was lovely. Mind you the gorgeous weather helped.

I live on the NE coast of England and would add Tynemouth to this list.

heartsinvisiblefury · 27/04/2025 21:06

Melrose

crazycrofter · 27/04/2025 21:09

AmandaHoldensLips · 27/04/2025 20:00

Royal Leamington Spa is lovely with classic regency architecture and lots of independents.

If you're visiting Leamington, you also need to pop into Warwick next door!

weirdwalking · 27/04/2025 21:11

Malvern
Ledbury

underthebed · 27/04/2025 21:12

Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham

Ridley4 · 27/04/2025 21:13

Agree with lots of the above suggestions- just wanted to add that last week we visited Clitheroe in Lancashire which was small but delightful

louderthan · 27/04/2025 21:17

Rye
Bath
Folkestone
Guildford
Lewes
Chichester
York
Dorchester
Ambleside
St Albans
Tunbridge Wells
Stirling
Norwich
Southwold
Winchester

Intranslation · 27/04/2025 21:30

Ely, Kings Lynn, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Norwich, Litchfield

Justfreedom · 27/04/2025 21:42

Nice towns in the uk to visit right now none not even my town is worth it just being honest.

Justfreedom · 27/04/2025 21:44

Intranslation · 27/04/2025 21:30

Ely, Kings Lynn, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Norwich, Litchfield

Kings lynn is a dump bury st eds is okish dont know about the other 2.