Where in the world feeds your soul?

[uncomfortablydumb60]

I was discussing this with DS2 and DiL at the weekend
They are off on a long awaited road trip to the USA on Friday.
Im not particularly well travelled due to financial and disability factors but these are mine.
Oxford. As soon as I get there, I give a sigh of contentment and instantly relax.
I adore the beautiful architecture, the area around the Radcliffe camera is my favourite.
The view from the tower in " The high"
The bridge of sighs, and of course a punt down the river
I would live there in a heartbeat.
Mevagissey, Cornwall. Walking down the hill soothes my soul. Memories of wonderful family holidays with my 3 sons on the beach at Gorran Haven and evenings spent watching the harbour.
in fact any fishing village is calming and restful.
Florence, Italy. Went last year with DS2 and DiL
Truly breathtaking.
The Ponte Vecchio, I was born in Bath and lived there until 9 years ago. I now live in Bradford on Avon, which is another small town in Wiltshire known for its architecture and atmosphere.
Would love to hear yours, and visualise them.

I've always fancied that walk but have only ever been when it's very hot - July/August - so been wary. Next year's plan is to go in September so hopefully will be much cooler

Where I live, rural town. I just feel like part of it, like I am stitched into my surroundings. I do get out and about a lot to different places in the UK, have travelled overseas a lot and lived in a different county for a decade but I just feel embedded in this area and I love the countryside that surrounds me.

Also Oxford! Lived there as a student and loved it. Went back as an adult and still loved it but felt lonely!

My in law's house in Bath. So relaxing, homely. We are moving back to the area and I can't wait!

I am a bit weird in that I love little ex-industrial Northern towns . I love the variety of houses and the regeneration of many of them with independent shops and restaurants. I like just mooching about . When I was a teenager and had just started driving my friend all worked Saturdays so I often took myself off exploring and found some great places

I've savouring every post. Such joyful descriptions that I can almost taste the atmosphere
My heart is filling up.

Venice. Never felt anything like sailing down the Grand Canal at daybreak. Cant do that now, quite rightly. Also Piazza San Marco at night. Just Venice really.

Much closer to home is our garden. Two months ago, it was grass and now it has trees, plants and flowers. The only thing spoiling it is the relentless wind.

I live in Cumbria so I don't have to go far from my front door to find places that make me happy. I was in Wasdale yesterday which is magnificent even in the rain. I also have family on the West Coast of Scotland which is truly beautiful and possibly the only place I would leave here for.
I've also got a soft spot for Santilliana del Mar in Northern Spain, Kochi in India and perhaps oddly, much of Flanders. Obviously the WWI cemeteries aren't happy places but I think they are very peaceful and serene and I like the architecture and culture in the towns and cities of the area. Oh, and the chocolate.

What a lovely thread. Many natural quiet places feed my soul especially parts of the SW coastal path and a remote part of the Texas desert that I had the privilege of working in during my 20s. Plus the coromandel peninsula in NZ. Ooh and skiing / hiking in the Alps. Lovely quiet dog walks daily save my soul at the moment in beautiful heath land or beach. Nature really is daily food for my soul.

A bit of a mixture but I’ve loved Edinburgh, the Gower, New Zealand and the Maldives. Many different reasons but these places have connected with me.

Driving to Cornwall to a village called Coverack on the Lizard peninsula as you round a bend in the road and get the first glimpse of the sea. O feel almost as if i’ve come home.
Also the view of the bay of Cadiz from an apartment we stay in for a month year. It’s wonderful and so soothing. Photo was taken at sunrise.

Shetland. Only been once, but it touched my soul and lifted my heart. The big skies, the sea everywhere, the quality of the light.
South-west Sweden, a holiday in a blue wooden house on a lake, with a sauna and a rowing boat. Saw moose and red squirrels. So wholesome and simple. It was very nourishing.
Closer to home, my neighbourhood in London. I know everyone in the shops and cafes, we all check in on each other (it was wonderful in the pandemic), we have beautiful parks and a fascinating history.
Even closer to home, my reading chair next to my French doors looking out to the back garden. Nothing really special about my garden it's a shit tip, but I can watch the birds on the feeders while I drink tea and listen to the radio.

How wonderful that sounds.

Out-of-season Hadleigh country park (if it's not muddy) - love seeing the trains clackety-clack below, and the hills and big sky. I'm not a beach / sea person and would always seek out a countryside area. I do like forests except I have zero sense of direction and what happens if I stumble across an axe murderer?!

Like another pp, I adore mooching around a market town with its independent shops and historical buildings.

I love North Yorkshire

This is such a lovely thread. Love all the UK suggestions too. Haven't read the full thread as work calls, but look forward to having a good read later on. Thank you people, enjoy the rest of the day.

Many places in North Wales. I always feel at peace. Snowdon and Llyn Idwal are two of my favourites but there are so many. I just love mountains and waterfalls.

I'm so glad I started this and really appreciate everyone's contributions
To think it sprung from a conversation at the weekend!

During that lovely bit of weather last month, I was walking the dog past a local plantation, there's a gorgeous view down to the sea the birds were singing and it was so peaceful and I had a moment of just complete contentment.

The view from Waterloo Bridge in London - it energises me!

A corner of southern Spain where we lived for a decade and now return regularly to, but to the coastal rather than inland area where we lived.
I like a beach walk but live inland and Weymouth or Lyme Regis are our nearest resorts. I love them both.
Stourhead, my nearest NT property, return time after time. Always slightly different. I've taken far too many photos there!

Ooh I love Stourhead too.. I'm just up the road in BoA

At home in NZ - Marahau beach, Aniseed Valley, Pines Beach in Christchurch, and up in the Port Hills. In the bush in Murchison.

This is my new favourite thread. I have quite a few:
Any quiet, warm beach. We were in Worthing when it was warm last month and I had a clear stretch to myself for a while. Just sat and listened to the waves and felt amazing.
Lake District
North Wales
Cote d’Azur
Kew Gardens
Various parts of London, especially by the river.

Northumberland. Sea, beaches, hills and big skies. Perfect. ❤️

And my back garden when the wind is blowing in the right direction: I can hear the children in the playground of the local school. Always puts a smile on my face.

Just here .. my back garden watching the dc play with the lambs. Perfect . It makes me happy whatever the weather.

I am going in August.. can’t wait 😀