To find Bristol and Bath eerie?

[soulandwine]

I wonder if anyone else feels this way about Bristol and Bath? I grew up in east Devon and often used to think about where I'd live as an adult. On paper, Bristol seemed like the perfect and logical solution. The right size, location, beautiful architecture, interesting people and culturally rich.

I'm at a crossroads in my life, and with nothing tying me to any particular area, I am considering once again where would suit me best. My first thoughts were Bristol, but after another recent day trip, I somehow can't bring myself to love the city.

It's hard to describe, but I find the atmosphere in both Bristol and Bath oppressive, disconcerting and somewhat creepy. Both cities have a coldness, as though the soul has been sucked out. I don't feel this way about London, Oxford, Exeter, Winchester etc., only Bristol and Bath.

I will say that I'm a reasonably sensitive character, and I absorb other people's emotions, as mad as that sounds. Does anyone else feel the same way about Bristol and Bath?

Apologies, not sure if this belongs in AIBU or not.

Plymouth is the ultimate shit hole!

No, I like both places, having grown up in one and studied in the other. I dislike that you have to queue to get into Bath, and it does feel to some extent like a film set. But it is elegant, and I can picture that lovely honey glow of the stone in the late afternoon sun.

Bristol is full of crusties, but I have had a lot of fun there. I always found it to be friendly and full of interesting arts/cultural stuff.

Our house is built on radon and we love the area.

Agreed. I've never been in any quandary over Plymouth it's just truly bloody awful. Incredibly bleak I'm sure in part because of the extensive bombing in the war. I have no mental debates in my head over the place, ha.

I've lived in both and don't feel like this at all about either! Some of it is just really subjective I guess...

eg Bristol - yes I totally get the comments about it not having an actual centre, but then I really like the fact that there are lots of different adjoining neighbourhoods with different vibes

and Bath - yes it's in a bowl which some find oppressive, but I just like how you can look up and see the lovely hills all around you!

This has happened to me on several occasions in Bristol. Usually by Farr's Lane. I've also had homeless following me begging for money. It's not great.

Thank you! It can be lonely when you feel like the only one picking up on certain energies. My mother studied at Bristol Uni, and is convinced the eeriness stems from the slave trade history. I'll never know...

As a Druid may I just step in and state that we do not do human sacrifices.

Although, I cannot speak for the olden day Druids -I totally agree that those rocks were probably moved under duress.

The ritual you witnessed in the field was probably a run of the mill hand-fasting. Nothing scary. I promise.

So where did all the blood come from?

Dunno.

Particularly savage period?

I lived and worked in Bath having been born at the hospital and the city is gorgeous love the history and architecture. But hate the people they are Snobbish, racist and unwelcoming. Not to mention the massive assault crimes in and around the city. Such a shame.
The hospital is utterly crap.

Lived in Winchester and Salisbury and loved both cities, people, housing and work were lovely.

Really liked Bristol it is a middle ground. Has some beautiful areas. Clifton is my fav area.

I am from London and like both. Perhaps I have no soul.

@MixedCouple I have to disagree. I live in Bath- I'm def not snobbish or unfriendly- but I guess it's who you meet - and yes there are some stuck up buggers here but there's plenty of that in Winchester too which I know well. The RUH I had to recently go to and compared to other hospitals I've been unfortunate enough to go to, it seemed pretty good, I had no complaints. I've lived in Bristol too - ok if too spread out for me with a lot of grotty housing and some really grim areas . I just think it's a personality thing- if I was in my 20s (I wish) and looking to hang around on castle park, I might feel differently

Bath is eerie. There’s something about the light.

I worked at the RUH but won't say anymore lol.

I found winchester folk so friendly and never had an issue with racism there alqays felt safe going out after dark. Always ended up having a friendly chat with people there.

But Always have an issue with racisim in Bath and verbal abuse in broad daylight. Wouldnt dream to go there alone after dark.

I wonder if the strong feelings many people have comes from their DNA. Researchers are discovering more about genetic effects all the time and it probably has a bearing on attraction to mates, so why not environments, places?
I experienced a dreadful oppressive feeling while just driving through a little village where I later found ancestors had lived — maybe they had a traumatic experience or similar, who knows. Interesting theory.

I lived in Bristol for a few years. It's overrated. I visited Bath a little and thought it seemed lovely though!

Bath can be really aggressive, despite its appearances. The only time I ever felt really unsafe was a night out there!

I grew up very close to both cities, I've never found either of them eerie. I'm not a fan of Bristol though, it's a very grubby place and the harbour with it's bars and restaurants is a scary place after dark at weekends with large groups of very drunk people. Completely agree with what has been said about Shepton Mallett, that is one weird place, and of it wasn't for stopping to handbag shop I would never stop in that town.

I am Bristol born and bred, and still live here now. I live around 15 mins drive from the city centre in a suburban area. Whilst I love the south west, I hate Bristol city centre. I barely ever go and would prefer to go to Cardiff if forced to visit a near city centre. I always feel vulnerable there and always have even as an arrogant teenager! It has a strange darkness to it and I don't feel safe or happy there. I have been to Bath a few times, but have no strong feelings and wouldn't suggest going there. So I get what you mean, even as an actual Bristolian

@MixedCouple I'm white, so maybe I've just never noticed it and my friend has a mixed race child too and hasn't commented. It is a very 'white 'city though if I'm honest.

Bristol has vibes, I think, based on its past.

The dock area and boats and little shops probably escapes the oppressiveness.

Now Bristol is very arty and right-on, so a vibe nothing to do with its history.

I got a great vibe from Bristol when I visited (very briefly!) last year, but to be fair I was only really looking at the young artsy bits, and then had a look around the river and parks, so I got the "best of" tour. It was summer too, which helped.

I find Brighton really grim, even though I've tried to like it. Everything seems either run down or too new, and there's no real centre, just the coastline. All the interesting counterculture stuff that used to be there seems to have shut up shop or turned bougie. I'll admit I don't like coastal towns though, they always seem a bit divorced from reality.

Had many a day out in both and really liked both - found Bath a bit dead and soulless in the evening and would possibly choose Bristol out of the 2 to live in

I’ve never been to Bristol but I found the atmosphere thick in Bath, it was a strange place, even though there were plenty of others around it felt like no connection almost like everyone was on a slightly different level I’ve never been