Like Bath but Up North

[AllTheDucks]

As with the title... we currently live in west Cornwall but with all the children now heading to university, we know we need to move as it's such a pain in the arse to get to and from here (and takes forever).

We'd like to live somewhere within an hour of an airport but that also has a bit of culture - good bookshops, restaurants, shops, theatre etc. We like Bath but really, it's still a bit south-westy and we'd prefer a change, prefereably in northern England near moors etc. Can anyone think of a place I'd like? All I can think of is Harrogate but have heard the traffic etc is awful.

Deffo York or Harrogate

People keep mentioning Durham, I live about 3 miles away and could someone tell me about the theatres and culture, please.
We have got the countryside and beaches (hidden gems some of the beaches)

I would choose somewhere in Northumberland. Maybe not too way away from the new train stations.

York!

Culture? Durham Cathedral and Castle is a World Heritage site. There's the great open air museum of Beamish just 15 minutes away. The Story museum, Kynren in Bishop Auckland along with all the Auckland Castle redevelopment.
For theatres there's the Gala, plus lots of towns have their own theatres like in Consett.

Personally, I wouldn't bother moving away from the SW. I'm from here, have been away, tried it. Hated it after a few years!!!

I agree that Cornwall is quite far removed, but if you enjoy the countryside, warmth and stunning beaches I reckon you may regret it... I learnt the hard way but you don't know that you have until it's gone!

Perhaps try Tiverton, Taunton, Bristol hamlets? They're definitely different to Cornwall and have easy access to the M5 and airports, making it much easier to stay in contact with the rest of the country.

Chester and the area around it would fit the bill nicely if only because because there are 2 airports to choose from an hour or so away and a railway station that trains to London and elsewhere pass through
The centre of Chester has lots of history with its Roman walls etc and has the independent Storyhouse cinema and theatre plus several decent restaurants. It isn’t what it once was for shopping in terms of department stores if that’s a consideration. but Cheshire Oaks is on the doorstep and there is easy access to Liverpool and Manchester City centre. Plus if you miss the beaches of Cornwall you’ve got Wales in one direction and places such as West Kirby, Hoylake and New Brighton on the Wirral

I’ve been to the Cathedral and castle. Just seen the Doves of peace. Go to Beamish every couple of months. Gala isn’t that busy, really!
And Durham city is just full of coffee shops.
Consett is County Durham.

Last time I was in Buxton we all kept saying how similar to Bath it looked and felt.

The Cotswolds aren't t'moors

I would pay money - lots of money - to avoid ever experiencing Kynren again. I’d definitely go for Newcastle ahead of Durham, in spite of the cathedral and castle.

I also think Chichester would be good, I’m eyeing it as a possible place for my retirement if I don’t want to be in London any more.

@CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan LOL what happened at Kynren? Did it rain? I have to say its never appealed to me but it definitely ticks a culture box.

Buxton does not have great shopping, and it's a bit of a nightmare in the winter. Heavy snows make accessibility tricky.

Boston Spa?
Or there are some really nice places around Birmingham - Warwick/Stratford upon Avon/Leamington Spa. Its a bit less cold than Yorkshire

I used to live in Leamington - it's right in the Midlands so gets very cold in winter. I found it colder than Yorkshire!

Newcastle better than Durham imo. Durham is very pretty but there's not a huge amount to do in the city centre and it's VERY studenty. Tynemouth or a pretty Northumberland village would be my dream (I personally can't afford it, but if you've sold a house in Bath you probably could!)

It poured, but the main thing was that apart from the lighting design- which was genuinely amazing, at one point the rose window of Durham Cathedral appeared above the lake - it was absolutely terrible! Clodhopping acting, not helped by everyone including those on horseback wearing masks just after the Covid restrictions were lifted, and a phoned-in script. To be fair on it, I knew it wouldn’t be my kind of thing, we went because my DM had wanted to go for ages.

York without a doubt. Fits your criteria. Shops not amazing but it’s a short trip to Leeds for more. Plenty of culture - not just in York and Leeds but theatres and events in Harrogate, Hull, even Sheffield. University city and a lot of tourists so very similar to Bath! Lots of great property especially if your budget is health. Very well connected by train to London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Very welcoming to newcomers as the population is fairly transient in the centre. Schools are excellent.

Chester. Near Liverpool and Manchester. Borders north Wales. Not far to Lake District or Peak District. River. Loads of restaurants. Couple of lovely cinemas in centre. Theatre. Lots going on for empty nesters

Forgot to say the food in York and surrounding areas is fantastic.

Jesmond - suburb of Newcastle, or Tynemouth, it’s at the coast and has beautiful properties.

Tynemouth is lovely, I agree, and you can get the Metro into Newcastle for theatre and cinema, and the concert hall in Gateshead. Cold though, the wind comes straight off the North Sea.

I wouldn’t equate Tiverton or Taunton with Bath, I’m afraid both are struggling these days. Maybe Exeter though?

Has anyone mentioned Bakewell?

Or Lewes? Close enough to Brighton and London, but big enough in its own right