Are there other towns like Lewes in the UK?

[Fredflinstoneswife1]

A few years ago we stayed in Lewes for our holidays (I'm from NI), we absolutely loved it, primarily for the historic buildings, the fantastic independent shops and the antique shops, its also in quite a pretty area.

Can anyone recommend me another town similar to Lewes?
I would be happy to just go back to Lewes next summer but my husband wants to go somewhere different. Is there anywhere similar to Lewes? I have been on the hunt the last few summers, and visited Totnes, Rye and Ludlow, and, while lovely, their shops were not just as good! I really liked the shops in ashburton, Devon, but it is a bit small.
We have three young children, so extra points for big towns with days out for the kids nearby. The boys love a theme park, or of course the beach. Forests and mountains always good too!

Glastonbury

York or Lincoln

I thought Rye too.

(Also soupy am I right in thinking you asked about nduja sauce? Carluccios have one atm. I'm just ordering some Christmas gifts online and saw it)

Maybe York, though last time I was there it was getting more High Streety?

Burford?

Alnwick or Corbridge in Northumberland?

I agree. Aldeburgh?

Seaford???? You must be joking I used to live there. The countryside is lovely but the town is a dump.
York definitely, Rye and Arundel is a must.

Narbeth is beautiful!

And we loved the shops. Hadn't intended to spend much, but spent a fortune on clothes for all the family and on lovely things from the Spanish deli.

Long Melford, Lavenham and Southwold?

Cirencester, bery similar vibe to Lewes.
And the Cotswolds around are beautiful.

Hay on Wye has lovely shops. Not so many big towns or attractions nearby for the children, but you could do things like pony trekking and hillwalking and canoeing down the Wye.

Wells was lovely when we stopped off whilst visiting Wookie Hole

I come from Ashburton and it used to be really rough. Can't believe the gentrification, LOL.
Have you been to Lewes on Bonfire night? It's exciting and impressive

"The "Lewes Pope Burning" refers to a long-standing tradition at the annual
Lewes Bonfire Night where effigies of the Pope, particularly Pope Paul V, are burned alongside Guy Fawkes and contemporary unpopular figures as a symbol of anti-Catholic sentiment and protest against perceived tyranny, stemming from historical persecution and the Gunpowder Plot. This event, one of the world's largest Guy Fawkes celebrations, combines historical commemoration with modern political commentary through its fiery parades and effigies"

Totnes was nice, and it is a similar size to Lewes, but I just wasn't as impressed with the shops as I was in Lewes - I feel like the shops in Lewes have been so well curated, I can spend a longtime in them. And there's quite a good variation in them: upmarket antiques, as well as bargain antiques, lots of good charity shops, but also beautiful shops like Margot and Closet and Botts.

I have thought of all those- Stroud, Canterbury and Winchester! I'll need two trips to England annually at this rate 😅

I suppose it wouldn't be far from Stroud too - others have recommended it. Would there be much for days out with the kids in that area?

I live in Stroud - the shops here are nothing like Lewes! We have two ‘nice’ shops, a few that are full of overpriced tat, and the rest are supermarkets. If nice shops are important to you, avoid Stroud like the plague.

Seaford? Beach front is nice, but other than that it's basically one big retirement home.

How about basing yourself in Monmouth for activities in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean? Plenty of independent shops there, and a few charity shops too. It's not exactly the same vibe as Lewes, but I prefer it, personally. And you could try Ross on Wye a few miles away, which has antique shops and a million charity shops, as well as lots of little independent shops and cafes.

Lewes is lovely, had many 'one too many' in the pub by the chalk cliffs but one of the best things about it is the quick drive or bus to Brighton! Yeah, I say that as someone who lived in B'ton as a kid. Another place with quirky and interesting shops but of course on bonfire night Lewes is the place to be.

Cornwall is always nice but I guess if stick by the seaside then a lot of the shops will be bucket and spade shops and cafes. Shopping in Plymouth and Exeter used to be ok but not been for some years. My parents retired to Cornwall and it is a nice place to holiday if it doesn't rain. Plenty of forests, Eden project, beaches etc. My fav place West though is Weymouth. Bugger for traffic getting in at peak season but lovely beach, views of boats on the water and close enough to do bits and bobs of the Jurassic Coast.

Yorkshire, York is nice, lovely buildings, the river running through it and enough going on, as is Whitby. Not far is Hebden Bridge is good too for the chilled vibe. If you get good weather, which is a bit dicey compared to Sussex, those areas are simply lovely, lots of history and the beaches sandy in Whitby.

I second Dorking, like a pp said. And the beautiful Surrey Hills around it.

Norwich. Lovely little city. Hire a boat and tootle around the broads. Great places not too far away, like Sutton Hoo.

Lyme Regis (Dorset) is nice if you like historic buildings, quirky shops and fossiling.

I would 2nd this and add Southwold and Walberswick, they both have the beach, tearooms, crabbing in Walnerswick, boating lake in Southwold. Also Thorpeness near Aldeburgh is stunning

Aberystwyth seems a nice town to base yourself for exploring a bit of Wales.

OP, where would you recommend in NI, please? I have been to Eire, but have been meaning to visit NI for a long time.