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!

Winchester
Broadstairs
Whitstable
Bath
Oxford
Petworth
Frome

They are of varying sizes.

Hexham. Quite a small town but nice Indy shops and loads of touristy things nearby

North Staffordshire? Leek (and Buxton and Ashbourne) the peak District for walking, playing on rocks at the roaches and Alton towers.

Tenby? Haven’t been for nearly 10 years though!!

Buxton/Bakewell

Marlow in Buckinghamshire. Great shops - better than Lewes. Lovely restaurants. A really fantastic play park on the river Thames for the kids.

DH has rail travel discounts so I am going to look into Bath. This sounds definitely my kind of trip. Thank you for the suggestion on the thread.

Thanks OP for starting this thread!👍🏻

I didnt ask about nduja sauce but its the sort of thing I would ask about so that is very helpful

I am actually on the look out for somewhere that sells sobrasada but not in massive amounts and not for massive amounts so if you have any news on that front that would be great.

If you want put together independent shops with a quality feel then you definitely need Southwold, Aldeburgh or Woodbridge.

Is your question if there is anywhere in NI like Lewes? Or do you just mean where to go in NI in general?

Beautiful love Tenby.
Harrogate ?

@user1476613140 ah post if you plan on coming and I can give you some tips, mainstream and off the beaten track - it’s much nicer in good weather, but where isn’t!!

I kind of agree with that- been a fair few times and always enjoyed it and yes it does have that kind of bohemian vibe -

Ah I disagree on that- I’ve not been to Lewes for around 8 yearsadmitttedly but found that was like that too - maybe it’s improved . I thought it was nice but wouldn’t have ranked it for shopping - I do like the Saturday market vibe in Stroud - prefer Cheltenham though if I’m honest -

Holt?

I bloody love Arundel. And Deal. Chichester also lovely - probably fewer independent shops, but a great art gallery, theatre, and amazing beaches nearby.

Further north, York is great but very touristy. Hebden Bridge? I also hear good things of Ilkley, though I've never been.

Chichester, Arundel, Guildford

Hard to beat Lewes, special place - go for bonfire I guess would top it

Ludlow (though probably a bit smaller), Shrewsbury, Hay-on-Wye (particularly if you like books).

Is this a nice area?

A million charity shops would keep my husband happy - he loves them.

Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley are lovely.

Tenterden, Kent. Loads of independent shops, beautiful High St and loads to do locally, plus Canterbury isn’t that far away or Rye in the opposite direction.

Settle, Kelso, Corbridge, Alnwick

Bath

Penzance,
Frome,
Hebden Bridge
Alnwick
Deal

Bath or York would be good!