Places to visit in England (or maybe UK)

[AntonyF]

Okay, I like to go with my friend to random places in England. Just to see them, basically. The last couple were a washout though, so I'm after suggestions.

Obviously this is a very broad question... so I'm going to be quite specific on what we want out of the visit, and hopefully people can suggest their top one or two. You know... I want the real gems of things I'm missing.

And it doesn't have to be a noteworthy place. I just want a fun day or two!

So the factors:

• I'm about an hour north of London... so prefably a few hours journey from there. I am open to UK generally, but closer is better.
• Big town/mini city environment, probably.
• I want a vibrant independent atmosphere. Clone Town is a problem eveywhere... but a place where there are independent restaurants to choose from with diverse choices.
• An active bar/pub area. The most important part! Where you can go to one place and choose - I hate hunting for booze. I want something busy but relaxed, but not the whole GuardGoons-at-the-door situation on every place trying to make themselves look important..
• Preferably some place to see in the day in terms of history/sightseeing.

So... anywhere fit my bill?

I'm 32 going on 33, that's probably a factor.

My last visit was Bournemouth which was awful. Everywhere was closed, or stuckup clubs with GuardGoons. I don't want that.

 

[Sector 7]

You will get no help from me, Anthony. My trips to UK were primarily to London for business. Aside from seeing Tower of London, the crown jewels, changing of the guard... I did not really care for the place. It was too crowded and busy... basically New York City in a different country. I would like to have visited the areas where my ancestors lived and the beautiful countryside, but alas my schedule did not permit such things.

 

[Mary Ann]

I can recommend Exeter, which is the city closest to where I live. I know nothing about the clubs or downtown bars (warning: it's a university city, so there are a lot of clubs and modern pubs but they may be overrun by alcohol-poisoned philosophy majors) but it dates back to Roman times and is steeped in history, with lots of good cafes, restauraunts and very old pubs. It's several hours away from London but has good train links...well, as good as train links can be in England. Which generally suck compared to the rest of Europe.

On personal experience I also recommend staying as far away from Weston-super-Mare (just south of Bristol) as you possibly can. And I'm not just saying that because my in-laws live there.

 

[kirsten187]

If you were closer to Edinburgh, I'd suggest there. Cambridge is ok - I've only been a couple of times, and like Exeter, it is a University City, but there's stuff to do.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

If you were closer to Edinburgh, I'd suggest there.

Only a short hop from London Luton Airport. Edinburgh is a great place to go if you're visiting, with lots of tourist places, including the famous Castle. Failing that, Glasgow is just as good.

If you're willing to go the extra few hundred miles, some parts of the Midlands aren't too shabby. Nottingham (also a university city) has its fair share of tourist attractions, including the famous Castle. Slightly nearer are Stratford-upon-Avon (usually filled with Shakespeare pilgrims) and Warwick (home of the famous Castle).

 

[captcalhoun]

Stroud has shit loads of cafes and eateries. it's not a clone town. it has its own town centre history trail and can easily be seen in a day.

and srsly, you won't want to spend more than a day there.

it is a couple hours down from London on the train, though...

 

[trampledamage]

Don't know what the pubs are like, but Shrewsbury is my favourite town in England - it's a gorgeous place to just walk around (once you get past the big shopping mall at the top of the town) - and there's parks by the river, and the castle and abbey for places to visit.

 

[Pingfah]

Falmouth, Cornwall. It's got lots of pubs & fantastic restaurants, it's the hub for education in the county so there's a good night life to support all the students. There's lots of history to see, day trips to st Ives, Lands End etc, and interesting stuff like the Tate & The Eden Project, and if you go in the summer there's the beaches and surfing too.

If you visit Cornwall though, do not go anywhere near Newquay, whatever you do, unless queuing for nightclubs and fighting in the street is your thing.

 

[Waylander]

Exeter, Falmouth or Truro are all good, spent far to much time in all three, although Falmouth can be a bit packed at times, and will have the guard goons on some of the doors, depends if you're planning to go in the holiday season or not

I would say it is the smallest of the three, and sight seeing would mean travelling around a bit, don't get me wrong you can easily spend a day in Falmouth but you will probably have done most of it then

My personal recommendation though is York, one of Englands smallest cities, lots to see and do, a lot of bars and resturants in the centre, and if you're feeling brave you can try The Micklegate run

Definitely worth a walk around the old city walls as well, a pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon

 

[Dac]

Tell ya what, I've only been there twice with Uni, but I thoroughly enjoyed Norwich. Just had a nice atmosphere, and from what you've said you wanted (independent pubs) I went to a little place right next to the premiere inn quite a lot called The Gold Star which was tiny as hell, but is probably close to what your asking. Had a nice town center too with a lot of little alleyways to get lost in (although the clothes shops are pretty pricey).

 

[Rarewolf]

I've never really cared for Exeter. It doesn't seem large enough for it's city status to me (I know its not based on size) I prefer Bristol and Cardiff.

 

[Pingfah]

^ Cardiff is a good suggestion. Fun city, and you can always visit Torchwood locations if you get bored.

 

[Marie1]

Okay, I like to go with my friend to random places in England. Just to see them, basically. The last couple were a washout though, so I'm after suggestions.

Obviously this is a very broad question... so I'm going to be quite specific on what we want out of the visit, and hopefully people can suggest their top one or two. You know... I want the real gems of things I'm missing.

And it doesn't have to be a noteworthy place. I just want a fun day or two!

So the factors:

• I'm about an hour north of London... so prefably a few hours journey from there. I am open to UK generally, but closer is better.
• Big town/mini city environment, probably.
• I want a vibrant independent atmosphere. Clone Town is a problem eveywhere... but a place where there are independent restaurants to choose from with diverse choices.
• An active bar/pub area. The most important part! Where you can go to one place and choose - I hate hunting for booze. I want something busy but relaxed, but not the whole GuardGoons-at-the-door situation on every place trying to make themselves look important..
• Preferably some place to see in the day in terms of history/sightseeing.

So... anywhere fit my bill?

I'm 32 going on 33, that's probably a factor.

My last visit was Bournemouth which was awful. Everywhere was closed, or stuckup clubs with GuardGoons. I don't want that.

Awww! I loved Bournemouth! Mind, everything wasn't closed.

Corfe Castle was amazing, there was an Oceanarium I could have spent a week in!

Anyways, where in England doesn't have an active bar area?

Where are you from? Cuz I didn't find people stuck up at all, so it might just be a cultural difference... or maybe not. Heehee...

If I were you, I'd visit the Roman bathes...

 

[Mary Ann]

I've never really cared for Exeter. It doesn't seem large enough for it's city status to me (I know its not based on size) I prefer Bristol and Cardiff.

I know what you mean. I grew up in Montreal and Toronto so Exeter is more of a mid-sized town in my eyes, but what with that nifty big cathedral (which is worth a visit) it has city status. It's still a good place to visit if you're into history, and the surrounding countryside is gorgeous and great for hiking. It's an expensive area to live in but I like it.

Bristol is a great city provided you avoid certain areas and the aforementioned Weston-super-Mare.

Edit: Bath! I forgot to mention Bath. Yes, it's a tourist trap, but full of history, of course, with excellent pubs and restaurants. And wherever you go, be sure to sample the local real ale and/or cider. The westcountry in particular has excellent cider.

 

[WillsBabe]

Exeter is a micro-city. Small, but perfectly-formed.

 

[Niorah]

I had a very good time both in Windsor and in Brighton. Very different from one another though.

Windsor is small, you can visit the famous castle, the river is lovely and full of swans, the central area of the town is full of little pubs, little shops, places to eat...

Brighton is a typical holiday spot with a pier full of modern day entertainments, the places to eat and drink are endless, the nightlife very active, they have a cute Aquarium to visit right by the beach and strolling through the center of town is pleasant, as it's full of big chain stores and small local shops alike.

 

[Jadzia]

Cleethorpes.

It has sand, shells, candy-floss, sterilized milk, kali, slot machines, a mile long promenade, Ross castle which you are free to run up and down, three different crazy golfs, a pleasure island, a sunday market, a wednesday market, a picturesque boating lake with ducks and swans and rowing boats, a miniature gauge railway, an abundance of hotels cafes pubs restaurants fast food places and fish and chip shops, a pier, a good view of european ferry crossings, donkeys, an active night life ... and some days it has me

 

[Zulu Romeo]

If you ever get tired of England... there's always Wales.

 

[An Officer]

That's probably the first time I've heard Cleethorps mentioned as a must see. No bias there, I see.

I'll second the suggestion of Bath, it's absolutely unique in appearance and atmosphere, and the Roman baths make a truly memorable day trip, if you're at all interested in the Romans. Plenty of watering holes and restaurants, too. The surrounding countryside is particularly breath-taking if you're renting a car and can drive around, some of the best picturesque scenes around.

Good luck choosing!

And if you're in the capital, I'll be happy to show you a few places that aren't too clone-like.

 

[AntonyF]

I thought I'd reply to this thread as I know you are all no dobut DYING to know where I plan to go for my UK break.

Bath and York were the winners in our discussion, but both were very expensive. So we're going to Leeds, that also gives the opportunity to visit York which is just 30 mins away.

Thanks for all the suggestions.