Brits are flocking to ‘divine’ UK town that feels isolated from the rest of the world
Date: 2024-11-05
For architecture fans there are plenty of fabulous listed Georgian buildings to check out, including The Crescent, which is now home to the aforementioned hotel. The unique curved building bears a striking resemblance to the Royal Crescent in Bath.
The town itself also has a charming look to it, with an abundance of local independent businesses, cute tea rooms and more.
The Pavilion Gardens are another highlight, spanning 23 acres of land, with plenty to keep the kids occupied including a boating lake, miniature train, play areas, and wildlife.
The gardens are also home to the Winter Conservatory which houses an impressive botanical garden and fish pond. Visitors can buy flowers, and art from here as well, and there are several spaces to stop for a cup of tea or sweet treat during your visit.
Where else to visit in the UK:
If you’ve already been to Buxton and are looking for somewhere else to visit in the UK, then East Anglia should be on your radar.
For those who aren’t familiar with the area, the region consists of several counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Lonely Planet also includes Essex within its East Anglia guide, and while it is in the East of England, there’s often much debate as to whether it’s actually a part of East Anglia or not.
Many will now likely be wondering what exactly makes this particular region so great.
According to Tom Hall, the head of Lonely Planet UK, it’s the ‘unspoilt beaches, quiet villages, quirky market and seaside towns, as well as thriving cities like Norwich and Cambridge’.
Key spots to visit include Holkham beach, Aldeburgh, Southwold, Norwich, Holt, Woodbridge, Cambridge, St. Neots, Orford Ness, and the Norfolk Broads.
As well as Buxton, a number of other rural UK spots are proving popular on Airbnb of late, including Penrith, Fort Augustus, Caernafon, Betws-y-Coed, Filey, Rye, Keswick, and Glencoe.
Amanda Cupples, general manager of Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: ‘Easter is the perfect moment to take some time with your loved ones, and there’s no better way to spend the long weekend than in the hidden gems of beautiful, rural destinations around the UK, offering a setting to reset and rejuvenate this Spring.
‘With the hectic pace of life, and the rising cost of living – it’s no wonder that this year we’re longing for getaways in tranquil places closer to nature, where we can pause and recharge, Whether you’re seeking a memorable getaway in the UK or venturing further afield, Airbnb has something for everyone to create unforgettable memories this Spring.’
Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, might win points for convenience as its the cheapest commuter location, but its not bringing its residents much joy.
The city frequently features in lists of the top 50 ‘worst’ places to live, with it holding the title for three consecutive years until 2022 when it was knocked off the top spot.
However, it’s still high up there in the rankings, coming in second place last year for 2023. So what exactly is so bad about living there?
Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) users say the city in Cambridgeshire is a ‘dump’ and a ‘cultural dead spot’, with a high street ‘reminiscent of the Walking Dead’, especially since John Lewis closed its doors there in 2021.
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Others claim Peterborough has an ‘atmosphere of misery’ and is ‘dismal’ — not exactly the most endearing description.
However, it seems it wasn’t always like this. On X some users fondly recall the city being a great spot to be back in the 80s.
Dan, who posts as @aaronaarrdvarrk, said: ‘I know Peterborough fairly well and the change has been incredible since the 80s when it was a small, clean, modern city, it’s a total dump these days.’
A user named @jenn53803 felt similarly, claiming Peterborough used to be ‘beautiful’. They added: ‘Peterborough is now a s***hole!! It used to be a beautiful market town, with a lot of heritage and traditions. Now it’s a dump.’
