The locations in the UK that provide enticing alternatives for a life of capital

Samuel Johnson, a poet and critic, once stated, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” However, Johnson was not faced with the intense competition in today’s housing market, congested public transportation, and a population of over nine million people. Where are the best options that give a golden lifestyle together with intriguing financial worth, while also being near to the captivating diversity of capital living, for those who do, and who may be thinking about starting over outside of the capital? These seven places can help you get started in your quest.

Somerset, Bath

Sweet-tongued Bath’s alluring blend of urban vigor and rustic tranquility has made it a popular retreat from London for a number of years. Granted, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the ever-impressive Royal Crescent—possibly the most renowned stretch of Georgian architecture in Europe—as its centerpiece. Nevertheless, it is also small-town and community oriented. Take a boot camp exercise class in Victoria Park to kick off the weekend, browse the oldest farmers market in the UK, then get lunch at one of the many small cafés and eateries. The city comes together around its passionate support of Bath Rugby Club, and there’s culture wherever you look, from the Theatre Royal to art galleries with an exciting yearly schedule of events.

Devon’s Exmouth

Exmouth is a winner for a breezy outdoor lifestyle with water sports, hikes on the Jurassic Coast clifftop, a tangle of bike routes, and adjacent golf courses. It has two miles of sand beach—one of the longest in the Southwest—and a marina at the mouth of the Exe Estuary. Exmouth’s young air is partly due to its property prices being substantially cheaper than those of its surrounding seaside competitors, Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton. This is a departure from the town’s more typical image as a retirement community. Colyton, one of the top grammar schools in the southwest, is 40 minutes away by vehicle, while Exeter, the capital of Devon, with its stores, theaters, and commercial district, is just 30 minutes away by direct rail.

Hampshire’s Winchester

The 06.47 train from Winchester station will take you to London’s South Bank in an hour. It’s a short journey, which contributes to the attraction of this Hampshire cathedral city as well as its comparatively high real estate costs. Winchester is a family favorite because of its top-notch schools, low crime rate, and long-standing reputation as one of the happiest cities in the UK—partially due to its vibrant culinary scene, no doubt. It has excellent sports facilities, a theater, and stunning architecture. For those seeking more rural pleasures, the South Downs National Park is easily accessible, and day visits to the New Forest and sailing at Chichester are also feasible.

Dorset’s Bridport

Bridport, a market town in West Dorset, with a rich agricultural past and spacious streets and quaint alleys. It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as shown by its twice-weekly and monthly farmers markets. The Jurassic Coast’s striking cliffs are nearby, as is the harbor at West Bay, which is just a thirty-minute walk away. East Beach, which is sandy, is seven miles distant. Bohemian, quirky, and artistic? Yes, there’s the Art Deco Bridport Electric Palace, which debuted in 1926; there’s also the yearly literary and film festivals at the Bridport Arts Centre, which is built in a former church from the 19th century.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh scores well if architectural magnificence and accessibility to rural beauty are the criteria for a successful city. The beautiful and sophisticated capital of Scotland is small but sophisticated. It is home to one of the biggest financial sectors in Europe and is the second-most FTSE 100 company-having UK city after London. However, you can locate the coast and rural greens in fifteen minutes, and the Highlands’ entrance in an hour. You won’t be bored thanks to the excellent schools, convenient train and plane connections, 11 major festivals, and the renowned Hogmanay festivities. Popular residential areas include Bruntsfield, Morningside, Stockbridge, and the magnificent Georgian New Town.

Gloucestershire’s Cirencester

The charming Roman town of Cirencester is surrounded by a chain of elegant villages in the picturesque Cotswolds. It has excellent dining options, a top-notch educational system, and a true sense of community. The upscale members’ clubs of Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford may be closer to Stow-on-the-Wold, but Cirencester has far cheaper average real estate prices. Kemble station and Elkstone Studios, a collection of renovated farm buildings offering co-working spaces, health studios, and a padel court—are all 12 minutes away from Cirencester.

Lincolnshire’s Stamford

Historian Sir Walter Scott called it “the finest stone town in England.” John Betjeman, the poet, called this town “England’s best.” covered in limestone With more than 600 listed buildings, Stamford was the first urban conservation area in the UK, having been established in 1967. Aside from its natural beauty, there’s much more to love, such the Stamford Arts Center, a lively main street with plenty of local stores, weekly and monthly farmers markets, and excellent schools. This is a historically significant area of England with a number of stately residences to explore, such as Burghley House and Belvoir Castle. If you’re more of an activity person, Rutland Water, the biggest artificial lake in England, is six miles away and offers hiking, biking, fishing, nature reserves, and on-water activities.

Cumbria’s Kendal

Ahh, the entrance to the Lake District, a delightful place to stroll and hike just outside your door. Kendal, sometimes known as “Auld Grey,” is a riverside market town that is well situated for two national parks: the Yorkshire Dales to the southeast and the Lake District to the northwest. Remember to bring waterproofs in addition to walking boots, too, since Cumbria is one of the UK’s wettest regions. For those who like being outside a lot, it could seem like a small annoyance since Kendal’s yearly rainfall is matched by its high satisfaction rating among residents. The town’s continuous, well-funded revitalization, which attempts to breathe new life into the center—which is already the site of several small stores and a bustling farmers market—is one reason for that contentment.

Norfolk’s Norwich

Welcome to Norwich, the charming county town in Norfolk’s Norfolk Broads, the only city in England situated just within a national park. If you’re not aware with Norwich’s quaint streets, two cathedrals, theaters, and art galleries, you may be most familiar with it from renowned chef Delia Smith, who has a deep affection for the local football club and even owns a portion of it. Although Norwich’s daily activities may seem too calm, the city is doing a fantastic job of future-proofing itself by collaborating with Cambridge to create a digital innovation corridor that will draw in highly trained professionals. Norfolk shoots and scores: rural beauty, a thriving employment economy, and affordable homes for Londoners moving here.

West Sussex’s Chichester

Head to the protected waters of Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for 60 years, where you may choose from 14 sailing clubs, for an enchanted Swallows and Amazons lifestyle. Chi-chi-Chichester is a haven for anybody who enjoys playing about on the water; it’s just 80 miles from London, so it’s close enough for frequent doses of city activity, but distant enough to avoid the crowds. Landlubbers will find that Chichester is close to the South Downs, has excellent cultural facilities (theater and film), is three miles from Goodwood, and is eight miles from the Blue Flag West Wittering beach. It is also only five miles from the picturesque town of Bosham.