Esperanza77

Hello,
I'm looking for new places to see in the UK.
What is the most interesting city/town you have visited in the UK in terms of street life, food, architecture, and overall vibe. For me, it's Edinburgh.
I've been to London, Bath, York, Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Thanks

sparkchaser

Aside from those vans on the side of the road selling bacon barms, does the UK have a street food scene? Have I been walking around with my eyes closed or is it because I am in Cheshire?

jamikins

London has a HUGE street food scene.

http://www.timeout.com/london/restau...st-street-food

http://www.timeout.com/london/restau...alls-in-london

http://londonstreetfoodie.co.uk/

http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/r...-10185528.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/go...street-5900460

Just a few links on google...

hetismij2

Cheshire is too posh for street food .

PalenQ

Lincoln is a real gem that is off most folks' radars - my favorite towns outside of London are Oxford and Cambridge- lovely architecture and the colleges to visit.

PalenQ

can't beat the street life if not street food in Oxford or Cambridge. For real Brit street food, from 'rock' to chippies, head to Blackpool, by far my favorite town in the U.K. Lots of street life too - and nearly all Brits, of the lower castes however mostly.

RM67

Cambridge has regular street food festivals, usually in the Mill Road area and they are small but truly excellent. My favourite stall is Jalan Jalan (vietnamese), but there is also korean BBQ, vegan (the wandering Yak), rosti/schnitzels, gelato, churros etc etc.

In between the festivals they regularly cater at local science parks and business parks, also sometimes at the station.

http://www.foodparkcam.com/traders.html

Btw, Cambridge is not necessarily my vote for best city overall, but I am just pointing out that the impression we don't have good street food in the UK is so so wrong.

Mimar

Sounds like you prefer more urban places, not scenic small towns.

How about Brighton?

Esperanza77

Hi all and thanks fro the replies.
Street life for me is not just street food It can be anything from food to street performers, interesting streets etc..

I preferred Oxford to Cambridge, but I was only in Cambridge for a few hours. I visited Oxford several times but overall found it more impressive.

Mimar, you are right. I do prefer urban places to smaller towns. Yet I hated Glasgow and loved St Andrews, so it depends.

I will check out Blackpool, Brighton, and Lincolin.

Are there recommended cities in Scotland other than Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St. Andrews?

sofarsogood

I think Newcastle upon Tyne is worth checking out. It's the regional capital, with a strong identity due to its relative isolation.

You've got world famous bridges spanning the River Tyne, which makes for a striking arrival by train. Museums and galleries, including the Baltic, Laing Art Gallery and the Sage concert hall.

The finest street in England - Grey Street - and Georgian Grainger Town. The Norman Castle Keep and city walls.

Two universities slap bang in the city centre which give a vibrant buzz to to the city.

Its compact, walkable, and you have a beach only 30 minutes away at Tynemouth (with an ancient priory and castle).

And it's not overrun by tourists.

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...es-restaurants
http://www.thecrackmagazine.com/food_and_drink
http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/03/11-rea...he-uk-4686520/

BritishCaicos

Street food ?

Check the ratings on Tripadvisor for restaurants in Oxford.

You'll find the top ten are all kebab vans on the High Street.

Once they leave Eton, Boris and David types can't wait to sink their teeth into proper food that hasn't been served up by the family butler.

Most interesting town?

Whetherfield.

Smeagol

Please don't go to Blackpool, it's full of stag and hen parties....

Smeagol

I love Southwold, a gem of a seaside town without the horrors of some of the others. Great restaurants, cute independent shops and a nice seafront. There is a wonderful inlet with some fabulous fish restaurants, that go straight from he fish go boats to the dinner table. A kcal brewery (Adnams) and as I said some lovely restaurants.

PalenQ

Most interesting town?

Whetherfield.>

You do not mean Weatherfield from Coronation Street - the fictional town the Street is in?

hetismij2

Just don't plan on having a picnic in Southwold. They are banned.

Smeagol

Only on the pier though

annhig

Bristol - history, architecture, great food [try the St Nicholas market], nightlife, cider [the Coronation tap in Clifton is the place to go] theatre, Brunel, - need I go on?

Smeagol

Ann- spooky I was just thinking about Bristol too!

quokka

Another vote for Lincoln!

RM67

I'm astonished you didn't like Glasgow if architecture, street life and vibe is on your wants lists.

Ditto Cambridge, which though very different in character has tons to fill a day with beyond the obvious Fitzwilliam Museum, Botanic Gardens and punting - a myriad of festivals for example (Strawberry Fayre, Folk festival, Beer festival, Foodpark etc etc) throughout the year, plus the college buildings, bridges and backs for your architecture fix.

Your list of previous visits - Bath, York, SUA, doesn't really scream cool, hip, quirky, street life. I might have suggested Brighton, but its a million miles from those tbh.