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Non-clone towns south of Birmingham
Any interesting places to visit for a bit of shopping and tourism that aren't clone towns in the south?
Clone towns are ones where it's just all the same chain shops and nothing much unique, like 99% of places in the UK.
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Interesting and shopping is highly subjective, but plenty of non-clone towns and cities, literally hundreds. You are going to have to be slightly more specific about what you want. Culture, natural beauty, history, sport, activities, something else, how far you are prepared to travel etc.
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Most large towns or cities will be some extent clones as large chains benefit from the footfall.
Cardiff has a good mix. The usual chain suspects, but also the arcades with a wide range of independent shops, a large castle and the stadium in the city centre.
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Yes Cardiff is a good call.
Much further south Lynton and lynmouth in Devon. But touristy
Unfortunately where I live the chains have choked the life out of independent business and can survive the price increases.
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Thanks, two useful suggestions there. I've heard Frome is good but never been.
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I was going to suggest Shrewsbury as it really impressed me when I visited a couple of years back. But obviously my geography is pretty horrid as it's actually north of Birmingham….
Definitely further south is Wareham with its lovely Minster. Yes quite a few chains but some nice independents too. Maybe one of a number of places to visit to include the New Forest and Salisbury. Take it from me - don't bother with Bournemouth.
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So, are you choosing your destination purely for the shopping or do you want to see/do anything else? 🤔
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The What's on sites for counties or cities can give you a fair idea as they cover tourist sites and shopping.
Many towns still have good street markets and occasional specialist ones that can be interesting though to me French ones are over done and expensive compared to MSE ideas.
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Pershore - Georgian town on River Avon. If not having a MacDonalds satisfies the non-clone spec then it is good place.
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Marlow in Buckinghamshire or Henley on Thames might fit the ball.
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Yes, Bournemouth is crap. If you are going that way then Poole is better, but still crap. I will check Wareham.
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