What is the best UK County and why?
Posted by Cricketer4864@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 100 comments
In my opinion, Dorset is the best county. This is because it has a stunning countryside, beautiful villages, stunning scenery and the amazing sea views. Dorset, my home county, is also the best, because of the Jurasic Coast. The Jurassic Coast, I think, was where the largest skull of a plesiosaur was found. Also, Dorset had Wisden's most beautiful cricket ground, Abbotsbury, in 2004.
Please comment your response.
anonoaw@reddit
Yorkshire (any of them, but I’m partial to North Yorkshire).
Moved here for uni over 10 years ago with the assumption that I’d move back down south after graduation. Fell in love with the place and have never looked back. Can’t see myself moving out of the county until I retire (at which point my ideal is to move to the Lake District)
DazzleBMoney@reddit
Isn’t Middlesbrough technically in North Yorkshire too? Not a very good city that
Educational_Cow111@reddit
Nope
DazzleBMoney@reddit
Yes it is it’s in North Yorkshire
TheYorkshireSaint@reddit
God's own country for a reason
Popular_Piccolo125@reddit
Agree, but always went on holiday to Derbyshire!
VisibleCategory6852@reddit
Still believing in sky fairies, just Yorkshire things
ZBD1949@reddit
And the reason is you have to keep repeating it in the hope that someone will eventually believe you
cluedo_fuckin_sucks@reddit
Expected nothing else from your username
OceansOfLight@reddit
Any county that contains Rotherham, Bradford, Hull, Barnsley, Burmantofts and Doncaster doesn't deserve the title of best county. So many shitholes riding on the coattails of North Yorkshire (where hardly anyone lives).
DazzleBMoney@reddit
Most of the big towns and cities in Yorkshire are complete shitholes with higher murder rates than London, but the deluded northern’s can’t ever acknowledge that fact
anonoaw@reddit
A county having less nice places (which every county has) doesn’t negate any of the positives I mentioned. I live in West Yorkshire and
coffeewalnut05@reddit
North Yorkshire has nearly 1 million people. And what’s wrong with Hull?
OceansOfLight@reddit
England has a population of 56 million. So 800,000 is nothing.
So I repeat, the vast majority of Yorkshire's population ride on the coattails of the nice bit where no one lives.
intangible_entity@reddit
Some people enjoy areas where there isn't a big population. What's great about North Yorkshire is exactly that, it's very peaceful. The countryside is beautiful and people are very welcoming to tourists
OceansOfLight@reddit
I agree. That's why I called it the nice part of Yorkshire compared to the rest of it.
intangible_entity@reddit
There's literal shit holes in every county, you just can't escape it in the UK
OceansOfLight@reddit
True but West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire are wall-to-wall shitholes with a few exceptions around the edges. Truly dire. When someone's looking for Yorkshire recommendations I suggest Rotherham so they can experience the real Yorkshire.
intangible_entity@reddit
Alrighty then...
OceansOfLight@reddit
Glad we came to an agreement.
coffeewalnut05@reddit
Yorkshire’s population is 5 million, so a large portion of the population do live in the northern part. But you can keep repeating the same nonsense. Also, North Yorkshire has its fair share of issues, just as the other 3 have their fair share of well-kept, nice places.
OceansOfLight@reddit
Less than 1/5th of Yorkshire's population. You are either delusional or in denial if you think that's "a large portion of the population" of Yorkshire. Meanwhile over 4/5th's are crowded into shitholes or living in flat marshes around the Humber.
beepbopbeepbobimabot@reddit
It's quite amusing how much Yorkshire gets promoted on this sub without people picking up on the fact so many people here are from Yorkshire.
It's a bit like saying "my teams the best because I support them".
Yorkshire in itself is a nice county. I lived there for three years (Skipton and less time in Leeds) but it isn't ahead of other places in the UK, in my view. I found Leeds, specifically, was fairly racist. On several occasions my colleagues were vocally abused on the streets for being Indian.
I personally much prefer Hertfordshire. It consists of many villages and smaller towns but has easy access to London. I also like parts of Wales.
anonoaw@reddit
I grew up on the beds/herts/bucks border so not a big fan of Hertfordshire. Have thoroughly enjoyed wales every time I’ve been as an adult, but haven’t spent enough time there to really know it
beepbopbeepbobimabot@reddit
Each to their own. Hertfordshire spans a large area, so I think it's fairly safe to say your experiences will differ considebly by person to person.
Personally, I love the place. Lea Valley on your doorstep, the opportunities that London brings, good transport links, considerably good investment by companies basing themselves there, and much of it still considered countryside. Being more South, you generally get better weather compared to the North, too.
anonbush234@reddit
Its Okay that you don't get it.
Primary_Somewhere_98@reddit
The above is the right answer.
AdministrativeLaugh2@reddit
/thread
Familiar_Remote_9127@reddit
You missed out the water. Yorkshire water is the best.
MelodicAd2213@reddit
And dunking a Yorkshire teabag in it makes it even better
OldManAndTheSea93@reddit
Best in England but nothing beats Scottish tap water.
oovavooo@reddit
This is the correct answer. Beautiful, affluent, large and varied - it’s a pretty darn good part of the country, and much of it unspoilt by the worst aspects of England.
WantWantShellySenbei@reddit
Wasn't really convinced until the last point. Now I'm sold.
Traditional_Ad7802@reddit
Dorset and somerset best places to live imo
privatejerkov@reddit
I live in Dorset and I think its quite frankly overrated.
Mykrojax2@reddit
Norfolk - beautiful beaches, lovely countryside and a laid back quiet lifestyle. Moved here last year and absolutely love the place.
Marmiteforrest@reddit
Shhhh don’t tell everyone
MaybeBlythy@reddit
Absolutely!! Feels like a wonderland here, we're so close with our neighbours, everyone in our little hamlet knows eachother, and every morning I get to wake up to skies like this! Real life stardew valley is in norfolk
imtheorangeycenter@reddit
I came to say Dorset! Because it's lovely, varied landscapes, but really there's not much else "going on"* so it's not swamped by all the tourists that hit Devon and Cornwall. I remember a newspaper running a "ten facts" about Dorset, but they got stuck at 8.
*If you want to holiday in B'mouth/Poole, be my guest. I won't be there.
Cricketer4864@reddit (OP)
I also say Dorset, I live there, so I know exactly what is amazing about it.
wise_balls@reddit
Riding a motorbike up Creech and over the Purbeck Hills on a summers day; beats every other county in the UK. You can keep your Yorkshire moors!
vicarofsorrows@reddit
Lancashire! We’ve got easy access to the Yorkshire moors etc. without actually having to live amongst those bastards….
anonbush234@reddit
So the best thing about Lancashire is that it's near Yorkshire? You said it cock.
I heard you don't even have Christmas over border in Lancashire. P
vicarofsorrows@reddit
That’s because every day is Christmas in Lancashire! We don’t need a special holiday….
ErisedFelicis@reddit
Lancashire has its own beautiful hills and moors, no need to go over to the dodgy side of the Pennines. The Lune Valley, Ribble Valley and Pendle Hill are highlights.
vicarofsorrows@reddit
True!
I’m a Lune Valley man myself.
tigerlion246@reddit
Northamptonshire . It's got the same golden coloured stoned cottages and beautiful countryside like the Cotswolds but it's not commericialised in the same way. It's got great links to London and Birmingham. It's so chilled and the people are lovely. And it's a nice mix, you can go to the countryside and find other brown/black people
aaarry@reddit
Rural South and West Northants are lovely (basically the old borders of south Northants and Daventry district), the landscape is really beautiful and the villages are stunning and full of character, it really does feel like it should be part of the Cotswolds in places.
Apart from that though, the urban areas in the county are pretty nasty and offer nothing unique (apart from maybe the fact that the Rugby team is the most popular, not many other counties can say that?), bar maybe Brackley, Towcester and the very centre of Dav. East Northamptonshire (assuming you believe it actually exists) is just flat and boring with about 6 people living there and all of them are farmers.
I love Northamptonshire and it’s my favourite county because it’s home, and I think the western/ southern half of the place is lovely, but I can think of many others I would consider better on the whole.
tigerlion246@reddit
A place being flat doesn't make it boring. I think maybe try hiking there and changing your outlook on it.
aaarry@reddit
Yeah fair enough, my Nan is from Finedon so I’ve been around the east a fair bit, I just prefer the west for its countryside and consistent pleasantness. That being said though, Oundle is one of the prettiest towns I’ve ever been to.
KingKhram@reddit
Each county is beautiful in its own right. There is no winner apart from the UK
_DeanRiding@reddit
Say that to Greater Manchester
Dynamiccookie14@reddit
Essex is shit. Trust me I live here
Justacynt@reddit
That's basically London mate
Dynamiccookie14@reddit
Thankfully I live in North Essex which, although has a bunch of londerners, doesn't have the London feel. South Essex is basically London Part 2
EquivalentIsopod7717@reddit
Yeah I lived in Suffolk and never liked Essex when I passed through. Horrible accents, most of the major towns are shithouses, then down towards Brentwood you have the chavvy TOWIE crowd etc.
Vivaelpueblo@reddit
Northumberland, often desolate, wild and wind swept. Stunning castles and fantastic beaches. A really rugged landscape.
hippyjon@reddit
Caithness because it's the furthest you can get from London.
VisibleCategory6852@reddit
Lancashie
DifficultyBoth2985@reddit
Shropshire, quiet, beautiful countryside, bundles of history and plenty of outdoors activities.
LongrodVonHugedong86@reddit
Practically wales though, loses points /s
Bogroleum@reddit
Inverness-shire because it's the most handsome.
LongrodVonHugedong86@reddit
Having lived near there for a while (Forres) I’d give it a close 2nd place. It’s fucking gorgeous but by god I don’t know if it was like it in Inverness, but in Forres the fucking weather couldn’t make its mind up! I’d leave the house to snow, get to work and it’s sunny, lunch break it’s hail, back in work it’s light rain and then on the way home it’s fucking gale force winds and horizontal rain! 😂
It was a right bastard trying to play a round of golf
WantWantShellySenbei@reddit
Inverness-shire is ridiculously gorgeous. It's also surprisingly large!
LongrodVonHugedong86@reddit
It’s Yorkshire. That’s the only correct answer. Thank you and goodnight.
coffeewalnut05@reddit
Yorkshire IMO. Also has an impressive coastline, a variety of cities and towns, some of the best food around, gorgeous green countryside, big skies, many friendly people and a strong local culture.
BellamyRFC54@reddit
County Antrim
anonymouse39993@reddit
Cambridgeshire
Good central location within the country, not far if you want to go to the coast, not far too London, some lovely villages
aaarry@reddit
The Cambridgeshire countryside outside of the towns and villages:
VisitWinchester@reddit
I’m inclined to say Herefordshire because I like the countryside and don’t like people.
Shoutout to Berkshire for being my definite pick for worst county
Gherkiin13@reddit
If you can't handle me at my Slough, you don't deserve me at my Windsor.
dinobug77@reddit
Slough. Taking the heat off Bracknell since 1196
SuicidalTurnip@reddit
As a Bracknell native I will forever appreciate Slough's sacrifice.
Dynamiccookie14@reddit
No-one is gonna mention Essex, and with good reason lol. Lived here my whole life and there's just nothing exciting here
fixedplacespace@reddit
Gwynedd 🔛🔝 We have it all! It has come to my attention there aren’t any escalators here though
cecil_the-lion@reddit
Durham! Apart from being able to sing the name to the tune of the pink panther. It's got a beautiful coastline, the amazing old city of Durham, beautiful hills of weardale (can even go snowboarding / skiing in the winter). Massively underrated part of the world. Also If you're in need of an eyesight you can have a pop to Barney castle. If you like trains we had the world's first at the locomotive museum in shildon.
Left_Perspective6136@reddit
I went to school in Sacriston, some parts of Durham are as rough as a bear's arse
One-Cardiologist-462@reddit
Second your opinion of Dorset.
It's what I want people to think of when they think about England.
bonkerz1888@reddit
Ross & Cromarty.
MajorHubbub@reddit
Done some sailing in Portland harbour, I agree, Dorset is good. Shit roads though. Not one mile of motorway, which some feel is a plus.
andyrocks@reddit
I spend a lot of time in Portland and it's an odd little place with a lot going for it. Absolutely superb for watersports.
imtheorangeycenter@reddit
That's one of the x10x 8 interesting facts about the county.
Adorable_Orca81@reddit
County Down, Northern Ireland. Mourne Mountains, Strangford Lough. North Down Coast. Plus much more.
vipros42@reddit
Devon. Two really different coasts and every other type of landscape in between.
OllyDee@reddit
Yeah I live in Dorset so I’d have to agree. I’m not biased in the slightest, and there’s no evidence to suggest I am.
But yeah it’s pretty chill, nice rural and coastal areas and some fun towns. The only blight on the county might be Poole towns resident mutants that drag themselves out of the drains at opening time and drip back into the gutter at some later, unspecified time.
Skyersjet_II@reddit
Greater London.
MagaratSnatcher@reddit
Your getting downvoted by the haters. They hate us coz they ain't us
DosMojitosPorFavor@reddit
They hate us cos they anus?
Skyersjet_II@reddit
Haters gonna hate.
MajesticTooth9236@reddit
Dorset is probably my favourite too. Stunning countryside, some nice towns, and not too far away to travel to some big cities.
CheesyLala@reddit
Grew up in Yorkshire, now living in Norfolk. Both awesome in very different ways.
LiquidLuck18@reddit
Depends on what you like really. If you like urban areas with lots of things to do then you won't like Northumberland or Cumbria at all, but if you love beautiful countryside then Northumberland and Cumbria would be towards the top of the list.
On balance (and it pains me to say this as someone from Manchester) I'd say North Yorkshire deserves a shout. Note that I said North Yorkshire specifically, definitely not the other parts of it. North Yorkshire has a lot of great countryside, a great coastline and York itself is a great city. Similarly Devon has great countryside, two great coasts and Exeter. So those two counties have a good mix of everything.
My personal favourite is Cumbria.
DampFlange@reddit
Traitor :)
LiquidLuck18@reddit
I know 😣 If we're looking at regions as a whole though the North West wins hands down 💪
Tall_Station1588@reddit
Northumberland surely!
WantWantShellySenbei@reddit
Beautiful, desolate landscapes. I love the windswept hills of Northumberland.
Tall_Station1588@reddit
Fantastic beaches too
Numerous_Ticket_7628@reddit
English county do you mean?
TheArtfullTodger@reddit
Not Kent. Fuck off Londoners go elsewhere
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