Hidden gems in unlikely places

Local woodland near me. It is full of a variety of ancient trees and has a little fishing lake.
I don't know how to share photos but I have many and ssshhh...I'm not telling you where it is! Not many dog walkers go there.

Highdown is just off the A259 between Worthing and Littlehampton. There is a beautifully kept garden in a rural setting which is open to the public.

Wisbech in Cambridgeshire is a forgotten Georgian gem. It was a port until the Wash silted up as far as the town.
Vistt National Trust Peckover House where Thomas the Tank Engine was born, St Peter's church and the museum which is so old-fashioned and quirky that it's a museum itself. Charming streets and riverside merchants' houses. It isn't a rich place with lots of smart shops, but well worth a visit, an add-on to a,trip to lovely Ely cathedral perhaps.

Kate1949

This is Walsall Arboretum. Walsall is a tired looking town which wouldn't be at the top of many people's list of places to visit.

On the outskirts of town is this beautiful arboretum with lovely walks, babbling streams, lakes, children's water splash area, a tennis court, picnic areas with tables and benches, exercise machines, swings and slides, parakeets in the trees, an inexpensive cafe. Today we saw a swan sitting on its nest.

No I don't work for them! Anything else know of any hidden gems in unlikely places?

Don’t they have a wonderful light show of some kind round Christmas time? Or used to.

Walsall arboretum is beautiful, as you say a hidden gem. I used to love the Illuminations. Such a pity how Walsall has gone downhill as it used to be a lovely town.

Romola

Wisbech in Cambridgeshire is a forgotten Georgian gem. It was a port until the Wash silted up as far as the town.
Vistt National Trust Peckover House where Thomas the Tank Engine was born, St Peter's church and the museum which is so old-fashioned and quirky that it's a museum itself. Charming streets and riverside merchants' houses. It isn't a rich place with lots of smart shops, but well worth a visit, an add-on to a,trip to lovely Ely cathedral perhaps.

OMG Wisbech is known as Wisbechistan around here. 🤣 My husband had some work at Peckover House about 5 years ago so I hitched a ride.

I had not been there for several years and we were totally shocked at how run down it was. Most of the shops were grubby charity shops. I mean really grubby. The once lovely town was full of litter and overflowing bins and down by the river were drunken men drinking cheap cider and beer. There was an air of neglect all around the town.

Peckover House is a gem but forget the rest. Nothing would make me visit again.

Maybee. Sadly the illuminations no longer happen at the arboretum. It's a shame. We used to take our daughter and granddaughter. The children used to love it.

Kate1949

*Maybee*. Sadly the illuminations no longer happen at the arboretum. It's a shame. We used to take our daughter and granddaughter. The children used to love it.

I always wanted to go to it but never managed it. The still have the illuminations at Matlock that I used to take my daughter to though.

During Covid we were restricted to going within a 5 km limit from our homes ( don’t get me started about our vile state government ) and I discovered this really lovely wildlife reserve hidden on the side of a hill. Lots of wildflowers were in bloom, not a soul around and even a little lake with a small stream. Just on our doorstep,too.

Yes nanna8. It's amazing what's on our doorstep.

Sadly I agree that Wisbech is a run down grotty town now. When I was young it was a lovely place to visit, I had a dear relative who I used to stay with during the holidays and it was a treat to go there. I saw it featured on 24hrs in police custody recently and honestly I’m not surprised.

Kate1949

*Maybee*. Sadly the illuminations no longer happen at the arboretum. It's a shame. We used to take our daughter and granddaughter. The children used to love it.

I didn't know that - what a shame! It's a bit of a trek from me but I took my boys once and we really enjoyed it. I thought it was one of those events that always happens

Just up the road from here - 10 minute walk up the steep hill is Rayleigh Mount. A beautiful little area, mainly small paths and woodland, climbing up to where The Mount stood. It opens up into a grassy area with wild flowers . There are a couple of ponds with a few ducks residing there.

My ds1 and DIL went there last weekend - the first time they had been, didn’t realise it was there and have lived in Rayleigh for the last 25 years.

A little known oasis in the middle of the town.

Gibraltar Point nature reserve. Just down the road from Skegness, or for those that can, walk along the beach from Skeg.
Not so much a hidden gem, but it’s definitely in an unlikely place, given what so many people think about Skeggie

Two Tree Island in Essex.
This is taken from the hide.

Once again GN tech not working.
One more try 😊

Oh well. 🤷‍♀️

Another pretty run down town is West Bromwich. It does however have this beauty on its doorstep. Sandwell Valley Country Park, Nature Reserve, boating lake and farm.
Not sure why this area is called The Black Country, although of course I know where the name originated. .

Beddington on the southern edge of London. A huge wild park with the River Wandle running through it, and an old church with pre Rsphaelite murals. Ikea is in sight!

It's been lovely reading all the postings, made my day.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially regarding Wisbech it seems. Surely we can say we don't like somewhere without pouring scorn on where someone lives. Some of these comments are awful and mocking.

Daffydilly

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially regarding Wisbech it seems. Surely we can say we don't like somewhere without pouring scorn on where someone lives. Some of these comments are awful and mocking.

Point out these mocking, scornful or awful comments because I can’t see any. Nobody has actually said they live in Wisbech either so who is supposed to be offended?

Maybe the heat has made you very sensitive today? 😉

You might be right, I'll hold my hands up. I'm not usually a fragile flower and have no idea why I'm defending somewhere I've never been. Happy to blame the heat. 🤔🙄

I have always liked Walsall Arboretum too, Kate1949. The place l would recommend is the drive on the back roads from Manningtree to Clacton or Walton-on-theNaze in North Essex. It is really pretty and not at all well-known.