A Reddit user has claimed that Brits in this part of the UK are among the ‘friendliest’ in the country, and that ‘everyone talks to you and smiles’ when you visit the area
The UK boasts a plethora of towns and cities with amiable residents – but one city up north has consistently won over visitors with its warm-hearted locals. On the Reddit thread “Ask a Brit”, users were on the hunt for the nation’s most welcoming spots.
One Brit shared their experience: “Durham is the friendliest. Every time I go there everyone talks to you, and all smile. [sic]” Nestled in the northeast, County Durham shares borders with Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, the North Sea, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
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The historic city of Durham, situated on the River Wear’s loop, draws tourists globally with its storied past, reports the Express. Durham’s reputation as a congenial locale is well-established, with travel writer Bill Bryson lauding it as a “wonderful – a perfect little city” and praising its cathedral as “the best cathedral on planet earth” in his 1995 work Notes from a Small Island.
In 2023, The Telegraph included Durham among the top city breaks in the UK, while readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine crowned it the ‘Best city in the UK’. The city’s university, central to Durham’s appeal, entices international students, partly due to the vibrant city that envelops it.
Durham University describes the city, saying: “With a population of around 43,000 Durham has a compact, friendly feel but still provides the facilities you would expect of a thriving city including a number of cafés, bars and restaurants, and an array of popular high-street shops.”
Durham Cathedral, sitting proudly at the city’s heart, is part of its UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the Romanesque architecture and vaulted ceilings that create an awe-inspiring space for an angelic choir practice.
Throughout the year, the Cathedral also puts on various events, such as sing-a-long shows and performances by live orchestras. Cinephiles and TV buffs often visit Durham hoping to spot locations from the Harry Potter films.
The cathedral itself featured in the series; both ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ included scenes set in different parts of the building.
The city is not only steeped in history but is surrounded by green spaces. Come summer, you’ll find visitors and locals alike enjoying traditional rowing boat excursions along the River Wear, which are available for hire to the public.
While Durham city centre boasts affluence in the North East, the broader region offers housing at prices below the UK average.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the average UK house price stood at £285,000 in December 2023. In contrast, properties in Durham had an overall average price of £193,746 over the past year, as per Rightmove’s data.