Head to Hereford if you're looking for a great city to explore without the troubling influence of other people.
While the hustle and bustle of central London, Manchester or Newcastle may be appealing for some, to others the idea of being swept up helplessly in a throng of theatre goers streaming out of the Wagatha Christie West End play is the stuff of nightmares.
If you find yourself in that category, then you may want to head to one of the UK's best cities for introverts.
UK Therapy Rooms has conducted an index study to find out which are the best UK cities for those who favour internal introspection, looking at factors such as tourist numbers, introvert-friendly activities and Instagram posts.
The more sights, landmarks, museums, parks, spas and wellness venues the better a city's score, while those with more tourists and Instagram posts were marked down.
Hereford found itself at the top of the pile, with a score of 69.18. The cathedral city is host to only approximately 24,000 tourists yearly, making it less crowded than other locations in the UK.
However, there are plenty of solo things to do, with 70 sights and landmarks, 30 museums, 41 parks, and eight spas.
If you find yourself in Hereford, make sure you stop by The Weir Garden, which is a perfect place to recharge your batteries and have a picnic while you enjoy the view consisting of colourful flowers, ancient trees, and wildlife.
In second place is Durham, with a score of 65.65. From the Cathedral to the Castle and the Botanic Gardens, there are 179 attractions in Durham to appeal to those travelling alone, or introverted.
And with only 58,000 tourists yearly, the city is less crowded than many others. The East Durham Coast is only a short drive away and a great place to listen to the waves and enjoy the salty breeze.
Bath comes in third place with an index score of 61.11. Although there’s a high number of yearly tourists at 401,000, there are 502 attractions out of which many are introvert-friendly.
You can choose from 40 museums to help you expand your knowledge, or you can enjoy the fresh air in the 28 nature and parks.
If you don’t mind small groups, an 80-minute Bath Walking Tour and Avon River Cruise is a great way to see the city. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of the TV series Bridgerton, you can enjoy a walking tour of filming locations and storylines from the show.
With a score of 60.26, Rye is the fourth most introvert-friendly city-break. The beautiful English town close to the coast of East Sussex hosts approximately 20,000 tourists yearly making it the least visited location on the list.
The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a great place for bird watching and miles of footpaths to explore. If you want a drink, but big pubs filled with people are overwhelming, you can try the Rye Waterworks Micropub!
Dr. Daniel Glazer, the co-founder of UK Therapy Rooms offers the following advice for travellers who are introverted.
“Exploring a new city destination might involve immersing yourself in the culture and visiting popular attractions," he said.
"For many cities, this might mean crowded, busy, and hectic days out. For someone who might view themselves as an introvert, these experiences can be draining so downtime or time alone might be needed to recharge and relax.
"There are plenty of ways to do this such as taking a stroll in nature, reading a book, or taking a bath. It might even be possible to combine these moments of rejuvenation with exploring a new destination such as by visiting an art gallery for quiet reflection or taking a trip to a well-known local park or beach.”
Best cities for introverts
- Hereford
- Durham
- Bath
- Rye
- Dundee
- Norwich
- Leicester
- Stirling
- Liverpool
- Swansea
