UPDATE: Is High Wycombe really one of the worst places in the south east? This is what you said
A viral TikTok video has named High Wycombe as one of the worst places in the south of England – but not everyone agrees.
A video which has been viewed more than 1.6 million times features the town in a list of the “worst places in the south of England” – alongside the likes of Bracknell, Dartford and Sittingbourne – while a previous video also named Aylesbury in the list.
The TikTok video, which was posted last month, has been liked nearly 65,000 times, but not everyone in the comments agreed High Wycombe should be on the list.
One person said: “I used to live in High Wycombe and it wasn’t that bad.”
Another said: “Nothing wrong with High Wycombe – got decent shops.”
A third person added: “High Wycombe is lovely, and Bracknell is good.”
Despite its criticisms, High Wycombe does actually have a lot going for it and is backed by centuries of rich history.
@josephbond123 Worst places in the south of England part 8 #fyp#england#south#britain#boris#shit#banter#worst#banta#sittingbourne#dartford#bracknell#highwycombe#hatfield ♬ Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing) - Fred again.. & The Blessed Madonna
Huge strides have been made to overhaul the town centre, and a string of new bars and restaurants are helping it to thrive – and we certainly think there is plenty to shout about.
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Here are some of the best things about High Wycombe (in our opinion):
Great town centre events – FrogFest, the historic weighing-in of the mayor, regular vegan and specialist markets, a Christmas lights switch-on every year: these are just some of the amazing things you can enjoy in town, largely thanks to HWBIDCo, the company tasked with looking after businesses in the town centre.
Brilliant independent bars, cafes and restaurants – after a tough year and a half for all businesses due to the impact of Covid, High Wycombe is lucky to have some fabulous independents we can support.
You can step back in time to the 1940s at the quaint Air Raid Shelter Café in the Chilterns Shopping Centre, relax at one of the cosy coffee shops like The Front Room, Tone Coffee Shop, Kubik Café or grab a bite to eat at Lunch or Lata Lata.
You can get amazing afternoon tea at the quirky Sosh Club on Frogmoor, or enjoy some authentic fayre at Kappad South Indian Restaurant, Historia Meze Grill or Syrena.
The town’s bar scene is also improving – visit Cinquieme in the Eden, Heidrun, The Antelope, or the newly-opened Merletto Lounge and the Wheatsheaf Inn on the High Street.
Tourist attractions on our doorstep – aside from the breath-taking beauty of the Chilterns AONB that is just ripe for exploring, there’s also Wycombe Museum, Pann Mill, the Hell-Fire caves, Hughenden Manor and West Wycombe Park to name just a few of the great places for a day out.
Gorgeous green spaces – The Rye has been described as the jewel in High Wycombe’s crown, and we couldn’t agree more.
We’re lucky to have such a beautiful open space in the middle of the town, as well as the picturesque Hughenden Park nearby.
Not to mention the pretty Library Gardens on the corner of the High Street and Queen Victoria Road – the flower displays are amazing to marvel at.
Fascinating history – High Wycombe’s charter market is over 700 years old, which is pretty impressive!
Originally a mill town, High Wycombe was known for manufacturing cloth and linen before the paper industry started to flourish in the 17th and 18th century.
The town is probably best known for its furniture industry and is famous for its chairmaking.
The centre of town is filled with historic buildings you can marvel at, including the Little Market House, All Saints Parish Church and the Guildhall.
Share with us what you love about High Wycombe - email stephanie.wareham@newsquest.co.uk with your views or comment below.
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