South East: The richest region of the country is the Thames Valley according to the researchers, but with towns such as Windsor included this possibly comes as no great surprise.

With a population less than 30,000 people, the small Berkshire town seems to be extremely popular with the rich and famous, but then it can count The Queen and Elton John amongst its residents at least part of the year.

The tiny town of Bray in Berkshire also features extremely favourably with a mere 4600 people living there and an estimated 300 millionaires. The town also hosts Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant which perhaps explains why it is so full all of the time.

Windor town and castle [Source: Wikipedia]

Outside London: Tthe second richest area of the UK is no where near London or the home counties. It is in fact Cheshire, or more specifically the towns of Alderley Edge and Hale.

These areas of Cheshire, close to south Manchester have always been affluent, but perhaps the influence of Manchester United could have increased the number of millionaires in the region. Many of the players and quite a few of their wives / girlfriends (WAG’s) are regularly seen especially in the cafes of Alderley Edge.

Surprises: If the list was extended past the top 10 we would see a few more surprises, and wealth distribution into places you might not entirely expect.

Perhaps the Cotswold towns Burford and Chipping Campden could be considered as candidates in the wings for inclusion in a top richest small towns, given their location in this most idylic region of southern Britain.

However, would you expect to find Windermere in the Lake District and Ponteland just north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to be included? Both of those are very close to the top 10!

We can’t find an explanation for the latter as perhaps Newcastle United players have all bought houses there? If you want to gather some millionaire friends, perhaps Ponteland is the best place to move to.

The top 10 richest small towns in Britain:

Quality of life?

What is noticeable about this list is that non of the locations are anywhere near those in the UK’s happiest places list we covered recently so perhaps being surrounded by riches isn’t always the best place to live…?

Gallery of some of the richest towns:

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The shop was originally opened in 1890 when the attached houses were also built by one Samuel Stocks, and was run by a number of families over the intervening years including:

• Joseph and Rosahannah Chappell – 1910 to 1927
• John James and Bertha Mather – 1927 to 1937
• Margaret Boyd and her husband – 1950 to 1970s

The latter couple eventually retired and closed the shop known by this time simply as “Boyd’s” which has remained boarded up ever since, but it was assumed that the contents had been removed long ago.

Bay Rum – As found in Boyd’s shop in Accrington [Source: Wikipedia]

However, when developer Alan Duffy opened the shop up again, he discovered old magazines, old bottles of medicine and sweet jars, some of which were dated from the 1930s all in the same places where they’d been left by the Boyd’s.

Many locals still remember the shop with the Boyd’s which ran just like the Open All Hours shop run by Arkwright and Granville around the same era. It was regarded as quite a high class shop as it sold biscuits, cigarettes and ice cream.

According to the Accrington Observer, goods found in the shop included:

• Old glass sweet jars.
• Bottles of cure-all Fennings Fever Mixture.
• Rare Ruby Murray records
• A £36 15s 7d bill for work done on the building in 1927.
• An original tin for Victory V lozenges.
• A Titbits magazine from 1971 with a front page headline about Coronation Street which read “Elsie Tanner is as common as muck”

The latter probably dates the shop more than anything else!

Hyndburn Council is hoping that the shop might be preserved, although Mr Duffy’s plan was to renovated the building and turn it into a house. Time will tell…

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Tipped off by Ian Visits it turns out that many of the olde-worlde signs that have pointed visitors around the centre of London are going under the hammer. The idea is to replace them with modern “legible” signs – otherwise known as dull, boring and completely out of character.

Downing Street sign for auction

However, for the lucky collectors, there are plenty of signs to chose from including naturally lots of “Public toilet” directional signs and some more unique ones such as signs to historic monuments.

The sign above might be one of the most saught after and has a guide price of £1000 – £1500.

The auctions are taking place at Summerplace Auctions in West Sussex on the 21st May 2013 at 1.30pm. The items are a little hard to find on their web site however.

Downing Street sign auction page.

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Approximately how many people visited a London theatre?

1. 10.9 million
2. 13.9 million
3. 15 million

Was the approximate total of ticket sales?

1. £529 million
2. £729 million
3. £929 million

How many theatre show performances were there in total?

1. 15,000 performances
2. 18,000 performances
3. 21,000 performances

How many Queen songs are there in the “We Will Rock You” musical?

1. 16
2. 25
3. 32

How tall is the giraffe in the Lion King?

1. 3.5 metres
2. 5.5 metres
3. 6.5 metres

How many times does Billy Elliot change shoes in the West End show?

1. 3 times
2. 5 times
3. 7 times

Finally, which is the oldest theatre in London (dating from 1812)?

1. The Royal Drury
2. The Old Vic
3. Apollo Victoria?

Answers: Now you can go find out how many you got right.

London Theatre Facts Infographic [Source: VisitBritain Media]

The infographic was provided by VisitBritain using data from the Society of London Theatre, Ambassador Theatre Group and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.

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The footage was part of a travelogue showing Hyde Park, Westminster, London Bridge and the approach to Trafalgar Square and is one of the earliest colour films from the time.

It was shot by Claude Frisse-Greene, who was using an experimental colour film system invented by his father, and unlike earlier films it plays at real speed rather than the over-speed that is often seen in earlier film footage, causing people to rush around like ants.

There are many scenes you would never see today including policemen directing traffic, flat caps & trilby’s and virtually no cars on the roads. It would seem driving styles haven’t changed much and there is still a fight between the cars and the cyclists, with pedestrians taking their lives into their hands crossing the roads.

All in all, it would seem the older generations might have been right at least about some things and life was a little calmer back in the “olden days”.

Tips cloth cap to the London Evening Standard.

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Started in 1984, Derby’s Hydrangea collection is the largest in Britain and the third largest in the world. It now holds over 400 different types. Although, by the time you read this, don’t be surprised it has added a few more!

Hydrangea Macrophylla pink flowers [Source: Wikipedia]

The Holehird garden at Windermere in Cumbria has more than 300 types of Hydrangea, and The Garden House in Erbistock, Wrexham is also fast-approaching 300. But neither can compare with Derby’s collection, which now stands third in the world, behind The Esveld Nursery in Holland with around 600 types, and the Shamrock Garden in France with a hugely impressive 1,000 different types of Hydrangea.

So what goes into creating a national collection? In the past, thousands of different types of cultivated plants have been lost from British gardens.

Many go out of fashion, or just get abandoned by the nursery trade. But Plant Heritage has encouraged gardeners and botanists to visit collections to compare and study many plants from a single genus all in one place. Formed in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society the British collections scheme is the envy of plantsmen and women, and botanists, all over the world. And Derby’s national collection is now a very important part of that scheme.

A blue Hydrangea growing in acid soil [Source: Wikipedia]

Based within easy walking distance of the city centre, the collection is located in Darley Park – donated in 1929 to the people of derby by the Evans family who founded the cotton mills at Darley Abbey. Today, the collection is cared for by the Friends of Darley Open Spaces, and while part of it is open to the public year-round, the full Hydrangea collection is available to view during the “blooming season”, between July and October.

Located next to the butterfly garden, and not far from the Wildflower Meadow, the collection – and Darley Park itself – is one of the real “insider tips” for anyone who plans to visit Derby these days.

Otter, shrews, barn owls, woodpeckers, kingfishers and emerald damselfly are all found in the Park; and the Peregrine falcons which nest on the Cathedral are often spotted overhead.

Full details can be found at the Hydrangea Derby web site.

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The space in Manor Road, Leyton was originally a falling down garage sandwiched between two houses but around a month ago, a mysterious wooden fronted building appeared complete with two windows and a door.

There isn’t currently a roof on the “property” and no one is exactly sure who built it, but whether this is an attempt to get around planning laws or a joke is currently a bit of a mystery.

Not all residents in the street are too worried. One said she actually preferred the new house as the previous garage was a bit of an eyesore, but the council don’t seem too keen on the structure which has no planning permission and is two stories high.

Official narrowest: The recognised world’s smallest fronted house is The Wedge on the island of Great Cumbrae which is just 3.9 feet. The new wooden house however is narrower at the back so might still be able to obtain its own record.

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Anyone under 18 at least can contribute to the project known as “The UK, Our Way” by filling in an online form on the Parkdene web site and the best ideas will be included in the book which should be published later this year.

Parkdene – The UK our way travel guide

Aims: This new holiday guide aims to become the ultimate “rough guide” for tiny travellers, giving them insider knowledge on the perfect places for children to explore and enjoy during their break so in theory no you won’t hear “I’m borrred” coming from the back of the car.

Whether its finding the best ice cream in the UK or where to build the biggest sandcastles, the guide book will highlight the places kids really want to visit – which we’re assuming doesn’t include being dragged around old historic houses…unless they’re haunted of course.

Have your say: Anyone wanting to contribute can do so by visiting the Our Way guide page.

Competition: There’s even a free prize draw for those entering ideas where one family will win a week long family holiday at one of the Parkdean’s 24 holiday parks.

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Several questions were asked of the surveyed public, with the question “Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?” being the crucial measurement of just how happy each area is.

Some of the results might be expected, but what has surprised many is simply how happy the residents of northern Scotland seem to feel. Considering the complications of life in the more remote areas such as these, it brings into question whether the traditional “happiness” factors are really right.

White sands on the Isle of Vatersay in the happy Western Isles

Factors which don’t affect happiness?

• Having lots of money
• Large numbers of facilities
• Fancy cars such as Ferarri’s
• Even nice sunny weather

So if these aren’t the things which make us truly happy, then what is? That question might keep psychologists and sociologists in work for many decades to come, but it would seem the biggest factor could be – location, location, location.

As the picture above was from one of the highest scoring areas across all the surveys, this idea could well be backed up. Which would you prefer to wake up to – a nice sandy beach or a street full of cars?

The Isle of Berneray in Western Isles [Source: WIkipedia]

So, where are the happiest places in the UK?

5 happiest places in the UK:

1. Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Orkney & Shetland
2. Moray
3. Aberdeenshire
4. Angus
5. Highland

5 least happy places in the UK:

1. Peterborough (city of)
2. South Ayrshire
3. Middlesbrough (city of)
4. Inner London
5. Leicestershire

Conclusion: It would seem if you want to be stress free and happy there is one conclusion – head north as the north / south divide has just turned around…!

By sheer co-incidence, we also published a blog post recently about holidays around the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) so even if you can’t move there, they would seem a good place to go and relax amongst very happy locals.

More related links:

• Visitor attractions around Scotland with all happy areas covered
• Hotel accommodation around Scotland for short breaks in happy Scotland
• Holiday cottages self-catering in Scotland for total relaxation and peace

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Often known as the Western Isles, the Outer Hebrides are an archipelago of interconnected islands, each with its own history and unique identity, but all offering some of the most peaceful holiday destinations in the United Kingdom.

The Isle of Lewis sits on the northern tip of the Hebridian islands and offers the spectacular view watching the sun coming up over the standing stones at Callanish – an imposing megalithic monument. The view is so amazing, it inspired the breathtaking backdrops on the recent Oscar-winning blockbuster Brave.

Islanders also recommend you stand by the Stevenson lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis which is generally regarded as the windiest place in the UK. Those venturing there will soon find out why. The wind also helps to make Lewis one of the most reliable surfing regions in the country with good surfing conditions on the western side of the island.

Lewis also has the only legal distillery in the islands at Abhainn Dearg (Red River), which the locals refer to as a dram of the “Water of Life”, aka. Scottish Whiskey. Of course not all whiskey on the islands has been legal as the Isle of Eriskay notes will enlighten a little further down.

The Calanais Sanding Stones on Lewis [Source: Wikipedia]

The Isles of Harris sit to the south of Lewis and offer you the beauty of Luskentyre Sands, voted one of the best beaches within the UK as part of the the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. For those who enjoy walking and climbing, Harris has the mountain of Clisham which is the highest in the Outer Hebrides.

Of course a trip to Harris would not be complete without perhaps buying something made from Harris Tweed, which is made exclusively on the island and favoured by many of the rich and famous.

Luskentyres Sands on the Isle of Harris [Source: Wikipedia]

The Isle of Berneray is a tiny island just off the coast of North Uist and now connected to the island by a bridge. The beaches on the island were once very favourably compared to those of Thailand by the country’s tourism bosses, which is quite an accolade.

The Isle of Berneray [Source: WIkipedia]

The Isles of North and South Uist are physically part of the same island. Bonnie Prince Charlie fled here from the bloody battle of Culloden during the Jacobite Rising in 1746. Along with the Bonnie Prince Charlie trails, there is a sculpture trail across the two islands and over 90 lochs scattered between the two.

On the island of South Uist, golfing fans will find the “holy grail” of golf in the form of the Old Thom Morris course at Askernish. The course is named after Thom Morris who grew up in St. Andrews, the “home of golf” and pioneered the professional game as well as designing the said South Uist golf course.

The island of South Uist [Source: Wikipedia]

The Isle of Eriskay is another small island sitting just to the south of South Uist and is probably most famous as the sinking location for the S.S. Politician on the 5th of February 1941.

The ship was sailing to America to trade supplies, mostly cotton and wool, but also on board were 240,000 bottles of whiskey – non of which had duty paid on it. The locals on the islands helped the crew ashore, but then realising the cargo, proceeded to “salvage” the whiskey before Customs were able to get there.

It’s not known exactly how many bottles were salvaged, although a figure of 24,000 would seem reasonably accurate, but it is strongly believed that a lot of the whiskey was never found by officials and at least one bottle still sits in the Am Politician bar.

The entire event eventually became immortalised in the Ealing Studios film Whisky Galore.

The Eriska Hotel on the Island of Eriska [Source: Wikipedia]

The Island of Barra certainly has one of the most curious ways to arrive, with a small plane landing on the island’s only airstrip – otherwise known as the beach! The tide does restrict landing times somewhat, but this has become rather a mecca for aviation enthusiasts.

Just off the coast of Barra is the Kisimul Castle (Chisimul Castle) which is the the seat of the Clan MacNeil, although now mostly a ruin internally. The original castle is believed to date from the 16th Century with its name meaning cìs (tax) mul (mound), or place where taxes are paid.

Isle of Barra beach airport in 1998 [Source: Wikipedia]

The Isle of Vatersay is the most southerly of the inhabited islands, although the islands of Muldoanich and Sandray are a little to the south of Vatersay. The island is awash with wildflowers in the Spring and Summer, and rich machair grasses. The beaches are also noted for their expanses of clean white sand sweeping gently down to the sea.

White sands of Vatersay Bay on the Isle of Vatersay [Source: Wikipedia]

Festival: opefully this has given you a few ideas for mini holidays or week long breaks some of the most peaceful areas of Britain.

If you are planning to come in June, the islands all take part in the Hebridean Celtic Festival (18th – 20th July) which according to Songlines magazine rates amongst Glastonbury for the sheer experience.

More Outer Hebrides links:

• Official web site of the Outer Hebrides tourism for more details on each island
• Things to see and do in the Hebrides both inner and outer
• Hotel and B&B accommodation on the Hebrides

Several holidays in one – island hopping on the Outer Hebrides is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

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