- Peckham revealed in 2018’s top 10 ultimate destinations for stylish living
- Stylish Living Index tracks art galleries, museums and boutiques to reveal most stylish hotspots
- As part of the index, Trouva searches its community of bricks-and-mortar boutiques across the nation to measure amount of independent shops in each area
Step aside Portobello Road, there’s a new kid on the block. Online platform for independent boutiques, Trouva.com, has uncovered the UK’s top 10 stylish hotspots – with Frome in Somerset revealed as the UK’s most stylish town.
The Stylish Living Index incorporates both well-established and increasingly popular neighbourhoods for discerning homeowners and holidaymakers alike. Compiled using a range of metrics, each area has been highlighted based on its number of cultural and design-led hotspots such as museums and art galleries, while taking into consideration its buzzing high street scene, quantity of quality restaurants and number of unique, independent bars.
As the home of independent boutiques online, Trouva has used own research and network of bricks-and-mortar boutiques to also look at the independent shop density in each specific area, uncovering the flourishing high streets that are ‘loving local’.
Frome in Somerset has topped the index thanks to its vibrant culture and thriving independent scene. The small market town is home to 50 independent boutiques, an award-winning independent street market, and night school showcasing the best independent craftspeople, designers and food traders.
In a close second is the trendy neighbourhoods of Finnieston & Partick situated on Glasgow’s North bank of the river, with over 20 art galleries to its 16,000 population. Glasgow as a city ranks highly as loving local thanks to the 375 independent shops to be found in the city.
Unsurprisingly Margate, a once run-down seaside town now booming with independent coffee shops and vintage boutiques, comes third on the list – while Peckham is the first London region on the index at number four, thanks to its host of must-visit restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
Top 10 hotspots for stylish living
1. Frome, Somerset: A historic, charming market town situated in the Somerset countryside. Discover Trouva’s Frome based boutiques, including Kobi & Teal, Seed and Resident Store.
2. Finnieston & Partick, Glasgow: A once industrial area now turned vibrant neighbourhood, full of cool bars, restaurants and cultural activities, such as Glasgow’s riverside museum. In Glasgow? Why not visit Hoos boutique, offering an array of homewares inspired by Scandinavian design.
3. Margate Old Town: This quintessentially British seaside town in Kent has transformed into a hipster hotspot with contemporary art galleries and a headline grabbing amusement park.
4. Peckham, London: Unsurprisingly, Peckham is on the up as a wave of young talent, creatives and entrepreneurs flood to the area. Now buzzing with independent boutiques and coffee shops, why not pop in to London Terrariums for a cactus or two.
5. Falmouth, Cornwall: This once sleepy Cornish town is not only picture perfect, it’s thriving with artists, designers and creatives. The high street is full of a range of independent coffee shops, bars and restaurants, enjoyed by visitors and locals alike including destination lifestyle shop Blink.
6. Lewes, East Sussex: This vibrant country town in East Sussex is growing in popularity with independent shoppers due to the breath of local boutiques on its high street: 46 in total. This includes lifestyle boutique Goods and The Needlemakers, an entirely independent market, home to a collective of independent shops including botanic boutique From Victoria.
7. Clifton Village, Bristol: Clifton has fast become Bristol’s leafy, stylish suburb, filled with delicious foodie fare and independent shops. As well as stunning architecture and views of Avon gorge, there’s plenty of independent shops making up the majority of Bristol’s 229 independent boutiques. For a fashion fix there’s Maze and for an interior update there’s Oskar Furniture.
8. Baltic Triangle, Liverpool: Dubbed as the cities creative and digital quarter, the Baltic Triangle is the heart of Liverpool’s cultural scene and become the hottest hangout in the city. With a choice of over 25 unique restaurants and bar experiences to choose from, visitors and locals are spoilt for choice as new exciting experiences pop up in previously abandoned warehouses.
9. Altrincham, Manchester: Located a few miles south-west of Manchester is the booming market town of Altrincham. Rich in history, the town has somewhat had a renaissance and transformed into one of Manchester’s top foodie destinations. Not only offering good grub, the town hosts a weekend design market with traders such as Trouva’s Room 356 holding a regular spot.
10. Brighton & Hove: Renowned for its labyrinth of lanes and boutiques the city of Brighton & Hove is bustling with stylish shops, boutique hotels and an indie food scene. From LA-inspired independent lifestyle boutique, Tidy Street General Store to Scandinavian- inspired minimalist boutique Workshop you certainly won’t be short of rare finds.
Lucy Ward, Creative Brand Director at Trouva, said: “It’s been interesting to reveal 2018’s most stylish neighbourhoods, whether highly esteemed or previously ‘undiscovered’. As well as embracing culture and the ever-evolving food scene, it’s important to celebrate the towns that are championing independents in the local community. We hope the index provides inspiration on alternative destinations to visit this year, whether it’s for a stylish holiday or to take up a more permanent residence.”
