Some things start off feeling magical, niche, or like a well-kept secret.
Then the hype kicks in. Before you know it, the quiet charm is replaced with queues, TikToks, and overpriced versions that miss the point entirely. Something being popular doesn’t automatically make it crap, but it definitely dulls the shine a bit. Here are some of the things in the UK that once felt special—until they got turned into a trend and lost a bit of their magic.
1. Visiting the Cotswolds
Once upon a time, a weekend in the Cotswolds felt like stepping into a postcard. It was all stone cottages, sleepy lanes, and tea rooms without waiting lists. Now? It’s influencer central, and you’re lucky if you can find parking without paying a premium. The charm’s still there, but it’s harder to spot when there are tripods outside every pub and every farm shop sells candles for £35. It’s gone from tranquil escape to aesthetic backdrop for the content-hungry.
2. Charity shop bargains
Charity shops used to be treasure troves. You could pop in on a whim and leave with something brilliant for under a fiver—maybe a proper leather jacket or a vintage teapot your nan would approve of. Now, they’ve been cleaned out by resellers and styled within an inch of their life. It’s hard to find genuine bargains, and everything’s suddenly “curated” and twice the price. Even the mannequins look like they’ve been to Shoreditch.
3. Solo travel
There was something brave and exciting about booking a solo trip—especially as a Brit who didn’t grow up doing gap years. It was quiet, personal, freeing. You were doing it for yourself, not to post about it. But now “finding yourself in Bali” feels more like a template than a journey. Everyone’s doing solo travel content with drone shots and voiceovers. It’s not the same when it’s done for clicks instead of connection.
4. Fish and chips at the seaside
Simple, salty, wrapped in paper, and eaten in the wind—seaside fish and chips used to be an affordable little joy. But in recent years, they’ve gone gourmet. We’re talking triple-cooked chips, lemon aioli, and £15 price tags. Even small chippies in places like Whitby or Southwold now cater more to tourists than locals. There’s still magic in it, but you’ve got to wade through the queues and gluten-free beer batter first.
5. Cold water swimming
Before it was rebranded as a wellness ritual, cold water swimming was just something eccentric British people did for no real reason except “because it’s good for you.” It was weird, low-key, and weirdly bonding. Now it’s a whole vibe—complete with Instagram reels, branded dry robes, and retreats that cost as much as a small car. The spirit’s still there, but the commercial glow-up dulled the raw simplicity of it. Oh, and don’t forget all the raw sewage!
6. Local farmers’ markets
Farmers’ markets used to be quaint, community-led, and packed with genuinely local produce. It was where you’d chat to someone about their bees while buying eggs that still had straw on them. These days, half the stalls are just Etsy in real life. You’re dodging artisan dog biscuits and overpriced focaccia instead of finding honest veg. They’ve gone from useful to lifestyle.
7. Drinking oat milk
Oat milk used to be the choice of a small circle of vegans, lactose-intolerant people, or those who genuinely liked the taste. Now it’s become the standard—and, somehow, also a personality trait. You can’t even order a coffee without being asked, “Full fat, skimmed, oat, almond, or coconut?” It’s no longer niche. It’s just part of the mainstream café experience, complete with its own kind of snobbery.
8. Train travel through the countryside
There was something peaceful and grounding about hopping on a quiet train and watching green fields roll by. It was a rare moment to switch off and just enjoy the landscape with a dodgy sandwich in hand. Now, train travel is either absurdly expensive or rammed to the point of standing room only. Plus, delays, strikes, and ticket confusion have sucked the joy out of what used to be a romanticised part of British life.
9. Vintage fashion
Wearing a vintage coat used to be a bit odd in the best way—it said you had your own style and weren’t afraid of a few shoulder pads. It was personal, not performative. But now vintage has been fully swallowed by fast fashion cycles and online trend lists. Vintage shops feel curated for Instagram more than real life, and prices have shot up to match their new cool factor.
10. Christmas markets
They used to feel magical—twinkling lights, cinnamon smells, mulled wine in a paper cup. A bit of novelty, a bit of nostalgia. However, somewhere along the way, they became overcrowded, corporate, and samey. You’re now elbowing through tourists for a £9 bratwurst and trying to work out why there’s a silent disco tent next to the reindeer. The magic’s buried under the commercial noise.
11. Working from cafés
Source: Unsplash Once a treat for freelancers or students who wanted a change of scene, working from cafés was quiet and cosy. You’d sit in the corner with a notebook and a long Americano, surrounded by a low hum of chatter. Now it’s all ring lights, video calls, and laptop screens taking up every table. Some cafés even have time limits. It went from relaxed to slightly tense—and it’s hard to focus with three flat whites staring you down.
12. Glamping
It started off as a clever middle ground between “I love nature” and “I also like showers.” A cute bell tent, fairy lights, and maybe a log burner. Something low-key and kind of romantic. Now glamping means luxury yurts with private chefs and hot tubs. It’s less escape-the-world and more influencers-in-wellies. Not bad—just not the intimate little adventure it once was.
13. London rooftop bars
They used to feel like a secret. You’d follow a tucked-away staircase and end up with a drink and a skyline view. No fuss, just good vibes and a breeze. These days, most are booked up weeks in advance, have £18 cocktails, and feel more like fashion week than a casual hangout. The view’s still nice, but the energy has shifted completely.
14. Watching true crime documentaries
It started as a niche interest—something you stayed up too late watching on BBC Four, wondering why no one else was equally obsessed. But now it’s a full-blown genre, with every streaming platform churning out re-enactments and dramatic narrations. The overexposure has made it feel more like entertainment than insight. What once sparked curiosity now feels a bit numbing, like we’ve forgotten real lives are behind these stories.
15. Baking sourdough
Before lockdown made everyone a home baker, making sourdough was a quiet, meditative practice. It felt grounding and connected to something slower and older than our usual routines. Then came the phase of Instagram crumb shots, starter names, and endless loaf experiments. It’s lovely that so many people gave it a go, but the magic of its simplicity has definitely been kneaded out a bit.
