With the cost of living crisis continuing to squeeze travel budgets and new EES border checks set to add delays for many European trips, exploring closer to home has never looked more appealing. Over the past two decades, I’ve towed my Bailey caravan – affectionately named Bernard – across Europe and beyond, from Croatia and Montenegro to Morocco.
These days, however, the idea of a no-fly holiday has its own appeal. There are no airport queues, baggage restrictions or flight delays to contend with – just the freedom to hitch up and go. So, on a trip in March, I set out to discover whether England’s smaller towns could deliver the same sense of adventure as my overseas travels.
Shorts
As it turns out, I’m far from alone. A growing number of holidaymakers are swapping major cities for tiny towns and large villages, seeking quieter streets, lower prices and a more relaxed pace of exploration. The trend has been dubbed “townsizing” and, questionable name aside, its appeal is easy to understand – particularly outside the busy summer season.
That growing interest in smaller destinations is also being recognised at a national level. The UK Government’s “Town of Culture” competition aims to celebrate the value of smaller places, championing the unique character, heritage and attractions that can be overlooked in favour of better-known hotspots. The first UK Town of Culture will be announced next year.
