Friendliest small towns and villages
Thinking about your touring holidays with the Club, which UK small town (i.e. with a population of under 20,000) or village have you found to be the most welcoming or friendly and which nearby Club campsite did you stay at?
Comments
-
I've never met a town or village that I thought 'well not going back there again' and all have been friendly and welcoming. In fact the smaller the village the friendlier the welcome.
I suppose Melrose where the site is actually in the centre of the village stands out and it has a lot of independent shops that reply on repeat business and likewise Garlieston, Keswick must be the most dog friendly town of anywhere I've been to.
2 -
2 places stand out, Bedale in North Yorkshire and Alnwick in Northumbria. Stayed at local CLs.
I haven't come across an unfriendly place but there have been quite a few that just went about its day to day business in a matter of fact way. There are places I wouldn't return to but not necessarily because of the welcome
1 -
I think Leyburn fits the bill, with the club's Lower Wharfedale site within walking distance
1 -
Back in the 1980’s, 90’s, we spent every Summer on a campsite near Fowey. It was a pleasure to walk through the town, butchers, bakers, bookshops, newsagents, chandlers, deli’s, little museum, nice folks hiring out boats, even a couple of the (very) surly Bodinnick Ferry men got to know us enough to mumble “is it that time of year” at us🤣 Fowey is very different now, a lot of the staple businesses have gone, and it’s much more tourist based in terms of shops, but still very nice. We have used a lovely CL after the family run campsite closed.
I agree with examples up above, Leyburn and Alnwick are always nice, we love Thirsk as well, and enjoyed Melrose although we haven’t used the Club Site. North Berwick is another friendly place, again it’s changed a lot, since we first used Yellowcraig Club Site, but it’s one of our favourite places, and we are going to visit from Edinburgh on train. Goldsithney, just a mile or so from old Marazion Club Site was always nice, great little village shop, some really nice fruit, veg, flowers, cakes, jam for sale outside some of the houses, two great pubs. Happy days😁
1 -
Castleton, another nice place. Plenty of pubs, nice church, great walks, EH castle. The shops aren’t as good as they used to be, and there isn’t that lovely Xmas vibe any more, but it’s still well worth a holiday there on the Club Site.
0 -
I've tended to notice that seaside resorts and some other well visited tourist sites, such as Lake District, South West, Snowdonia etc. are becoming more unfriendly by the year merely due to too many tourists and the way some of these places are treated by tourists I can't say I blame them. Local news was full of mindless idiots blocking roads in Snowdonia at the weekend when heavy snow in the area. Climbers just parked anywhere. Go out of season and you're still made welcome by most.
One of the reasons I chose Alnwick was that we once visited in high season with my Mother-in-Law and used a cottage yet everyone who was working in the town still seemed cheerful. Mind you, I've always thought the people of the North East to be one of the friendliest around.
1 -
I think some places were “discovered” during COVID and it’s made some huge changes to places. Northumberland is very much a case in point. And then there’s the second homes downside. We stayed in Burnham Market, a lovely little town, one Summer, mid June. Busy in the day, but a ghost town in the evenings, houses, cottages obviously empty waiting for owners or lets. No soul.
We find North East, Borders very welcoming. People say hello, smile, pat your dog.
0 -
We love Berwick upon Tweed we visit usually a couple of times a year and always found the town friendly plus it’s got great views and walks. Also spent a lot of time down in South Devon over the years and always found Brixham nice and friendly jt can be very busy during the summer but always found the people friendly
1 -
I love Cromer - it's such a lovely seaside town. My son loved crabbing here and we've always found it to be really friendly. Another town we love is Rye and visit here when we stay at Daleacres. Such a historic and interesting town to visit. We also love Warminster; we always visit when staying at Longleat because its friendly, independent shops and historic pubs offer a warm community feel and it's just a short drive away from the Club campsite.
0 -
Cromer usually makes me feel cold... 🙂 @Rowena When you stand on the front and look out to sea, if you get in the right position, the next place you come to is the North P.ole. 🤣🤣🤣 Always liked Seacroft, but haven't been there for a little while - we really must go back soon.
David
1 -
We have often often stayed at Seacroft and whilst we often walked into Cormer I think Sheringham is nicer and its only a short bus ride from the bus stop immedially outside the site.
David
0 -
We prefer Sheringham to Cromer, but Wells next the Sea is more interesting than both.
0 -
Another vote for Wells-next-the-Sea, especially during Carnival Week in August when we stay at one of the C&CC THS's on the school playing fields.
1 -
Many like Bude as well. Great beaches, plus surfing, and the sea pool for swimming.
But do you know whether Bude rhymes with Rude or Nude?0 -
Bewd is no problem. It’s nearby Poughill that puzzles people.😀
1 -
Another vote for Cromer we had 2 weeks at Seacroft last summer and loved it the town was so nice and we cycled in a few times as well as walking in and had a lovely meal at The Red Lion pub weather was decent during our stay too. Also Looe visited there a few times always liked it hoping to pay a visit there this year if we make it down to Hillhead
We did visit Wells Next The Sea last year but we didn’t really like it having said that it was a horrible wet grey day so maybe we never saw it in it’s best light
1
