Your Favourite Quiet Little Town?
Hiya,
I live stateside. I have been to England a couple times when I was younger, just for a few days in total and only ever staying in central London. I'm nearly sixty and recently retired. For each of the past few years, I've taken a full month to visit another country - some I've been to before and others I've never seen before at all. This year was France, last year was Ireland and the year before was Australia. Yet, rather than spend a lot of time in the big cities ('cause that's where all the the art and sightseeing usually is) I've found that I enjoy finding a small town or village in the country and just hanging out in that one place for 2-3 weeks to seek a slower pace of the day. In this way, I get in a lot of long walks in the bush/countryside and can take a couple day trips to learn about the region. I can get a feel for the local meats, bread, produce, beer/wine & so on. Mostly, though, I get a chance to meet and talk to people and learn about them and what's important to their sense of place. I'm considering England for next year and I'm seeking suggestions for a nice, quiet little English town that's got some charm, maybe a half dozen pubs or taverns, and a slower pace of life. A friend from Scotland suggested Grasmere, in the Lake District, and it sounds nice enough. I'm seeking other suggestions. What are your thoughts? Many thanks! - BJG