A picturesque market town within easy reach of Bristol has been hailed for its ‘old-school’ high street lined with independent shops. Travel experts at The Telegraph have released a guide to Britain’s 20 best high streets, where small businesses are thriving despite the downturn elsewhere.
In the South West it was only Totnes in Devon, St Ives in Cornwall and Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to make the cut, with the Bristol region nowhere to be seen on the list. However, a ‘tiny’ Welsh town just over an hour away was championed for its quirky offering and stunning views.
Crickhowell in Powys was one of three Welsh high streets named in the guide, WalesOnline reports. It is just an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from Bristol, set among the dramatic scenery of the Brecon Beacons.
The Telegraph advised in its guide: “Crickhowell is tiny, but you’ll nevertheless stop every few metres to nose around its shops… Locals have staunchly resisted the tidal wave of chains and here the great British high street lives on, with a butcher, baker and a sprinkling of independent shops from delis to art galleries and bookshops.
“A vision of pastel-painted Georgian loveliness, Crickhowell feels especially festive in the blue of dusk, when there’s a nip in the air and the lights are aglow in its houses and pubs.” It recommended The Bear for a drink in cosy surroundings, which date back 600 years.
The recommendation has been backed by locals at WalesOnline, too. BristolLive’s sister title wrote: “It’s no surprise to see Crickhowell on the list, considering the Brecon Beacons town was crowned Best High Street of the Year in 2018.
“It may be small but is it mighty! In 2022 there was just one chain shop, with locals preferring to put their money behind local butchers and bakers. The town has spent years attempting to block plans for a Co-op (which sadly failed to beat the conglomerate) but locals say that the high street’s late-night shopping is like a street party.”
The local tourism board suggests that Crickhowell is an ideal base for exploring the southern Black Mountains and surrounding area. This week the town hosted a late-night shopping event and Christmas market, where visitors could enjoy stalls, crafts, gifts and music despite the rain.