travelled

Tucked away in the English countryside is a village of record-breaking proportions. Milo Boyd went to check out if the rumours were true and if he could make it to the other end

“Is it true what they say about Meopham?” I asked the friendly landlady of the Railway Tavern.

“Of course it is,” she winked, before warning me that I better get going if I was going to make it before the sun went down.

Tucked away just over the Greater London boundary in Kent is a village of record-breaking proportions. It’s not the kind of record that can be found in the Guinness annuals, or is even known by some locals. “No mate,” the man in the kebab shop said when I asked if he knew. “I’ve not heard that one,” a dog walker told me.

Meopham is, according to some sources (including the publican), the longest village in the UK, maybe even in Europe, and possibly the World. From its northernmost tip over the railway tracks to the southernmost end by Wrotham, Meopham stretches seven miles. By way of comparison, Sunderland’s longest side is just under five miles. If you were running the London Marathon, you’d have a Meopham’s length between you and Buckingham Palace as you staggered through Canary Wharf.

READ MORE: I found a pretty UK village ‘taken over by tourists’ as locals say they’ve been forced outREAD MORE: I stayed at the UK’s best hotel – one thing makes it really stand out

On a cold Thursday in November, I set off south from the train station to see if I could take on this mammoth road trip from one end of Meopham to the other.

Straight away, I was met with a row of shops to my left, including the Railway Tavern (the first of four pubs) and a newsagent. A few hundred metres further along, a kebab shop, estate agents, and mechanics appear, followed by a school. Things really get going roughly two miles from the beginning of the village, when the tree-lined A-road opens up into a large green surrounded by two pleasant-looking pubs and crested with a well-poppied war memorial.

With the sun coming down and the temperature falling with it, I cycled on, up the hill, past mile three, four and five, clusters of houses, shops and stables popping up along the way. A little bit further and I had reached maximum altitude – 150 m above sea level – and with it, the end of the village.

There isn’t much to mark the transition from Meopham to whatever lies beyond. Merely a national speed limit road sign and a plastic skeleton hung in a bush, presumably left over from Halloween. But I had made it.

As I stood at the top of the village, gazing down at the countryside beyond, I was left with two prevailing thoughts. The first is that the majority of the UK’s villages are far less quaint than the bucolic image that comes to mind. Certainly, Meopham’s green is pleasant and its pubs look cosy, but the houses are gated whoppers and the road running down its centre delivers a constant smoggy roar that rips through any sense of tranquillity. Most of the British villages I’ve visited have the same problem: namely, too many cars.

The second is that maybe Meopham isn’t actually a single village, but four – Meopham Green, Culverstone, Dodmore and Hook Green – fused together at some point long ago by someone keen for it to be properly on the map.

It’s up to a parish council to officially denote its settlement as a village or not, and at some point in its past, that’s what happened in Meopham. It also happened in Brinkworth in Wiltshire, which makes the same lengthy claim. Although at 4.2 miles, I think we’re safe to ignore that.

All of this leads to a very obvious question: what makes a village a village, and a town a town?

In the settlement hierarchy, the humble hamlet sits at the bottom. It is fairly well established that a hamlet is a small, rural settlement, typically lacking a central church or a village hall. Once it gets a church, it becomes a village.

The progression from town to city is equally uncontroversial. After acquiring a cathedral, a university, and an array of other significant public buildings, large towns may be granted city status by the monarch through a royal charter. That honour was recently bestowed on Doncaster, Wrexham, Milton Keynes, and a few other hefty former towns.

However, what separates a village from a town is not as clear. While you might think the UK would have a solid definition by now, neither the National Planning Policy Framework nor the national planning practice guidance provides one. “Instead, we’re left with a delightful mix of historical interpretations, local authority classifications, and the occasional dictionary reference,” notes planning organisation Land Tech.

The House of Commons Library’s research briefing City & Town Classification of Constituencies & Local Authorities (2018) attempted to shed some light on the different classifications with the following population guides:

• Villages and small communities: Under 7,500 residents
• Small towns: 7,500 to 24,999 residents
• Medium towns: 25,000 to 59,999 residents
• Large towns: 60,000 to 174,999 residents
• Cities: 175,000+ residents

However, this isn’t a hard and fast system, as many cities have tiny populations – such as the famously svelte St Davids in Wales – and the fact that recent Green Belt guidance from the Government carves out loads of exceptions for planning.

With all of this in mind, we have to wonder if we should hear the uncertainty in Meopham Parish Council’s voice when it reports that the village is “said to be the longest in England.” Would the cottage-dwelling Hook Green-ites in the very north of Meopham really count themselves the same as the mid-century modernists way down in Culverstone Green? I’m not so sure.

There are a staggering 193 countries in the world, and one travel expert has visited them all. But despite his extensive exploration, there’s a UK city he’s labelled one of the best

The world is full of incredible destinations offering breathtaking landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so it’s no wonder that we can often overlook what’s right on our doorstep. But sometimes looking a little closer to home is the best thing to do. A UK city has beaten a whopping list of the top places to visit in the eyes of a very well-travelled explorer – and it’s not London.

Henrik Jeppesen has journeyed to every single country in the world – a staggering total of 193 – and has ticked off more than 2,000 destinations on his ever-expanding list. The globetrotter, who hails from Thy in northwest Jutland, Denmark, has been exploring the world since he was just 17, amassing a treasure trove of insider knowledge and a long list of advice.

Despite being well-versed in European travel and having experienced countless countries worldwide, there’s one destination that he can’t recommend highly enough – and it’s right here in the UK. “I absolutely loved Belfast when I visited. I still remember it as being one of the best and most surprising cities I’ve been to”, Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “The city is so charming, and it has a very rich history.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

The capital of Northern Ireland is the birthplace of the RMS Titanic and home to the Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison that has been converted into a museum.

Meanwhile, City Hall takes centre stage in the city, which earned the nickname ‘Linenopolis’ during the 19th century when Belfast was known as the world’s linen capital. In addition to its legacy, Henrik had nothing but praise for the people who call the city home.

“I really loved it there, and the people make the place special. They are really fantastic, and I met, I don’t know how many Northern Irish people – they’re just fantastic, talkative and lovely,” he said. “Then the feeling about walking the streets, beautiful buildings – it’s really a lovely city with the atmosphere, and the food was great.”

Despite visiting Belfast 15 years ago for just three days, Henrik still holds fond memories of the city and is eager to return. “I had plans to visit last month, but I couldn’t go, so I’ll go in the future. The city of Belfast is one of the great cities of Europe, and of all the cities I’ve visited, I haven’t felt that they’ve been that special like Belfast has.”

Noting why it could be seen as an overlooked city in the UK, Henrik said: “You hear so much negativity in the media from the conflict back in the day, so it doesn’t really stand out as a place you want to visit; people think about London, Dublin or Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a fantastic city, but I think Belfast is highly underrated. It’s so simple and easy to get to, so if you want a quick weekend break, it makes so much sense to explore the city.”

For anyone looking to book a getaway to Belfast, or anywhere in Europe, Henrik shared some vital advice when it comes to how long you should spend in one destination. “If you go to other parts of Europe, you might want to do five cities in two weeks, but that might be too fast. I would say you have two weeks. It’s better to spend one week in each location, rather than two places,” the expert advised.

“It’s not to feel rushed. Is it really a holiday if you’re rushed? It shouldn’t be that you rush and hurry to see alot of stuff. I’ve had moments in my travels when I’ve had to rush, but I don’t enjoy it as much; it’s better to take your own pace and explore a lot of things.”

You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website.

Travel expert Henrik Jeppesen has visited every single country in the world, but there’s one European city that compares to ‘stepping into another world’ with €5 meals and ‘extremely friendly’ people

Away from the popular tourist hotspots of Barcelona, Venice or Dubrovnik is an unassuming European city that a travel expert has hailed as the best in the world.

Henrik Jeppesen has travelled to every single country in the world. That’s a whopping 193 nations according to the United Nations. The 37-year-old has also racked up more than 2,000 destinations on an ever-growing checklist. He has been exploring the globe since the age of 17, so it’s no wonder he has a wealth of inside knowledge and an extensive list of recommendations.

Hailing from Thy, in northwest Jutland, Denmark, the father of one is very familiar with Europe, but despite his time and experiences in countries across the world, there’s one destination that he couldn’t advocate for any more, and flights are less than three hours from London.

“The best city in Europe, in my opinion, is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn,” Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “It’s very much overlooked for people coming to Europe, and many people who have travelled have never been there.

“Even if they’ve been to Europe two or three times, they usually go to London, Rome, Paris and Berlin, those kinds of places, so in that sense I think it’s highly underrated.”

Explaining what makes Tallinn so special, Henrik said: “First and foremost, it’s a lot cheaper than the cities I mentioned; in comparison, it’s fantastic value. Then you have the Old Town, which I think is the best old town in the entire world, and I’ve travelled a lot. You can step out the door, and it’s like you’re stepping into a new world with well-preserved old buildings and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

“The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can easily spend a few days and with fantastic food for very little. I had lunch for €5 at Rataskaevu 16 about 40 times, and it’s an outstanding restaurant and experience. Many restaurants are similarly priced, so it’s great value to eat out and something I highly appreciate, coming from Denmark. “

On the topic of the delicacies of the city, which he called home for 10 months, Henrik added: “You have a mix of local cuisine, and many restaurants offer Italian food. I often eat cheap, local produce. I loved going to the local Balti Jaama Turg market to pick up the ingredients to make a meal at home. Many fantastic memories for my wife and me to look back upon. It’s not Michelin-starred, but you get a really nice meal in a charming old building, which creates such a lovely atmosphere. You can find many restaurants within beautiful architecture, that are each an experience in itself.”

Aside from the affordability and great food on offer, there’s plenty to see and explore during a getaway to Tallinn. The expert shared that in addition to the Old Town, there are “beautiful parks”, a market with “amazing food”, modern shopping malls, museums, attractions, and a waterfall not far from the city.

“It brings a nice atmosphere, you walk around the city, and it’s like stepping into another world,” he added. “I’ve been there during the summer, and I’m surprised that not more people visit, it really is outstanding in my opinion. It’s very laid-back and a mid-sized city, with around half a million people living there, and almost half of the entire population of Estonia.”

With pollution a growing concern worldwide, particularly in large urban areas, Henrik notes that the air quality in Tallinn is another distinctive appeal. “It probably has the best air quality of any city, at least capital cities, but maybe of any major city in Europe. The air is really good, and that is often a downside to visiting a major city in this world.”

Henrik is also a big fan of the Tallinn card, which offers tourists free public transport and free or discounted entry into a range of museums and attractions in the city. He said: “It’s a fantastic way to experience an already fantastically valued city.”

There are also several nearby islands that can be explored, such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, as well as Pärnu, which is known as Estonia’s ‘Summer Capital’ due to its extensive white sand beaches. “It’s a stunning place to visit, especially in the summer,” the expert added. “Pärnu, Viljandi and islands are well worth looking into, especially if visiting the country for more than a week.”

Another major strength of the city is how friendly the people are. “There are lovely people there. They are extremely friendly in Estonia.” Henrik reflected on a time when he got lost late at night while exploring the city in 2014, and strangers came to his aid, picking him up in the streets of Tallinn to help him reach his hotel.

“How many European capitals would you just get a ride from someone in the street and take you there? I don’t think that would happen in London. I have great memories daydreaming about this city.”

You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website here.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

Kat Smith, an American who has spent years travelling the world, has highlighted the underrated place that she loves the most and which she keeps coming back to

A seasoned traveller who has visited almost every corner of Italy has chosen an often overlooked one to be her home.

Kat Smith has be travelling the world for the past 13 years, putting down roots for short periods before moving on. The one place that has captured the American globetrotter’s heart, and where she has been living for the past two and a half years, is one that rarely receives much attention from tourists. Although that does seem to be changing.

Trieste saw its overnight stays more than double from around 700,000 in 2021 to 1.5 million in 2024, a significant increase driven by a growing number of tourists visiting the city. That compares to 29 million overnight stays in Rome last year.

“I’ve traveled Italy extensively, going to at least one new place every month since moving here in August 2023. Some cities, like Naples, Rome, and Venice, I’ve found myself returning to again and again, but I always make time to explore a new corner of Italy. I’ve traveled from the southern tip of Puglia to the northern border with Austria, making plenty of stops throughout the country and even to Sardinia,” Kat, co-founder of Mamma Mia Indeed, told the Mirror.

“One of my favorite cities is Trieste. Although still relatively unknown outside of Italy, Trieste is slowly starting to come out of its shell and get the recognition it deserves.”

Here are some of the reasons why she loves the north-eastern coastal city so much.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

It’s unique

“From the architecture to the food and even the local dialect, Trieste is like nowhere else in Italy. Here, you’ll feel closer to Vienna than to Rome when wandering the streets, particularly in the center around Piazza Unità or down grandiose Via Carducci. Sacher cakes sit in bakeries side-by-side with your typical croissants (called “brioche” here), and goulash often accompanies pasta on menus. Given the proximity to the border, road signs tend to be in both Italian and Slovenian, especially true as you explore the hillside surrounding the city center.”

It has a strong sense of identity

“When speaking with locals, especially the older generation, they tend to stress that they’re Triestino first, Italian second, paying homage to those few years after WW2 that Trieste was actually independently recognized as the Free State of Trieste. While not all are itching for those days like some are, they’re proud of their unique culture. A short anecdote to emphasis this unique history comes from my neighbor, a man in his late 70s. All born in the same area we now know as Trieste, his parents were born under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his parents-in-law in the Kingdom of Italy, him in the Free Territory of Trieste, and his wife in Italy. Although much of Italy shares a unique history and moments in time when it was independent, few have such drastic changes within the last 100 years.”

It’s a city on the water

“Trieste is built around the water, which is something I truly love about living here. Regardless of the season, you’ll find people flocking to the sea or to the coast for the daily ritual of watching the sunset over the Adriatic. It feels as though everyone who lives here is drawn to the water one way or another. Many of our neighbors own sailboats, and friends often call to walk along Barcolana (Trieste’s “beach”) for an aperitivo. We’ve also started rowing most mornings in the sea with a group of locals. The public transportation even stretches past the shore with the ferry being the best way to get around the coastline and even across in the bay in the summer. There’s nothing quite like swapping the bus for a boat, especially once you’ve gotten your first glimpse of Trieste from the water.”

It’s cut off

“Situated on the border with Slovenia, it’s just about as far away from the rest of Italy as you can get, with most towns in Slovenia and even northern Croatia a closer trip. The architecture looks more Austrian than Venetian or Roman, paying homage to the centuries spent as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today it’s a coastal city bursting with a unique culture and plenty of places to catch the sunset over the Adriatic while you enjoy your aperitivo. In the summer, you can take the public ferry around the coast, visiting smaller towns and seeing the iconic Miramare Castle from the sea. The Osmiza culture comes alive in the summer and spring, with numerous farm-to-table “restaurants” opening their doors with fresh meats, cheeses, and wines. In the winter, the city’s main square, Piazza Unità, gets into the holiday spirit, filling itself with Christmas trees and lights.”