This town in Norfolk is the longest-established ‘Cittaslow’ in the UK and has fully embraced a slower pace of life with a focus on sustainable living and local produce and businesses
Aylsham is a beautiful, quintessentially British town(Image: Getty)
For people sick of the fast-paced frenzy of a lot of busy areas, this ‘unspoilt’ town in Norfolk could be perfect for you.
Aylsham is the oldest established ‘Cittaslow’ town in the UK, having qualified as one in November 2004. The term ‘Cittaslow’ is Italian for ‘slow city’ and is an accredited place with a population of under 50,000 people that focuses on improving the quality of life for its residents by adopting a slower, more community-focused pace of life.
The turning point for the residents of Aylsham came over 20 years ago when the loss of the town’s livestock market, followed by the opening of a supermarket and planned residential growth all became too much.
The community became desperate to change its focus and started by supporting local businesses and maintain high street shops, as well as protecting the environment, conserving local traditions and creating a people-friendly urban fabric.
Now Aylsham is a popular place to visit because of its slow movement, alongside its weekly markets, local produce and historic buildings.
One of the major features of the town is the Blickling Estate which has been the site of a medieval manor house owned by the last Anglo-Saxon King and late became home to the family of Anne Boleyn, the second queen of Henry VIII. Today, Blickling has one of the most significant libraries across the country and boasts significant and rare interior Jacobean plaster ceilings.
Away from the history of the town, Aylsham town centre boasts a traditional market square with independent shops, local food and a strong community feel. The ‘traditional, unspoilt’ market place is surrounded by 18 th century houses that reflect the town’s prosperity from the cloth trade from that era.
Today, the picturesque area holds markets on Mondays and Fridays and many people who visit also take in the wealth of shops, pubs and tearooms along its quaint streets. One Aylsham reviewer wrote of the town: “Aylsham is a thriving market town with good bus kink to Norwich and the coast. Lots of lovely independent shops and places to eat.”
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