The UK town that looks so much like the south of France visitors call it ‘little Provence’
A TOWN in the UK has been regularly compared to the south of France because of its stunning lavender fields and thriving food scene.
The small market town of Hitchin has been linked to a French holiday hotspot for several years.
Dubbed “Little Provence” by visitors, the town of Hitchin is home to an Instagram-worthy lavender field and a busy food scene.
Between July and August, visitors flock to the town to experience a slice of the French countryside in the UK.
In recent years, day-trippers have taken to social media to share their experience of visiting the sleepy UK town.
Angelaandalan posted a video on TikTok with the caption: “Provence or Not? Fake a French trip in Hertfordshire.”
In another video on the social media platform, two friends documented their day out.
While one had promised the other a holiday to Provence, she took her friend on a day out to Hitchin instead.
Hitchin Lavender is a 60-minute drive away from London, but the site can be reached on a direct train from London King’s Cross Station or London St Pancras International Station.
We’ve found return train tickets for £15.80 for a full-paying adult.
From Hitchin train station, visitors will need to take a 10-minute taxi ride to reach the lavender field.
Alternatively, there’s a car park for visitors who want to drive there directly.
Early bird tickets into the lavender field cost £6.50 per adult and £5 for children aged 3 to 16.
Visitors who purchase a small bag for £3 are allowed to take some lavender cuttings home with them.
As well as getting the perfect postcard picture, there are other activities on site, including a visit to the tea room that’s housed in a 17th Century barn.
Other activities include the lavender museum, the sunflower field, and the wildflower field.
There’s also the field kitchen where visitors can purchase hot and cold drinks, while ice creams are sold out of the “wagon”.
Visitors also bring their own picnics too.
There’s plenty to do in the town of Hitchin, including the British Schools Museum which has displays of historic classrooms from years gone by.
Hitchin also has a thriving food scene, with restaurants like Los Reyes Tapas Restaurant and DeRoka Hitchin Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant adding more European charm.
Plenty of other lavender fields are also open to visitors across the UK including Cotswold Lavender in Worcestershire and Yorkshire Lavender Farm.
Meanwhile, a northern seaside town has been nicknamed Las Vegas of the UK because of its arcades, cabaret, and sandy beaches
One forgotten seaside town in the south of England has won praise from a former Bond girl.
Harwich in Essex has sandy beaches and ferry links to Europe.
