Small town BRITAIN

Small but spectacular destinations that offer a slow-paced escape

- LOTTIE GROSS

Beverley, East Yorkshire

Just a 20-minute drive from the dynamic city of Hull, Beverley offers a more sedate introduction to this underrated area of Yorkshire. The market town, founded in AD 700, had its heyday during the Georgian period. This means it houses a good collection of handsome buildings and a wide selection of traditional pubs. The Dog & Duck has a fantastic Sunday roast, and the White Horse Inn – known to locals as Nellies – has roaring fires, cosy corners and excellent ales.

The main attraction in Beverley is the Minster, which towers over 160ft above the town and makes for an enjoyable morning exploration. Take the roof tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the building was constructed and how it’s still standing after more than 800 years, and see some of the oldest graffiti you’ll ever lay eyes on.

There are numerous walking trails you can follow throughout the town (get maps from the tourist information centre), but one of the joys of Beverley is simply wandering in and out of its independent stores, pubs and cafes.