You know Big Ben, you've heard of Edinburgh Castle and you’re aware of the Roman Baths. The UK is awash with magnificent tourist attractions that are impressive on scale alone. But sometimes, it’s good to remember that good things can also come in small packages. And the Times has reminded us of that with its list of the country’s seven best teeny tiny places to visit.
Claiming the crown as the country’s ‘most captivating’ tiny tourist attraction was a cinema called La Charrette (‘the carriage’ in French) near Swansea, which is recognised by the British Film Institute as Wales’ smallest cinema.
The pint-sized film house was built in the 1950s by film projectionist Gwyn Phillips after he couldn’t get a ticket to see ‘Tarzan’ at his local cinema. La Charrette was established in a disused railway carriage and had just 23 seats. After decades of bringing blockbuster films to the village of Gorseinon, it fell into disrepair and closed in 2008.
In a heartwarming turn of events though, one of the UK’s leading film critics, Mark Kermode, led a project to rescue the cinema and it was restored and transported to the Gower Heritage Centre. Movie buffs can book a private screening of their favourite films for up to 20 people for £85.
After La Charrette, the top five tiny locations were the Bourton-on-the Water model village in Gloucester, a minuscule pub called The Little Prince in Margate, Hermit’s Castle in the Scottish Highlands and Warley Museum, a compact exhibition inside a telephone box in Halifax.
So, better add visiting some pocket-sized venues to your 2024 bucket list. After more inspo for a fun-filled year? We’ve got you. Here’s our big roundup of 24 of the best new things to do in 2024 and take a look at our selection of the best places to visit in the UK over the next 12 months.
ICYMI: this luxury hotel near Manchester has been named the UK’s best spa.
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