Villagers in pretty ‘new Cotswolds’ fear Airbnb takeover due to sudden fame

Fittleworth, in West Sussex, is a quaint countryside village with only a pub, two churches, a primary school, and a community shop and residents say they are divided on the title’s new name

Fittleworth, a tranquil West Sussex village, has been thrust into the limelight after being hailed as the ‘new Cotswolds’ by The Sunday Times, leaving locals with mixed feelings about their newfound fame and the surge in Airbnb rentals.

The idyllic village of Fittleworth, known for its serene atmosphere and lack of city commotion, boasts just a pub, two churches, a primary school, and a community shop, but it’s now on the map as a rural retreat for the ‘posh-welly brigade’.

Despite its modest amenities, Fittleworth is becoming increasingly popular among tourists seeking a breath of fresh country air, leading to a noticeable increase in Airbnb listings in the area. With a population of just 1,000, Fittleworth residents are finding themselves at odds over the influx of visitors; some see it as an economic boon, while others are less enthusiastic about the ‘outsiders’.

Toni Humphrey, who has managed a local community café for eight years, expressed her surprise at the village’s new status: “I think we were pretty surprised by the title. It is nice that it has brought so much publicity to the village.”

READ MORE: Husband’s romantic getaway gesture goes disastrously wrong as hotel bed covered in crisps

Humphrey noted that the café’s clientele is predominantly local, yet the buzz around the village’s newfound popularity is undeniable: “All of our customers are locals, and they keep saying how surprised they are. It is the talk of the town.”

The café manager also observed the positive impact of the attention: “It has been lovely, and we do get very busy. It has brought in so many different people. People come from London all the time, and as far as Cornwall. Most people always come back.”

Embracing the change, Humphrey commented on the rise of holiday lets: “There are quite a few Airbnbs opening so people can get away from the hustle and bustle of London. I think it is nice. To be here from the beginning and see it grow has been amazing.”

Adrian and Margaret Stevens, who were enjoying a day out at the local park with their grandson Charlie, shared that they frequently visit for its wonderful community vibe. Adrian said: “It is a lovely place. We did consider living here but Margaret doesn’t drive, and you are a bit stuck if you can’t drive here.

“The thing we love most is the friendliness of the people. We come here at least twice a week. It does get quite busy. But we don’t get thundering noise. They are good at managing development around here. The council are particular about what comes into the village. Although it only takes one farmer selling up for development to happen.”

Margaret chimed in: “I think it is really up and coming now. It doesn’t surprise me that it is getting popular. It brings money into the economy around here.”

Lance Jeffrey, 47, a village resident for 18 years, said: “I am surprised by the new Cotswolds title. I am guessing it is to do with the pub. I can’t complain about it, the house prices will go up. It is a lovely place. There are decent rail links to London. I think the shop brings in a lot of people. It is quiet but accessible. It has quite a few things going for it.

“I don’t think this will bring too many people in though. Once you have done the pub and the shop you have seen it all. But you do get a lot more value for money than in London.”

Amid the buzz of their town being labelled as a potential new tourism hotspot, some locals harbour concerns about the influx of visitors that might result from such attention.

A long-term resident, who has lived there for 33 years and wished to stay anonymous, expressed her fury at the suggestion that their village could become “the next Cotswolds. She said: “It is not the next Cotswolds. That is stupid. We don’t want it to be that. I don’t want lots of people descending on us. We have got enough people living here already.”

READ MORE: Inside ‘one of the UK’s most beautiful’ beach huts in its most secret bayREAD MORE: ‘Stunning’ Anglesey holiday cottage with sea views, hot tub and availability in school holidays

She went further, stressing her opposition to newcomers: “We don’t want any outsiders. It is a very overpopulated area. We don’t want more people. The downs are beautiful, but it is not the Cotswolds.”

On another note, local octogenarian Lis Gilpin, who treasures her birthplace’s sense of community and safety in contrast to the intimidating bustle of London, shared: “I just dropped my purse in the café and someone ran out and gave it to me. You don’t always see that elsewhere, especially not in London.”

She described the charms of the village: “This is one of the wonderful places people come to and get a taste of the countryside. They are so lovely here. Everybody chats to each other.”

However, Gilpin did admit to her concerns upon hearing their village compared to the Cotswolds saying: “When we saw that it had been named the new Cotswolds I thought ‘oh no.’ I am from West Sussex, so I am a bit protective of it. But I suppose it is good to have the freedom to move.”

While still largely populated by locals, the village has begun attracting tourists drawn by its appealing countryside walks and congenial pub.

Visitor Natalie Norris, 30, from Worthing was pleasantly surprised on her maiden visit to the newly popular spot and enthused: “It is really nice. The views on the walks are so cool. Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming. We would definitely come back. I even said that I would move here if I had the money.

“I had Googled nice dog walks, and this place popped up. I spoke to my mum and my aunt, and they both also came here for the first time recently and said it was nice. None of us had ever heard of it before. With crime rates going up I think a lot of people are moving out of the cities. When I was looking for a flat it was just as competitive here as in Worthing.”