When Toni Harbour moved from Nottinghamshire to Horncastle, she was amazed by how different things were.
“It’s a different way of life to where I used to live,” she said, smiling beside the grandeur of a jewellery shop.
“It’s a lot cheaper than places in Nottinghamshire and you get bigger gardens which you wouldn’t get in a big city. It’s lovely and a very friendly town,” Toni continued.
The shop worker moved from Mansfield only six months ago and now works for Horncastle Jewellers in the town centre.
Toni is not alone, and this is part of a national trend of people moving from bigger towns and cities after the pandemic.
Around 30% of people in England and Wales have left bigger cities like London and Birmingham for smaller towns since the pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The population of East Lindsey has increased from 136,000 to 142,000 between 2011 and 2021, according to the latest Census.
Newcomers to Horncastle are likely to find a “slower way of life” compared to bigger cities, according to florist Michelle Tuplin.
“I think it’s a slower way of life. It’s a nice change from a big city. It’s just a very friendly atmosphere and everyone knows everyone,” she said.
Many people in Horncastle said they were also attracted by the history of the town.
Michael Blackburn, 62, moved into the town three weeks ago and said: “It’s very peaceful here. I like the historical aspects of the town and the antique shops.”
Lynn Fletcher, 78, who was walking her dog up a quiet country lane, said: “There are plenty of open spaces. You have some lovely views of the Wolds too.”
Fellow resident Lewis Sutton said he felt Horncastle was an ideal place to have a dog.
“It’s fairly rural and there’s lots of routes you can choose from,” the 25-year-old added.
Toni at Horncastle Jewellers is not the only person who has moved out of a bigger town to live somewhere more affordable.
In the pandemic alone, London’s population fell by 75,000 as people sought cheaper alternatives to living in bigger towns and cities.
The average house price in Horncastle is significantly cheaper than the national average.
In 2024, the average house in Horncastle was valued at £227,852, according to Rightmove.
This is a lot less than the medium average across the UK, with the average house on Rightmove being valued at almost £300,000 at the end of 2024.
It’s fair to say that Horncastle has more than its fair share of antique shops.
Sue Green, 62, was sat down with her dog outside one in the town centre.
“The scary thing is that I can remember a lot of the items being sold which makes me feel really old,” she joked.
