Harry Styles fans have been flocking to his UK hometown, Holmes Chapel, in the hopes of experiencing his upbringing firsthand. The village has seen over 5,000 devotees, known as “Harries,” visiting to explore the places that the pop star frequented while growing up. Local leaders have embraced this influx of tourists by creating a map outlining a 2-mile tour of Styles’ favorite haunts, which is handed out for free by the local railway station ticket officers.
To further encourage tourism, officials in Holmes Chapel have announced plans to hire teenage tour guides who will show fans around the village. These guides will take visitors to places like the bakery where Styles worked as a teenager and a Chinese restaurant where he once dined with Taylor Swift. The goal is to start official tours of Harry’s Home Village on weekends and weekdays during the summer months, with recruitment for guides open to Harry Styles fans aged 16 and over who have a genuine interest in the village and good communication skills.
There will be a half-day assessment session held on April 20 to recruit up to 16 teenage guides who will begin offering tours of Holmes Chapel in June. The tours will include stops at all the significant locations connected to Styles, such as his former home, his old school, Mandeville’s bakery, and the railway viaduct where he had his first kiss. The viaduct has become a fan-favorite spot, with visitors leaving messages and signatures, similar to what Styles did in the biopic “This is Us.”
The success of the Harry Styles Walking Map in attracting fans has been a great boost for local businesses in Holmes Chapel, as they have catered to the increased tourist traffic. The town is optimistic that the addition of teen tour guides will lead to yet another successful year of tourism. An updated walking map will soon be published, highlighting where tourists can purchase local memorabilia, gifts, food, and drinks, further encouraging visitors to explore and support the village’s economy.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including winter months, fans have shown dedication in visiting Holmes Chapel and paying their respects at locations associated with Harry Styles. The town sees this as an opportunity to enhance what they offer to young visitors, ensuring they have an unforgettable experience in Harry’s village. With the support of the community and the dedication of the teenage tour guides, Holmes Chapel is poised to become a must-visit destination for Harry Styles fans looking to connect with the pop star’s roots.
