In the past year, around 5,000 fans, known as ‘Harries’, have visited the village of Holmes Chapel in Cheshire to follow in the footsteps of pop superstar Harry Styles. Although Harry and his family no longer live in the village, he often returns to visit friends. The increasing number of fans visiting the village has prompted the development of local tour guides, particularly teenagers, to show visitors around Harry Styles’ childhood hometown. The village has created a two-mile tour map showcasing places like the bakery and Chinese restaurant where Harry used to frequent, with plans to offer official tours led by guides who are knowledgeable about the village’s history and its connection to Harry Styles.
The Holmes Chapel Partnership, under Peter Whiers’ guidance, aims to start official tours of Harry’s home village on weekends and weekdays to cater to the growing number of visitors. The decision to print special walking maps for the tour was made to ensure the safety of fans while exploring the village. The mapped route includes significant locations like Harry’s old house, school, the bakery where he worked, and the railway bridge where he had his first kiss. The popularity of the Harry Styles Walking Map has attracted over 5,000 visitors and multiple TV crews to Holmes Chapel, with plans for further expansion of tour offerings and recruitment of Harry Styles fans as tour guides.
Fans can also visit Twemlow Viaduct, where Harry Styles is rumored to have had his first kiss, and leave messages and names on the wall commemorating their admiration for the pop star. The village expects a high demand for tour guides and is organizing a special recruitment day to find new guides. A brochure will be created to accompany the walking map, highlighting places where visitors can purchase items related to Holmes Chapel, such as souvenirs, food, and drinks. Despite relocating due to his global success, Harry’s family, including his mother Anne Twist and sister Gemma Styles, have had to leave their idyllic village. Fans from various countries like Uruguay, Japan, Colombia, Canada, and America have traveled to Holmes Chapel to explore Harry Styles’ roots.
Train station office worker Graham Blake often assists fans with maps at the station, revealing that Harry Styles still has friends in the village and occasionally visits. The warm reception of fans in the small village has contributed to a sense of community where everyone has a story to share about Harry Styles. With the implementation of official tours and recruitment of local guides, Holmes Chapel hopes to offer young visitors a memorable experience of Harry’s village. The village has witnessed an influx of visitors, including fans braving adverse weather conditions to pay homage at significant locations linked to Harry Styles. Plans for developing tour offerings and enhancing the overall experience for fans demonstrate the village’s commitment to celebrating its connection to the global pop sensation.
