From Beatles to 'Damned': UK's Hidden Towns Vie for Culture Crown

The UK has launched a search for its first official "Town of Culture." The competition aims to celebrate places often overlooked in the national story. Guardian writers have nominated their favorite hidden gems. Their picks are known for art, architecture, food, and surprising celebrity links. One nomination is a town where the horror film "The Village of the Damned" was shot. It later became home to Beatle George Harrison. Another nominee is Ramsgate. Writers ask why historical figures like Julius Caesar and Saint Augustine landed there first. Was it the beaches, the location, or a vibrant arts scene? The full list of nominations highlights the diverse cultural life across the UK's smaller towns.