Take A Tour Of The UK's Prettiest Small Towns And Villages

Picturesque places up and down the country

Village greens, duck ponds, cobbled marketplaces, wooden cottages and multicolored harbors with bobbing boats, Britain has rural idylls aplenty. We take a whistle-stop tour of the prettiest communities in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England that are picture-perfect and find out if your area is one of them...

Crail, Fife, Scotland

This fishing village has cobbled streets, a pretty harbor and lovely cliffside views out across the North Sea. Situated in East Neuk of Fife (neuk means nook) this patch of coastline is one of the most glorious in the UK. The 117-mile Fife Coastal Path stretches to the Fifth of Forth and showcases the magnificent views.

Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

This Scottish harbor-front town is a salt-swept haven of chocolate, whisky and scrumptious seafood. It's home to seals and puffins, as well as the Oban Distillery that produces the nation’s oldest recipes for single malt scotch. 

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

The village of Portree is a relatively young fishing port (around 200 years old) and the multi-colured capital of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. Over the past few years Portree has drawn food fans, after the opening of several top-notch restaurants but this is also a spot to enjoy the quiet life and sea air. 

 

Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland

Next to Linlithgow Loch, just west of Edinburgh, lies the Scottish town of Linlithgow. This was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and the remains of her palace has impressive views over the loch and the surrounding countryside.

Melrose, Scottish Borders, Scotland

Down the River Tweed, alongside the three peaks of Eildon Hill, sits Melrose town where the seven-a-side variation of rugby, rugby sevens, was born. The house where novelist Sir Walter Scott lived is here, as well as the grand ruins of Melrose Abbey, where the heart of Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland from 1306 to 1329, is reportedly buried. 

Plockton, Highlands, Scotland

Bonny doesn’t begin to describe this harbor town in the western Scottish highlands where traditional cottages line a sheltered bay on Loch Carron, with views across to the Applecross and Torridon mountains. Once a thriving little fishing and crofting community, Plockton's now something of a yachting and tourist hot spot due to its postcard looks, which were made famous by the BBC’s series Hamish Macbeth starring Robert Carlyle. 

Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland

The Isle of Mull’s main village also came to fame in a BBC TV children's series, Balamory. Its quaint harbor is lined with bright multi-colored houses and is a busy hub with bobbing fishing boats, ferries and day boats. Tobermory is a great place for wildlife spotting and home to white-tailed sea eagles, otters and whales among others.

Warkworth, Northumberland, England

Warkworth village is dwarfed by the impressive remains of Warkworth Castle, which featured in Shakespeare’s Henry IV and stands majestically overlooking the town's 18th- and 19th-century houses. The main street also has the towering 100-foot spire of the church of St Lawrence at the opposite end to the castle.

Bamburgh, Northumberland, England

The adorable coastal town of Bamburgh in Northumberland is home to one of the UK’s most iconic castles. In fact, a fortress has stood on the site of Bamburgh Castle for around 1,400 years. The town’s brooding shoreline and challenging waters has become a popular spot for surfers and adrenaline junkies, while David Attenborough once described the nearby Farne Islands as ‘the UK’s greatest wildlife experience’. 

Alnwick, Northumberland, England

Another imposing castle lies in Alnwick, Northumberland, which may look familiar to Harry Potter fans – Alnwick Castle was one of the shooting locations for Hogwarts. The Cherry Orchard, Bamboo Labyrinth and intriguing Poison Garden at The Alnwick Garden provide a pop of color in the pretty market town.

Ambleside, Cumbria, England

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful parts of Britain and harbors a number of lovely villages and towns. Ambleside sits at the north of spellbinding Lake Windermere, with its quaint stone cottages and imposing fells at every turn. The town's Bridge House, a 17th-century building that stands over the Stock Beck river, is one of the region's most photographed features.

 

Grasmere, Cumbria, England

The picturesque village of Grasmere is renowned for being the home and death place of the poet William Wordsworth. He and his wife are buried at the 13th-century St Oswald’s churchyard, while the schoolhouse where Wordsworth used to teach is now an independent gingerbread shop, selling the sweet treat that's synonymous with the area.

Kentmere, Cumbria, England

Nestled deep in Cumbria’s Lake District National Park, hides the tiny village of Kentmere. The River Kent whistles past a few dreamy cottages, a church and a post office which make up the picturesque spot. Kentmere Hall has stood here since the 13th century while the little St Cuthbert’s church dates from medieval times.

Hawkshead, Cumbria, England

This historic little village with its handsome 17th-century buildings has a litany of literary connections. It was where William Wordsworth went to school and where Beatrix Potter’s husband worked – his office now houses the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Her house is a short drive away in Near Sawrey as is Wordsworth’s hometown of Grasmere. 

Keswick, Cumbria, England

Nestled between Skiddaw and Derwentwater lies the pretty market town of Keswick. The surrounding Lake District mountains and fells provide picturesque views across the area, with houses and buildings that look almost as green as the fields, thanks to the famous green slate that's quarried here.

Cartmel, Cumbria, England

Famous for its delectable sticky toffee pudding, Cartmel sits on the southern edge of the Lake District and looks like it belongs in a storybook. The charming medieval village is known for its ancient winding streets and the gorgeous 12th century Cartmel Priory Church. The village may be small, but it has an impressive and growing reputation for its fine dining and traditional Lakeland inns. Local restaurant L’Enclume has won multiple awards for its top quality food, including Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award for one of the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the UK.

Carnlough, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

As well as being a simply stunning Northern Ireland destination, Carnlough is also where the sopping wet Game of Thrones cast hauled themselves over the harbor wall in an episode in season 6. The views of Carnlough Bay from the very same harbor are beautiful, as are the Cranny Falls waterfalls.

 

Cushendun, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Set above a sweeping beach on the Causeway coast is the beautiful village of Cushendun. This pretty spot in the Glens of Antrim has enjoyed the Game of Thrones visitor effect – the 400 million-year-old caves nearby provided the backdrop for the Stormlands in the hit TV series. 

Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland

This charming harbor town, just near Bangor at the mouth of the Belfast Lough, was once a thriving fishing port. Today it’s a tranquil little place with some lovely sandy beaches, although the tiny thatched fisherman’s cottages in Cockle Row, first built in 1910, still stand proud.

Castlerock, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Backing onto coastal cliffs and facing out to the wide-open seashore, is the village of Castlerock. The houses look out across the award-winning sands of Downhill Beach, which has also been used as a Game of Thrones filming location. The best views over the bay and the Atlantic Ocean are from the remains of the 18th-century temple on the clifftop.

Port Sunlight, Merseyside, England

The quaint village of Port Sunlight was originally built in the late 1800s for workers of the Sunlight Soap factory. It's so much more than that now, with no fewer than 900 Grade II-listed buildings, 130 acres of parklands, many fountains and rose gardens. 

Lymm, Cheshire, England

Historic Lymm with its ancient market cross is one of Cheshire’s prettiest villages. The Bridgewater canal passes through the center with some lovely buildings along the water’s edge. The Lymm Damm, built in 1824 when a turnpike road was created from Warrington to Stockport, and its surrounding woodlands are also picturesque. 

Downham, Lancashire, England

Unspoiled and with unbelievably pretty views across the fields to the Ribble Valley and the brooding form of Pendle Hill, conservation village Downham is an absolute charmer. And there are no aerials, overhead wires, satellite dishes or road signs in sight to ensure the views aren’t obstructed. While the little green, bubbling brook and cute ivy-clad cottages just add to the scene. 

 

Hutton-le-Hole, North Yorkshire, England

Huddled around a village green where sheep graze and the Hutton Beck flows, the charms of this North York Moors village are plentiful. It gets its unusual name from its position in a natural hollow between the limestone headlands of the Tabular Hills. 

Whitby, North Yorkshire, England

Tucked up high on the Yorkshire coast is the seaside town of Whitby, famed for being the home of Bram Stoker’s infamous character Count Dracula. The port is where the vampire was shipwrecked in Stoker's Gothic horror novel, while the abandoned abbey offers some real-life spooky architectural ruins. It's still idyllic though, with its vast array of orange-brick houses and cottages clustered together on each side of the harbor

Staithes, North Yorkshire, England

Famously the home of British explorer Captain Cook, this stunning fishing village on the North Yorkshire coast has plenty more to boast about. Cute whitewashed cottages cling to the craggy cliffs that edge a pretty harbor and beach, while its maze of lanes and cobbled alleys are truly charming. Today, Staithes is home to a thriving creative community, which is evident in its galleries and workshops.

 

Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, England

Located in the heart of the North York Moors National Park just five miles from the seaside town of Whitby, is the historic fishing village known as Robin Hood’s Bay. Filled with pretty cobblestoned streets, RHB, as it’s known, is famous for its ancient fossils that wash up on the sandy beach, as well as its rugged coastline and sprawling countryside.

Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England

This quirky market town is nestled between the bustling cities of Leeds and Manchester. The star of Hebden Bridge is the Rochdale Canal which runs through its center, while nature spots nearby include the beautiful wooded valleys of Hardcastle Crags and Jumble Hole Clough. 

Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Set beneath a cliffside overlooking a glorious sandy beach is the charming seaside resort of Scarborough. Famed for its medieval castle, historic harbor, traditional amusement arcades and fish and chips, Scarborough has been a vibrant holiday destination for centuries. 

Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, England

Hidden on the western edge of the North York Moors National Park is the secluded village of Osmotherley. With its tree-lined narrow streets and quaint houses, the area oozes charm. The 18th-century Methodist leader John Wesley is said to have preached to crowds at the barter table in the town center which still stands today. Surrounded in religious history, just a short drive from Osmotherley are the stunning Grade II-listed ruins of Mount Grace Priory.

Hawes, North Yorkshire, England

Located in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, is the picturesque market town of Hawes. Wallace and Gromit fans may know Hawes as the home of the world-famous Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. The cheese was originally made by French Monks during the 16th century after settling here. Medieval history is also in abundance here at the stunning Bolton Castle.

Great Budworth, Cheshire, England

Dubbed “the most picturesque village in Cheshire,” Great Budworth has a charming small-town vibe. Despite its size, the traditional red cottages and pretty 16th-century church in the heart of the village more than make up for it in beauty.

 

Castleton, Derbyshire, England

Right in the heart of the glorious Peak District National Park, cute Castleton is overlooked by Mam Tor (known as the "shivering mountain") and the ruins of Norman castle Peveril. The surrounding hillsides are spectacular enough, but this pretty little village has bags of charm and history of its own.

Bakewell, Derbyshire, England

Best known for being the birthplace of the delicious jam and shortcrust pastry of the same name, Bakewell is a quiet market town in the Derbyshire Dales. Legend has it that in the mid-19th century, the Bakewell pudding was made by a local chef by mistake while trying to make a jam tart. Located on the banks of the River Wye, a hop over the stone Bakewell Bridge offers tranquil walks on the other side of the river too. 

Hathersage, Derbyshire, England

With its lush countryside and vibrant history, Hathersage has become a popular destination for literature fans. Charlotte Bronte is known to have stayed in the storybook village while she was writing Jane Eyre, the book’s Thornfield Hall is believed to have been based on North Lees Hall located on the outskirts of the village. Hathersage has another claim to fame with its connection to Little John, a companion to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood. 

Beddgelert, Snowdonia, Wales

This scenic stone-built village is set amid Snowdonia’s exceptionally dramatic mountain landscape. It’s located at the confluence of the River Glaslyn and River Colwyn and a pretty footbridge crosses the water in the village center. Beddgelert is most famous for Gelert’s Grave, the supposed burial place of the faithful hound of a 13th-century Welsh prince Llewelyn the Great. 

Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales

This medieval walled town in Pembrokeshire was a favorite bathing spot for the Victorians and Georgians. And its popularity has endured. From its maze of cobbled streets and bustling little harbor to the pastel-colored houses along its promenade and beautiful beaches, Dinbych y Pysgod (as it’s called in Welsh) has seaside charm by the bucketful.

Llanrwst, Conwy, Wales

Lovely Llanrwst sits along a curve of the River Conwy where cobble-stoned houses are hidden within lush expanses of nature. The town holds eclectic roots in the wool, harp and clock-making industries and sits on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

 

Crickhowell, Powys, Wales

The little market town of Crickhowell traces back as far as the Iron Age, when the fort on Table Mountain was first built. Nestled in the rolling hills between the Vale of Usk and the Black Mountains of Brecon Beacons National Park, Crughywell (as it is in Welsh) is Celtic through and through. 

Portmeirion, Gwynned, Wales

While some villages were built to be functioning communities, Portmeirion was created as a fairy-tale folly. The colorful, Portofino-inspired buildings are gathered among exotic gardens and sandy beaches which are punctuated by quaint cafés, restaurants and even an Italian ice cream parlor. The area's steam train still trundles along one of the oldest tracks of its kind.

Stretton Grandison, Herefordshire, England

According to the latest census figures available, this tiny Herefordshire hamlet is home to just 175 people. It is thought to once have been a larger market town during Roman times, although today there is little more than a cluster of cottages, a church and a nursery school. Peaceful yet picturesque.

Stamford, Lincolnshire, England

You may recognize the stone façades of this Lincolnshire town as the Pride and Prejudice town Meryton, from the film adaptation of Jane Austen's book. Stamford sits on the banks of the River Welland and is steeped in literary culture and history.

Ilmington, Warwickshire, England

Right on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, this honey-hued village is as idyllic as they come. Its Norman church has an impressive bell tower, while nearby Shipston-on-Stour, with its 17th-century church, is also very pretty.

 

Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire, England

Dorchester is a Roman dwelling, originally known as Doric, which sits along a thread of the River Thames. There are plenty of thatched roofs and Tudor-style façades down quaint little roads, and the Dorchester Abbey tower peeks over the high street. 

Burford, Oxfordshire, England

This Oxfordshire town may look quaint and quiet but it was once the site of the rebellion against Oliver Cromwell in the 1600s. The event is remembered on Levellers Day when Burford comes alive with debates and music in honor of free speech. There's also a medieval bridge, England’s oldest pharmacy and a restaurant where Lord Nelson once feasted. 

Turville, Buckinghamshire, England

Fans of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will love cute-as-a-button Turville, huddled within the Chiltern Hills and the windmill home of Caractacus Pott. Its ancient St Mary the Virgin Church is also famous – it was used for BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley, as was the idyllic village. 

Lavenham, Suffolk, England

You feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of a period costume drama at this remarkably well-preserved medieval timbered village. Lavenham was one of England’s most prosperous wool villages, hence the incredible houses. The wonderfully wonky structures in lovely old lanes add to the charm of Lavenham. The village’s main historic sights include the Guildhall, Little Hall and Church of St Peter and St Paul.

Thaxted, Essex, England

Residents have lived in the little southeast town of Thaxted for over a thousand years. Here, there are thriving traditions celebrated through the Thaxted Festival or the town’s resident band of Morris dancers. A beautiful windmill, the 17th-century parish almshouses and the pre-Tudor Guildhall meeting place add to its rich history.

Battlesbridge, Essex, England

Essex’s Battlesbridge village earned its name from the Bataille family’s original bridge over the River Crouch. Today, Battlesbridge is a famed antique hot spot with treasures housed in old buildings and courtyards. 

 

Dedham, Essex, England

Straddling the border between Essex and Suffolk, the village of Dedham and the surrounding countryside has changed very little since the painter John Constable captured it on canvas. Once a prosperous wool and market town, Dedham's buildings are a delightful mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. There’s also a beautiful 15th-century church and nearby is the Grade I-listed Flatford Mill, a watermill owned by Constable’s father and subject of his paintings.

Aylesford, Kent

Nicknamed the "Garden of England," Kent is packed with historic towns and villages, both along its beachy coastline and also inland. On the River Medway, Aylesford is famed for its medieval stone bridge and church.

Chilham, Kent, England

Historic Chilham is packed with half-timbered black and white Tudor buildings, making it look like it belongs in an old painting. Chilham lies on the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury, and the grand old medieval castle site dates right back to AD 709.

Shere, Surrey, England

This chocolate-box charmer in the Surrey Hills was the location for Kate Winslet’s character’s cute cottage in house-swap movie The Holiday. The quintessential English village has half-timbered houses, a babbling stream, a beautiful but dinky 12th-century church, two fab pubs, a couple of shops, museum and a tearoom. What more could you ask for? 

Alfriston, East Sussex, England

Surrounded by the rolling South Downs, the ancient village of Alfriston has lashings of old-world charm. It’s home to a medieval church and the very first property acquired by the National Trust – gorgeous 14th-century thatched and timber-framed Alfriston Clergy House.

 

Beaulieu, Hampshire, England

Set around the head of the Beaulieu River, even the little high street in this beautiful village is super sweet. The grand Palace House (pictured) has been the Montagu family home since 1538 and is one of the most charming historic homes in Hampshire. Shipbuilding village Buckler’s Hard, where Nelson’s first fleet of ships were constructed, is nearby.

Chilbolton, Hampshire, England

Chilbolton could be straight out of a storybook with fairy-tale cottages, green meadows and gushing rivers. Sitting in the Test Valley near Wherwell, the ancient Hampshire village is peaceful, even in its main street, where local stores are still housed in old-fashioned buildings.

Shanklin, Isle of Wight, England

The Isle of Wight has scenic seaside villages by the spadeful and Shanklin with its cutesy old center, authentic thatched cottages and copious amounts of tearooms is one of the prettiest. Its charmingly traditional seafront promenade, the Shanklin Esplanade, provides real seaside nostalgia.

Cowes, Isle of Wight, England

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert loved the Isle of Wight so much they decided to build their holiday home Osborne House in East Cowes. Cowes and East Cowes face each other on the island’s northernmost coastline and are joined by a floating bridge. Both are home to maritime museums and Cowes also hosts the world’s oldest sailing regatta.

Lacock, Wiltshire, England

Another star of the small screen, this historic National Trust village has featured in TV shows including Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice. The main lure is Lacock Abbey – once an Augustinian nunnery, Tudor home and more latterly home of William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative. 

Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England

They don’t come much comelier than this Cotswolds charmer with its honey-colored stone cottages, 13th-century church (whose faceless clock is thought to be one of the oldest in the country) and little stone bridges that cross the ambling River Bybrook. It’s no wonder Castle Combe has caught the eye of film location scouts – credits include Stardust and Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse.

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England

Gloucestershire’s elegant little town is noted for its super-smart high street, where an unbroken streak of tall terraced houses impose on the road beneath. Well-preserved yet full of history, the town is one of the north Cotswolds' finest towns and often less busy than more well-known places in the region such as Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water too. 

Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England

Talking of which, Bourton-on-Water is certainly another contender in the Cotswolds’ beauty contest. Built around the River Windrush its famously cute low footbridges cross the shallow water where ducks bob. In the center, alongside the river, are numerous quaint shops and traditional tearooms that add to the village's charm.

 

Upper and Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, England

These enchanting sister villages are a mile apart and linked by the tiny River Eye. Incredible buildings here include Upper Slaughter’s beautiful gabled Elizabethan manor house, while lush green hedgerows and pathways are in abundance.

Naunton, Gloucestershire, England

This pretty village has a long history which was first recorded in the original Domesday Book. The pale stone houses and 800-year-old church gather along the River Windrush, where the village's beautiful dovecote (an original birdhouse) has stood for hundreds of years. 

Painswick, Gloucestershire, England

While Cirencester claims to be Capital of the Cotswolds, Painswick residents insist that their village is the Queen of the Cotswolds. It’s certainly a postcard-worthy English village and was the set for the TV adaption of J.K Rowling’s book A Casual Vacancy. Then there is the beautiful Rococo Garden, built to host garden parties during the 1740s, and still captures every passerby's attention. Pictured is a view of Painswick from St Mary's church tower looking over the village.

Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England

The well-known market town of Cirencester, dubbed the Capital of the Cotswolds, is a picturesque hub of pubs, museums and art as well as golf and cricket clubs. The Cirencester Lock-Up is where Cotswolds criminals were kept back in the day, while the imposing cathedral-like parish church dominates the market square.

Bibury, Gloucestershire, England

The famous writer and designer William Morris once declared Bibury in the Cotswolds the most beautiful village in the country. A hundred or so years later the sentiment certainly seems to stand. A huddle of stone houses and green hills with a slip of the River Coln running through, Bibury is simply picture-perfect.

Corfe Castle, Dorset, England

Set high in the pretty Purbeck hills, Corfe Castle has a deep-rooted history – it was a Saxon stronghold, Norman fortress, royal palace (used by King John to keep his crown jewels and where Edward II was imprisoned), as well as a family home. The romantic ruins of the crumbling castle are set within an exceedingly pretty little village – its quaint buildings are made using local grey Purbeck limestone.

 

Abbotsbury, Dorset, England

Dorset is peppered with postcard-pretty villages including Abbotsbury. All thatched mellow stone cottages, a narrow winding high street and rolling green hills to either side. Aside from its good looks, it’s home to the Abbotsbury Swannery (established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery here during the 1040s). And it’s a stone’s throw from the scenic Jurassic Coast too.

Beer, Devon, England

Huddled against chalk cliffs along the Jurassic Coast is the lovely village of Beer in Devon. Although no longer a base for notorious smugglers of times gone by, the area's fishing heritage still exists today bringing in an abundance of fresh crab and other seafood to locals.

Clovelly, Devon, England

This fishing village in North Devon, once owned by royalty, consists of cobbled streets, sloping towards the sea, and donkeys and sledges in lieu of cars. The adorable village played muse for the painter William Turner and writer Charles Dickens. It's certainly unique as well as pretty.

Salcombe, Devon, England

A favorite of the sailing set, this elegant harbor town on Devon’s south coast has a popular fishing port at its heart. Views for miles are dominated by the bobbing boats, and it’s also close to some glorious long stretches of golden sand such as South Sands, a short ferry ride away.

Branscombe, Devon, England

Snaking down the Jurassic Coast in the south of England, Branscombe is a contender for the longest village in Britain. The stone houses and rolling hills mean this Devon dwelling certainly qualifies as one of the prettiest. There's the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Jurassic Coast, which showcases 185 million years of history revealed in the cliffs, caves and crevices. No wonder it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Lustleigh, Devon, England

Exceedingly lovely Lustleigh is set on the east of Dartmoor National Park and ticks all of the English village boxes – green, ancient church, thatched houses and pub. This scenic part of Devon also has riverside trails, ancient abbeys and castles.

 

Mousehole, Cornwall, England

This cute little fishing village in west Cornwall is a charming maze of narrow streets and higgledy cottages that all lead to the harbor where boats bob on the water. Higher up is a blanket of green from the surrounding trees, home to birds and wildlife. Further along the coast it's a short drive to the Minack Theatre, hewn from the cliffs above Porthcurno.

Polperro, Cornwall, England

This famous fishing village is as quaint as they come – clusters of colorful cottages clinging to steep hillsides that lead down to a tiny harbor. It's easy to believe it was a one-time haven for smugglers and profiteers, it would make a great film set for a TV drama that's for sure.

 

Looe, Cornwall, England

Cornish seaside favorite Looe is a sandy haven of picturesque fishing boats and colorful clustered houses. Divided into two parts – East and West Looe – with a river flowing through the center, the town is formed of a collection of narrow streets that wind down to the beach and beautiful bay below. 

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