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England is home to an array of impossibly pretty villages, peppered with idyllic cottages, country pubs and unrivalled scenery. With the help of our guide, discover the best and most beautiful villages in England for a sense of a time gone by.
Wherever you are in England, you are sure to stumble upon some of the most charming and quintessential villages in the UK. From Cotswolds’ chocolate-box villages to the wildly romantic harbours on the Cornish coast, these English villages promise to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and romance.
Continue reading to discover the 10 most beautiful villages in England…
With no signs of commercialisation, it is little wonder that Stanton made our list of the most beautiful villages in England.
Carved from honey-coloured Jurassic limestone, the idyllic main street has seen little change in the last 300 years. Its timeless character is clear in the clusters of ancient houses, built with steeply pitched gables and mullioned windows. It is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.
As you meander through the English village, uncover the 17th-century pub, The Mount. Here, you can savour the captivating views across the Vale of Evesham and the Welsh mountains beyond.
Second on our list of the most beautiful villages in England is Clovelly, North Devon.
Clinging to a 400-foot cliff, with the only traffic coming from donkeys and sledges, this English village promises to be a unique visit! As you descend the famous cobbled street, be rewarded by the striking views of the glistening harbour, boasting a thriving fishing industry.
Afterwards, linger over a pint at the 400-year-old New Inn or visit the Quay Shop at the harbour for takeaway, as you soak up the ambience of the quay with boats bobbing at anchor.
Avid ramblers can enjoy the lengthy walks along the cliff tops, with the Hobby Drive path winding its way through woodland and offering breath-taking views of Clovelly harbour and Bideford Bay.
Use our Devon Travel Guide to uncover places to stay, beaches, walks and more!
Nestled on the southern edge of the Lake District National Park is Cartmel, our third most beautiful village in England.
The village’s sticky toffee pudding shop and its 12th-century priory with stained glass windows and ancient choir stalls are reason enough to visit this delightful English village.
In more recent years, the village has gained a reputation for being a foodie haven. This is thanks to the collection of traditional Lakeland inns and the internationally acclaimed Michelin Star restaurant, L’Enclume. No wonder it’s considered to be one of the best villages in the UK.
Want to learn more about one of these prettiest villages in England? Be sure to use our Lake District Travel Guide!
Home to the beautiful River Eye and Copse Hill Road, which was voted the most romantic street in Britain, Lower Slaughter could not be missed from the prettiest villages in England list.
This sleepy English village is known for its limestone cottages and the Old Mill, which was recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Today, the mill is open to the public to view and even has a quaint café.
A visit to Lower Slaughter is like taking a step back in time. Look forward to admiring the ancient houses and the pretty rose flower gardens before wandering along the gently flowing river, bliss!
Use our free Cotswolds Travel Guide to plan your next holiday to this quintessentially English region.
With a wildly romantic and rocky shoreline, Polperro is one of England’s most beautiful villages.
Its narrow streets littered with ancient fishermen’s houses cling around the picture-postcard harbour, making it one of the prettiest villages in England
Walk in the footsteps of the notorious smugglers of the 18th century as you discover quirky shops and superb seafood restaurants. After admiring the winding streets take to the coastal footpath to uncover the dramatic rugged coastline. Here, you will also find a natural pool, where you can dip into the azure waters and enjoy a swim!
For more things to see and do within the pretty English village, browse our Cornwall Travel Guide.
Next up on our guide to the most beautiful villages in England is the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. With brooding cliffs towering over the tiny community, this is truly one of the most breath-taking villages in the UK on our list!
Perfectly positioned upon the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors, this is the perfect destination for a cosy getaway. Admire the unusual architecture and uncover the secrets of the smugglers who once ran the biggest trade in the UK here. Today, however, it promises to be a steadier pace of life.
As you wander the cobbled twisting streets and alleyways, you will discover charming cottages, quaint shops and cool cafés. Keen walkers and cyclists can also use the pretty English village to tour the more popular North Yorkshire trails, including The Coast to Coast, The Cleveland Way and The Cinder Track.
Use our North Yorkshire Travel Guide to uncover more about this beautiful village in England.
Often referred to as the jewel in the Cotswolds’ crown is Broadway, peacefully positioned at the base of the Worcestershire hills.
Its beautiful architecture, including honey-coloured stone cottages and chestnut tree-lined High Street, are reason alone to lure travellers to this English village.
Many famous faces have graced Broadway, including Oscar Wilde, William Morris and Edward Elgar, all drawing inspiration from the village’s sheer beauty!
Take a look at our handy Cotswolds Travel Guide to uncover superb things to do surrounding this quaint village.
Next on our guide to the most beautiful villages in England is Mousehole. This English village has retained much of its original character and charm, which is a rarity in the UK!
One of Cornwall’s most picturesque hamlets, Mousehole features a maze of narrow and winding lanes. Framing the endearing lanes are a collection of yellow-lichened houses, huddled together before the bustling harbour.
This tip of Cornwall has also become foodie heaven, with lobster, crab, mussels, and scallops caught in abundance and available to sample within the village’s eateries.
Boasting a photogenic jumble of local fisherman’s cottages, it is easy to see why Staithes is a special little English village.
Once the busiest fishing port on the northeast coast, this tiny English village has an incredible fishing heritage and plenty of heroic tales. With the Staithes Lifeboat house and Captain Cook & Staithes Heritage Centre to visit, you are promised a treasure-trove of history to unpack!
This hillside hidden gem rests on what is known as the ‘Dinosaur Coast’. With its superb position, it is a favourite among avid ramblers and fossil hunters from across the country. Choose to follow an organised fossil hunting trip or take to the clifftops independently to discover plenty of wonders.
At the end of a bracing day, look forward to savouring the freshly caught cod, lobsters and crabs from the great selection of restaurants.
This storybook village in England is sure to transport you into a Grimm Brothers’ fairy-tale.
Snowshill is adorned with honey-stone cottages and ancient unspoiled character, making it one of the most beautiful villages in England.
Pay a visit to the magnificent Victorian church before weaving through the lavender fields to visit Snowshill Manor. This National Trust property was once the home of eccentric Charles Wade, a famous architect. Enjoy the collections of Samurai armour and tiny toys before taking to the gardens to visit Wolf’s Cove model village.
Alternatively, use this English village as a base to explore the plethora of circular walks in the Cotswolds before collapsing at the Snowshill Arms pub.
This beautiful English village is one for the romantic souls!
Feeling inspired to visit the most beautiful villages in England? Secure your next staycation by booking with us today! Alternatively, find even more villages in England to explore using our handy Travel Guide.
Hi, I'm Georgina and I joined the team in November 2018. I've enjoyed UK holidays from a young age and have picked up lots of tips...
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