21 Small, Charming Villages in England to Visit

England is known for some of the most beautiful and charming villages in the world. The stone cottages, country walks, quaint pubs, and serene beauty evoke the romance of an era gone by. Villages in England to visit provide an ideal backdrop for a relaxing escape.

Here are some of the most charming villages in England to visit, that are known for the colors, pretty harbors, and cobbled stone streets.

Villages in England to visit

1. Ombersley, Worcestershire

Ombersley is a historic village and is loaded with beautiful tiered houses from the Jacobean and Elizabethan periods.

It is known for its beautiful black and white architecture and a mind-blowing country setting between the Shropshire Hills Area and The Malvern Hills.

There are several shops, friendly pubs, and restaurants in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy fishing, golf, and serene moments. It tops the list of pretty villages to visit in England.

The village is easy to reach and is located at a distance of 2.5 hours from London and 1.5 hours from Oxford. Ombersley is the perfect weekend getaway destination with your family.

2. Snowshill, Gloucestershire

Located in the Cotswold hills, Snowshill is known for the honey stone cottages and a charming Victorian church. The village is famous for an unspoiled charm.

It is a picturesque location with a lavender field and the Snowshill Manor, which is a National Trust property. It has a huge collection of musical instruments, furnishings, and toys of Charles Wade’s. These pieces were collected by architect Charles Paget Wade during the 1900s.

It is one of the best villages in England to visit. The Arts and Crafts style gardens have been arranged in a unique combination of ponds and terraces that form outdoor rooms, with excellent scents and bright colors.

The village is also home to Snowshill Lavender which is a 35-acre farm of lavender fields where you will also be able to purchase local crafts, plants, and lavender products.

3. Muker, North Yorkshire

Muker is surrounded by beautiful green fields and has protected wildflower meadows. This village in North Yorkshire is extremely cute and is ideal for a romantic getaway. It is a civil parish that includes the villages and hamlets of Keld, Angram, Birkdale, Thwaite, West Stonesdale, and Tan Hill Inn, which is the highest in England.

It has 18th century stone barns, village tea shop, drystone walls, pubs, and a lovely atmosphere at all times.

Muker Show is held each year on the first Wednesday of September. This is a must stop or add to you UK bucket list.

4. Upper Swell, Gloucestershire

A classic Cotswolds huddle comprising of golden stone cottages, Upper Swell is a beautiful place. It has a 12th century Norman church and a river that runs through it. The quaint, small hamlet is located near the town of Stow on the Wold and it provides a range of walking and biking routes through the countryside.

It is located in Cotswold district west of the town of Stow-on-the-Wold.

The village has River Dikler running through it. It is a very peaceful village with less population. You can enjoy long walks here amidst the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.

5. Broadway, Worcestershire

Broadway in Worcestershire has outstanding architecture and an art scene that lures tourists from across the globe. It is known as the “Jewel of the Cotswold”. The village has limestone buildings that line the picturesque streets and house independent shops.

It is known for cute tea rooms, galleries, and cozy pubs. Broadway has everything you need on a romantic escape. At Broadway, you can eat, shop and enjoy. This village is a center for antiques and arts and serves as a base from where to explore the Cotswolds.

It has many well-preserved buildings that attract several visitors throughout the year. There are many local attractions including the Gordon Russell Museum, the Ashmolean Museum Broadway, and the Tudor House. It remains one of the most popular villages in England to visit.

6. Beesands, Devon

The tiny fishing village of Beesands has a huge shingle beach and exceptional views of Start Bay. It houses some of the best gastropubs, known for mouth-watering crab sandwiches.

Many other local attractions in the region include an Anglican chapel which is dedicated to St Andrew, coastal walks and a freshwater lake. Right behind the beach is a large freshwater lake known as Widdecombe Ley. It attracts wildlife and birds. Popular activities here are sailing, windsurfing, and surfing.

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7. Grasmere, Cumbria

Grasmere is popular across the world. It is the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth. The village is one of the most popular villages in Cumbria and is a treasure-filled place. It is one of the best villages in England to visit.

Grasmere has a unique handmade chocolate boutique, a very famous gingerbread shop, and a range of scenic places to visit. Grasmere is a village for individuals of all ages. You will never get bored here. Each year on Saturday around St Oswald’s Day, there is a celebration known as Rushbearing Festival.

From the end of July to the start of September, there is a Lake Artists Society Summer Exhibition which is an opportunity for local artists to display their work. There are about 300 exhibits on display.

8. Broad Campden, Gloucestershire

One of the lesser-known villages in England, Broad Campden is located in the rolling hills and serene country walks. It is known for the enchanting cottages and mind-blowing countryside views.

Broad Campden has a small parish church with an unusual round bellcote. This village is unspoiled and tranquil. It is home to the oldest meeting house in use in the country and is popular for its beauty and walking trails.

9. Kingham, Oxfordshire

Kingham was named “England’s Favorite Village” in 2004 because of the storybook looks and the wide-open greens. It has a vibrant community spirit and the village is filled with limestone cottages. It is an ideal mix of bucolic charm and comfort.

10. Mousehole, Cornwall

Mousehole is undoubtedly the prettiest village in Cornwall. It has a maze of narrow lanes that are framed by idyllic stone houses.

You will notice various local eateries around here and during December, the harbor is illuminated with beautiful Christmas lights. It lies in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a must-see village.

The good news is that if you’re heading in from London, you can make for a pretty routine road trip to Cornwall.

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11. Stanton, Gloucestershire

Stanton is carved from the honey-colored Jurassic limestone. It is a sleepy village that has kept the timeless charm intact. When in Stanton, head to At The Mount, it is a 17th-century pub where English meals are accompanied by locally brewed ale and mesmerizing views of the Vale of Evesham.

You will see many cottages with thatched roofs. The village was known as “arguably the most beautiful Cotswold village of them all” by The Daily Telegraph in 2017. Huffington Post called it “one of the prettiest and idyllic unspoiled villages of the Cotswolds.”

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12. Hope Cove, Doven

Hope Cove located in South Hams is a seaside retreat and is one of the top villages in England to visit. It attracts tourists for the clean sandy beaches, the thatched cottages, and a laidback vibe.

This village is sheltered by the Bolt Tail and consists of two different communities- Inner Hope and Outer Hope.

Mouthwell Sands on the north is the nearest beach to the parking. There is a longer Harbour beach that sits to its south and they are conveniently accessible. Hence, both can be explored easily. The beaches are ideal for families and great for sunbathing and sandcastles.

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13. Polperro, Cornwall

Undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall, Polperro is a picturesque location. It is a maze of ancient fishermen’s houses that cling to the steep hillside around the picture-perfect harbor.

There are seafood restaurants, shops, and traffic-free streets. You can enjoy spectacular views of the beaches from the coastal footpaths. It is an ideal destination to travel with kids. The unspoiled fishing village has River Pol running through it and is a known destination for the summer months.

It has an idyllic appearance with packed and ancient fishermen houses that are untouched just like the attractive coastline. It is indeed one of the best villages in England to visit.

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14. Portmeirion, Gwynedd

Portmeirion is an Italian-style village that was designed by British architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the 20th century. It is one of the oldest village in England. Some pastel-colored buildings and cobbles are clustered around the little plaza.

There is a resort that sits on a private peninsula on the coast of North Wales. It has a Mediterranean atmosphere and is surrounded by lush gardens. It gives a unique feel of England countryside villages.

The tourist village has served as a location for various television shows and movies over the years. The little village has impressive romantic architecture that can be seen in the beautiful buildings.

15. Castle Combe, Wiltshire

Castle Combe is known as the “prettiest village in England”, all for a reason. The Cotswold hamlet will make you feel like you are stepping back in time.

There are old cottages built from pale local stone and it is easy to explore on foot. It is one of the pretty villages in England. The village will give you all the peace and serenity you are searching for.

There are two parts of the village. The first one is a narrow valley of the By Brook and the other is the Upper Castle Combe, on the higher ground to the east. You can also find a motor racing circuit in the south of the upper village.

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16. Hawkshead, Cumbria

Hawkshead is located in the heart of the Lake District of England. It is a mix of whitewashed houses and courtyards. It is known for the archways that are huddled around the central square.

Hawkshead has tearooms, old pubs, and unique shops that make it one of the most beautiful of Lakeland villages.

This village attracts tourists to the South Lakeland area.

17. Burford, Oxfordshire

At one time, Burford was a wealthy wool trade center. It now attracts visitors from across the world with pubs, antique shops, and boutique country inns.

It is one of the best village in England and has picture-perfect architecture from the 15th century. There are half-timbered buildings and limestone houses.

There are several things to see and do in Burford including the Tolsey Museum, Burford walking tour, Church, Kilkenny Lane Country Park, and Church of St Oswald.

18. Whitby, North Yorkshire

Located on the North Yorkshire coast, this village is one of the favorite towns by the sea in Britain. It has an interesting mix of Goth culture and a seaside charm. Some of its most famous attractions include the ruins of Whitby Abbey that once served as inspiration for Dracula.

This village is also home to beaches, shops, cobbled streets, and some of the best fish and chips in Yorkshire. This seaside town is known for its media, culture, and sport. It also has a very strong literary tradition.

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19. Portree, Isle of Skye

Portress is located around a scenic bay on the Isle of Skye. It is one of the charming villages of Scotland. Portress is a growing cultural center but a tiny fishing village at heart. It is one of the most mesmerizing English villages.

There are green hills and rainbow-colored houses that surround this harbor. It is the largest town and the main village in Scotland. It has a harbor with a pier and other attractions that celebrate the Gaelic heritage of the island.

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20. Cerne Abbas, Dorset

Cerne Abbas is popular for the 180 ft naked giant carved in the chalk landscape. However, there is more to the village. It revolves around the ruins of the 10th-century abbey and is packed with interesting architecture and country pubs.

21. Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire

Located on the River Windrush, this village looks like it is straight out of a fairytale. There are ivy-covered cottages surrounded by thatched roofs and a long, single street.

You will see the stunning riverside ruins of the manor house and a traditional pub called Old Swan that serves good ale beer by the log fire.

One can correctly say that England is not only about big cities and high-rise buildings. There is no much more to England that can only be discovered in its charming villages.

If you want to soak in the natural beauty and get a feel of old English towns, head to one of the charming villages in England on your next trip.

Keep this list of villages in England handy when you plan your itinerary.

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