7 Beautiful Villages in England That Are Straight Out of a Fairytale
If there is one thing England is famous for, it’s its quaint villages and beautiful countryside.
If you’re anything like me and like to discover beautiful villages, this article is for you!
You’ll find below several of my favourite villages in England.
This includes some famous places in the Cotswolds but also some more underrated gems!
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1. Castle Combe
Located in the southern part of the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is one of the most famous villages in England and for good reason. It’s a quintessential English village and it really feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale.
It was used as a filming location for many movies including Stardust, War Horse and Doctor Dolittle.
You can park at the entrance of the village and walk down to the hill to reach the village itself. Please note that this car park tends to get full so I would recommend heading there as early as you can.
Once you are in the village, make sure to visit the 13th-century parish church (St Andrew’s Church) and head down to Water Lane to take pictures.
2. Haworth
A must-visit for book lovers and Gilmore Girls fans (yes, Instagram officially named Haworth ‘the UK version of Star Hollow).
Haworth is located in West Yorkshire, making it an easy day trip from Manchester or Leeds.
It’s where the Brontë sisters are from which means that you will find a lot of connections with them and sources of inspiration.
Haworth Main Street is the highlight. It’s a beautiful street with sweeping views of the Yorkshire landscapes. You’ll find loads of cute shops including the Cabinet of Curiosities which is so unique!
I would also recommend going to the Brontë waterfall if you are up for a walk and go on the steam train of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
3. Staithes
Located on the Yorkshire Coast, near Whitby, Staithes is a small but absolutely stunning village.
It can be a bit overlooked by visitors who tend to rush to Robin’s Hood Bay (which is also beautiful to be fair).
You can’t drive in the village itself unless you are a resident but there is a large carpark at the top.
The road down to the village is a bit steep but it’s worth it!
Make sure you go all the way to the Cob & Lobster pub and cross the Staithes Beck Bridge to go to Cowbar Bank (that’s where you can snap the best pictures!).
4. Clovelly
Located in North Devon, Clovelly is one of these villages that will make you feel like you’re abroad.
The main street goes all the way down to the harbour and the cobble stones make it so picturesque!
You’ll find cute shops and pubs in the main street but also at the harbour.
Please note that Clovelly is privately owned which means there is an entry fee.
5. Grasmere
The Lake District is a bit of a paradise when it comes to beautiful villages so that one was hard to pick but it has always been one of my favourites.
Grasmere is in the heart of the Lake District, only 15 minutes drive from Ambleside. It’s known for its connections with the poet William Wordsworth.
Not only did he love Grasmere and even lived in Dove Cottage, but he is also buried in St Oswald’s Church, near the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.
The village itself is very quaint and well worth a walk around but there is one other place you shouldn’t miss: The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
It’s a Victorian shop that has been making the same gingerbread, invented by Sarah Nelson, since 1854 and it truly is the best gingerbread in the world!
6. Corfe Castle
Located in Dorset, Corfe Castle is one of the most surprising villages in England!
The village itself is overlooked by the ruins of the castle which stand on a natural hill.
While you can park near the village, I highly recommend getting there in a different way: with the steam train!
Corfe Castle is the first stop of the Swanage Railway, which starts in Norden.
Obviously being in a steam train makes it quite magical in itself but I really love the views as you approach Corfe Castle because you can see the castle getting closer and you go right past the hill. The views are beautiful from the train but also from the station and it’s a short 5-minute walk from there.
The castle is looked after by the National Trust which means that you can visit for free if you are a member.
7. Ironbridge
Ironbridge is located in Shropshire (which is such an underrated county in itself) and it’s well worth your time.
Firstly, it’s home to the Iron Bridge which is a cast-iron bridge built in 1779 and was the first structure of its kind.
As a general thing, Ironbridge is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution which is why it became an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.
You can also visit the Tollhouse which is interesting and go on the gorge walk along the river.
The village itself is also very interesting and there are loads of independent shops. If you love pies, make sure to go to Eley’s Pork Pies.
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I hope this article has given you more ideas of beautiful villages to visit in England. If you think there should be others added to the list, please let me know in the comments!
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