12 Magical Old English Villages You Must See

English villages, in my eyes, are some of the most picturesque places in the world. There is very little that can compare to the charming and quaint allure of stone houses against a backdrop of lush countryside. 

I recently spent the whole summer in England. Every time I visit I find a little gem of a town I hadn’t discovered previously. From picturesque hamlets in England, to centuries-old English villages to quaint small towns, England has It all. 

This list will include some of the best UK villages including my personal favorites which are Bourton-on-the-Water, Haworth, and Rye. 

I’ve picked out 12 of the best towns that will whisk you away into a different world. This list encompasses everything from hidden gems nestled among green fields to postcard-perfect coastal hamlets. 

Whether you have places already marked on your bucket list or they are new discoveries, my aim is to inspire you to seek out the little corners of the country you may not have explored before!

Bibury – Cotswolds

First on my list of villages in England is the charming Bibury. Often considered one of the prettiest English villages, it’s nestled in the leafy embrace of the Cotswolds.

It’s one of the most photographed places in England and many films have been filmed in the famous Arlington Row. This picturesque row of cottages from the 1500s looks like a picture from a storybook. 

Here you will find honey-colored stone cottages, the peaceful River Coln, and lush countryside. I adored it here. If you want that perfect picture arrive early as it can get really busy.  It’s one of the best small English villages. 

You can stay right next to the river at the Swan Hotel It has free Wi-Fi, a garden, and is even pet-friendly!

Polperro – Cornwall

Now let me whizz you to Cornwall to Polperro. One of the cutest coastal towns you have ever seen with somewhat of a chequered past. 

It’s one of the best villages in England with a scenic harbour, a labyrinth of tiny lanes, and a trove of tiny fishermen’s cottages. Oh, and the whole village is car-free making the vistas even more beautiful and unspoilt. 

But it wasn’t always as quaint as it looked now. With a a history of smuggling and marooning if this town could talk it would have a lot to say. And if you want to know some of these stories the Museum of Fishing and Smuggling is the place to go. 

There are a lot of steep climbs in Polperro but honestly, the experience is worth it. Speaking of experiences that can’t be beaten, we highly recommend staying at The House on the Props. You can’t find a nicer place to sleep right next to the water, and it is pet-friendly and has free Wi-Fi to boot!

Lavenham – Suffolk

Oh, where to begin with Lavenham? The jewel of the Suffolk countryside. This drop-dead gorgeous spot transports you back to the past as if you’ve slipped through a wrinkle in time. 

Of all the English medieval villages this is one of the best-preserved. It has 350 listed buildings, all contributing to its fairytale charm. These buildings are also really colorful making you feel like you have wandered onto a movie set. 

Lavenham was one of the wealthiest towns in Tudor England, thanks to its booming wool trade. Believe me, the photographs you can get here are stunning. It’s unlike any other place I have visited in the U.K.  

While here stay at the luxurious Rectory Manor which has a beautiful garden, swimming pool, and tennis courts.  

Rye – East Sussex

Rye is another well-preserved medieval village but has an entirely different feel than Lavenham above. I adore it here, it’s quaint with cobblestone streets and beautifully maintained Tudor-style and Georgian homes, most with hanging flower baskets. 

Rye is literally picture-perfect. Mermaid Street is the main attraction. This street was named one of the prettiest streets in Britain and once you see it you will know why. If you want that perfect pictures get there early though as this place can get overrun with tourists.   

The village has served as a haven for writers and artists, including Henry James, whose former house, Lamb House, stands today as a National Trust Property. 

Oh and if you visit in early October there is a classic car meet that drives through the town and is a site to see. 

For an ultra-modern luxurious hotel, Whitehouse Rye is simply stunning and has a wonderful location. 

Shaftesbury – Dorset

I find myself in awe every time I visit Shaftesbury, one of the prettiest English villages perched high above the Blackmore Vale in Dorset. Rolling hills, medieval architecture, and old-world charm are in abundance here. 

Shaftesbury is also home to the iconic Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street you might recognize from the iconic British TV commercial for Hovis Bread. Gold Hill, with its awesome views over the rural English villages and countryside, makes the perfect backdrop for your quintessential English village photo opportunity. It’s also been described as “one of the most romantic sights in England.”

If you can drag yourself away from Gold Hill don’t forget to visit the Abbey ruins and museum, a tranquil spot with stunning views and a rich history dating back to 888AD. 

Oh, and of course for that perfect photo opportunity on Gold Hill, you will need to arrive really early in the morning. 

This is one of the best small towns in England. The Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel is a Georgian ex-monastery with picturesque private grounds. 

Staiths – Yorkshire

I always find articles focused on the U.K. tend to focus on the south of England. While the south does have a lot of very quaint and charming places the north of England has lots to offer too. 

So let’s head into the heart of Yorkshire because I feel these northern beauty spots deserve some love too. And let me tell you, Staiths is the epitome of a serene, rural English village where time seems to have paused. 

You will find quaint streets lined with traditional Yorkshire stone cottages, narrow lanes, and stunning views along the River Wharfe. 

You can get an incredible view if you climb above the river, and climb a lot you will here so be prepared.  

A great place to stay is Endeavour, Staithes is super cute and has sea views. 

Clovelly – Devon

Out of all the English villages I have chosen to list here, Clovelly is perhaps the most idyllic. It is an old fishing village built on a hill and is actually an estate that has remained in the hands of the same family for the last 400 years.

Nestled in the Torridge district of Devon my favorite part of this village is its car-free cobblestone main street that meanders down to a tiny harbour. Yes, like most of these beautiful places in the U.K., it’s on a steep hill but the stunning views of the Bristol Channel are, I assure you worth it.  

This is one of the only places you will see donkeys in the streets, they are used to take shopping up the hill.  

I recommend you put Clovelly on your bucket list of the best cute villages to visit in England it’s honestly adorable. It is one of the best villages in the UK. 

The Old Smithy Bed and Breakfast is a lovely cottage that offers a full English or Irish breakfast (and a vegetarian one as well).

Haworth – West Yorkshire

Haworth is one of the most visited places in the U.K. As the former hometown of The Bronte sisters, Haworth attracts visitors from all over the world, and in my opinion, it is one of the places that you simply must visit.   

Tucked away in West Yorkshire it’s not only picture-perfect but is surrounded by some of the best countryside in the UK and there is a lot to do here too. 

The Bronte Parsonage Museum is a must if you want to know more about their life. If you fancy a short walk Bronte waterfall is just incredible and a trip to the Keighley And Worth Valley Railway is also a must. 

With its cobbled streets and 18th-century stone cottages, Haworth is a real crowd-pleaser. One of the best places to visit in the English countryside.

The Old White Lion Hotel is right in the center of town in a perfect location. 

Castle Combe – Cotswolds

I absolutely guarantee you have seen a picture of Castle Combe. It has one of the most photographed bridges in England. 

This idyllic, picture-perfect enclave nestled in Wiltshire tops any list of villages in England that you must visit. It is a charming representation of what most of us think of when we think of England. 

Here you have honey-colored Cotswold stone houses all quaint and delightful and the Market Square has stood still in time. 

Bybrook River Bridge is the place to go for the perfect photo with weeping willows, a calm river, and the town as the backdrop I haven’t seen too many better locations. It’s one of the most photographed scenes in the country.

The Battens Farm Cottages Bed and Breakfast. You can see cows right out your window!

Here are some more places to visit in The Cotswolds. 

Hawkshead – Lake District

Within the heart of the Lake District, Hawkshead is a quintessential English village nestled in breathtaking landscapes. It’s also connected to two of England’s most beloved writers, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. 

You will find a car-free center with cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings, it simply is brimming with old-world charm. 

Here you can visit The Hawkshead Grammar School, once the academic home to William Wordsworth, the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Wray Castle, and the wonderful 17th Century Courthouse. 

If you have time Hill Top, Beatrix Potters’s house is just a 6-minute drive away. If you are looking for countryside English towns this one should be high on your list. 

The Hive at Poppi-Red is a really unique lovely hotel with mountains and a lake view. 

Robin Hoods Bay – North Yorkshire

Robin Hoods Bay is one of those places that leaves me in awe. In the heart of the North York Moors National Park, it has perhaps one of the most picturesque settings.  

Don’t be fooled by the name, though. Despite its ties to the legendary outlaw, evidence suggests that Robin Hood never actually ventured this far north. Perhaps the steep walk down to the village and then back up was too much for him, consider yourself warned.   

Robin Hoods Bay is a maze of tiny, narrow streets, packed with charming old-world cottages that appear as though they’ve been plucked right out of a fairytale. These give way to a beautifully ragged coastline and the juxtaposition is what I love the most. 

I highly recommend adding it to your list of villages in England to explore. Believe me, this delightful destination is well worth the steep climb. 

Stay tuned as we continue our tour through the best villages and towns in England!

The Grosvenor Hotel is just 5 minutes away from the beach and has well-appointed rooms.

Bourton-on-the-Water – Cotswolds

Often referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” Bourton-on-the-Water is one of my favorite places.  In the heart of the Cotswolds, this storybook location is, as you have probably guessed on the water. 

Five bridges cross over the River Windrush, and a more enviable view would be difficult to come by. People come here for the bridges and the river alone. 

If you like to have lots of things to do while sightseeing, Bourton-on-the-Water will not let you down. Visit the Bakery on the Water on your way to the Dragonfly Maze, and then stop by the Riverside Café for lunch.  

At the end of the day, consider staying at The Mousetrap Inn, a cozy place of rest that offers a garden, bar, and free Wi-Fi.

The array of villages and towns in England is awe-inspiring and can be a little overwhelming. While this list is only a start I hope it helps you narrow down which is best for you.  

Every one of these English countryside towns I have listed has charm and magic in spades. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to spend in these places, we are sure you will come away with your own stories to tell.