England is famous around the world for resembling a Christmas card or something out of The Hobbit. And that’s not a fictitious image: all you have to do is look past the country’s major cities to find it. These are the tiny towns and villages of England.
You’ll find them neatly hidden away on craggy cliffs, rolling green hills, amid forests, on moorland, with beaches, and by rivers, and despite the weather, you’ll discover warmth — even if there’s no one around, there’s something pleasant and domestic about the archetypal English town.
It’s like getting a warm hug from the countryside when you see a charming row of cottages. Here is a list of the most charming tiny towns in England, each of which is steeped in sometimes ancient history and packed with sometimes old pubs.
1: Hawkshead
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Hawkshead, which has been meticulously restored, was originally home to William Wordsworth, who depicted it in his poem The Prelude. Beatrix Potter was also a resident. Her previous home is now open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to experience life in a traditional English cottage.
Hawkshead is a tourist destination not only because of its whitewashed cottages, historic pubs, and cobblestone lanes, but also because of its location in the Lake District. Hiking in the English countryside is utterly delightful in this picturesque English town known for its lakes, fells, and woodlands. Also, read Best Tacos near me.
2: Beer
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Beer is a town in Devon that is regrettably named after the Old English word bearu, which means grove. Nonetheless, this beach town has a disproportionate number of bars, all of which serve superb local ales as well as the local specialty of crab. The winding climb down Hooken Cliffs to the west of town, steeped in smuggling legends, is ideal for envisioning oneself as an old smuggler.
The 2,000-year-old Beer Quarry Caves, located just outside of town, are famous for their ‘beer stone,’ a fine-textured limestone that has been used in Westminster Abbey, among other places. After a pub meal, sitting on Beer’s pebble beach with an ice cream and staring out to sea is a good example of English summer holidays.
3: Bibury
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The bucolic scenes of little homes in rolling green hills are typical of English towns. That is what Bibury is all about. The interior cover of all UK passports displays Arlington Row, a particularly lovely area of protected homes in the town.
The main pastime in Bibury, a centre for countryside walks and tearooms, is strolling around and falling in love with the region. It doesn’t get much more romantic than this peaceful slice of pastoral England, which is located in the Cotswolds, an area known for its quaint towns and stunning landscape. Also read romantic hotels near me.
4: Castle Combe
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When it comes to attractive English towns, the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has a lot to answer for. One of them is Castle Combe. The rest of the world has taken notice of the town’s claim to be “the prettiest English town,” as evidenced by the fact that it has been used to film a number of films and television series, including Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and Downton Abbey.
The majestic 15th century St Andrew’s Church, as historic as ever, represents the earlier prosperity of the Cotswolds’ textile industry. The 14th century Manor House Hotel is one of the few historical five-star hotels in the area.
5: Lavenham
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In Lavenham, mediaeval structures lean higgledy-piggledy, as though from another era. The town was famed for its wool in the 15th and 16th centuries, and it was one of the wealthiest communities in Britain as a result, but it went out of favour due to cheaper European exports.
It’s like strolling through a dream now, with hundreds of half-timbered buildings evoking the past with a modern influx of cafes and lodging options. The Tudor tea-room of the Lavenham Guildhall, one of the greatest examples of Lavenham’s heyday, is also open for tea. Also, read Best Italian Restaurants Near Me.
6: Shaftesbury
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This Dorset town has a lot of charm. One of its streets, Gold Hill, was featured in Ridley Scott’s legendary “Boy on Bike” TV commercial for Hovis (a British bread brand), and it’s easy to understand why: the steep, cobblestone lane is dotted with rustic houses against a lovely English countryside backdrop.
It’s been called “one of England’s most romantic views.” The ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey, erected by King Alfred in 888 AD, are located adjacent to this lovely street.
7: St Ives
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Narrow roads, fresh fish, a plethora of pubs, Cornish pasties, and cream tea combine to make this town on the north Cornwall coast a must-see. You might want to visit the Tate St Ives, a comprehensive art collection, when you’re not roaming around with an ice cream cone or relaxing on one of the town’s two beaches.
Everyone from the casual visitor to the art buff will be interested in the variety of art for sale in St Ives’ various art galleries, which range from the entire interiors of old churches to rooms in centuries-old, wood-beam cottages. Also, read Burgers Near Me.
8: Rye
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Cobblestone streets and dilapidated row buildings along the seafront in ancient Rye. Rye, which was once part of the Cinque Ports Confederation, a group of five strategically significant mediaeval cities for trade and military purposes, is now almost a living museum.
Rye Castle, also known as Ypres Tower, was built in 1249 by Henry III to safeguard the town from numerous French attacks; the Norman-era St. Mary’s Church is even earlier. Rye is also only a few minutes away from Camber Sands, a two-mile-long playground for kitesurfers and beachgoers and one of England’s most famous beaches.
9: Tintagel
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Tintagel Castle, thought to be the location of King Arthur’s castle, is located in this Cornish town. The castle ruins are a must-see, lying just outside town on a rugged collection of classic Cornish cliffs; strolling about this cinematic scenery while thinking about King Arthur’s tale – or history? – is just magical.
Back in town, there’s a well-known fudge shop, the Old Post Office – an outstanding 14th-century structure – and more Cornish pasties, fish & chips shops, and pubs than you’d expect in such a little town.
10: Whitby
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The first permanent colony was established in 656 by King Oswy of Northumbria, who constructed a monastery. The spectacular remains of Whitby Abbey, built in the 14th century, now exist in its place. It was a key inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which is partly set here, and it attracts visitors and goths alike – the Whitby Goth Festival is held twice a year in the town.
And as you gaze out to sea from East Cliff’s gothic stones, you may imagine fellow travellers such as Captain James Cook and arctic explorer William Scoresby who once called this historic fishing harbour home.