Top Ten Villages in England
England has some lovely villages with ancient thatched cottages, roses round the door and flowers cascading from every lamp-post.
The olde-world charm is something the English are proud to protect and foster. It is not unusual to see houses that are more than 500 years old, but are kept in perfect repair by the owners. In fact, there are strict laws to keep the best of the past preserved for the future. Come and see just how lovely the villages of England can be.
MEVAGISSEY, Cornwall
Mevagissey is a small harbour village on the east coast of Cornwall, England's most westerly county. Fishing boats pack the square harbour with rickety houses surrounding it to create a scene of matchless beauty. Mevagissey is also just a few miles away from the spectacular Eden project, the most popular visitor attraction in the south west.
TURVILLE, Buckinghamshire
the village of Turville about five miles west of High Wycombe is easy to get to from London by car. Just 40 minutes from the capital this ancient village has been the picturesque setting for many films and TV shows over the years. Most famously the Windmill at the top of the hill featured in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The sitcom, The Vicar of Dibley was also shot here. As soon as you arrive you will understand why. The cottages mostly date back to the sixteenth century. It really is a beautiful location.
AVEBURY, Wiltshire
Avebury is a small village with a good Pub and a few houses.
The thing that makes Avebury one of England's greatest wonders is the circle of massive ancient stones and henge earthworks that completely encircle the village. They were built here many thousands of years ago and are in fact older than the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. You can also visit West Kennet Long Barrow which is just up the road. This barrow is recorded as the oldest surviving roofed structure in the country.
BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, Gloucestershire,
Undoubtedly, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most beautiful villages in England. However, that does bring busloads of tourists, so best to come out of season when you will be delighted by the tiny arched footbridges crossing the river Windrush and the honeystone cottages lining the streets. Lots of antique shops and local food producers on the high street.
Grasmere, Lake Disrict
Grasmere was poet William Wordsworth's home. You will be as inspired by the local beauty as he was. Visit Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived his gravestone at St Oswald's Church. Then up onto the lakeland fells to see the hosts of golden daffodils.
CLOVELLY,
Devon
This looks more like a greek fishing village than an English one. However Clovelly is authentically Devonshire.
So much so that the entire village is protected by law and is kept looking wonderful. However it is a very steep road down to the village and should only be attempted by fit and healthy people. The locals all have amazing leg muscles as no car can bring supplies, so everything is dragged on sledges down the cobbled road.
DUNSTER, Somerset
Dunster has hardly changed in hundreds of years. Thanks to the local stone and the former wealth of the area as a major wool producer old buildings still stand proudly all around the village. Come and see the lovely ruins of Dunster Castle and seek out the oldest tree in England in the depths of Dunster Woods.
ETON, Berkshire
Within sight of Windsor Castle, the small village of Eton is a beguiling mix of styles and periods. A series of late medieval and Georgian shops line its one main street, leading up form the river to the amazing opulent architechture of Eton colledge at the north end of the Village. Eton boasts a number of excellent pubs and restaurants.
HAWKSHEAD, Cumbria
Another lovely lake district village, for many this is the heart of the lake district. One of the most beautiful villages in England and beloved by children's author Beatrix Potter.
Good Hotels near Hawkshead in Cumbria
LACOCK, Wiltshire
Lacock is fully protected by the National Trust because it is not only beautiful, but important in that the streets have been unchanged fro hundreds of years.
The Abbey at Laycock was used as a film set for some of the Harry Potter Movies) and the town itself is regularly used as a film set.
Lacycock was also the home of William Fox Talbot a pioneering photographer who took the world's first photographs here in this village.