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Are you looking for some beautiful villages in England to visit this year? You’ve come to the right place!
England is full of fairytale-like villages that make for the perfect day trip.
From the stunning seaside villages in Devon or Cornwall to the beautiful Cotswolds, they are all here!
As you may already know, I love exploring Britain and discovering cute places is simply my favourite thing to do.
You can find below the top 10 cute villages in England to visit.
1. Clovelly
Located in North Devon, Clovelly is a stunning coastal village that can only be accessed by foot.
It belongs to an English historian, John Rous, and can be visited any day of the week.
You need to buy a ticket online. This contributes to the upkeep of the village.
As you get to the entrance, you will start walking down the cobbled street until you reach the village.
This is a stunning walk with the cute houses and the sea in the background. There are also loads of local shops where you can buy some sweet treats.
You will then get to some stairs and can walk all the way down to the harbour.
Clovelly is incredibly picturesque and the perfect place to get some postcard-perfect photos.
2. Castle Combe
Located in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is the most famous fairytale-like village in England. It’s free to visit and such a beautiful experience.
The easiest way to get there is by car. You can park your vehicle in the designated carpark at the top of the hill and start walking down to the village.
You will then reach the main square where you can find a couple of places selling homemade cakes and coffee.
Make sure to head down towards the river. You will love the cute houses surrounding you and will reach the river within 10 minutes.
Here you will find the bridge and a set of riverside houses. This is the ultimate photo spot!
3. Robin Hood’s Bay
Located in North Yorkshire, near Whitby and Scarborough, Robin Hood’s Bay is the perfect picturesque seaside village to explore.
Like for Clovelly, you’ll find a carpark at the top and have to walk down the cobblestone street to the harbour.
It is a bit steep but so worth it!
The houses are beautiful and there are loads of small alleyways to explore.
Since this is a fishing village, there are many local shops where you can get food, including delicious fish and chips!
On a sunny day, you will also enjoy eating an ice cream while walking on the beach.
4. Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is another beautiful village in the Cotswolds. It is quite well known which means it can be a bit busy in summer but it’s still well worth your time!
The main feature here is the River Windrush which is very gentle and flows through the village. It’s very pretty and a lot of visitors go for a little walk in the water in summer (it’s very shallow which makes it ideal for children).
It is a bit bigger than the other villages mentioned in this article which means there are more things to do.
Firstly, there are loads of cafés, restaurants and shops where you can buy local products.
You will also find the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection and The Model Village which are well worth a visit, especially if you are visiting with kids.
PRO TIP: If you are a fan of Clarkson Farm, then head to Hawkstone Brewery. This is Jeremy Clarkson’s farm and it’s located between Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower Slaughter.
5. Hope Cove
Hope Cove is located in South Devon and it’s the ultimate English seaside village. Here you can expect beautiful and colourful houses, turquoise blue water and ice cream shops everywhere.
It’s such a cute spot and you will love exploring both the village and the beach. You can also hire a kayak or SUP if you want to paddle in the bay.
It’s also located on the South West Coastal Path which makes it a paradise for hikers.
You can reach many other places in South Devon from there including Soar Mill Cove (very pretty hidden gem in the area) or even Salcombe.
READ MORE: 5 Villages Like Hope Cove That You Should Visit (All in the UK)
6. Lower Slaughter
Lower Slaughter is the perfect village to visit in the Cotswolds if you want to stay away from the crowds.
Unlike Castle Combe or Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter is a lot less touristy but still just as much worth a visit.
It’s very easy to park on the side of the road and then go and walk around the village.
Here you won’t find shops and cafés but it’s very picturesque. There is a slow stream and several bridges. There are loads of photo opportunities and you can take the walking path to Bourton-on-the-Water from there.
7. Appledore
Located in North Devon, Appledore is a bit of a hidden gem but definitely one of the most Instagrammable villages in England!
It’s incredibly colourful. You can find houses of all colours (which is ideal if you want to take photos). You can stroll around the narrow streets and go down to the harbour.
Here you’ll get beautiful views of the sea and can get a local ice cream from the van.
There are also quite a few pubs and cafés where you can get food.
8. Castleton
Situated in the heart of the Peak District, Castleton is known for its proximity with Mam Tor and for being a great starting point for hikers.
But the village itself is worth a visit. You can park at the visitor centre and walk around the narrow streets to Peveril castle.
For lunch, Ye Old Nags Head, The Castle or the George are great options.
Castleton is also very close to Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern so if you’d like to discover the most beautiful caves in the Peaks, this is the place for you!
I also recommend walking down Hollowford road to the stream because it’s a very cute spot and a lot of people don’t go in that direction so it’s easy to miss out.
9. Haworth
Haworth is located in West Yorkshire, making it a great option for a day trip from Manchester or Leeds.
It is the home of the Brontë sisters and is the ultimate destination for book lovers.
It’s a stunning village with cute houses and narrow streets surrounded by the moorlands.
You can also see vintage steam trains at the station (that’s always a winner with kids).
In terms of shops, you’ll find many cafes, sweet shops and places to go for lunch. The surrounding areas are also worth checking out. There are many hiking trails around.
10. Hawkshead
This cute Lake District village is perfect if you want to add a dose of quaintness to your Lake District itinerary.
Unlike most places mentioned in this article, Hawkshead has mainly houses painted in white which makes it very unique.
It’s a great place to go for a walk and enjoy a meal in one of the cosy pubs.
And since it’s quite close to Lake Windermere, you can also go to one of the nearby villages on the lake and do a cruise or other water activities.
There are also a lot of hiking routes with beautiful views over the Lake that start in Hawkshead.
Map of the prettiest villages in England
I hope this article has given you a better idea of where to find the prettiest villages in England. Now it’s time to explore!
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