Visit this Fife fishing village for cobbled streets, a pretty harbour and lovely cliffside views out across the North Sea. Take the Fife Coastal Trail by foot or the 85-mile Fife Coastal Route by car to experience the magnificent views and coastline in all their splendor. Reward yourself with an afternoon tea in the town centre or a full English breakfast during your stay at the charming East Neuk Hotel.
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This Scottish harbour-front town is a salt-swept haven of chocolate, whisky and scrumptious seafood. Explore the bay by boat to spot seals and puffins or get up close in a kayak ride. Back on dry land you can take a tour of the amphitheatre-esque McCaig’s Tower as well as the Oban Distillery, where you can sample one of the nation’s oldest recipes for single malt scotch. The chic Perle Oban Hotel is the perfect respite spot right along the harbour after a long, hard day of waterfront fun and tasty treats.
The village of Portree is a relatively young fishing port (around 200 years old) and the multi-coloured capital of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. Enjoy the quiet life and soak up the sea air or plan your visit for early August if you want to join the bustle of the annual Skye Highland Games. You’ll witness shot-putters, dancers and kilts aplenty which ought to be enough to tire you out for a rest at the stylish Cuillins Hills Hotel, which boasts some spellbinding views.
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Next to Linlithgow Loch, just west of Edinburgh, lies the Scottish town of Linlithgow. This was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and you can climb the remains of her palace today for impressive views over the loch and the town. Discover how royal disputes led to the battle of Linlithgow Bridge in the 16th century and learn more about the local history at the Linlithgow Story museum. Stay at the Champany Inn for a spot of Scottish decadence.
Down the River Tweed, alongside the three mounds of great the Eiden Hills, sits Melrose town where the seven-a-side variation of rugby, rugby sevens, was born and teams from all over the world come to play in the Melrose Sevens tournament each spring. You can visit the house where novelist Sir Walter Scott lived as well as the grand ruins of Melrose Abbey, where the heart of Robert the Bruce, the favoured King of Scots, is reportedly buried. Stay at the comfortable Townhouse Hotel for easy reach of both these sites.
Bonny doesn’t begin to describe this harbour town in the western Scottish highlands where traditional cottages line a sheltered bay on Loch Carron, with views across to the Applecross and Torridon mountains. It’s a spectacular setting – take a boat out on the loch and look for dolphins and seals. Once a thriving little fishing and crofting community, Plockton's now something of a yachting and tourist hot spot due to its postcard looks, which were made famous by the BBC’s series Hamish Macbeth (starring Robert Carlyle). There are plenty of holiday cottages and B&Bs such as Kieran's Hoose.
The Isle of Mull’s main village also came to fame in a BBC TV series, Balamory. Its quaint harbour is lined with multi-coloured houses and is a busy hub with bobbing fishing boats, ferries and day boats. It’s a fantastic base for exploring this Hebridean island which has wonderful walks, wildlife watching (it’s home to white-tailed sea eagles, otters and whales among others) and whisky distilleries. Base yourself at the Western Isles Hotel overlooking the bay.
Warkworth village is dwarfed by the impressive remains of Warkworth Castle, which featured in Shakespeare’s Henry IV and stands majestically overlooking the town's 18th- and 19th-century houses. Take a rowing boat out for a frolic on the river or get the local boatman to whisk you across to the 14th-century hermitage. Stay at the traditional but stylish Sun Hotel for great views of the castle and easy access to the village.
Another imposing castle lies in Alnwick, Northumberland, which may look familiar to Harry Potter fans. Alnwick Castle was one of the shooting locations for Hogwarts and you can even book your very own broomstick flying lesson in the same place as Harry Potter himself. If refined flowerbeds are more your cup of tea, explore the Cherry Orchard, Bamboo Labyrinth and intriguing Poison Garden at The Alnwick Garden. Grab a bite to eat in one of the world’s largest treehouses at the Treehouse Restaurant in the same gardens and then take a comfortable room at The Oaks Hotel.
The Lake District is one of the most beautiful parts of Britain and harbours a number of lovely villages and towns. Ambleside sits at the north of the spellbinding Lake Windermere, where you can hire a boat or take a paddle. Brisk country walks are a must for this corner of the country, so take advantage of the vast open spaces and National Park's land available. Check in to the Wateredge Inn for a comfy room right on the shore of the lake.
The picturesque village of Grasmere is renowned for being the home and deathplace of William Wordsworth. He and his wife are buried at the 13th-century St Oswald’s churchyard and their grave attracts many people coming to pay their respects. You can also see the schoolhouse where Wordsworth used to teach and sample some warm, delicious treats, as it's now an independent gingerbread shop. Arrive at the popular tourist town in July to catch the traditional Rushbearing Festival and book in for a luxurious night’s stay at The Inn at Grasmere.
Nestled deep in Cumbria’s Lake District National Park, hides the tiny village of Kentmere. The River Kent whistles past a few dreamy cottages, a church and a post office which make up the town. Kentmere Hall has stood here since the 13th century while the little St Cuthbert’s church is a medieval structure, which also remains today. Around Kentmere there a few holiday cottages but you can also stay nearby in the town of Windemere, at the welcoming Orrest Cottage.
This historic little village with its handsome 17th-century buildings has a litany of literary connections. It was where William Wordsworth went to school and where Beatrix Potter’s husband worked – his office now houses the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Her house is a short drive away in Near Sawrey as is Wordsworth’s home town of Grasmere. After a brisk day on the fells, there’s no shortage of tearooms or welcoming pubs in town, including Hawkshead’s traditional 15th-century hostelry the Red Lion Inn. It has rooms too.
As well as being a simply stunning Northern Ireland destination, Carnlough is also where the sopping wet Game of Thrones cast hauled themselves over the harbour wall in an episode in season 6. Absorb the views of Carnlough Bay from the very same harbour or walk into the countryside in search of the Cranny Falls waterfalls. Stay right on the waterfront at the inviting Londonderry Arms Hotel.
Set above a sweeping beach on the Causeway coast is the beautiful village of Cushendun. This pretty spot in the Glens of Antrim has seen a big boost to its visitor numbers recently thanks to the Game of Thrones effect – the 400 million-year-old caves nearby provided the backdrop for the Stormlands in the hit TV series. The historic village itself has everything you could want for a weekend – some pubs, lovely shops, a castle and fantastic walks around the harbour, beach and beyond. Book an apartment at the Boutique Bothy for a fantastic beachside location.
This charming harbour town, just near Bangor at the mouth of the Belfast Lough, was once a thriving fishing port. Today it’s a tranquil little place with some lovely sandy beaches to scamper around. Be sure to admire the row of little thatched fisherman’s cottages in Cockle Row which were first built in 1910 and are now a living museum and a tourist centre. Base yourself in nearby Bangor at the Shelleven Guest House, a great starting point for exploring the Ards Peninsula which has plenty of other quaint little villages to potter around such as Portaferry.
Backing onto coastal cliffs and facing out to the wide open seashore, the village of Castlerock is a popular summer holiday destination. The houses look out across the award-winning sands of Downhill Beach, which has also been used as a Game of Thrones filming location. Get the best views over the bay and the Atlantic ocean from the remains of the 18th-century temple on the clifftop and tuck yourself in at Oaklands Hotel.
The quaint village of Port Sunlight was originally built in the late 1800s for workers of the Sunlight Soap factory. With no fewer than 900 Grade II listed buildings and 130 acres of parklands, there are plenty of fountains, rose gardens and tea rooms to explore on a summer afternoon. Learn about the town’s history in the local museum and explore the art gallery before a stay at the modern Leverhulme Hotel.
Historic Lymm with its ancient market cross is one of Cheshire’s prettiest villages. The Bridgewater canal passes through the centre with some lovely buildings along the water’s edge. Hire a narrowboat to venture down the historic canal route or enjoy a tranquil stroll along the towpath. The Lymm Damm, built in 1824 when a turnpike road was created from Warrington to Stockport, and its surrounding woodlands are also picturesque spots for a wander. Bed down at The Lymm Hotel.
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Unspoiled and with unbelievably pretty views across the fields to the Ribble Valley and the brooding form of Pendle Hill, conservation village Downham is an absolute charmer. And there are no aerials, overhead wires, satellite dishes or road signs in sight to ensure the views aren’t obstructed. As well as a little green, bubbling brook, and cute ivy-clad cottages, it also boasts one of Lancashire’s top inns – the Assheton Arms. Set in a Grade II listed building, it is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, crackling fires and excellent food. It has some lovely rooms too.
Huddled around a village green where sheep graze and the Hutton Beck flows, the charms of this North York Moors village are plentiful. It gets its unusual name from its position in a natural hollow between the limestone headlands of the Tabular Hills. Moorland meanders are the main thing to do in the area, when you’re not enjoying the convivial atmosphere in delightful village pub The Crown that is. The Ryedale Folk Museum next door is also worth a visit.
Tucked up high on the Yorkshire coast is the seaside town of Whitby, famed for being the home of Bram Stoker’s infamous Count Dracula. Explore the port where the vampire was said to have been shipwrecked long ago or trek up to the abandoned abbey to spy some spooky architectural ruins. Visit independent gift shops and coffee stops before a plate of seriously good fish and chips. As the night sets in, retire into the warmth and safety of the homely Cobbleview Rooms, just next door to the fish restaurant which is run by the same family.
There are many reasons to visit this stunner of a fishing village on the North Yorkshire coast. Famously the home of Captain Cook, whitewashed cottages cling to the craggy cliffs that edge a pretty harbour and beach. Today, Staithes is home to a thriving artist community with some fantastic galleries, jewellery and homeware shops to be discovered along its maze of lanes and cobbled alleys. Don’t miss the museum dedicated to Cook and get the full-effect of Staithes’s stunning location on a boat trip from the harbour. There are lots of little holiday cottages in the centre.
Right in the heart of the glorious Peak District National Park, cute Castleton is overlooked by Mam Tor (known as the "shivering mountain") and the ruins of Norman castle Peveril. When you’re not hiking the surrounding hillsides, this pretty little village has bags of charm and history to uncover among its old buildings. The intriguing subterranean chambers of nearby Cave Dale and Peak Cavern are another of its attractions. Hunker down for the night at the Inkeeper's Lodge.
You're in for a treat with this scenic stone-built village set amid Snowdonia’s exceptionally dramatic mountain landscape. It’s located at the confluence of the River Glaslyn and River Colwyn and a pretty footbridge crosses the water in the village centre. Beddgelert is most famous for Gelert’s Grave, the supposed burial place of the faithful hound of a 13th-century Welsh prince Llewelyn the Great. It's a short walk south of the village. It’s also a fantastic base for exploring the national park. Stay at family-run pub Saracens Head on the banks of the Colwyn.
This medieval walled town in Pembrokeshire was a favourite bathing spot for the Victorians and Georgians. And its popularity has endured. From its maze of cobbled streets and bustling little harbour to the pastel-coloured houses along its promenade and beautiful beaches, Dinbych y Pysgod (as it’s called in Welsh) has seaside charm by the bucketful. Don’t miss a ferry trip over to Caldey Island, owned by an order of Cistercian monks, and the charming Tenby Museum and Art Gallery on Castle Hill is a little treasure trove of local history. Stay at the Heywood Spa Hotel.
Stumble upon Llanrwst along a curve of the River Conwy to find cobble-stoned houses hidden within lush expanses of nature. The town holds eclectic roots in the wool, harp and clock-making industries and sits on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. Tour cascading waterfalls by day and the local pubs by night but don’t forget to roam through the grounds of Gwydir Castle alongside the resident peacocks. When the day comes to a close, retire to the regal decadence of the Maenan Abbey Hotel.
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The little market town of Crickhowell traces back as far as the Iron Age, when the fort on Table Mountain was first built. Nestled in the rolling hills between the Vale of Usk and the Black Mountains of Brecon Beacons National Park, Crughywell (as it is in Welsh) is Celtic through and through. Treat yourself to local goodies like rich cheeses, quality cuts of meat and delicious chutneys from the market vendors and then slip into a contented snooze at The Bear Hotel and Pub. The inn features beamed ceilings and log fires and has been accommodating weary travellers for the past 500 years.
While some villages were built to be functioning communities, Portmeirion was created as a fairy-tale folly. The colourful, Portofino-inspired buildings are gathered among exotic gardens and sandy beaches which are punctuated by quaint cafés, delicious restaurants and an Italian ice cream parlour. Take a ride on the steam train along one of the oldest tracks of its kind and enjoy an indulgent cream tea on the terrace at the Hotel Portmeirion. Bed down for the night at the fort-like Castell Deudraeth to complete the folklore feel.
According to the 2011 census, this tiny Herefordshire hamlet is home to around 175 people. It is thought to once have been a larger market town during Roman times, although today there is little more than a cluster of cottages, a church and a nursery school. Stay in a rural, fairy-tale cottage at Moor Court Farm.
You may recognise the stone facades of this Lincolnshire town as the Pride and Prejudice town Meryton, from the film adaptation of Jane Austen's book. Stamford sits on the banks of the River Welland and is steeped in literary culture and history. Meander through the regal halls and sprawling gardens of magnificent Burghley House before catching an open-air show by the Stamford Shakespeare Company. After a long day of history and theatre, tuck yourself in for a night by the fire at the George of Stamford coaching inn.
Right on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, this honey-hued village is as idyllic as they come. Its Norman church has an impressive bell tower and there’s a charming community-run shop and café – pop along for a cuppa and to soak up the village atmosphere. Nearby Shipston-on-Stour, with its 17th-century church, is well worth visiting too and Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon is only eight miles away. Base yourself at The Howard Arms, set on the village green – a good-looking pub with rooms.
Dorchester is a Roman dwelling, originally known as Doric, which sits along a thread of the River Thames. Expect to spot thatched roofs and Tudor-style facades down quaint little roads and the Dorchester Abbey tower peeking over the high street. You can visit the abbey as well as the local museum to find out more about the town’s long local history before curling up by the fire at the 16th-century Fleur De Lys Inn.
This Oxfordshire town may look quaint and quiet but it once was the site of the rebellion against Oliver Cromwell in the 1600s. The event is remembered on Levellers Day so arrive in May to see Burford come alive with debates and music in honour of free speech. You can also find a medieval bridge, visit England’s oldest pharmacy or dine in the same restaurant where Lord Nelson once feasted. To catch forty regal winks, book in at the charming Bull Coaching Inn, where King Charles once stole away to with his mistress, Nell Gwynne.
Fans of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will love cute-as-a-button Turville, huddled within the Chiltern Hills and the windmill home of Caractacus Potts. Hike up the steep ridge to see the pretty windmill and soak in views back to the village and across the hills. Its ancient St Mary the Virgin Church is also famous – it was used for BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley, as was the idyllic village. Book early for lunch at the The Bull & Butcher and there’s no shortage of places to stay in the area such as The Stag and Huntsman, in equally aesthetically-pleasing village Hambledon.
You feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of a period costume drama at this remarkably well-preserved medieval timbered village. Lavenham was one of England’s most prosperous wool villages, hence the incredible houses. Admire the wonderfully wonky structures on a wander through its lovely old lanes. Don’t miss the village’s main historic sights – the Guildhall, Little Hall and Church of St Peter and St Paul. Stay at characterful The Swan at Lavenham.
Residents have lived in the little south east town of Thaxted for over a thousand years. You will find thriving traditions celebrated through the Thaxted Festival or the town’s resident band of Morris dancers. Visit the beautiful windmill, the 17th-century parish almshouses and the pre-Tudor Guildhall meeting place. Stay at the wood-beamed Swan Hotel for a cosy night’s rest and a tasty pub lunch.
Essex’s Battlesbridge village earned its name from the Bataille family’s original bridge over the River Crouch. Today, Battlesbridge is a famed antique hotspot and you can visit their antique and craft centre as well as a unique motorcycle museum full of vintage models and memorabilia. Stay at Fraser’s Guest House for a homely visit to the hamlet.
Set in the heart of Constable country, straddling the border between Essex and Suffolk, the landscape has changed very little since the painter John Constable captured it on canvas. Once a prosperous wool and market town, Dedham's buildings are a delightful mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. There’s a beautiful 15th-century church and high street with a appealing bookshops, independent boutiques and tearooms. A stroll along the River Stour to Flatford Mill (owned by Constable’s father and subject of his paintings) through water meadows is an absolute must. Stay at boutique hotel Milsoms.
Nicknamed the "Garden of England", Kent is packed with historic towns and villages, both along its beachy coastline and also inland. On the River Medway, Aylesford is famed for its medieval stone bridge and Church. Pop into Aylesford Priory, a Carmelite friary founded in 1242 which also has an excellent tearoom. Carry on the historic theme with a stay in nearby Maidstone, at the Larkfield Priory Hotel set in a Victorian mansion.
If history's your thing then you've come to the right place: Chilham is packed with half-timbered black and white Tudor buildings. There are plenty of opportunities for a ramble too as Chilham lies on the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury. Stop by the Woolpack Inn which serves ales from Kentish brewer Shepherd Neame, and offers rooms too.
This chocolate-box charmer in the Surrey Hills was the location for Kate Winslet’s character’s cute cottage in house-swap movie The Holiday. We’re pretty sure if we lived in Shere we wouldn’t be going anywhere. The quintessential English village has half-timbered houses, a babbling stream, a beautiful little 12th-century church, two fab pubs, a couple of shops, museum and a tearoom. What more could you ask for? An incredibly lovely B&B? The Rookery Nook is just that.
Surrounded by the rolling South Downs, the ancient village of Alfriston has lashings of old-world charm. It’s home to a medieval church and the very first property acquired by the National Trust – gorgeous 14th-century thatched and timber-framed Alfriston Clergy House. Other attractions include a stroll along the gurgling Cuckmere river or further afield hikes along footpaths into the Downs, before retreating to the cosy confines of the historic The Star Inn – all roaring log fires, wooden beams and creaky floorboards alongside modern luxuries.
This beauty of a village is a fabulous place to base yourself in the New Forest. Set around the head of the Beaulieu River, the little high street has a fabulous chocolate shop, appealing gift shops, and a bijou garden centre with lovely café. Luxurious country house hotel The Montagu Arms is the place to stay – it also has a welcoming pub for low-key dining. The old abbey now houses a motor museum and a short drive (or rewarding walk) down river is historic shipbuilding village Buckler’s Hard, where Nelson’s first fleet ships were constructed.
Chilbolton could be straight out of a storybook with fairy-tale cottages, green meadows and gushing rivers. Explore the 13th-century church or sneak off for a quiet pint in The Abbots Mitre Pub. Run away to this sleepy village and find solace at the Wisteria Cottage Garden Loft – an independent B&B in the centre of the charming village.
The Isle of Wight has scenic seaside villages by the spadeful and Shanklin with its cutesy old centre, authentic thatched cottages and copious amounts of tearooms is one of the prettiest. Its charmingly traditional seafront promenade, the Shanklin Esplanade, is the place to go for some seaside nostalgia (crazy golf anyone?), a pint with sea views or an ice cream on the bay’s golden sands. Stay in The Grange, a B&B in a handsome Georgian house.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert loved the Isle of Wight so much they decided to build Osborne House in East Cowes, which is now open to the public. Cowes and East Cowes face each other on the island’s northernmost coastline and are joined by a floating bridge. Both are home to maritime museums and Cowes also hosts the world’s oldest sailing regatta. The Mimosa Lodge B&B offers bright, comfortable rooms in half an acre of gardens.
Another star of the small screen, this historic National Trust village has featured in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice. The main lure is Lacock Abbey – once an Augustinian nunnery, Tudor home and more latterly home of William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative. Once you've explored the photography museum, abbey and gardens, follow the lovely riverside walk along the River Avon before retiring to 15th-century inn Sign of the Angel for a pie and a pint by the roaring fire. It has rooms too.
They don’t come much comelier than this Cotswolds charmer with its honey-coloured stone cottages, 13th-century church (whose faceless clock is thought to be one of the oldest in the country) and little stone bridges that cross the ambling River Bybrook. It’s no wonder Castle Combe has caught the eye of film location scouts – recent credits include Stardust and Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse. Stay at the quintessential country lodgings The Castle Inn on the historic market place.
Gloucestershire’s elegant little town is full of surprises. Visit Chipping Campden in May to see the Olimpick Games featuring bizarre events such as wheelbarrow relays and traditional shin-kicking. If you fancy a slightly more traditional event, you can witness the orchestra and choir performances of the Chipping Campden Musical Festival throughout the same month instead. Ponder your musical musings or rest those battered shins at the Three Ways House Hotel, home to the infamous Pudding Club – a Friday evening showcase of seven traditional desserts such as jam roly poly.
Another contender in the Cotswolds’ beauty contest, nearby Bourton-on-Water is built around the River Windrush. Head here to see its famously cute little low footbridges that cross the shallow water where ducks bob. Stroll through the centre alongside the river, nipping into its numerous twee shops and traditional tearooms as you go. Be warned: Bourton’s a busy place thanks to its picture-perfect looks and numerous attractions that include a bird sanctuary, model village and motor museum. Stay at the sweet Chester House Hotel.
Arguably the prettiest little places in the Cotswolds, these enchanting sister villages are a mile apart and linked by the tiny River Eye. Stroll alongside the water between the two and admire the incredible houses as you go including Upper Slaughter’s beautiful gabled Elizabethan manor house. Luxurious hotel Lords of the Manor, former home of the Slaughter family (originally Sclostre, which meant “a muddy place”), makes a suitably grand residence for this swanky part of the country.
This pretty village has a long history which was first recorded in the original Domesday Book. The pale stone houses and local church gather along the River Windrush, where the village's beautiful dovecote (an original bird house) has stood for hundreds of years. The surrounding countryside makes Naunton a natural choice for nature-lovers seeking a quiet hideaway. Enjoy a long country walk and a pub lunch before having a good snooze at the luxury bed and breakfast, Aylworth Manor.
While Cirencester claims to be Capital of the Cotswolds, Painswick residents insist that their village is the Queen of the Cotswolds. It’s certainly a postcard worthy English village and was the set for the TV adaption of J.K Rowling’s book A Casual Vacancy. A must-see is the beautiful Rococo Garden, built to host garden parties during the 1740s. You’ll find lush greens, trees and curated vegetable patches but also elegant pillars, structures and small outdoor houses. Stay over at the cosy Falcon Inn.
The well-known market town of Cirencester, dubbed the Capital of the Cotswolds, is a picturesque hub of pubs, museums and art as well as golf and cricket clubs. The summer polo tournaments aren’t to be missed or, for an unusual afternoon trip, get the keys to the Cirencester Lock-Up and see where Cotswolds criminals were kept back in the day. Assign yourself somewhere a little more comfortable than a night in the cells at the much cosier Corinium Hotel.
The famous writer and designer William Morris once declared Bibury in the Cotswolds the most beautiful village in the country. A hundred or so years later the sentiment certainly seems to stand. A huddle of stone houses and green hills with a slip of the River Coln running through, Bibury is a picture-perfect place to hide away from the world and enjoy a quiet pint in a warm pub or a cooked breakfast after a cosy night’s sleep at the ivy-clad Swan Hotel.
Set high in the pretty Purbeck hills, Corfe Castle has a deep-rooted history – it was a Saxon stronghold, Norman fortress, royal palace (used by King John to keep his crown jewels and where Edward II was imprisoned), as well as a family home. The romantic ruins of the crumbling castle could absorb you all day. It’s set within an exceedingly pretty little village – its quaint buildings are made using local grey Purbeck limestone. Former Elizabethan manor house Mortons House Hotel is a great place to base yourself and there are a number of pubs and places to eat in the village.
Dorset is peppered with picture-postcard pretty villages including Abbotsbury. All thatched mellow stone cottages, a narrow winding high street and rolling green hills to either side. The number of parked coaches give you a clue that it’s a top tourist spot and for good reason. Aside from its good looks, it’s home to the Abbotsbury Swannery (established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery here during the 1040s), 18th-century sub-tropical gardens and a lovely children’s farm. And it’s a stone’s throw from the scenic Jurassic Coast too. Book into B&B East Farm House in the village.
Huddled against chalk cliffs along the Jurassic Coast is the lovely village of Beer in Devon. Although no longer a base for notorious smugglers of times gone by, the town’s fishing heritage still exists today and there is an abundance of fresh crab and seafood to tuck into. Visit the ancient quarry or the donkey sanctuary and be sure to book in for a night or two at the welcoming Colebrooke House.
This fishing village in North Devon, once owned by royalty, charges visitors a £7.50 entrance fee. Once inside, its cobbled streets, sloping towards the sea, feature only donkeys and sledges in lieu of cars. The adorable village played muse for the painter William Turner and writer Charles Dickins. Start your own exploration by staying at the 17th-century New Inn Hotel to really feel like part of the furniture.
A favourite of the sailing set, this chichi harbour town on Devon’s south coast swells with well-heeled holidaymakers in summer but out of season it’s equally lovely. The quaint fishing port is popular for good reason – it’s a jumble of posh shops, fantastic restaurants and old-world pubs. Plus, it’s close to some glorious long stretches of golden sand such as South Sands, a short ferry ride away. There are plenty of lovely places to stay in town and nearby including Salcombe Harbour Hotel, slap bang on the waterfront.
Snaking down the Jurassic Coast in the south of England, Branscombe is a contender for the longest village in Britain. The stone houses and rolling hills mean this Devon dwelling certainly qualifies as one of the prettiest. Wander through the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or follow the path along the Jurassic Coast to witness 185 million years of history revealed in the cliffs, caves and crevices, which have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settle in for the night at The Mason Arms 14th-century cottage.
Exceedingly lovely Lustleigh is set on the east of Dartmoor National Park and ticks all of the English village boxes – green, ancient church, thatched houses and pub. There’s plenty to occupy you in this scenic part of Devon – from long rambles on the moors and cycle rides along riverside trails to ancient abbeys and castles. There are lots of lovely inns in the area such as The Rock Inn near Bovey Tracey.
Mousehole is another of the region’s top tourist spots. This cute little fishing village in west Cornwall is a charming maze of narrow streets and higgledy cottages that all lead to the harbour where boats bob on the water. After you’ve had a good browse around the lanes, boutiques and galleries, pick up a freshly cooked pasty to enjoy by the harbour (keeping watch for pesky seagulls) as you soak in the Atlantic views. Hire a cottage to immerse yourself in village life. Nearby must-visits include the incredible Minack Theatre, perched on a cliff-edge, and majestic fortress St Michael’s Mount.
This famous fishing village is as quaint as they come – clusters of cottages clinging to steep hillsides that lead down to a tiny harbour. A one-time haven for smugglers and profiteers, it’s now run asunder by daytrippers. Although, thankfully, its winding lanes are car-free. Take a boat out for a fishing trip, walk the beach to seek out old smugglers’ haunt Willy Wilcox cave and set off on some of the fantastic coastal walks – the six-and-a-half-mile stretch of the South West Coast Path between Polperro and Fowey is spectacular. For a place to stay in town, try the Cottles B&B.
Cornish seaside favourite Looe is a sandy haven of picturesque fishing boats and delicious seafood – don’t leave without trying a fresh crab sandwich. After lunch, hike up to the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary and meet primate friends like Joey, who have been rescued from poor or unsuitable conditions. The views are well worth the walk and you may just find some farmer’s honey or fruit for sale along the way. Treat yourself to a room at the Commonwood Manor for spectacular scenic views over breakfast.