England’s ‘most beautiful’ village with rolling hills and fairytale houses
A quaint medieval village has been dubbed one of the UK's best places to visit for its quaint and fairytale-like scenery.
Many of us will be scouring Skyscanner for a summer getaway but Brits don't have to leave the country to find somewhere extraordinary to visit. Wiltshire's Castle Combe is often listed as one of the most beautiful villages, not just in Britain, but in the world. It's the perfect place to stop for a day or two for anyone travelling to the Cotswolds.
The stunning village is lined with medieval stone brick cottages and quaint winding streets. It has been unspoiled by modern developments, meaning that it feels like a glimpse of the past and makes it a perfect place to sightsee. Castle Combe is surrounded on all sides by the gorgeous scenery and natural beauty that is expected in the Cotswolds. It's right next to woodlands, rolling hills and lush countryside, which only add to the charm.
Castle Combe is often listed among the most beautiful villages in the world
Country Living has described the "ancient, honey-hued" cottages as "so pretty they should be on a postcard". Condé Nast Traveller named it one of the "most beautiful villages in the world". CN Traveller wrote: “Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village located in the southwest county of Wiltshire. No new houses have been built here since the 1600s, so the town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches.”
The village is popular among hikers and photographers
The village is particularly popular among photographers looking for a picture-perfect snap. The most iconic place to take a stunning holiday photo is the old village bridge crossing the River Bybrook. Another popular facet of the village is its stunning medieval buildings including the gorgeous 13th Century St Andrew's church, which contains the tomb of Sir Walter de Dunstanville, Baron of Castle Combe. The baron was a crusader who died in 1270, possibly in battle. Movie lovers will also appreciate the town, considering it's been the setting of many an iconic film, including the 1960s blockbuster Doctor Dolittle. More recently, it was heavily featured in the 2007 fantasy movie Stardust and Steven Spielberg's War Horse (2011).
It's also been the setting for a number of films
Anyone looking for a laid back getaway will love Castle Combe as it's a prime location for nature walks, historic visits, and spending the evening enjoying a drink at the similarly quaint drinking holes. One must-visit is the village's famous Little Picnic Shop, where ramblers heading out on a nature walk can grab a lunch hamper.
For those who want to eat out for a real experience of the English countryside the Old Rectory Pop-up Tearoom offers afternoon tea and home-baked cakes, as well as sandwiches and tea served in traditional china. The Old Stables in another comfy coffee shop, which is a little more informal, where servers offer bacon sarnies and steaming beverages.
Locals also have an entrepreneurial spirit, with many setting up little stalls outside their home to offer local and homemade products like jam, cakes and sweets - perfect to tuck in to while meandering through the village's streets. Jamie, a travel expert and founder of Explore with Ed, advised tourists wanting to visit to head off as soon as possible as it's best to see in high summer. He said: “The prettiness of Castle Combe is perhaps at its peak in the height of summer when the honey-coloured cottages are graced with colourful climbing plants and overflowing window baskets.”