The 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland
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The UK is known for its lush countryside with endless rolling hills, misty mornings and picturesque villages. Criss-cross your way around the UK and you will stumble upon the most coveted of villages - those places that strike the perfect balance between impossibly pretty yet somehow not-too-chocolate-boxy. Among them are hidden jewels that each offer up something unique, setting them apart from the next village.
These slices of heaven are perfect for hunkering down for a day or even a weekend - with a pint of prawns of local brew in hand. From wandering the streets of Southrop’s quintessential yellow stone homes to watching the sun go down with a takeaway fish platter in Solva, these are the 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland.
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1. South Pool, Devon
Salcombe’s streets, teeming with the sailing brigade, smart shops and ice-cream parlours, seem another world on the other side of the Kingsbridge Estuary in South Pool, where the changing tides of the creek are the most noteworthy activity. Savvy canoeists who’ve checked the tide charts arrive by boat and tie up to the pontoon. But others on foot can just as happily wander the water’s edge before climbing the steep steps to the pretty 14th-century St Nicholas and St Cyriac Church with its views out across the patchwork fields.
Where to stay nearby: One of the best hotels in Devon, Gara Rock, is a 15-minute drive away. Perched high on a jagged peninsula along Devon’s historic South West Coast Path, the hotel-meets-private-hamlet is home to spectacular seaside views, an outdoor pool and an al fresco restaurant.
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2. Cartmel, Cumbria
The village shop’s sticky toffee pudding alone would be a good enough reason to mark this medieval village on your map. But there are also the narrow, winding streets to explore, and the 12th-century Cartmel Priory with its ancient choir stalls, as well as the Lake District’s foodie stalwart L’Enclume, where chef Simon Rogan’s tasting menu throws the spotlight on the Cumbrian countryside. For an adrenalin kick, try horse racing at Cartmel Racecourse against a backdrop of the Lakeland fells, a tradition started by the monks from Cartmel Priory in the 15th century.
Where to stay nearby: One of our favourite Airbnbs in the Lake District, The Nest, is in Cartmel. Found in the quaint and cosy Maggie Puddle Cottage, the Airbnb stay is dotted with smart details such as retro club chairs, iron bed frames, and antique apothecary bottles, plus there are piles of logs for the fires. Families are well catered for too with baskets of toys, highchairs and travel cots.
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3. Portloe, Cornwall
Clustered on the slopes of a steep-sided valley, with a piercingly turquoise sea below, Portloe is considered the jewel of the Roseland Peninsula. Only a handful of fishing boats now work from the cove, delivering lobster and crab, but it’s easy to imagine a time at the beginning of the 20th century when it was a heaving port. Pick up supplies from the Veryan and Portloe village store a five-minute drive inland, and set off down the coast to find a spot on a sandy stretch, making a beeline for The Hidden Hut on Porthcurnick Beach where the menu of hearty stews, chowder and flatbread is scribbled on a chalkboard.
Where to stay nearby: Sitting above the waves of Portloe, Hillside Stone Cottage has great views of the water and rolling hills. Inside, there’s a big dining table for group suppers and a cute breakfast room overlooking the slate roofs of neighbouring houses.
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4. Nether Compton, Dorset
It may be the gentle expanse of the village green, the way the sun turns the stone deliciously yellow or the fact it’s hidden down a lane that doesn’t take you anywhere else – something gives Nether Compton an air of immense calm. Sherborne, with its imposing abbey and tempting shops (dive into The Circus for cashmere, silk dresses and presents you won’t want to give away) is just three miles from here. But you could just as easily while away the afternoon nursing a pint in the village’s 16th-century Griffin’s Head Inn, while you muster the energy to put on your walking boots.
Where to stay nearby: One of our favourite Airbnbs in Dorset is located a 14-minute drive from the town. The cute and cosy bothy cottage is set among winding pathways that date back to the 1700s. Inside there are exposed-brick walls and furniture made from reclaimed wood, plus a wood-burning stove that keeps the stone cottage snug.
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5. Beaulieu, Hampshire
Forget getting anywhere in a hurry in this Hampshire village at the head of the Beaulieu River, where New Forest ponies and donkeys amble down the high street on the hunt for open heathland. Petrolheads can get their fix at the National Motor Museum and the history of the Beaulieu estate can be found at Palace House, the home of the Montagu family since 1538. Set off on the two-mile riverside walk to neighbouring Buckler’s Hard, scanning for kingfishers along the way.
Where to stay nearby: The Pig Hotel’s original Brockenhurst outpost is a 10-minute drive from Beaulieu.
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6. Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty
With its jangling fishing boats and the imposing Caledonian MacBrayne ferry waiting to take passengers to the Outer Hebrides, there’s an air of activity in Ullapool. But allow yourself to stay put for a while, sitting on the wall in front of the white seafront cottages, and soak up the Highland buzz. Make a beeline for The Seafood Shack for lunch (try the crispy lobster burger with guacamole and lemon sour cream), before stopping by The Ceilidh Place opposite to check out its upcoming line-up of local musicians.
Where to stay nearby: The Summer Isles Hotel occupies a wonderful position just above a sandy beach and offers a friendly atmosphere.
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7. Mells, Somerset
Meander through this sleepy Somerset village and marvel at the 15th-century New Street, which runs to St Andrew’s Church, where the great war poet Siegfried Sassoon is buried. Set off with a map in hand to explore the surrounding rolling hills and build up an appetite for a wood-fired pizza at the Walled Garden.
Where to stay nearby: There are plenty of options nearby including The Talbot Inn, with its roll-top baths and vintage Welsh rugs, or Soho House’s original rural outpost at Babington House, which is a five-minute drive away.
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8. Powerstock, Dorset
Encased by a maze of lanes in a steep valley on the edge of the Dorset Downs is Powerstock, a place to get your fix of honey-coloured holiday cottages without the risk of feeling as if you’ve stepped onto a period-drama film set. Bridport, with its artisan coffee shops and sprawling Saturday bric-a-brac market, is less than five miles away, and beyond are the Jurassic Coast’s long, sandy beaches. Recharge post-swim at the Watch House Café at West Bay, with a crab sandwich or a steaming bowl of fish soup topped with saffron aïoli.
Where to stay nearby: If you’re just looking for somewhere to rest your head, The Warren is a quaint log cabin with a hot tub.
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9. Lurgashall, Sussex
When cricket is in full flow on the green, right in the shadow of Black Down – Sussex’s highest hill – Lurgashall could be the setting of a Twenties novel. Stock up on supplies at the tempting village shop, where gin from the local Blackdown Distillery lines the shelves, alongside handcrafted truffles from nearby chocolatiers Noble and Stace. For those lacking the energy to navigate the South Downs’ footpaths, head to nearby Petworth for its antique shops, winding up at The Hungry Guest for coffee and a golden pastry.
Where to stay nearby: The Star, in nearby Alfriston, is a recently revamped 15th-century inn where old meets new, and old exposed beams hang above vibrant textiles from East Sussex designer Richard Smith.
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10. Solva, Pembrokeshire
Even on the greyest day Solva adds a flash of colour to the Pembrokeshire coast, with its brightly painted cottages. Take the plunge off the harbour wall at high tide and scale The Gribin – a rocky headland at the entrance to the harbour – for views along the coast and across to St Brides Bay. When the sun does shine, arm yourself with an ice cream from Pointz Castle before grabbing a spot on the beach to watch the sun go down with a takeaway fish platter (go for the dressed crab and lobster) from Mrs Will the Fish .
Where to stay nearby: A short drive from the town is Twr y Felin, Wales’s first contemporary art hotel. A former windmill built in the early 19th century, the hotel features more than 100 pieces of specially commissioned modern art, as well as a lounge, a snug bar and the surprisingly formal restaurant Blas (Welsh for taste) on the ground floor.
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11. Orford, Suffolk
There is something mesmerising about this coastal village, with its 10-mile-long shingle spit of Orford Ness – where a lighthouse sits – and its castle that’s worthy of a storybook. Tucked away on the Market Square is the no-frills Butley Orford Oysterage, where half a dozen plump oysters should kick-start any lunch and seasonal specials, such as potted brown shrimp or grilled lobster, are scribbled on a chalkboard. At the Pinney’s of Orford shop, down by the quay, stock up on its own smoked fish or that day’s catches.
Where to stay nearby: Located in the village, The Crown & Castle is an award-winning restaurant with 21 modern rooms.
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12. Helford, Cornwall
Perhaps it’s the fact that Daphne du Maurier based her novel Frenchman’s Creek in the area – about a love affair between an English lady and a French pirate – or just the labyrinth of overhanging trees, bridges and hidden bays that make Helford village and river so romantic. Arrive by ferry from the Helford Passage (boats leave from the beach in front of the Ferry Boat Inn), grab a table outside The Shipwrights Arms (where you can take your pick from over 20 types of rum) and watch the boats coming and going from the pub’s own pontoon.
Where to stay nearby: Budock Vean Hotel is one of the only places to stay nearby in Helford Passage. Covering 65 acres of sub-tropical gardens, the sprawling hotel has an indoor pool, spa and 9-hole golf course.
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13. Southrop, Gloucestershire
There’s always a risk that Cotswold villages can be a little too sickly sweet, a little too manicured, or rammed with busloads of tourists – but if there were anywhere to embrace that alluring yellow stone and idealised version of rural England, it might just be Southrop.
Where to stay nearby: Book a room in the Thyme hotel (the Hollywood-style room comes with a home cinema), sign up for a class at the cookery school or tuck into a feasting menu to share (perhaps pumpkin and ricotta salad followed by a leg of lamb) at the estate’s pub, The Swan.
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14. Iford, Wiltshire
Hidden in a valley outside Bradford on Avon is this tiny hamlet, so lovely you’ll be glad you made the detour from nearby Bath’s big-hitting sights. Iford Manor takes centre stage (with its Grade 1-listed Peto garden), the River Frome flows in front of it and Britannia stands proudly on top of the medieval bridge. Walk through the valley to The Inn at Freshford to cool off with a drink in the beer garden, or join the queue for the mobile artisan pizzeria at The Freshford Village Memorial Hall on Friday nights.
Where to stay nearby: The Pig near Bath is a 30-minute drive away, and well worth it too. It’s a joy to sleep here, in the 29 pretty bedrooms that have turned a former family country house into a boutique hotel. It also has the largest kitchen garden of all The Pigs, making dining here a lure for Bath locals as well as the hotel’s guests.
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15. Burnham Market, Norfolk
Walk the length of Burnham Market’s smart high street, with its redbrick houses and colourful windows, for an exercise in old-fashioned shopping: there’s a post office, butcher, hardware shop and fishmongers. But it’s not all essentials. Among the assortment of independent shops is The Hat Shop, an emporium of thousands of flamboyant bits of headwear to marvel at. For lunch, join the queue at The Crab Hut three miles away on Brancaster Staithe harbour, where baguettes are stuffed with crab, prawns and lobster, before heading on for a bracing walk on Brancaster beach.
Where to stay nearby: The Hoste Arms is a 35-room restaurant inn, with retro decor and modern bathrooms. The restaurant is serviced by the biggest Aga in the world, and the spa offers surprisingly inexpensive holistic treatments for both men and women.
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16. Hambleton, Rutland
Sitting on the sun-drenched terrace at the 18th-century Finch’s Arms, surrounded by boats bobbing happily on Rutland Water, it’s easy to forget that you’re in landlocked Rutland. The Hambleton Peninsula is fast garnering a reputation as a millionaires’ playground, with lavish waterfront properties appearing among the pretty village houses. But that doesn’t taint the draw of sunsets over the water that rival any coastal equivalent, the annual arrival of migrating ospreys and easy ambles around the peninsula.
Where to stay nearby: Overlooking the navy expanse of Rutland Water, Hambleton Hall is a vast country pile that has been welcoming guests since 1980, with an in-house restaurant that has held a Michelin star since 1982 (nowhere in the UK has retained one for this long).
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17. Kinsale, County Cork
Pick up a coffee through the hatch at O’Herlihys café before weaving through Kinsale’s electrifyingly bright streets, plotting your next food stop in Ireland’s foodie capital. Once a medieval fishing port, it’s enviably sheltered, with two forts guarding the narrow entrance from the sea. For big Atlantic views head to Old Head and stretch your legs on the four-mile loop around the peninsula, before returning to Kinsale and bagging a spot under a blanket in The Black Pig’s garden for a glass of wine and half a dozen oysters.
Where to stay nearby: Just near the harbour, Lemon Leaf Café & Townhouse is a charming cafe and bar with smart rooms to book.
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18. Portree, Isle of Skye
The fairy-tale palette of Portree’s seafront is a welcome splash of colour when the inevitable Highlands drizzle descends. Developed in the 19th century by the local chieftain Lord MacDonald as a fishing village, it sits in the shadow of the towering Ben Tianavaig to the south, Fingal’s Seat to the west and Ben Chrachaig to the north. For a spectacle of bagpipes and highland flings, time your visit to coincide with the Isle of Skye Highland Games, which take place on ‘The Lump’, a hill that rises above the old quay and juts into Loch Portree.
Where to stay nearby: The grand Cuillin Hills Hotel is beautifully positioned overlooking Portree Bay. After exploring the extensive grounds, cosy up for a nightcap at the hotel’s dedicated Malt Whisky Embassy.
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19. Alnmouth, Northumberland
A violent storm on Christmas Day in 1806 changed the course of the River Aln and marked the decline of Alnmouth as a busy port. Today, the estuary weaves around the quiet village on the edge of the North Sea. And striding out across the vast expanse of golden sand that surrounds it when the tide is out, with kite surfers dotted in the distance, you’ll wonder if you’ve landed it all to yourself. Head west to Alnwick on the 1.5-mile Aln Valley Cycle Path and join the Harry Potter fans on their pilgrimage to Alnwick Castle, where the first two of JK Rowling’s books were filmed.
Where to stay nearby: Blow away the cobwebs at Limpet Cottage in nearby Boulmer. Set in a quiet remote cove, the tiny cottage has floor-to-ceiling windows that open straight onto the beach.
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20. Hutton le Hole, North Yorkshire
On the edge of the North York Moors National Park, with a stream trickling through it and sheep roaming freely is Hutton le Hole. In the summer, plant yourself on the grass in the centre of the village with a picnic and paddle in the stream, and when the heavens open, hibernate in one of its tea shops for a hearty slice of cake. Don’t leave without filling up at The Chocolate Factory, set up in the village by chocoholic brothers Gareth and Chris East nearly 20 years ago.
Where to stay nearby: The Feversham Arms in nearby Helmsley wouldn't look out of place in Burford or on Broadway. The bedrooms are large with painted wood panelling and simple, elegant furniture, plus there's an outdoor swimming pool and a spa.