Beautiful villages in England

When planning a move to a village a buyer will often envisage stone-built, historical homes set on winding roads surrounded by lush green countryside. They might even think about how life would be to live in a village and imagine their new home will be within a short walk of the village shop or the local pub and that at the centre of the village there is a duck pond or a green where locals play cricket in the summer months.

Whatever you imagine a village to be it’s likely that the first requirement is for it to be attractive, luckily there are lots of beautiful villages in England; these are some of our favourites.

Castle Combe, Wiltshire

Arguably the most photographed location in the country, Castle Combe in the Wiltshire Cotswolds is easily one of the most beautiful villages in England.

This picturesque village is located on the edge of the Bybrook River, the pretty bridge which crosses the river is a favourite photo opportunity with visitors. Castle Combe has been called ‘the prettiest village in England’ by many a travel guide over the years. The honey-coloured Cotswold stone cottages are highly desirable but rarely become available to buy.

Only 13 miles from the nearby city of Bath and with a short drive to nearby Chippenham residents can reach London Paddington in just over an hour.

Burnham Market, Norfolk

The largest of the Burnham villages along the North Norfolk Coast, Burnham Market is a beautiful and popular village to both visit and to live in. Set slightly inland, Burnham Market is only 2 miles from the sea and within easy reach of several sandy beaches.

Burnham Market is a picturesque village, the green is surrounded by 18th-century buildings and there are a number of shops within the pretty period buildings which include a butcher, fish shops, book shops and delicatessen. Burnham Market also has a doctors surgery, dentist and primary school.

Rail connections can be found at King’s Lynn where there are direct services to London which take under 2 hours into King’s Cross, stopping at Cambridge midway which takes around 50 minutes to reach.

Kingham, Oxfordshire

Previously named ‘England’s favourite village’, Kingham in Oxfordshire is a very attractive place to live. True to the Cotswold style, there are pretty limestone cottages and houses throughout the village.

Kingham has much to offer residents in terms of amenities. The Kingham Plough pub is particularly popular as is The Wild Rabbit restaurant and Daylesford Farm shop is only a mile down the road.

There is a direct train service from Kingham into London Paddington with the fastest train taking 1 hour 16 minutes, the service stops at Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and Reading before reaching its destination.

Bray, Berkshire

Within easy commute of central London, Bray is a particularly attractive riverside village in Berkshire. The houses here are primarily half-timbered and many boast views over the Thames. The most desirable homes in Bray are found within the Fisheries Estate.

The village is a gourmands paradise with several Michelin starred eateries; The Fat Duck, Waterside Inn and The Hind’s Head.

Bray is surrounded by countryside and only a short distance, just over a mile, from Maidenhead from which residents can take a train into London, Crossrail is also due to arrive at Maidenhead making for an even shorter journey. The drive into London should take under an hour using the M4 motorway.

St Mawes, Cornwall

St Mawes is a Cornish fishing village and, as with many villages in Cornwall, is extremely beautiful. From St Mawes harbourside to Summers Beach, the village has much to offer. St Mawes is south facing, located on the eastern side of the Fal Estuary which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The shops in St Mawes include a butcher, bakers, post office and convenience store with other amenities including a doctors surgery, dentist and pharmacy. Visitors often stay at the two exclusive hotels; Olga Polizzi’s Hotel Tresanton and Idle Roads Hotel.

Certain homes in St Mawes are elevated and benefit from panoramic views of both the surrounding countryside and out to sea.

Ditchling, East Sussex

The picturesque village of Ditchling is located within the South Downs National Park and sits at the foot of Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex which offers 360 views over the Downs. 

There are a variety of shops within the village including a post office, delicatessen and coffee shop along with a museum and several good pubs. There are good schools in the area which include St Margaret’s Primary School which is in Ditchling and others such as Burgess Hill School and Brighton College are within easy reach.

The nearby village of Hassocks, about 2 miles to the east of Ditchling, has a mainline station which offers a direct service into London Bridge and London Victoria. Ditchling is around 9 miles from Brighton and the south coast.

Grasmere, Cumbria

The Lake District National Park is home to several of the most beautiful villages in England, Grasmere is especially sought after.

Grasmere is steeped in local history and culture, once the home of William Wordsworth. Well set for amenities there are several local shops including a chemist and post office and several places to drink and eat including the Michelin star Forest Side.

The village is within easy reach of several nearby market towns; Keswick, Ambleside and Kendal for wider amenities and there are rail services available at Windermere providing connections to Manchester and London Euston.

Finding a village home

England is littered with picturesque villages, some more beautiful than others – finding a village that offers a balance of beauty and amenities is often the key for our clients seeking village homes.

There are many more locations that could be included on a list of the most beautiful villages in England, understanding a home hunters overall priorities can ensure they find a place to live which is not only easy on the eye but also provides the lifestyle they seek – a professional property finder can assist in finding a home in the perfect location. To discuss your search for a village property please contact us.