The county of birth of Britain's most famous playwright and both the inspiration and setting for many classic English novels, Warwickshire isn't short on heritage. Nestled in the heart of England, this beautiful part of the country boasts a folio of picturesque villages that offer many delightful homes for would-be movers.
As one of the most sparsely populated counties, space can be found in abundance in Warwickshire’s glorious countryside. With the few larger towns that are spread out across the region comes a copious amount of smaller hamlets and villages to live that are ideal for those looking to capitalise on a quieter life out in the country.
Barford
Barford’s roots date back to the Domesday Book. The village retains much of its medieval charm, with period cottages and houses that reflect its heritage, including the Regency-era Barford House, a beautiful Grade 2 listing. Barford’s community is small, with roughly a thousand or so residents, and amenities within the village are rather minimal.
However, Barford has excellent connectivity with the county town of Warwick, located just four miles away down the A42 Bypass, providing swift access to the M40 motorway and the wider Midlands region. This puts residents within 5 minutes drive of all of Warwick's shopping, dining, and transport facilities, without having to give up the quiet village life, and makes Barford a very easy addition to this list.
Dunchurch
A village steeped in history, Dunford is famously connected to the Gunpowder Plot, where the conspirators involved used the village and its inn as a meeting place to hatch their revolutionary schemes. Today, the Inn is a private residence known as Guy Fawkes House and a shining example of the efforts of the town to preserve its heritage through its buildings.
Much like it was in the 16th Century, the village remains picturesque, with charming thatched cottages and more recently built two-storey townhouses, catering to various buyer tastes. As a larger village, it contains decent amenities, but with the town of Rugby just down the road, residents will not struggle with finding their every want and need.
Ilmington
Nestled in the northern Cotswolds, one of the UK's most revered Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ilmington is a celebrated village with timeless attractions – home to stunning stone-built properties that date back to its medieval heritage as an apple orchard. Some properties here have been given listed building status, preserving the village's historicity and quality dwellings.
Despite its rural charm and smaller settlement size, Ilmington offers good connectivity with the nearby towns of Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh, both of which provide rail services to Birmingham and London. For those seeking a blend of tranquil surroundings, and rugged heritage whilst retaining accessibility, Ilmington is an excellent investment for living in the wilds of Warwickshire.
Henley-in-Arden
Henley-in-Arden is a historic market town, famed for its picturesque High Street which runs for a mile through the town, lined with timber-framed buildings that showcase its rich medieval heritage. The village offers an array of housing options, from elegant period properties to more modern redevelopments, both in and on the outskirts of town.
With its own railway station offering direct trains to Birmingham in just over half an hour, Henley-in-Arden is ideal for commuters looking to minimise their time in the busy city and enjoy the quieter life of this charming market town.
Shipston-on-Stour
Found on the edge of the Cotswolds, Shipston-on-Stour is a thriving market town that traces its roots back to medieval sheep farming. History hasn't entirely changed the town's properties, which include many farm-style cottages and converted buildings that make great homes for those looking for quaint, cosy spaces.
The bustling town centre is home to all the essential amenities one needs, whilst the area is within easy reach of nearby Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury. Located in a wonderful area of natural beauty, Shipston-on-Stour is an idyllic place to experience the delights of small-town living in the Warwickshire countryside.
Studley
The village of Studley, in the west of Warwickshire, is a large area with a variety of housing available. Period properties made from stone and thatch, wonderful Regency-era homes, and more modern builds, dot the surrounding hills, which was once home to a castle during the medieval period, the remains of which can be found near the lovely St. Mary’s Church.
The area’s standout property, which also happens to go by the moniker of Studley Castle, is a Grade 2 listed, 17th-century manor house and now the site of a fabulous Warner Leisure Hotel. The village is well connected, with the nearby motorway links to the M42 and M5 providing easy access to Redditch, from which the local railway station, offers services to Birmingham and beyond.
Alcester
One of Warwickshire’s most important Roman settlements, Alcester was founded in 47 AD although, not much remains of the Roman presence in the village, save a few artifacts displayed in the local museum. What Alcester does have plenty of, is a tapestry of English architecture with buildings dating back to the Medieval, Tudor, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. This takes shape in the form of townhouses, terraced apartments, and much grander manor houses throughout the area.
Although the village contains more than enough amenities to suit the needs of its 6000 or so residents, good local road links between nearby Evesham and Stratford Upon Avon provide plenty of connectivity to other parts of the county. The chance to live in one of this quiet market town’s charming period properties is once is a lifetime opportunity.
Warwickshire’s many charming villages carry an irresistible combination of historical character, stunning landscapes, and slower pace of living, which is simply, idyllic. Although there are fewer larger settlements, great transport links throughout the county make it a firmly liveable area and further enhances Warwickshire’s appeal for living.
