English village life. Just saying it feels good, evoking romantic images of tranquil landscapes, rose-framed cottages, and tight-knit communities bonded by a deep connection to nature and each other. It’s an enticing concoction that, thankfully, still rings true to this day. While most corners of the Western world – urban and rural – have been changed by many aspects of modern life, not least ‘advances’ in digital technology and transport, the prettiest villages in England are blessed: they retain a timeless quality that is authentic, charming, and deeply relaxing. Offering a real buffer against some of the more challenging aspects of 21st-century existence, thanks to their deeply embedded status and prestige, the very best English villages are protected to their very core – they must preserve their tradition, beauty, and heritage, and take great pride in doing so. Given all this, living in a classic English village is liberating. There is a freedom that comes with being blissfully cocooned. And while living in a relatively rural area might once have left a slight sense of isolation, modern technology has worked in the favour of village life – thanks to the internet and smartphones, we are more connected to the outside world and local services have adapted: Wi-Fi is commonplace, takeaway food options are plentiful, as are online shopping orders, and so much more. Here is our guide to the prettiest villages in England, where the quality of life is as good as it gets.
Broadway, Cotswold
Deep in the heart of England – far away from its maddening conurbations and deeply removed from any sense of stress and bustle – the Cotswolds is a rural, rustic sweep off that utterly epitomises English village life. Nestled at the base of the rolling Worcestershire hills, Broadway is pretty as a picture – a real jewel in the crown (although other Cotswold villages such as Stanton, Bibury, and Chipping Camden catch the eye and win the heart).
Broadway’s historic high street and surrounding roads are peaceful, cosy, and inviting: an eclectic mix of stone cottages and period houses, with characterful restaurants and tea shops to enjoy the tranquility and read about the famous faces who revelled in the tranquility here, including Oscar Wilde, William Morris, and Edward Elgar. Walkers soak up the countryside, hiking up to Broadway Tower to take in the 50-acre parkland estate. Its beautiful architecture means that house prices are high. Broadway is small and quiet but still boasts a warm sense of community. For a broader depth of amenities, Cheltenham is only half an hour drive away.
Shere, Surrey
Charming timber-framed cottages and delicate thatched roofs characterise quaint Shere, which boasts an array of beautiful buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Located in the rolling Surrey Hills, this historic village – just an hour from London by car or train – is completely awash with rural charm. Pretty woodlands and walking trails surround Shere, while lush green meadows hug the River Tillingbourne, which ebbs and flows through the village to give it a sense of otherworldly calm, with its ducks on the riverbank and people pottering over the small wooden bridges. Families love putting down roots here – especially given its proximity to the capital – and it’s a close-knit community, with regular events like village fairs and local produce markets. Spring and summer are especially photogenic: the locals are proud of their rampant flower displays, which seem to completely take over: the village green, the gardens, the pubs, the tearooms, and the shops; all seem to be blooming. So picturesque is Shere that it has appeared in several films, being a prime location for Hollywood hits including The Holiday (2006) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004).
Alderley Edge, Cheshire
The north of England is blessed with distinctive villages that encapsulate what local life used to be like, and what it is today. Affluent Alderley Edge does just that and with a significant nod to modern sophistication. It’s one of the wealthiest, most desirable places to live outside of London, and for good reason. Just outside its centre is a dramatic sandstone escarpment, The Edge, after which the village is named. From here, there are panoramic views of the Cheshire Plain, the surrounding countryside, and even the sprawling metropolis of Manchester can be seen on the horizon. Dog walkers, nature lovers, and photographers lap it up. Back down in the village, there is a perfectly maintained network of roads that boast attractive Victorian and Edwardian houses, some traditional red-brick cottages, and, set further back, some incredible modern mansions that have to be seen to be believed. Luxury, scale, and ambition are in rich supply: no wonder some of the best footballers in the world choose to make it their home while playing in the Premier League. The high street is elegant and buzzing: top-class boutiques, cafes, and restaurants in well-preserved historic buildings.
It's a high-end lifestyle, with Michelin-starred restaurants and chic wine bars, but there is a rich history here too. By direct train, Manchester is 30 minutes – while London is around two hours. It is also very close to Manchester Airport and major motorways, especially the M6.
Mousehole, Cornwall
Quite the contrast to Alderley Edge, Mousehole in Cornwall is idyllic in another way. This is a real getaway-from-it-all place – a small, picturesque fishing village in the deep south west of England. Pronounced “Mowzel” by locals, its maze of narrow, cobbled lanes – lined with stunning, yellow-lichened houses – wind down to the bustling harbour, from where mussels, lobster, crab, and scallops caught in droves are almost immediately available to sample within the village’s charming eateries. Make no mistake, this tip of Cornwall is far from everywhere else, but it is a total foodie heaven – the seafood is among the best in Europe – and more generally, a relaxing, carefree lifestyle is on the menu too, if city life isn’t so important. The lack of modern commercial development creates a timeless atmosphere and, perhaps because of its relatively remote nature, there is a genuinely tight-knit community. The famous Mousehole Christmas Lights, which illuminate the harbour, bring almost everyone out of their home, and all year round, the South West Coast Path is perfect for walkers – with glorious views and access to nearby villages like Newlyn and Lamorna Cove.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Castle Combe is one of the most photographed villages in England, which tells its own story. It's absolutely beautiful – postcard pretty is the perfect description – a ‘chocolate-box’ village filled with happy residents, and sumptuous cottages made from honey-coloured stone. Life in this historic Wiltshire village offers a well-preserved slice of the past but is close enough to modern amenities to feel connected and accessible: nearby Chippenham and Bath are on hand to provide everything locals need with respect to supermarkets and schools. In the village itself, there are, however, wonderful dining options – especially the Castle Inn and The Manor House Hotel. With a number of enticing footpaths winding their way around the village, with its charming gardens and ancient churches, it's a place to explore and get lost in: a peaceful ambience dominates, though there are plenty of friendly locals to share the joy of this premium village with. It’s not entirely quaint, not all the time: for ‘petrol heads’, the nearby Castle Combe Circuit offers exhilarating racing experiences.
Life in the prettiest English villages keeps getting better. In so many ways it is wonderfully simple: tranquil, community-focused, full of the joys of nature. Not only that, but village populations have diversified in recent years – only making them stronger, more varied, and ultimately more vibrant. But the timeless beauty and tranquillity remain. It always will.
