Prepare to be charmed.
That’s because a ranking of the 25 most charming towns and villages in the UK has been revealed – think quaint cobbled streets, picturesque harbours, thatched cottages and, in general, loveliness all round.
It has been compiled by Big 7 Travel, which graded UK settlements based on factors such as natural scenery, general friendliness of the community, the food and drink scene and history.
The list includes Rye in East Sussex, which is described as the ‘perfect rural getaway’ thanks to its meandering cobblestone streets and timbered houses.
Castle Combe in the Cotswolds, Polperro in Cornwall and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight are also deemed worthy of places, alongside spots in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Oxfordshire.
Scroll down to see the full list in reverse order.
25. Downham, Lancashire
The Lancashire village of Downham in the Ribble Valley kicks the list off. It was used as a filming location for popular BBC drama Born and Bred – set in the 1950s – which ran from 2002 to 2005
24. Melrose, Scottish Borders
Melrose, pictured, is described as a ‘quaint town in the heart of the Scottish Borders’, with Big 7 Travel saying it is ‘one of the prettiest places in Scotland’. It is best known for its abbey and being the location of Sir Walter Scott’s mansion, Abbotsford
23. Portree, Isle of Skye
In 23rd place is Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, which has a bustling harbour and ‘rows of candy-coloured houses’. Views on offer include the Ben Tianavaig hills to the south and Fingal’s Seat to the west
22. Grasmere, Cumbria
The village of Grasmere, pictured, is the former home of celebrated poet William Wordsworth, who reportedly described it as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. Big 7 Travel says that with its mix of rustic cottages and Victorian villas, it is ‘a real gem within the Lake District National Park’
21. Upper and Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
Located in the Cotswolds, the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are linked by the River Eye. The name has nothing to do with ‘killing things’, says www.thecotswoldsguide.com. It comes from old English ‘slohtre’, which means ‘muddy place’
20. Staithes, Yorkshire
Staithes, pictured, is a seaside village in North Yorkshire that has a port with ‘higgledy-piggledy cottages and winding streets’. It is described as a fun place for fossil hunting and rock pooling
19. Mousehole, Cornwall
Mousehole, pronounced Mowzul, is a tiny fishing village in Cornwall. According to Big 7 Travel, it has ‘a lively surf scene, cosy pubs serving up local seafood and an enchanting light that makes it popular with artists’
18. Burford, Oxfordshire
Burford in Oxfordshire is known as the gateway to the Cotswolds and boasts a medieval bridge and old limestone houses. ‘It’s the perfect example of a quintessential English village, complete with tearooms and an impressive church,’ says Big 7 Travel
17. Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales
Portmeirion is a 20th century, Italian Riviera-style town in Wales, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. It is best known as the setting of the classic TV show The Prisoner. It is a private village and a day pass is required to gain entry
16. Port Sunlight, Merseyside
Port Sunlight in Merseyside was built during the 19th century as a home for the workers of the nearby Lever soap factory and is described as a ‘perfect model village’. Big 7 Travel suggests: ‘Stroll through the peaceful village to the Lady Lever art gallery, containing 18th and 19th-century works’
15. Shere, Surrey
The village of Shere in Surrey, pictured, may look familiar. That’s because it was used during the filming of the Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz movie, The Holiday. Big 7 Travel says: ‘Shere is home to 16th and 17th-century timber-framed village houses, a hearty tearoom, two pubs and an excellent micro-brewery’
14. Abbotsbury, Dorset
Famous for its old-fashioned English charm, Abbotsbury is one of the most visited villages in Dorset. Its 14th-century chapel, St Catherine’s, has breathtaking views of Chesil Beach. Big 7 Travel says: ‘Although it’s small, there’s plenty to do here, including hand feeding a colony of nesting mute swans along the Swannery’
13. Bibury, Gloucestershire
Bibury, pictured, was once called the ‘the most beautiful village in England’ by artist William Morris. And Big 7 Travel says it is hard to disagree. It adds: ‘Bibury is probably the most famous place in the Cotswolds, with the cottages along Arlington Row some of England’s most photographed houses’
12. Lacock, Wiltshire
Lacock, in Wiltshire, is one of England’s oldest villages with ‘quaint traditional stone cottages, a village church and cute bakeries and teahouses’. The village has made appearances in the likes of Downtown Abbey, the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
11. Clovelly, Devon
Privately-owned Clovelly in North Devon is a ‘postcard-perfect’ village that is perched at the top of a 400ft cliff. Its steep cobbled streets have had no motorised vehicle access since the 1920s. Big 7 Travel says: ‘Visitors pay a small fee to wander the streets, admiring white-washed cottages bearing flowers and donkeys carrying food supplies’
10. Portrush, Northern Ireland
Described as a ‘fun seaside town in Northern Ireland’, Portrush is on the Causeway Coast and boasts three Blue Flag beaches. According to Big 7 Travel, ‘it’s a popular holiday destination for people all across Ireland and beyond, with a kitschy amusement park and a lively harbour’
9. Hawkshead, Cumbria
The Cumbrian village of Hawkshead, pictured, is an ideal base for exploring the Lake District National Park. Cars are banned from the village, ‘so you can saunter through the cobbled streets at your own leisure, stopping into local tearooms and pubs’, says Big 7 Travel
8. Crail, Fife
Crail, pictured, is a historic fishing village located in the East Neuk of Fife and is best known for its picturesque harbour. Local fishermen come and go bringing in ‘tasty hauls of fresh lobster’
7. Weymouth, Dorset
Often described as ‘England’s Bay of Naples’, Weymouth has ‘golden sandy beaches and waterfront bistros’. Big 7 Travel says: ‘Kids will love the friendly donkeys on the beach and ample sandcastle-building ops’
6. Cushendun, Northern Ireland
Cushenden, pictured, is a small seaside village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. According to Big 7 Travel, ‘charmingly scenic paths wind through the village, beach-front, harbour, and Glendun river, making it a walker’s paradise’
5. Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Shanklin, pictured, is one of the most popular towns on the Isle of Wight, thanks to its pretty thatched cottages. Big 7 Travel adds: ‘There’s a real bucket-and-spade feel in the summer and a warm and cosy atmosphere in colder months’
4. Beddgelert, Snowdonia
Beddgelert, pictured, is right in the heart of Snowdonia National Park in Wales and is recognisable thanks to its stone buildings. It is surrounded by ‘wooded vales, rocky slopes and mountain lakes’
3. Polperro, Cornwall
Described as a ‘shining jewel on the Cornish coast’, Polperro, pictured, is a fishing village popular with tourists. Big 7 Travel notes that ‘the streets are so small that no cars can pass through, so it’s great for strolling’
2. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Taking second place in the ranking is another Cotswold village – Castle Combe. It is particularly pretty thanks to its ‘honey-coloured houses, fairytale feels and valley views’
1. Rye, East Sussex
The most charming settlement in the UK, according to Big 7 Travel, is Rye in East Sussex, which is described as the perfect ‘rural getaway’. It has meandering cobblestone streets as well as timbered houses with terracotta roofs. Big 7 Travel says: ‘You can browse antique bookstores, sip on local brews in one of the snug pubs or climb St Mary’s Church tower for views of the village below ‘
