10 charming villages for your home’escape from London
We are of’agrees that London has an endless list of’attractions. But after visiting Parliament and its imposing Big Ben, climbing the London Eye, getting lost in the halls of the National Gallery of Canada or watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, you might be a little nervous about what to wear’mood to adopt a more rural plan. Don’t worry, the British capital is surrounded by beautiful villages’countless charming villages from which you can escape.
At Skyscanner, we wanted to make things easier for you and we have selected for you the most beautiful enclaves near the city from which you can choose. Here we bring you the 10 charming villages where you can escape from London. Prepare the backpack and the camera, because we are sure that you will fall deeply in love with each of them’them.
1) Combe Castle
162 kilometers separate London from Combe Castle, considered by many as the most beautiful city in the world’England. And we are quite of’Just step onto its cobblestone streets and you’ll be charmed by the city’s charm.
Castle Combe is part of the county of Wiltshire and is normally included in a’It is considered by many to be the most beautiful town on any road by the famous British Costwolds. It has only 350 inhabitants and by plunging into its narrow streets, one has the impression of being in a small town’s time’is stopped just for you. There are few’The small village has served as more than one place where peace rules all, and that is the’is without a doubt the’a d’between them.
The small village has served more than’once a setting for various films and series. Sometimes, at the’Outside of some of the houses, there are pieces of cakes and cookies for the visitor to enjoy the local baked goods. A small piggy bank next to the trays leaves in the hands of the customer – and in all good faith – the care to deposit one of his two pubs in the tray’silver due.
Even in this small detail draws an idyllic scenario this beautiful city.
To complete the picture’experience’a visit to Combe Castle, a good idea is to have a drink or coffee in the’one of his two pubs. You can also visit its 13th century church, whose’The clock, they say, is ticking’one of the oldest in operation in the whole country. If you want to spend a few days in this wonderful environment, the Manor House Hotel, a 5 star hotel opened in the 14th century, will be the place to be’perfect and unique option.
2. Clovelly
Did we say that Castle Combe was the prettiest town in England?’England ? Wait, we arrive in Clovelly, this small British fishing village in Devon, and we have our doubts. C’is why we could not miss the’include among the 10 charming villages near London that we propose in this article.
In Clovelly the time is right’a more than’importance: here it does not’There are no cars, they are forbidden. Every detail and every corner is carefully cared for, a love that makes all those who visit the’place end up falling in love with its essence. Stroll through its streets until you reach Hertford’You can also visit the century-old port, where you will find colorful boats resting in its waters.
Get your fill of’Enjoy a lively evening and drink a traditional tea in Hertford’one of their specialty stores and be recreated in the decoration and design’atmosphere that the’we breathe. You never want to leave.
3. Hertford
About 45 kilometers from London is the small town of Hertford, a haven of peace perfect for a day of relaxation’escape from the big city.
Hertford has a rich history, which is reflected, for example, in its tenth-century castle. Built by King Edward the’Ancient, this icon has been the protagonist of many significant historical events. Hertford also enjoys more than’It has an unparalleled environment: full of canals and small barges, walking along its paths along the river is a real delight.
C’is precisely the fact of the village’s history’surrounded by nature, which in the past has benefited the royalty of the’enclave to enjoy the life in the countryside. But for a closer look at the’If you want to learn more about the history of Hertford, visit the museum on the’history of the village. You will not regret it.
With a population of 25.With a population of more than 1,000, the capital of Hertfordshire has a lively social life that takes place mainly in its many pubs and restaurants. N’s most visited villages, you won’t find it’Don’t drink a pint before going back to London – c’is the only way to tell you’ve been to Hertford !
4. Bourton on the’water
“The Venice of the Costwolds” is the popular name for this beautiful village located about 90 miles from London. And that’s not all’It is not for nothing: the small Windrush River crosses it, giving Bourton on the Water a unique opportunity to discover the history of vehicles of the 20th century’a landscape of those we all want to photograph.
The limestone houses, some of which have been transformed into charming shops, line the river between the landscaped areas and the postcard bridges that cross the river’one side to the other’other. Imagine one of’The image makes you understand why it is so important’is the’one of the most visited villages in the Costwolds, you don’t think of it and don’t think of it ?
Stroll through its streets, stop at an establishment for a refreshing drink and, if you feel like it, visit its museum of art’Costwold automobile to discover the’The history of 20th century vehicles. This will be the best plan to end your visit.
5. Stratford-upon-Avon
S’There is one thing that stands out about this small village on the banks of the river’Avon, c’is that’If it was the birthplace of the most important English writer of all time: William Shakespeare, how can it not be the birthplace of the most important English writer of all time?’include it in our list of charming villages to escape London ?
So, in addition to walking around and soaking up the atmosphere, you’ll also discover a new way of life’With the essence of their 500 year old Tudor houses, enjoy their cottages and lively pubs, you’ll need to leave room during your getaway to visit the birthplace of the’artist, of course !
And, if you are the’It is one of those who love literature and want to know everything about the life of Shakespeare, that is why it is so important’is your place. D’other places related to the’Some of the places you can enjoy in Stratford-upon-Avon are, for example, the cottage where his wife, Anne Hathaway, lived before she got married, Mary Arden’s farmhouse, where her mother lived during her childhood, or Hall’s Croft, the home of the author’s first daughter’author.
At this point, you may be saturated with so many’history and literature. The best thing to do is’The fact that you are discovering this area is a good example of why it is so important’other treasures that people have prepared. For example, enjoy’a boat ride on the Avon River.
Or, if you prefer, visit some of the most representative wooden houses in the area’Tudor architecture in the center of Stratford-upon-Avon. You’ll want to photograph them all, we’ll let you’let us assure !
6. Bibury
We return to the English countryside to discover, on this occasion, Bibury, a beautiful village full of small stone houses from which you will never want to leave, and we say this with knowledge ! When you start to discover the wonderful places that the city has to offer, you’ll be able to see them’it has, you will want to move forever.
Arlington Row is the only place to be’one of those corners that make the town a charming place. This row of weavers’ huts on the banks of the River Coln, built of stone in the 14th century when the’The textile industry was at its peak, is a must if you walk through Bibury. Arlington Mill, Ontario’The building, on the other hand, was once a cloth mill, then became a corn mill.
Today’Today it houses a museum devoted to a vast collection of memorabilia of William Morris, British architect, designer, textile master, poet, novelist and activist.
Strolling through the narrow streets that wind around the village and admiring the old houses and the nature that surrounds them is something you should not miss on a visit to Bibury’a visit to Bibury.
7. Old village of Shanklin
A 3.5 hour drive separates this beautiful village from the city of La Rochelle’Isle of Wight in London. L’This itinerary will require a ferry ride from Portsmouth or Southampton to reach our destination, but you won’t have to go anywhere else’have that’to get out of the car to understand that it was worth it.
The spa town of Shanklin is full of’attractions to decide to wear’The Manor House also has a lot of space for a getaway, but we’ll focus on its old part. In the charming district of the old village of Shanklin, the houses with vegetable roofs in pastel colors are the main protagonists. L’The environment could certainly be the setting for a children’s story.
The charming gift stores and tearooms in which this area is located are a perfect backdrop for a children’s story’Most of his buildings, most of which date back to the eighteenth century, although some of the most attractive buildings are used to recharge the energies, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to do so?’an opportunity to try some of the most popular activities’between them ?
8. Chipping Campden
And we return to the Costwolds, but this time to escape to one of the cities with the most personality. Chipping Campdem, in the heart of the English countryside, was the home of the first family’One of the most important medieval wool markets in Europe and the largest in the UK. And this prosperity that’The history of the city is still evident today’now.
Stroll through its downtown streets and take a look around’eye to its buildings. Although of different architectural styles, the houses, many of which were built with the limestone so representative of the region, are still very much alive’The buildings are in perfect harmony with each other. It is so important that’in 1970, the main street of Chipping Campdem was officially declared a conservation area.
They are currently home to various children’s houses’and that the prosperity of the city was the result of a combination of.
Before leaving the village, visit the’St. James Church, the best preserved church in the Costwolds, and a look around the town’You will be able to admire the impressive 36-meter high tower. It will leave you speechless.
9. Snowshill
Only 150 kilometers from London, in the heart of the English countryside, is Snowshill, in Gloucestershire. This small village, located in the most rural area, has mainly a beautiful feudal house known as the Manor House, a red British-style hut and a church.
The Manor is open to the public and while visiting it, you will be able to contemplate the beautiful collection of paintings and sculptures’antique objects and treasures collected by Charles Wade throughout his life. This gentleman took possession of the house in 1919 with the sole purpose of buying a house’to become its own museum. The Manor also has a’a beautiful garden where you can relax.
Other things to know in the small town of Snowshill ? yes, it’It is precisely here that you will find the’one of the most beautiful lavender fields you can imagine. A l’At the end of June, they turn into a museum’It’s a huge ocean of lilac and purple tones, ideal for taking one and a thousand pictures.
10. Lacock
Among the rolling hills of Wiltshire County, and only two hours from the British capital, lies this dreamy town that has been the setting for such famous films as Harry Potter and Emmaus.
No wonder: the cobbled streets and old houses of Lacock make it an ideal place to spend a few days and disconnect from the world. Most of his buildings, most of which date from the eighteenth century, although some are still in use today’It also has a fourteenth-century granary and a fifteenth-century house, are protected by the National Trust Foundation, which ensures the conservation of historical and natural sites of the region’interest.
This beautiful village just outside of London was founded in the 11th century, though it is still a very important medieval wool market in Europe and the largest in the UK’in reality it’It was in the thirteenth century that the construction of the church began’Lacock Abbey by the Countess of Salisbury has taken on a life of its own’importance.
