England is filled with charming towns and villages, each with its own unique charm – and while it's easy to be drawn to the more well-known destinations, this often means overlooking hidden gems. To help you discover these lesser-known treasures, we've selected an under-the-radar delight from each of England's 39 historic counties.
Read on to discover some of the most underrated towns in England…
A small village with a tiny population of around 550, Stevington would be easy to overlook, however it has a range of delights that belie its modest size. The village is home to a number of notable historical buildings including St Mary’s church which dates back to the 13th century. There is also the Grade II-listed Stevington Manor House whose owner, Kathy Brown, opens her delightful gardens to the public from April to September every year. Just outside the village you’ll find Stevington Windmill, which is currently being restored to full working order.
With Oxford and Henley-on-Thames nearby, Wallingford has plenty of competition for visitors, but this lovely town on the banks of the river Thames with its picturesque Market Place is well worth exploring. Boating is naturally an option while Wallingford Castle, which began construction on the direct instructions of William the Conqueror in 1067, is a must for history fans. Crime fiction enthusiasts will be excited to know that Agatha Christie was a resident here for over 40 years. Wallingford is also the original setting for the fictional town of Causton in British TV series Midsomer Murders.
Being on the Metropolitan Line, Amersham could be assumed to be just another part of the great metropolis of London, but it’s actually a charming town with two distinct areas. The original 'Old Amersham' boasts over 160 listed buildings including the 14th-century King’s Arms Hotel, which made an appearance in the much loved rom-com Four Weddings and a Funeral. Amersham-on-the Hill, which developed in the early 20th century following the arrival of the railway, has a character all its own with some stunning Arts and Crafts buildings.
The Cambridgeshire Fenlands are home to many architectural gems such as Wisbech. Renowned for its Georgian buildings, a legacy from the town’s history as a leading trade centre, Wisbech is a fascinating place to explore. Peckover House, the former residence of a wealthy Quaker banking family and now owned by the National Trust, is a particular highlight. The gardens complete with orangery, summer houses and a rose garden are a sensorial delight.
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Congleton is a pretty market town with a surprising array of attractions, particularly for nature lovers. The Victorian Congleton Park has paths through the ancient town woods, river walks and ornamental gardens. Tucked away in the heart of the town, and in fact so well hidden that even many local residents don’t know it exists, there is also a Georgian Bath House with a recently created physic garden of medicinal plants. Keen walkers can venture up Bosley Cloud, a hill just out of town which offers spectacular views over Cheshire.
Cornwall has no shortage of beautiful locations, but Charleston is certainly one you won’t want to overlook. Once a bustling port built to export copper and china clay, the town is beautifully preserved with elegant Georgian houses and pretty pastel-hued fisherman’s cottages lining the harbour. If you arrive at the right time you might also catch a glimpse of one of the historic ships that regularly drop by. The town’s picture-perfect charm has seen it play a role in numerous film and TV series – notable productions include BBC series Dr Who and Poldark, which frequently used Charlestown’s harbour to depict 18th-century Truro.
Situated in the Eden Valley, Little Salkeld is another tiny village that would be easy to bypass, but it really would be a shame to do so. With its fully functioning water mill, it’s a lovely place to wander around in itself, but it’s also the perfect base for exploring nearby attractions. These include Long Meg and her Daughters (pictured), one of the finest stone circles in northern England and the second biggest in the country. Lacy’s caves, five chambers carved into sandstone cliffs by the River Eden, are also well worth a visit.
While the bustling market towns of Buxton and Bakewell are always going to be a major draw for visitors to Derbyshire, the village of Hartington is also a great place to add to your itinerary. Once a major rural centre, its previous importance is evident in the many fine stone cottages and houses that can be found there. One of the grandest, Hartington Hall, is now a youth hostel offering an attractive and cheap base from which to explore the stunning local countryside via the network of footpaths that branch out from the village.
Bovey Tracey’s location, perched on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, make it a major draw for nature lovers. But the town itself, with the River Bovey running through its centre, winding streets and pretty parks also has much to offer visitors. There are many historic buildings, including St Peter’s Church which dates back to the 14th century. The town also has a thriving arts and crafts community and a number of studios and galleries showcase the work of local artists.
Wimbourne Minster is a small town that packs a big punch, offering a combination of historic charm and beautiful natural surroundings. The jewel in its crown is undoubtedly Kingston Lacy, an elegant 17th-century mansion which is home to an impressive art collection including works by Brueghal, Van Dyck and Rubens, as well as the largest private collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. There’s also a remarkable model of the town and its gardens as they would have been in the 1950s, whose child-height houses will delight younger members of the family.
Seaham may not be among the most famous seaside resorts, but it is certainly one the most beautiful. The town itself is home to St Mary the Virgin Church which dates back to the 7th century, making it one of the oldest in the country. But the real draw here is the tranquil sandy North Beach, sheltered by a long sea wall which also serves to protect the cliffs from the North Sea. Visitors can relax with an ice cream or take a stroll along the coastal footpath in order to take in some truly breathtaking views.
Dedham is forever associated with the artist John Constable, whose famous painting The Hay Wain was inspired by the area. His bucolic Victorian landscapes are perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but that shouldn’t put you off a visit to the village which is full of quintessential English charm. The High Street has many lovely Georgian and timber framed buildings, including the popular Essex Rose tea room which is perfect for the most English of treats, afternoon tea. Consumed calories can be walked off with a stroll along the River Stour.
Blockley is not one of the more tourist-orientated Cotswold villages, which means it can be easily overlooked, although fans of the Father Brown TV series may well know it as the setting for the fictional Kembleford. The village’s lovely golden-hued stone houses, Norman church and historic mills – a legacy of Blockley’s past as a thriving silk and wool manufacturing centre – make it an appealing palace to visit. Mill Dene has beautiful gardens which are open to the public, usually from April to October.
Hampshire is spoiled for seaside locations, but Milford on Sea is definitely one that deserves to be on the radar of any coastal enthusiast. The village has an extensive beachfront with two distinct locations, Hordle Cliff beach and Hurst Road, known locally as Keyhaven beach. Both are known for their beach huts with Hordle having brightly coloured wooden ones and Hurst Road boasting their own award-winning concrete versions. History fans will love Hurst Castle which offers spectacular views of the Isle of Wight from the top of the Tudor keep. The castle, built by Henry VIII, played roles in various historical events, including acting as a prison for Charles I during the English Civil War.
Ledbury may not be able to compete with Hay-on-Wye and Ross-on-Wye in terms of popularity, but it still has a lot to offer. The historic town is filled with architectural gems such as the unusual stilted 17th-century Market House and the delightful cobbled Church Street. Grander options include Hellens Manor, with its supposedly haunted bedchamber prepared for the Tudor Queen Mary, and the Georgian era Eastnor Castle. Unusually for England, Ledbury also has its own vineyard, Coddington Vineyard, which offers tours and tastings.
This under-the-radar market town has a surprising amount to offer, helped in no small part by its connections with the wealthy Rothschild family. Having purchased Tring Park in the 19th century, the family went on to build new houses in the town in a characteristic old English style. Lionel Walter Rothschild also established Tring’s very own Natural History Museum. Both the museum and park, now operated by the Woodlands Trust, are open to the public. Literary types should head to Tring in November for the town’s book festival.
Situated between Huntingdon and Cambridge, the medieval market town of St Ives could easily be overlooked, but it's well worth exploring. Its unusual 15th-century bridge is one of only four in England to incorporate its own chapel, while its regular markets, historic pubs and riverside cafes make it a great place to while away a summer’s day. Boating enthusiasts can take a cruise on the River Great Ouse, while history buffs can visit the statue of the town’s most famous resident, Oliver Cromwell, on Market Hill.
While it might not be the most famous town in Kent’s White Cliff Country, Deal is certainly one of the most charming. Its maze of narrow streets, elegant Georgian houses and waterfront bistros make it an ideal destination. Visitors can stroll along its pebbly beach and out onto its popular pier before exploring the town’s maritime heritage at the Deal Museum or paying a visit to historic Deal Castle. The 18th-century Royal Hotel on the seafront was a favourite destination of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton.
Although very little of it remains, the beautiful hamlet of Wycoller still has much to offer lovers of the English picturesque. Largely abandoned in the 19th century, when it was due to be flooded to make way for a reservoir, it now consists mostly of atmospheric ruins, including 16th-century Wycoller Hall (pictured) which is thought to be the inspiration for Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Nearby Wycoller Beck is a pretty woodland stream crossed by seven ancient bridges, one of which (Clam Bridge) is believed to be over 1,000 years old.
It might not be as famous as nearby Nottingham, but the small market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch is still full of charm. Located within the vast green space of the National Forest, it feels a world away from that urban centre, with its timber-framed houses, open air markets and picturesque ruined castle, which famously appeared in Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. Brave visitors can climb to the top of its tower, which was badly damaged during the Civil War, for breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Although somewhat off the beaten track, the small market town of Louth is renowned as a foodies’ paradise with its independent groceries, cheese merchants and butchers. It even has its own distillery making award-winning gin and single malt whisky. The town itself is a charming mixture of Georgian and Victorian architecture, with cobbled lanes and bay-fronted houses, dominated by the medieval spire of St James’ church – the tallest of its kind in the UK. Nearby Hubbard’s Hills is an Area of Natural Beauty with idyllic views, making it a popular spot for picnics.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Harrow-on-the-Hill was only notable for being the home of the prestigious Harrow School. However, with its mixture of quaint shops, traditional tearooms and pubs it's actually a delightful village that has hardly changed in more than a century. Visitors should make a beeline for St Mary’s church at the top of the hill, which offers stunning views over London and is also home to Byron’s Seat, where the famous poet would sit and daydream as a schoolboy.
Norfolk has no shortage of beautiful towns and villages but it would be a shame to miss out on the lovely Georgian town of Holt. Renowned for its many antique and book shops, art galleries and traditional eateries, the town centre is a maze of courtyards and alleyways just waiting to be explored. Nearby attractions include Holt Country Park, a 100-acre woodland with nature trails and picnic areas, and Holt Railway Station, a faithful recreation of an old-fashioned country station where you can catch a steam train to the north Norfolk coast.
Situated in the rolling countryside of the Nene Valley, Oundle is a historic market town which retains the feel of a lively village. Famous for its Georgian architecture and distinctive limestone buildings, its history dates back to the Iron Age. The town’s streets are lined with listed buildings, including the Talbot Hotel, a 16th-century coaching inn which is reputedly haunted by the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, and the imposing St Peter’s church, which boasts the tallest spire in Northamptonshire.
Northumberland is the northernmost and least densely populated county in England, but hidden gems abound within its rugged yet beautiful landscape. Not far from Berwick-upon-Tweed, the tiny village of Chillingham is home to Chillingham Castle, a Grade I-listed building dating back to medieval times, and renowned as the most haunted stately home in Britain. Brave souls can take part in one of its regular ghost tours, or even stay overnight in one of the castle’s apartments hoping to catch a glimpse of 'The Grey Lady' or 'The Radiant Boy'.
One of the prettiest towns in Nottinghamshire, Southwell’s skyline is dominated by its imposing Minster, a 12th-century cathedral with one of the finest Norman naves in Europe. The town’s narrow streets are lined with picturesque houses and historic pubs, including The Saracen’s Head which has played host to Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and King Charles I, who spent his last night of freedom there before surrendering to the Scottish army. It’s also home to the country’s best-preserved example of a 19th-century workhouse, now a National Trust property.
Situated just outside Oxford, Dorchester-on-Thames exudes quintessential English charm. The 12th-century abbey and its accompanying museum are the village’s major attractions. There’s also a bi-annual arts festival which happens in and around the abbey. Another major draw is the lovely surrounding countryside which inspired J.M.W Turner’s painting Union of the Thames and Isis. Venture up Sinodun Hills (known as Wittenham Clumps) for marvellous views over the village, take a stroll to nearby Clifton Hampden or the delightfully tranquil Hurst Water Meadow.
Oakham may have to compete with nearby Uppingham, but it more than holds its own. A pretty market town steeped in history, it’s also home to the first posthumous statue of Queen Elizabeth II, complete with three corgis. The Norman Oakham Castle and 16th-century Oakham school are the major architectural landmarks here, but model railway enthusiasts will also want to visit the humble Oakham Signal Box. Used by Airfix as the template for all their model railway signal boxes, it is now on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
The charmingly named Much Wenlock is a beautiful little town with a rather surprising claim to fame – it was the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Back in 1850, a local surgeon and magistrate, Dr William Penny Brookes, had the idea of holding a day of competitive sports, open to all, which was dubbed the Wenlock Olympic Games. The influence of these games spread throughout Europe, and in 1890, Pierre de Coubertin, who later founded the International Olympic Committee, visited Much Wenlock and was inspired by Brookes' vision. This visit played a significant role in Coubertin’s efforts to revive the Olympic Games in 1896. Today, visitors can follow the Wenlock Olympian Trail and see where those first games took place.
Dulverton is a lovely town whose unique bridge over the River Barle is the oldest medieval bridge on Exmoor. Other architectural highlights include the Grade II-listed 15th-century Church of All Saints and the iconic Town Hall, with its elegant freestanding double external stairs and canopied porch. Dulverton’s proximity to the Exmoor National Park makes it a great spot from which to venture further afield. If you do, make sure not to miss the ancient clapper bridge at Tarr Steps, an icon of Exmoor.
Leek is blessed with a delightfully unspoiled town centre complete with cobbled market square. Art enthusiasts will be attracted by its connections to the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements. William Morris visited Leek to study dyeing and printing methods in the 1870s, while Sir Edward Burne-Jones has a more tangible presence in the town thanks to the stained-glass windows he designed for the Parish Church of St Edward the Confessor. Napoleonic Prisoners of War also have an enduring presence here. The area they lived in, in the early 19th century, is now known as 'Petty France'.
Long Melford was once one of the great cloth manufacturing towns of medieval Suffolk, and its former glory is evident in the many magnificent buildings here. The National Trust owned Melford Hall was visited by Queen Elizabeth I and, centuries later, the iconic children’s author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, who was a cousin of the family who owned the hall. In the 1980s and 1990s, Long Melford gained fame as a filming location for the popular British TV series Lovejoy, which centered around a roguish antiques dealer. Today, the town is renowned for its numerous antique shops, attracting enthusiasts from all over.
If it’s traditional English charm you’re after then you really don’t want to miss out on Godalming, an ancient market and coaching town situated on the lovely River Wey, where cattle still graze on the waterside meadow. The town is blessed with many beautiful old buildings, including the former Old White Hart Inn, where it’s thought the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin once spent a night. Godalming Museum delves into the work of celebrated architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, both of whom had several commissions in the area.
While Lewes and Rye might be more famous, the delightful market town of Petworth can give both a run for their money. Its charming cobbled streets are lined with quaint cottages, independent boutiques, superb cafes, pubs and restaurants. It’s also a collectors’ mecca, with no less than 37 antiques shops within a half mile radius. Petworth House is a 17th-century stately home with an impressive art collection and a 700-acre deer park, while the Petworth Cottage Museum recreates life as it would have been in 1910.
Although overshadowed by nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, the small market town of Alcester is a jewel in the Warwickshire countryside. Its medieval street plan survives intact, with narrow lanes lined with half-timbered houses, ancient cottages and coaching inns. A heritage trail runs throughout the town, while highlights in the surrounding area include Coughton Court, an imposing Tudor mansion owned by the National Trust and Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s mother.
Visitors to the Lake District flock to Windermere or Kendal, but nearby Kentmere is less touristy, and all the better for it. The village itself only has about 80 residents, but the surrounding valley, which winds along the river Kent, offers glorious views for walkers and cyclists who want to escape the crowds. Kentmere Hall is famous for its picturesque 14th-century tower house, originally built to repel invaders from Scotland, while the nearby 'Badger Rock' is a popular challenge for the many climbers who visit the area.
The Cotswolds are spoiled for beautiful towns and villages, but only 7% of this stunning National Landscape falls within Wiltshire, so Malmesbury remains a little overlooked. Nevertheless, this charming market town, England’s oldest borough, is one of the West Country’s gems. The town itself is set on a hill surmounted by a 12th-century abbey, where Athelstan, the first king of England is buried, and its streets are lined with picturesque houses. Visitors can stay at the Old Bell Hotel which dates back to 1220, making it one of the oldest in England.
Malvern may be the most famous spa town in Worcestershire, but Droitwich Spa is every bit its equal in many ways. This delightful canal-side town, with its pastel-coloured high street full of crooked buildings, owes its fame to the salt deposits which lie beneath it. It became famous as a spa town in the mid-19th century, as people flocked to soak in its warm brine baths, a tradition which continues to this day at Droitwich Spa’s Lido, (pictured) one of the UK’s last remaining open air saltwater swimming pools.
Hawes may not be the most famous name in the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park, but it's a charming market town set in a landscape of rolling hills, full of stone houses, cobbled streets and traditional pubs. It’s a great base for walking or cycling, and also home to the Dales Countryside Museum. Cheese lovers may be more excited by the Wensleydale creamery, which makes the world-famous cheese. This being the UK, the local chippie naturally serves a deep-fried Wensleydale cheese.