Beautiful Villages in the East Midlands

Historic little villages and hamlets in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire

See the Beautiful English Villages Index

River Cottage, Ashford in the Water

Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire

Little over a mile to the north west of the famous town of Bakewell, Ashford is situated on the River Wye (straddled by the celebrated medieval Sheepwash Bridge). While many of the houses to be found in the village were once owned by the Chatsworth Estate, the development of the community was primarily driven by industry.

Places to stay: Within Ashford itself, Riverside House Hotel is a beautiful Georgian residence with an award-winning restaurant. Those prepared to look a little further afield might also be interested in the period properties Bakewell has to offer - see our specific page for The Rutland Arms.

Ashford in the Water at TripAdvisor

The Devonshire Arms, Beeley

Beeley, Derbyshire

Formerly part of the Chatsworth Estate, Beeley is a well-preserved peak district village whose houses are almost all built from the local sandstone. Its listed buildings include Beeley Old Hall and the Church of St. Anne’s.

Places to stay: The Devonshire Arms is situated within Beeley, while there are other options in nearby Bakewell (see Ashford-in-the-Water, above).

Beeley at TripAdvisor

Edale, Derbyshire

Popular with walkers as it marks the southernmost starting point of the Pennine Way, Edale’s resident population is little over 300. Set below Kinder Scout, the village benefits from its location within the Peak District National Park despite being only 15 miles of so from the city of Sheffield.

Places to stay: Edale's village pub, the Nag's Head offers bed & breakfast accommodation.

Edale at TripAdvisor

Mompesson Cottage, Eyam

Eyam, Derbyshire

Famous for being the village which isolated itself during an outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1665, Eyam is a charming little place that exists as both living museum and flourishing present-day community. Map

Places to stay: The 16th century Chequers Inn at Froggatt Edge is only a couple of miles away from Eyam as, indeed, is The Maynard at Grindleford. Alternatively, Eyam itself possesses a small number of holiday cottages, among which is Mompesson Cottage.

Eyam at TripAdvisor

Charles Cotton Hotel, Hartington

Hartington, Derbyshire

Prehistoric earthworks and the nearby Neolithic stone circle of Arbor Low prove that this visibly old village has a history that far predates the splendid cottages and houses on its streets. Its central features are the quintessentially English village green and duck pond. Map

Places to stay: Both the Jug & Glass Inn and The Charles Cotton Hotel are within the village itself.

Hartington at TripAdvisor

Monyash, Derbyshire

There were fewer than 300 residents at the last census in 2001, but Monyash is very much a thriving little place which boasts a pub, Methodist and Quaker chapels, tea rooms and a primary school. At the head of Lathkill Dale in the heart of the Peak District, both Buxton and Bakewell are within easy reach.

Places to stay: The Bull’s Head, Arbor Low and Sheldon House Cottage and Barn all offer accommodation within and around the village. Also nearby is the Royal Oak in Hurdlow.

Monyash at TripAdvisor

Tissington Church

Tissington, Derbyshire

Some would label it “picture postcard” or “quaint”, but a much better description must surely be “unsullied”. Beautifully preserved, it is little surprise that so many visitors come to soak up its heritage-rich atmosphere, and especially during the ‘Well Dressing” festival for Ascension Day (usually during May). Tissington village is part of the estate of the hall of the same name (a fine Jacobean building close to its centre).

Places to stay: While there is no hotel or inn accommodation within Tissington itself, the Izaak Walton Hotel is within a few miles (see our specific section for The Izaak Walton).

Tissington at TripAdvisor

Horninghold, Leicestershire

Many refer to this tiny village near Market Harborough as the loveliest in Leicestershire. Although it can claim to have existed for over a thousand years, much of its present day charm is down to its remodelling as a ‘Garden Village’ during the early 1900’s. Its 12th century church, however, remains largely unaltered since its construction – an unusual attribute given how many were restored during the Victorian era.

Places to stay: Those seeking to explore the village of Horninghold will find no inn or hotel accommodation within the village itself, but the Neville Arms in nearby Medbourne is only a few miles to the south.

Manners Arms, Knipton

Knipton, Leicestershire

Close to the border with Lincolnshire, Knipton has been described as the quintessential English village. Indeed, on a quiet summer’s evening the visitor would be forgiven for thinking they’ve left the 21st century behind.

Places to stay: It is possible to find inn accommodation in Knipton at The Manners Arms – a charming country in built in the 1880’s and managed by the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Also see our page devoted to the exceptionally historic Angel and Royal hotel which can be found in nearby Grantham.

Knipton at TripAdvisor

The Brownlow Arms, Hough on the Hill

Hough on the Hill, Leicestershire

With around only 500 inhabitants, Hough on the Hill derives part of its name from the Old English haga, meaning “enclosure”. The tower of All Saints Church is reputed to be of Saxon origin. Map

Places to stay: The Brownlow Arms is a splendid old rural inn within Hough-on-the-Hill village. Alternatively, there are other historic hotel options in nearby Grantham (see details for Knipton, above).

Hough on the Hill at TripAdvisor

Tealby, Lincolnshire

Some have referred to Tealby as the prettiest of all Lincolnshire villages, and it is renowned as one of its most well maintained. It boasts a high number of listed buildings in proportion to its size, most of them being delightful rustic cottages.

Places to stay: Those wishing to explore the village of Tealby and the surrounding area are best served in terms of period accommodation by the nearby town of Market Rasen (2 miles to the west). These include The Advocate Arms which is a particularly a notable restaurant with rooms.

Tealby at TripAdvisor

Yardley Hastings, Northamptonshire

It may be just off the A428 between Northampton and Bedford, but Yardley Hastings is an otherwise off the beaten track village in the heart of rural Northants.

Places to stay: The closest period accommodation to Yardley Hastings is to be found in the neighbouring village of Castle Ashby. The Falcon dates from the 16th century and is situated in a hamlet that is itself particularly attractive.

Yardley Hastings at TripAdvisor