Beautiful Villages in North West England
Lovely little places in Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire
See the Beautiful English Villages Index
Caldbeck, Cumbria
In the north of the Lake District away from the more well-known tourist areas, Caldbeck and its near neighbour Hesket Newmarket are two of Allerdale’s most picturesque places. Map
Places to stay: Aside from Greenside House B&B, those seeking accommodation in period surroundings will find a few notable options within a short drive of Caldbeck. These include The Snooty Fox which dates from 1624 and is situated in Uldale; the multi-century Boltongate Old Rectory (details at TripAdvisor) and the Boot and Shoe in Greystoke.
In the north of the Lake District away from the more well-known tourist areas, Caldbeck and its near neighbour Hesket Newmarket are two of Allerdale’s most picturesque places. Map
Places to stay: Aside from Greenside House B&B, those seeking accommodation in period surroundings will find a few notable options within a short drive of Caldbeck. These include The Snooty Fox which dates from 1624 and is situated in Uldale; the multi-century Boltongate Old Rectory (details at TripAdvisor) and the Boot and Shoe in Greystoke.
Aynsome Manor, Cartmel
Cartmel, Cumbria
In the far south of the county, the origins of the village one sees today are medieval (as demonstrated by the 12th century priory), but most of the buildings to be found around the square are from the sixteenth century onwards. Aside from its splendid olde-worlde ambience, Cartmel is most famous for its racecourse with meetings mainly being held on the Bank Holidays of May and August. Map
Places to stay: Aynsome Manor is highly-regarded by many independent reviewers and offers a genuine period ambience, while the similarly celebrated Cavendish Arms is a splendid old coaching inn.
In the far south of the county, the origins of the village one sees today are medieval (as demonstrated by the 12th century priory), but most of the buildings to be found around the square are from the sixteenth century onwards. Aside from its splendid olde-worlde ambience, Cartmel is most famous for its racecourse with meetings mainly being held on the Bank Holidays of May and August. Map
Places to stay: Aynsome Manor is highly-regarded by many independent reviewers and offers a genuine period ambience, while the similarly celebrated Cavendish Arms is a splendid old coaching inn.
Dufton, Cumbria
Located in the lower Eden Valley and just a few miles to the north of Appleby-in-Westmorland, there are early documents suggesting that the settlement of Dufton already existed during the early 1300’s. Situated around a splendid village green, it is a popular place with walkers and those seeking to explore the stunning scenery of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Map
Places to stay: Within a few of miles of Dufton there are several historic old inns and hotels that might interest the heritage enthusiast in and around Appleby. These include the 17th century Royal Oak coaching inn; the Tufton Arms; and Appleby Manor Country House Hotel. Find out more at the Appleby page at LateRooms.com
Located in the lower Eden Valley and just a few miles to the north of Appleby-in-Westmorland, there are early documents suggesting that the settlement of Dufton already existed during the early 1300’s. Situated around a splendid village green, it is a popular place with walkers and those seeking to explore the stunning scenery of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Map
Places to stay: Within a few of miles of Dufton there are several historic old inns and hotels that might interest the heritage enthusiast in and around Appleby. These include the 17th century Royal Oak coaching inn; the Tufton Arms; and Appleby Manor Country House Hotel. Find out more at the Appleby page at LateRooms.com
Ann Tyson's House, Hawkshead
Hawkshead, Cumbria
A picturesque village amid some of the most scenic countryside in the UK, Hawkshead’s origins are most likely Norse rather than Anglo-Saxon. With a population of almost two thousand, it is certainly one of the larger places to be listed in this section, swelling even further during peak-season. But that, of course, is because of its famous charm. Map
Places to stay: There are a fair number of olde-worlde hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts in Hawkshead, including The Queens Head and Ivy House Hotel. Also see our specific historic hotels page for Ann Tyson’s House.
A picturesque village amid some of the most scenic countryside in the UK, Hawkshead’s origins are most likely Norse rather than Anglo-Saxon. With a population of almost two thousand, it is certainly one of the larger places to be listed in this section, swelling even further during peak-season. But that, of course, is because of its famous charm. Map
Places to stay: There are a fair number of olde-worlde hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts in Hawkshead, including The Queens Head and Ivy House Hotel. Also see our specific historic hotels page for Ann Tyson’s House.
Gawsworth, Cheshire
Most famous for its exquisite half-timbered hall (in private ownership but open to the public), Gawsworth itself is a pleasant rural parish between Congleton and Macclesfield. Nikolaus Pevsner was also rather taken by the Church of St. James and the Old Rectory. Map
Places to stay: Although Cheshire possesses some of Britain’s most iconic half-timbered houses, few offer accommodation to the traveller. However, those wishing to explore Gawsworth and its surroundings might find what they’re looking for in nearby Congleton – The Lion and Swan offers 21st century comforts in a 16th century building, while The Plough is a 17th century inn (although accommodation is in a more recent annexe). Also, a little further away but still within easy reach is The Wizard’s Thatch at Alderley Edge – the recipient of numerous excellent reviews.
Most famous for its exquisite half-timbered hall (in private ownership but open to the public), Gawsworth itself is a pleasant rural parish between Congleton and Macclesfield. Nikolaus Pevsner was also rather taken by the Church of St. James and the Old Rectory. Map
Places to stay: Although Cheshire possesses some of Britain’s most iconic half-timbered houses, few offer accommodation to the traveller. However, those wishing to explore Gawsworth and its surroundings might find what they’re looking for in nearby Congleton – The Lion and Swan offers 21st century comforts in a 16th century building, while The Plough is a 17th century inn (although accommodation is in a more recent annexe). Also, a little further away but still within easy reach is The Wizard’s Thatch at Alderley Edge – the recipient of numerous excellent reviews.
Great Budworth, Cheshire
Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque villages in northern England, Great Budworth was once the property of nearby Arley Hall. Indeed, one of its former owners, Rowland Egerton-Warburton, undertook a restoration of the village during the 1800’s in which a number of new dwellings were built to blend with the existing. Map
Places to stay: The closest period hotel to Great Budworth is almost certainly Wincham Hall (of which only part of the original property remains).
Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque villages in northern England, Great Budworth was once the property of nearby Arley Hall. Indeed, one of its former owners, Rowland Egerton-Warburton, undertook a restoration of the village during the 1800’s in which a number of new dwellings were built to blend with the existing. Map
Places to stay: The closest period hotel to Great Budworth is almost certainly Wincham Hall (of which only part of the original property remains).
Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping
Chipping, Lancashire
Listed in the Domesday book as ‘Chippenden’, this Ribble Valley village of around 1,000 inhabitants has won numerous awards for its beauty over recent years. On the edge of the Trough of Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) it contains numerous listed buildings, including rustic cottages, farmhouse, and former almshouses. Map
Places to stay: Formerly a farm and now a country house hotel, Gibbon Bridge offers four-star hospitality in Chipping itself. Also nearby is the Inn at Whitewell (details to be found at TripAdvisor) whose origins date back as far as the 14th century.
Listed in the Domesday book as ‘Chippenden’, this Ribble Valley village of around 1,000 inhabitants has won numerous awards for its beauty over recent years. On the edge of the Trough of Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) it contains numerous listed buildings, including rustic cottages, farmhouse, and former almshouses. Map
Places to stay: Formerly a farm and now a country house hotel, Gibbon Bridge offers four-star hospitality in Chipping itself. Also nearby is the Inn at Whitewell (details to be found at TripAdvisor) whose origins date back as far as the 14th century.
Downham, Lancashire
Often cited as one of the loveliest places in Lancashire but arguably worthy of even greater accolades, Downham forms part of an estate owned by Lord and Lady Clitheroe. Set beneath Pendle Hill (famous for its association with early 17th century witch trials) the village was used as a location for the filming of Whistle Down The Wind starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates. Map
Places to stay: The best options for those seeking period hotels or inns near Downham is to be found in and around Clitheroe (less than 5 miles to the south west).
Often cited as one of the loveliest places in Lancashire but arguably worthy of even greater accolades, Downham forms part of an estate owned by Lord and Lady Clitheroe. Set beneath Pendle Hill (famous for its association with early 17th century witch trials) the village was used as a location for the filming of Whistle Down The Wind starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates. Map
Places to stay: The best options for those seeking period hotels or inns near Downham is to be found in and around Clitheroe (less than 5 miles to the south west).