Beautiful Villages in Somerset and Dorset
See the Beautiful English Villages Index
 New Inn, Cerne Abbas
Cerne Abbas, Dorset
Most people who recognise the name will associate it with the famous image of the “rude” giant to be found on the chalk hillside above. However, this delightful village visually offers much more to the visitor than the hill-figure alone. Places to stay: Cerne Abbas itself features The New Inn while The Brace of Pheasants at nearby Plush is highly regarded by independent reviewers. Also of note is The Greyhound at nearby Sydling St. Nicholas - a pretty village with connections to Thomas Hardy. Cerne Abbas at TripAdvisor |
 Hambro Arms, Milton Abbas
Milton Abbas, Dorset
Though one would assume it to be of much greater age, the village of Milton Abbas one sees today was actually constructed during the late 18th century. The original settlement – around half a mile away – was almost entirely demolished by Joseph Damer (later to become the First Earl of Dorchester) on account that it wasn’t aesthetically-pleasing enough and far too close to his grand house. Interestingly, however, it owes much of its design to Capability Brown. Places to stay: The Hambro Arms is situated within Milton Abbas itself, while there are other options at nearby Blandford Forum - these include the 17th century thatched Langton Arms. Milton Abbas at TripAdvisor |
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Rampisham, Dorset
Nestled within a valley, Rampisham is a tiny village of little more than 100 inhabitants. Those interested in architecture will no doubt be fascinated by the work of the famous Gothic Revival architect A W Pugin, who designed both the church’s chancel and the parsonage. Places to stay: Accommodation of most interest to heritage-travellers is to be found in the neighbouring village of Evershot – see our specific page for The Acorn Inn which features in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbevilles and is over four centuries old. |
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Worth Matravers, Dorset
A classic Purbeck stone village, Worth Matravers has a history dating back to the Iron Age. Its most notable existing building, however, is the Saxon Church of St. Nicholas of Myra which was first constructed around 1100 AD, and altered over the following centuries. Places to stay: Those seeking period accommodation are most likely to find what they require in nearby Corfe Castle – a picturesque village in its own right. Examples include the award-winning Mortons House Hotel, a former manor dating from the 16th century, and Alford House B&B. Worth Matravers at TripAdvisor |
 Cross Lane House, Allerford
Allerford, Somerset
Famous for its much-photographed Packhorse Bridge, Allerford is set amid the splendour of Exmoor National Park. It boasts the West Somerset Rural Life Museum and a glorious position within the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate. Places to stay: There are a small number of bed & breakfasts to be found at Allerford. Allerford at TripAdvisor |
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Chaffcombe, Somerset
At the time of the 2001 census there were less than 200 people resident in this gentle little parish near Chard. The village possesses a number of listed buildings, including the Church of St. Michael and All Angels (of which the tower is said to date from the fifteenth century). Places to stay: A former corn mill dating from the early 1800’s, Hornsbury Mill in nearby Eleighwater is minutes away by car, while the Grade-II listed Cricket St Thomas is also close by. Alternatively, the small town of Chard offers a number of other period hotels and inns including The Lordleaze Hotel and The Golden Fleece. |
 Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster
Dunster, Somerset
Although in existence at the time of the Domesday Book, Dunster owes its main development to the wool trade which developed during the medieval period. The village possesses some truly historic buildings, including Dunster Castle (with its associated gardens), the Gallox Bridge (Gallows Bridge), and St. George’s Church whose origins date back to 1097AD. Dunster is located little over a mile from the coast on the north-eastern fringes of Dartmoor National Park. Places to stay: Those seeking period accommodation will find plenty to choose from in Dunster, including Spears Cross Hotel, the Dunster Castle Hotel, the Luttrell Arms, the Yarn Market Hotel and numerous other bed & breakfasts. Dunster at TripAdvisor |
 East Coker
East Coker, Somerset
On a warm summer evening there are few places as bewitching as East Coker. Take a walk through its lanes and up to the church in which the ashes of T S Eliot are interred and you will understand. Indeed, it is as close to 'unspoilt' as it is possible to get in 21st century England, and the diversity of calling birds in its hedgerows announces it. Places to stay: The Helyar Arms is a splendid old inn on its 'Main Street' and has lots of step-back-in-time appeal. East Coker at TripAdvisor |
 Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St. George
Hinton St. George, Somerset
Described by many as the most beautiful village in Somerset, the Hamstone cottages of Hinton St. George will certainly appeal to the aesthetically-minded. The towns of Crewkerne and Chard are both within easy reach. Places to stay: The Lord Poulett Arms is a seventeenth century inn located within Hinton St. George itself. Hinton St George at TripAdvisor |
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Mells, Somerset
The Independent described Mells as “the quintessence of Albion”, and few who visit will disagree. Bagfuls of charm and history, this beguiling Somerset settlement is located a couple of miles west of Frome and within easy reach of the historic city of Bath. Places to stay: Clavey’s Farm offers bed & breakfast accommodation within Mells itself, while the Vobster Inn is located in the village of the same charming name only a mile away. Mells at TripAdvisor |
 The New Inn, Priddy
Priddy, Somerset
Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this Mendip village has much to offer both historian and music-lover – the Priddy Folk Festival is held here during the summer while the Sheep fair has its origins in the 14th century. Places to stay: The New Inn is a 15th century pub within Priddy itself, while there are also some notable historic hotels to be found in nearby Wells (a truly beautiful city in its own right) - see our specific pages for The Swan and The Crown. Priddy at TripAdvisor |
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Selworthy, Somerset
Thatched cottages and an unusual lime-washed parish church are the defining features of this splendid little Exmoor village. Situated between Minehead and Porlock, it is one of a number of attractive settlements in the locality, including Allerford (see above). Places to stay: There are no hotels or inns within Selworthy itself, but there are several options in nearby Porlock, including the historic Ship Inn. Selworthy at TripAdvisor |
 The Royal Oak, Winsford
Winsford, Somerset
Another beautiful Exmoor village, Winsford has a population of less than 400. That said, one of its claims-to-fame is its being birthplace of the famous wartime politician, Ernest Bevin, who lived in one of the cottages as a young boy. Places to stay: The Royal Oak Inn at Winsford is about as quintessentially English as it is possible to be – an ancient thatched farmhouse without a straight line to be seen. Winsford also offers a great base for those wishing to explore the area from a self-catering base. The Grade-II listed Thorn Cottage can accommodate up to 6 people. Winsford at TripAdvisor |