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. Map
Places to stay: Cerne Abbas itself features The New Inn while The Brace of Pheasants at nearby Plush is highly regarded by independent reviewers. Self-catering options include Cerne Abbey Cottage.
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. Map
Places to stay: Cerne Abbas itself features The New Inn while The Brace of Pheasants at nearby Plush is highly regarded by independent reviewers. Self-catering options include Cerne Abbey Cottage.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
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. Details of these and other accommodation in the area can be found via TripAdvisor.
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. Map
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. Details of these and other accommodation in the area can be found via 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. Map
Places to stay: There are a small number of bed & breakfasts to be found at Allerford, including Cross Lane House (availability and reviews for which are available at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com), The Packhorse and Fern Cottage. For more information, visit the village’s accommodation page at TripAdvisor.
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. Map
Places to stay: There are a small number of bed & breakfasts to be found at Allerford, including Cross Lane House (availability and reviews for which are available at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com), The Packhorse and Fern Cottage. For more information, visit the village’s accommodation page at TripAdvisor.
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). Map
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. Information for these and other hotels and inns close by can be found at the entry for Chard at LateRooms.com
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). Map
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. Information for these and other hotels and inns close by can be found at the entry for Chard at LateRooms.com
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. Map
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. Get more information on places to stay in Dunster through Booking.com
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. Map
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. Get more information on places to stay in Dunster through Booking.com
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. Map
Places to stay: The Lord Poulett Arms (details at TripAdvisor) is a seventeenth century inn located within Hinton St. George itself.
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. Map
Places to stay: The Lord Poulett Arms (details at TripAdvisor) is a seventeenth century inn located within Hinton St. George itself.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
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.
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. Map
Places to stay: The New Inn is a 15th century pub within Priddy itself (see TripAdvisor), 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.
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. Map
Places to stay: The New Inn is a 15th century pub within Priddy itself (see TripAdvisor), 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.
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). Map
Places to stay: There are no hotels or inns within Selworthy itself, but there are several options in nearby Porlock. A full listing can be found at TripAdvisor, while we also have a specific historic hotel entry for The Ship Inn at Porlock.
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). Map
Places to stay: There are no hotels or inns within Selworthy itself, but there are several options in nearby Porlock. A full listing can be found at TripAdvisor, while we also have a specific historic hotel entry for The Ship Inn at Porlock.
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. Map
Places to stay: The Royal Oak Inn at Winsford (reviews and reservations are available at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com) 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.
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. Map
Places to stay: The Royal Oak Inn at Winsford (reviews and reservations are available at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com) 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.