Beautiful Villages in South East England
Lovely villages and hamlets in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey
See the Beautiful English Villages Index
The Falkland Arms, Great Tew
Great Tew, Oxfordshire
This tiny Cotswold settlement of Anglo-Saxon origin is almost certainly one of the most idyllic villages in the whole of England. Indeed, the classic honey-coloured limestone that contributes so much to the architectural fabric of the area is at its most rich here. And enthusiasts of thatched cottages will find plenty to behold, too. Map
Places to stay: A beautiful village deserves a beautiful old inn, and The Falkland Arms is certainly the latter. Dating from the 16th century, it offers 5 guest rooms, two of which have four-poster beds.
This tiny Cotswold settlement of Anglo-Saxon origin is almost certainly one of the most idyllic villages in the whole of England. Indeed, the classic honey-coloured limestone that contributes so much to the architectural fabric of the area is at its most rich here. And enthusiasts of thatched cottages will find plenty to behold, too. Map
Places to stay: A beautiful village deserves a beautiful old inn, and The Falkland Arms is certainly the latter. Dating from the 16th century, it offers 5 guest rooms, two of which have four-poster beds.
Kelmscott, Oxfordshire
With a population of around 100, the tiny village of Kelmscott is most renowned for its manor house - the home of William Morris between 1871 and 1896. Map
Places to stay: Period accommodation within Kelmscott itself is available at both The Plough Inn (see TripAdvisor) and Manor Farm bed & breakfast.
With a population of around 100, the tiny village of Kelmscott is most renowned for its manor house - the home of William Morris between 1871 and 1896. Map
Places to stay: Period accommodation within Kelmscott itself is available at both The Plough Inn (see TripAdvisor) and Manor Farm bed & breakfast.
The Mill House, Kingham
Kingham, Oxfordshire
This pretty Cotswold village of some 700 inhabitants was once voted the nation’s favourite by Country Life magazine. There are a number of attractive thatched cottages built from the iconic local honey-coloured limestone and, unusually it possesses its own railway station.
Places to stay: Although small in size, Kingham offers quite a few options for the heritage traveller. The Mill House is a 3-star rated hotel, while the Tollgate Inn and Moat End B&B also offer accommodation. The former dates from the Georgian era and was once a farmhouse, while Moat End is a converted barn. Self catering accommodation is also available in places such as Badger Cottage.
This pretty Cotswold village of some 700 inhabitants was once voted the nation’s favourite by Country Life magazine. There are a number of attractive thatched cottages built from the iconic local honey-coloured limestone and, unusually it possesses its own railway station.
Places to stay: Although small in size, Kingham offers quite a few options for the heritage traveller. The Mill House is a 3-star rated hotel, while the Tollgate Inn and Moat End B&B also offer accommodation. The former dates from the Georgian era and was once a farmhouse, while Moat End is a converted barn. Self catering accommodation is also available in places such as Badger Cottage.
The Brasenose Arms, Cropredy
Cropredy, Oxfordshire
Situated upon the River Cherwell, and only a few miles to the north of the town of Banbury, Cropredy is perhaps most famous for its being the site of the English Civil War battle of the same name in June 1644. Many of its attractive houses are built of the local ‘Hornton Stone’, and it is a previous winner of Oxfordshire’s Best Kept Village Award. Map
Places to stay: Accommodation in the village itself is available at the Brasenose Arms, while there are a number of notable hotels and inns in nearby Banbury which is directly south of Cropredy. However, those interested in blending heritage with their accommodation will be most interested in the beautiful Wroxton House which dates back to 1649. Also close to Banbury is Hanwell House B&B.
Situated upon the River Cherwell, and only a few miles to the north of the town of Banbury, Cropredy is perhaps most famous for its being the site of the English Civil War battle of the same name in June 1644. Many of its attractive houses are built of the local ‘Hornton Stone’, and it is a previous winner of Oxfordshire’s Best Kept Village Award. Map
Places to stay: Accommodation in the village itself is available at the Brasenose Arms, while there are a number of notable hotels and inns in nearby Banbury which is directly south of Cropredy. However, those interested in blending heritage with their accommodation will be most interested in the beautiful Wroxton House which dates back to 1649. Also close to Banbury is Hanwell House B&B.
Mill and Old Swan, Minster Lovell
Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire
Definitive proof of the old adage “they don’t make them like they used to”, Minster Lovell is a quiet village of some 1,400 residents located on the River Windrush. Most famous for the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, it is within easy reach of Oxford (around 15 miles to the east). Witney is only a couple of miles away. Map
Places to stay: The Mill and Old Swan is situated on the edge of Minster Lovell alongside the river. The hotel (a combination of a 200-year-old mill and older inn) boasts over 60 rooms and is dog-friendly.
Definitive proof of the old adage “they don’t make them like they used to”, Minster Lovell is a quiet village of some 1,400 residents located on the River Windrush. Most famous for the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, it is within easy reach of Oxford (around 15 miles to the east). Witney is only a couple of miles away. Map
Places to stay: The Mill and Old Swan is situated on the edge of Minster Lovell alongside the river. The hotel (a combination of a 200-year-old mill and older inn) boasts over 60 rooms and is dog-friendly.
Ewelme, Oxfordshire
Its cloistered almshouses (known as 'The Two Chaplains and Thirteen Poor Men of Ewelme in the County of Oxford') are this medieval village’s most unique buildings, although just as many of those who visit seek the grave of Jerome K Jerome at St. Mary’s Church. Map
Places to stay: There are no hotels within Ewelme itself, but nearby Wallingford – little over a mile away – offers some excellent period accommodation via The George (see our page devoted to The George at Wallingford) which was supposedly one of the highwayman Dick Turpin’s hideouts in years gone by. Also very worthy of note is Fyfield Manor in the small village of Benson.
Its cloistered almshouses (known as 'The Two Chaplains and Thirteen Poor Men of Ewelme in the County of Oxford') are this medieval village’s most unique buildings, although just as many of those who visit seek the grave of Jerome K Jerome at St. Mary’s Church. Map
Places to stay: There are no hotels within Ewelme itself, but nearby Wallingford – little over a mile away – offers some excellent period accommodation via The George (see our page devoted to The George at Wallingford) which was supposedly one of the highwayman Dick Turpin’s hideouts in years gone by. Also very worthy of note is Fyfield Manor in the small village of Benson.
Turville, Buckinghamshire
Some villages are frequently photographed, but the tiny settlement of Turville is more often captured through the lens of a television or cine-camera. Indeed, numerous films and programmes have been shot here, including parts of the BBC’s The Vicar of Dibley. The 16th century Bull & Butcher pub is just one of its numerous listed buildings. Map
Places to Stay: Arguably the best options for hotels and inns close to Turville are to be found in Marlow – see our specific page for the Macdonald Compleat Angler. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of the ancient might be interested in the Olde Bell at Hurley which is undoubtedly one of the oldest inns in England.
Fulmer, Buckinghamshire
A winner of the county’s Best Kept Village Award on numerous occasions in the past, Fulmer is a small community with around only 500 permanent residents. Map
Places to Stay: Stoke Poges is only a mile to the south west of Fulmer, and offers two of the most celebrated hotels in the south east of England. Stoke Place is a fine country house which dates largely from 1690, while 5-star Stoke Park is a favourite of the rich and famous – and also the scene for James Bond’s golfing match with Auric Goldfinger.
A winner of the county’s Best Kept Village Award on numerous occasions in the past, Fulmer is a small community with around only 500 permanent residents. Map
Places to Stay: Stoke Poges is only a mile to the south west of Fulmer, and offers two of the most celebrated hotels in the south east of England. Stoke Place is a fine country house which dates largely from 1690, while 5-star Stoke Park is a favourite of the rich and famous – and also the scene for James Bond’s golfing match with Auric Goldfinger.
The Bull Inn, Stanford Dingley
Stanford Dingley, Berkshire
A charming name for a charming little village, Stanford Dingley contains a large proportion of listed buildings in proportion to its size. These include the Grade-I listed Church of St Denys and both of its two inns. Map
Places to stay: Accommodation within Stanford Dingley is available at The Bull Inn which is reputed to date, in parts, from the 15th century. Meanwhile, the Hinds Head at Aldermaston is only a few miles to the south and is itself a pretty old inn situated within an appealing village. Another local option is the Royal Oak at Yattendon which is only a matter of minutes away by car.
A charming name for a charming little village, Stanford Dingley contains a large proportion of listed buildings in proportion to its size. These include the Grade-I listed Church of St Denys and both of its two inns. Map
Places to stay: Accommodation within Stanford Dingley is available at The Bull Inn which is reputed to date, in parts, from the 15th century. Meanwhile, the Hinds Head at Aldermaston is only a few miles to the south and is itself a pretty old inn situated within an appealing village. Another local option is the Royal Oak at Yattendon which is only a matter of minutes away by car.
Bucklebury, Berkshire
The old village of Bucklebury on the river Pang is said to have been first recorded in 956 AD. The chalk and flint Church of St. Mary the Virgin dates partly from the 13th century, with its ancient north aisle possibly having been constructed by the Knights Templar. Map
Places to Stay: Bucklebury is only a mile from Stanford Dingley (above) and accommodation options are suggested there.
The old village of Bucklebury on the river Pang is said to have been first recorded in 956 AD. The chalk and flint Church of St. Mary the Virgin dates partly from the 13th century, with its ancient north aisle possibly having been constructed by the Knights Templar. Map
Places to Stay: Bucklebury is only a mile from Stanford Dingley (above) and accommodation options are suggested there.
Eastbury, Berkshire
A delightful rural village upon the River Lambourne, Eastbury is to be found in the far west of Berkshire, midway between Newbury and Swindon (Wiltshire).
Places to stay: For those seeking accommodation in hotels or inns, see our historic hotel pages for The Bear and Littlecote House which can both be found a few miles south of Eastbury at Hungerford. Both are truly historic in every sense of the word and offer the best options for those seeking to “avoid the new”.
A delightful rural village upon the River Lambourne, Eastbury is to be found in the far west of Berkshire, midway between Newbury and Swindon (Wiltshire).
Places to stay: For those seeking accommodation in hotels or inns, see our historic hotel pages for The Bear and Littlecote House which can both be found a few miles south of Eastbury at Hungerford. Both are truly historic in every sense of the word and offer the best options for those seeking to “avoid the new”.
Shere, Surrey
With a population of 550 according to the 2001 census, this medium-sized village is reputedly one of the most photographed in Surrey. Located close to Guildford (3 miles to the West), Shere is one of a number of attractive settlements in the vicinity. Map
Places to stay: Rookery Nook (details and reviews at TripAdvisor) is a cosy bed & breakfast within a 15th century listed cottage right in the centre of the village.
With a population of 550 according to the 2001 census, this medium-sized village is reputedly one of the most photographed in Surrey. Located close to Guildford (3 miles to the West), Shere is one of a number of attractive settlements in the vicinity. Map
Places to stay: Rookery Nook (details and reviews at TripAdvisor) is a cosy bed & breakfast within a 15th century listed cottage right in the centre of the village.