GROWING up in Hertfordshire might make me biased, but I believe it has some of the most beautiful hidden gems in the country.
And one of the quaintest of spots has made its way onto Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the 15 prettiest villages near London.
Ashwell is a beautiful and what I’d say is a classic countryside village tucked in-between the bigger towns of Royston and Baldock.
It’s not too easily found and others who have visited described it as being “off the beaten track”.
As a Hertfordshire local, Ashwell happens to be where I have spent many weekends.
It’s the perfect spot for a family day trip, thanks to the springs, old-school bakery, pretty pastel cottages, half-timbered houses and enormous church in the middle of town.
The springs are one of the most popular spots in the summer months where you’ll see kids in their wellies hopping in and out of the freshwater.
There are stepping stones across the banks if you don’t want to get your feet wet, but lots fall victim to slipping on the algae and tumbling in (including me).
When you’ve worked up a thirst, pop into one of Ashwell’s many pubs, like The Three Tuns, or The Rose & Crown.
And make sure to pay a visit to the bakery in the high street called the Days of Ashwell.
Any Hertfordshire local will know Days, as the bakery has since opened other branches in spots like Ware, Hitchin and Buntingford.
But the bakery started in Ashwell, it was founded there in 1741, making it one of the oldest family bakeries in the UK.
On a sunny day, make sure to head into the bakery first as on busier days and weekends, it will run out of goodies.
You can get pastries, cakes, sausages rolls and freshly made sandwiches.
My order of choice would always be a tuna and sweetcorn roll followed by a pink stripy donut.
For more beautiful places in the UK – here are some of the prettiest seaside towns…
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Sidmouth, Devon
Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse, and 13th-century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland
This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
Newer spots include Rhubarb & Mustard which is known by locals as the Ashwell Coffee House.
It’s also on the high street, and if you fancy enjoying your cake outside – it has a pretty courtyard out the back.
Ashwell even has its own gallery and museum if you fancy learning more about its history.
Ashwell holds events throughout the year, with one of the biggest coming up next month
On May 10, there’s Ashwell at Home which is a day of live music, dance performances, lots of locals even open up their own gardens so public can have a look around at the pretty flower beds.
There are street food stalls with plenty of drinks – and of course, tea and cake.
On August 31, there’s the Ashwell Show at Elbrook Meadow, where there are horse and dog shows, lots of stalls, and plenty of vintage tractors and cars will be on display too.
As for how to get there from London, it’s easily doable.
Take the direct train from London St Pancras which will get you into Ashwell & Morden station in 47minutes.
From there, you’ll need to hop in a taxi, which takes just 5 minutes to get into the village of Ashwell.
Here are the other 15 prettiest villages near London, according to Conde Nast Traveller
West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Finchingfield, Essex
Thaxted, Essex
Castle Hedingham, Essex
Ashwell, Hertfordshire
Cookham, Berkshire
Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire
Mickleham, Surrey
Shere, Surrey
Ripley, Derbyshire
Lurgashall, West Sussex
Alfriston, East Sussex
Firle, East Sussex
Aylesford, Kent
Biddenden, Kent
And this is the most beautiful village in the world, which is in the UK, and it has a very famous row of houses.