The Cotswolds are home to picture-postcard towns and villages bursting with character, yet there’s one that stands out from them all with its famous street and prestigious title
This pretty Cotswolds village has often been named the most beautiful (Image: Getty Images)
A beautiful Cotswolds village has earned worldwide attention, thanks to its fairytale charm and famous cottages.
With honey-hued architecture, sweeping countryside hills and storybook villages, the Cotswolds undeniably boast some of the most breathtaking scenery in the nation. So much so that many of its settlements have been graced with their very own prestigious accolades, thanks to their quintessentially English charm.
There’s the Gloucestershire village of Bourton-on-the-Water with its low, stone bridges that has been dubbed the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, the pretty Worcestershire village of Broadway, known as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, and the historic West Oxfordshire town of Burford, notably referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. Yet among these gems is a village that has frequently been hailed as the most beautiful not only in the Cotswolds but in the world.
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Nestled in Gloucestershire and in the heart of the Cotswolds, is the picturesque village of Bibury. It’s characterised by its ancient honey-coloured stone architecture, winding River Coln and the Rack Isle water meadow, and is conveniently positioned just a short drive from the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’, Cirencester.
Bibury has garnered worldwide attention, being named the most beautiful village in the world by Forbes in September last year, and previously called one of the world’s most picturesque villages. English textile designer and poet, William Morris, also described Bibury as ‘the most beautiful village in England’.
While it’s one of the smaller places to visit in the Cotswolds, it attracts thousands of visitors each year and is home to Arlington Row, one of the most photographed streets. The quaint line of Arlington Row cottages was built in the 14th century as a monastic wool store and converted into weavers’ cottages during the 17th century.
Today, they are home to private residences, but Arlington Row remains Bibury’s most popular attraction and the most photographed place across the Cotswolds. Yet, some houses here have been known to bear a polite sign that reads, ‘No photos please’, as the area tends to get overrun with tourists.
But that doesn’t detract from its undeniable beauty, with the scenic River Coln flowing nearby, alongside pristine green spaces, streams and charming establishments. Over the bridge and directly opposite Arlington Row, is Eleven Bibury, offering a chic café, gallery shop and terraced garden.
Another tourist attraction in the village is Bibury Trout Farm, where visitors can take in the scenic setting before enjoying fishing, crazy golf or a refreshment from the café, or a sweet treat from Kelly’s Ice cream. There’s also The Twig café in the same area, the perfect coffee and cake stop, before wandering around the paths and walking routes that surround Bibury.
For accommodation in Bibury, there’s the holiday rental, Sackville House, The Bothy and Sundial Cottage, or the four-star, The Swan Hotel. While there’s not much to do in the village, its picture-perfect setting, tranquil river walks, and serene green space against its stone cottages are enough to warrant a visit.
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