Organising a day trip doesn’t have to be too strenuous as you can find so many inspirations online. Now have you ever visited these three villages which are just as pretty as the Cotswolds?
You have to visit this gorgeous village(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
We all know the Cotswolds is popular for its storybook English charm. With rolling hills, honey-coloured cottages and picturesque villages like Castle Combe to enjoy, it’s understandable why many Brits vacate there for a weekend or day trip.
Now if you’ve explored the entire region, which lies about 90 miles from London, it can be understandable to turn your interest elsewhere. Luckily if you want the same level of charm and beauty, there are many villages in England which are “just as pretty as the Cotswolds”. One woman who often shares the “best London and global tips” named three destinations you must visit this weekend.
On TikTok, Shruti Priya began her post: “Villages in England that just as pretty as the Cotswolds.”
She named Lavenham (Suffolk), Wherwell (Hampshire) and Amberley (West Sussex) as the top places to visit.
What To Do in Lavenham, Wherwall and Amberley Explained
Lavenham is a great location if you’re a huge fan of the Tudors. With architecture dating back to the 1400s, this village serves as one of Britain’s finest surviving medieval villages. It boasts more than 300 listed timber-framed buildings and even gained fame for serving as a filming location for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Getting to Lavenham by car takes just under two hours via the M11 – if you’re coming from London, while a train from Liverpool Street can get you there in roughly an hour. Driving may well be the more practical choice, as Lavenham has no direct train station.
Picture-Perfect Hampshire and West Sussex Villages to Visit
Now if you’re visiting Wherwell, you can wander the stunning streets and enjoy this quintessential village which is renowned for its beautifully preserved, timber-framed thatched cottages. It also offers breathtaking views along the River Test, situated approximately 3 miles south of the town of Andover.
So if you’re leaving from London again, this should take roughly 1 hour and a half. Alternatively, you can hop on a direct train from Clapham Junction to Winchester, which should take around 50 minutes.
And finally, Shruti’s last choice was West Sussex. History fans will adore the Amberley Castle which is a 900-year-old fortress with high stone walls, and a portcullis. It now operates as a luxury hotel and wedding venue. From there you can soak up the natural beauty along the River Arun too.
Meanwhile you must not forget visiting the Amberley Museum.
This journey from London by car is also quite manageable, coming in at just under 2 hours and covering 57.4 miles. By train, you’re looking at roughly an hour for a one-way trip.
Since Shruti’s suggestions were shared on social media, many people rushed to the comments section. One said: “Great looking places,” while another added: “Can’t wait to visit these beautiful places with my baby.”
Someone else commented: “Wherwell is beautiful, I knew someone who lived there in a beautiful cottage.”