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Stone cottages, a cobbled square and independent shops make this small town a charming option for a weekend escape – and fans of a much-loved TV series may recognise it.

The Cotswolds may well be one of Britain’s most beloved countryside retreats, but its sheer popularity can make a visit feel worlds apart from the tranquil rural getaway many tourists imagine.

The area is renowned for its picturesque villages, cobbled lanes and distinctive stone cottages – but that fame comes at a price.

For anyone hoping to enjoy a more laid-back weekend break, navigating through the crowds can quickly dampen the experience.

Fortunately, you needn’t abandon that quintessentially British charm altogether. One Yorkshire destination combines stone cottages and flower-adorned window boxes with independent shops and countryside walks.

Travel experts at Parkdean Resorts have tipped the North Yorkshire town as a ‘Cotswolds alternative’ for those looking to escape the crowds, as previously reported by the Mirror.

Nestled within the Yorkshire Dales, it boasts a traditional cobbled centre surrounded by stunning countryside. Its square serves as an ideal starting point, with independent shops and eateries clustered along the historic streets.

Alongside its stone cottages, flower boxes and historic pubs, there’s another reason the setting may look familiar. It serves as the primary filming location for the fictional village of Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small.

The high street is brimming with independent shops where you can browse handmade art and jewellery, indulge in sweet treats and pick up a good book.

Grassington holds particular appeal for visitors who want their break to blend sightseeing with walking. Visitors can spend time exploring the town before venturing out into the surrounding Dales.

If Yorkshire isn’t quite to your taste, the experts at Parkdean Resorts have another destination in mind that they believe offers Cotswolds charm without the overwhelming crowds.

Rye in East Sussex is another option for visitors willing to look beyond the usual summer hotspots.

The town is filled with historic streets and striking old buildings, while independent shops and eateries make it easy to while away a leisurely day exploring without a packed itinerary.

Its location adds to the appeal. Rye offers easy access to the Sussex coastline, meaning a short break can take in both a characterful old town and a day at the beach.

Visitors can wander through the historic centre in the morning before heading to the nearby coast – a compelling choice for anyone torn between a countryside break and a seaside getaway.

If you’re looking to add more magic to your life after watching Practical Magic 2, one woman has praised a village which feels like the real deal – and it’s in the UK

The highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic film Practical Magic recently premiered in cinemas. But while it’s always magical to return to the universe of your favourite film, what if you could visit a real life Practical Magic village?

In the book and the film, the Massachusetts small town where the Owens family lives appears to be the idyllic small town. And with the added element of having witches living there, many fans dream of visiting. But one village in the UK also has a unique connection to witches, making it the perfect alternative.

One holidaymaker named Emma decided to share snippets of her visit to the Hampshire village, naming it a ‘real life Practical Magic village’.

“POV: You found a real life Practical Magic village in England,” she wrote in the overlay text of the TikTok video, showing the various witchcraft and magic-inspired shops, as well as the wild horses that are known to explore the village of Burley.

Burley is a small village in Hampshire, located in the heart of the New Forest. It’s famous for its associations with witchcraft, as it had a self-proclaimed witch living there in the 1950s. However, there is plenty of other things to do there with an opportunity for walking, cycling, and horse-riding trails, plus horse-drawn carriage rides through the forest.

Emma added in the caption of the post: “Today, the village is filled with cosy cafes, witchy boutiques, and wild horses roaming down the streets.”

The village still maintains the ancient New Forest tradition of “commoning,” meaning ponies, cattle, and donkeys wander freely through the streets.

“It genuinely feels like stepping straight into the Owens family hometown,” she said. “Gather your coven and save this for your next UK day trip.”

Why is Burley considered a ‘witchy’ village?

Burley is associated with witches primarily because it was home to a woman named Sybil Leek. The famous self-proclaimed “white witch” lived in the Hampshire village during the 1950s.

She became a media sensation by openly practicing witchcraft shortly after the UK repealed the final Witchcraft Act in 1951. She regularly walked through the village wearing a long black cloak with her pet jackdaw, Mr. Hotfoot Jackson, perched on her shoulder.

But as locals were upset by her presence, Sybil decided to move to America where she continued to study and write about the occult and astrology.

Burley has since embraced its witchy history, as there are several shops specialising in magic, including A Coven of Witches, which was not only named by Sybil but you can also find a portrait of her hanging above the fireplace.