A QUAINT English village that feels “like stepping into a postcard” has been named among the most beautiful in the world.
With no new houses since the 1600s, Castle Combe at the southern edge of the Cotswolds is already one of the most stunning in the UK.
And now the southwest Wiltshire village has been named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, and out of 53 destinations on the list, was the only UK spot to feature.
Conde Nast Traveller stated: “[T]he town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches.”
The village has even played a star role as a set in some films, including Stardust, Steven Spielberg‘s War Horse and the original Dr Doolittle film.
One of the best ways to experience the village is to set off on a walk.
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Key points to stop by include Water Lane, where you can see a good example of the local architecture using Cotswolds stone.
One recent visitor even said it was “like stepping into a postcard”.
In the centre of the town, drop by The Market Cross – a four-column stone structure that used to act as the focal point for the village’s weekly wool markets.
Perhaps the most popular spot in town with tourists is the historic stone bridge that crosses the River Bybrook.
The bridge is Grade II listed and can be found in the lower village.
If you fancy something sweet but don’t want to sit inside, then visit Ellen’s Cottage where you will find a small cake stand in front of a charming brown cottage door.
Visitors can help themselves to cake from the stand and pop payment through the letterbox.
There’s usually a bucket full of cold drinks as well, though if you want a hot drink you can knock the door and ask for one, with a cappuccino costing £2 and a latte costing £2.50.
If you want somewhere where you can sit inside and drink your coffee, then head to The Old Stables Coffee Shop which serves a variety of cakes for £4 a slice.
If you are more in the mood for an alcoholic beverage with a side of pub grub, then you can head to The White Hart or The Castle Inn – both of which are just a few steps from the Market Cross.
You can also stay at The Castle Inn if you want to spend a night in the idyllic village.
Rooms cost from £145 a night and you can expect period features in each room, such as original beams.
For another option of where to stay, Conde Nast Traveller recommends booking into The Manor House.
Dating back to the 14th century, The Manor House boasts quiet gardens, a Michelin restaurant and an 18-hole golf course.
Rooms in The Manor House feature dark, wood panelling and ornate wallpaper and a one-night stay in April costs from £276.
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The Alan, Manchester
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The Queen at Chester Hotel
This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.
The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge
This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.
There are a number of things you can do in the surrounding area as well.
For example, you could use the village as a base for a Cotswolds walk, through Bybrook Valley and the North Wiltshire hills.
Just four minutes down the road, you will find Castle Combe Racing Circuit where you can watch karting races for as little as £10 per person.
Like adrenaline? Well, the race circuit also offers a number of experiences where you can drive a car of your choice from movie cars, classics and supercars from £84.
The market town of Chippenham is a 14-minute drive away as well, where you can browse independent shops, have a walk through Monkton Park next to the River Avon and learn about the town’s history at Chippenham Museum.
To include a city in your trip, you could head to Bath, just half-an-hour away.
The UNESCO World Heritage city is famous for its Roman baths and honey-coloured architecture, using the same stone found in Castle Combe.
Chippenham is just over an hour on the train from London, with a single ticket usually costing £25 per person.
To then get to Castle Combe, you can either jump in a taxi for 20 minutes or hop on one of the regular local Faresaver buses that take about 24 minutes to reach the village and cost a maximum of £3 per way.
For more inspiration on pretty spots to visit in the UK, here are five English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.
Or if you want to keep exploring the Cotswolds, there is a tiny village with a popular garden centre and ‘dinosaur’ tree that welcomed a very famous A-lister this week.