The Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.K.
GettyWeymouth, Dorset, England
The seaside town of Weymouth is perfectly situated in the middle of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO Heritage-listed stretch of coastline where many of the craggy cliffs date from the (you guessed it) Jurassic Era. Arguably the most Instagrammable spot is the pebbly Chesil Beach, which inspired Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel of the same name. —LM
GettyBallintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Just around the corner from the stunning Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, Ballintoy is a harbor town known for its unobstructed views of the sea, an elegant white church perched on a hill above the village, and—more recently—for being a filming location on Game of Thrones. —LM
GettyBakewell, Derbyshire, England
A market town located on the River Wye, Bakewell is known as much for its rolling hills as for its desserts: the Bakewell pudding and Bakewell tart (both variations of a flaky pastry filled with sweet jam and almond paste) both supposedly have their origins here. After stuffing yourself with sweets, explore the All Saints Church, whose original structure and wooden crosses date from the 900s. —LM
GettyBerwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England
Just south of the Scottish border, it's easy to see why Scotland and England fought for ownership of this picturesque town for so long. Situated at the mouth of the River Tweed, Berwick is home to several gorgeous bridges that make it easy to explore by foot—and take great panoramic photos of the Medieval walls that surround the town.—LM
GettyRye, East Sussex, England
An important shipping center since Roman times, on an enormous embayment of the English Channel, the Camber Sands, Rye was once entirely surrounded by sea. The best views of the hodge-podge of medieval terracotta roofs and and timbered walls are from St. Mary's Parish Church tower or the Ypres Tower, the two oldest buildings in town. If you're visiting in early Spring, don't miss the annual Bay Scallop Week. Rye is scenic two hour train journey from London St. Pancras International, making it an easy day trip. —DJ
GettyCrail, Fife, Scotland
The historic village of Crail is tucked along the Scottish coast. Although it's about an hour and a half away from Edinburgh, Crail feels like it's lost in time, with fishermen setting out to sea in the morning and returning home along the cobblestone streets at night. Originally settled around the year 800, many of the town's most beloved buildings, such as the stone tollbooth, date from the 16th century. —LM
GettyBurford, Oxfordshire, England
If you imagined what a typical English village might look like, odds are good that you'd conjure up something like Burford, with its rows of yellow limestone houses and tree-lined streets. Located in the Cotswolds, the town's church is built over the ruins of a Roman villa (you can still see some fragments of tile mosaics). —LM
GettyBowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England
Known for its bucolic lakeside setting, charming architecture, and The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction (less kitschy than it sounds—with a delightful garden), this Lake District town became a bonafide hit for travelers in the nineteenth-century with a railway extension from Kendal. England's largest lake contains 14 islands to explore in a plethora of water craft. —DJ
GettyPortmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales
Few would expect to find an Italianate Village in North Wales, but here it is. Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, this fanciful creation makes for a near-psychedelic getaway (Noël Coward wrote Blithe Spirit while staying in one of the "town's" on-site suites). Extensive gardens burst with rhododendrons, azalea, and camellia in spring, Douglas Firs and Coast Redwoods provide summer shade, and exotic Gingko Biloba trees blaze as golden as the sun in autumn. —DJ
GettyWhitby, North Yorkshire, England
A picturesque Middle Ages fishing port on the wild heritage coastline of east Yorkshire (don't miss a visit to the spooky ruins of Whitby Abbey at East Cliff), pick up some Whitby Jet jewelry (mined in the nearby moors and treasured by Romans and Victorians alike), and don't be surprised to stumble upon crowds of subculture types attending the bi-annual Whitby Goth Weekend. Of note: Caedmon, a monk during the Abbey's heyday, is the world's first known Anglo Saxon poet. —DJ
GettyMousehole, Cornwall
The minute fishing village of Mousehole (make sure to pronounce it "Mowzul") is Cornwall at its wildest and most rugged. Expect windswept coastal walks, a stellar surf scene, and pubs serving up heaps of freshly caught seafood (it's said that Dylan Thomas's favorite watering hole was The Ship Inn, where a corner of the bar is still dedicated to the poet). —LA
GettyLavenham, Suffolk
Once a wealthy medieval trade hub, Lavenham holds true as one of the country's most charming small towns, thanks to its haphazard-looking, half-timbre, half-pastel-colored buildings and impressive 15th century church. Unsurprisingly, it also makes for a great movie set, which is why the 14th century cottage De Vere House made an appearance as the birthplace of both Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part One (you know, the house where Lord Voldemort gave Harry his famous lightening scar). Just two hours outside of London, it makes for a great day trip. —LA
GettyBlakeney, Norfolk
At Blakeney, it's all about the coastal walks. This quiet seaside village draws hikers and nature lovers for its dramatic expanses of marshland straight out of Great Expectations and a rich wildlife population. Over at Blakeney Point, the heart of Britain's first coastal nature reserve, go seal-spotting by boat, while at Blakeney Freshes, keep an eye out for rare sea birds and take in one of the best views of the reserve. —LA
GettyTobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland
It's said that at the bottom of the Tobermory bay, lies a Spanish shipwreck filled with gold, having sunk during the 1588 Armada. But above sea level, the history and scenery of this town, situated deep within Scotland's Inner Hebrides, is equally beguiling. Comprising hills and lochs, moorlands and ocean, its home to one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland, Tobermory Distillery, which has been producing single malts since 1788, as well as colorful fisherman's houses, while whales, dolphins, and porpoises swim nearby. Just remember to pack your best waterproof gear, as Scotland isn't exactly famed for its weather. —LA
GettyUpper and Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
The Cotswolds has long been a favorite escape among Londoners itching to ditch city life, and the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are a particularly pretty corner. A walk along The River Eye that links the two slaughters (the name originates from an ancient word for mud, presumably thanks to the river) will take you past bucolic cottages and a 14th century mill known aptly as "The Old Mill." —LA