Explore the Best Small Towns to Visit in England
England, with its rich history and picturesque rural countryside, is dotted with small towns that offer a unique and charming vacation experience. Often overlooked by big draws like London and Bath, these friendly communities simply ooze character and charm, making them perfect destinations for travellers seeking a more intimate glimpse into English life.
From the medieval cobblestone streets of the old port town of Rye in the south to Alnwick in the north with its magnificent castle, with stops in Dorset and Yorkshire along the way, here are seven of the best small towns to visit in England, each offering travellers a memorable getaway experience.
Rye, East Sussex
When it comes to cozy and quaint towns in England, it’s hard to beat Rye. Located in East Sussex and overlooking the English Channel, this former medieval port town is a delightful destination for those interested in English history. The town's cobbled streets lead to historic attractions like Rye Castle Museum, also known as Ypres Tower, which dates back to the 14th century and was built as a defence against potential French invasion.
Walk along the famed Mermaid Street and you’ll see numerous buildings with quirky names like “The House with Two Front Doors” and the Mermaid Inn, a historic tavern dating back to the 12th century that’s steeped in legends of smugglers and secret passages. The Rye Heritage Centre is another must-visit and offers an insightful overview of the town's history that includes the fascinating Rye Town Model Sound and Light Show. Appreciate nature? The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is perfect for birdwatching and coastal walks.
Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
Bourton-on-the-Water is often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" for its attractive low stone bridges over the River Windrush. Coupled with the traditional Cotswold sandstone architecture, this postcard-perfect scene is considered quintessentially English and attracts tourists from across the globe.
The Model Village is a must-see. Built in the 1930s, this scale model provides a unique bird's-eye view of the village life. For nature lovers, Birdland Park and Gardens is a must-visit for its collection of exotic birds and penguins. Another unique attraction is the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection which houses a substantial collection of vintage cars, classic motorbikes, and motoring memorabilia. Complete your visit by stopping for a classic English afternoon tea at Smalltalk Tearooms.
Alnwick, Northumberland
Be sure to practice your pronunciation before hitting the road and heading to Alnwick in Northumberland (for the record, it’s pronounced “a-nuhk”). Located between the city of Newcastle and the Scottish border, this lovely market town is where you’ll find Alnwick Castle, one of the largest inhabited castles in England. Dating back to the Norman period, it has been the seat of the Duke of Northumberland's family, the Percys, for over 700 years and may be recognizable as a filming location for the Harry Potter films. Be sure to also visit the Alnwick Garden with its spectacular water sculptures and the unique Treehouse Restaurant.
Time your visit to coincide with the popular Alnwick Market held in the town's historic market square featuring a range of local produce and crafts. Interested in books and reading? Be sure to visit Barter Books. One of the UK’s largest second-hand bookshops, it’s housed in a Victorian railway station and boasts a cozy atmosphere complete with open fires and a model railway running above the bookshelves.
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Affectionately known as “The Pearl of Dorset,” the charming coastal town of Lyme Regis in west Dorset is a popular stop on England’s Jurassic Coast. This important World Heritage Site stretches for 95 miles across Dorset and Devon and is famous for its outstanding rocks, fossils, and unique landforms. Lyme Regis is famous for its fossils, which can be easily spotted along stony Monmouth Beach.
The town's most iconic landmark is The Cobb, a historic harbor wall that has starred in the hit movie, The French Lieutenant's Woman. Dating back to the 13th century, you can walk the length of this amazing structure before heading out along the town's promenade and seawall. You can learn more about both, along with famous fossil collector Mary Anning, at the Lyme Regis Museum, which also offers guided fossil walks along the town’s beaches. The annual Lyme Regis Fossil Festival and the Lyme Regis Jazz & Blues Festival are great times to visit and explore this beautiful small town.
Haworth, West Yorkshire
The West Yorkshire town of Haworth is a popular pilgrimage for fans of the Brontë sisters, who penned some of the most celebrated works in English literature here. Set amidst the rugged Yorkshire Moors, Haworth celebrates this literary connection at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, their former family home. This beautifully preserved house, where Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë wrote Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, is now a museum dedicated to their lives and works with displays of personal items, manuscripts, and first editions of their novels.
Drag yourself away from the Brontës long enough to explore Haworth’s cobbled Main Street with its quaint antique shops and traditional tea rooms, as well as the surrounding moors. The Brontë Waterfall and Top Withens, believed to be the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, are popular hiking destinations. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a heritage steam train, is another key attraction and runs from Haworth to Keighley.
Tenterden, Kent
Tenterden is quite rightly dubbed the “Jewel of the Weald.” This lovely Kentish town boasts one of Southeast England's prettiest High Streets; it’s a delight to explore on foot as you make your way to the fabulous Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Tenterden station. This heritage steam railway offers nostalgic train rides between Tenterden and Bodiam Castle, with an option to hop off and explore this spectacular 14th-century moted fortress for an hour to two. There’s also a great pub here, the aptly named Castle Inn.
Other fun things to do in Tenterden include visiting the Chapel Down Winery for a tasting and tour, as well as nearby Smallhythe Place, former home of Victorian actress Ellen Terry. Tenterden is also close to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering ample opportunities for walking and cycling.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Castle Combe is said to be England’s prettiest village, a title you’ll likely agree with once you've visited this beautiful Cotswolds destination. Start your exploration at the town’s Market Cross and the Buttercross, two historical landmarks that reflect a time when Castle Combe thrived as a market town. The well-preserved 14th and 15th-century architecture adds to the village's charm, with the Castle Inn, a traditional English pub, and the 13th-century St. Andrew's Church being focal points for memorable photos.
Surrounded by the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Castle Combe is also an ideal starting point for walks and hikes, while motorsport enthusiasts should include nearby Castle Combe Circuit on their itinerary as it hosts regular car and motorcycle race events. Fancy an overnight stay? The Manor House Hotel is a luxurious country house set in beautiful gardens that’s worth considering.
The Final Word
Given its small size and excellent public transit system, exploring England’s often overlooked small towns and villages is easy. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a chance to get to see everything from uncrowded castles to medieval old harbor towns you may otherwise not have seen, and often without the crowds. Learn more from this list of the seven best small towns to visit in England. For ideas and inspiration, explore the Visit England website.
