Clovelly, a privately owned village on the Devon coast, charges visitors £8.50 per adult to enter. The pedestrian-only settlement, accessible only via a visitor centre, has no cars, chain stores, or light pollution, preserving a 1950s atmosphere.
Residents use sledges to transport shopping down the steep cobbled lanes, a tradition that replaced donkeys by the 1970s. The village, listed in the Domesday Book and once owned by William the Conqueror, has inspired artists like JMW Turner and Charles Dickens.
Despite the entrance fee, Clovelly maintains a vibrant community of around 300 people in 83 cottages. Newcomers like Ellie Jarvis, who moved from London in 2007, praise the unique blend of history and active community life, with festivals and events year-round.
Owner Hon. John Rous emphasises that the fee helps preserve the village's character, ensuring it remains a living community rather than a hollow tourist trap. The village has been a filming location for productions such as 'Sense & Sensibility' and 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'.
