A tiny community in Wiltshire with a population of fewer than 400 people has been named 'the most beautiful village in England' by tourists. The UK is home to a number of picturesque villages, and if you're lucky enough to live in one, the chances are that you're very proud of it and think yours is the prettiest there is.
While beauty is subjective, tourists online have come together to name the one village they think is the best in England - and it's bad news for anyone who doesn't live in Wiltshire. A video on TikTok shared by a UK travel blogger named Alicia officially named Castle Combe in Wiltshire as the 'most beautiful' village that England has to offer.
Commenters agreed, saying the area looks 'like a fairy tale' and expressing a wish to visit the location for themselves. Castle Combe is a popular tourist attraction, and, although it only has a population of 356 as of the 2021 census, its narrow streets can get quite busy in the peak summer months with people wanting to catch a glimpse of its beauty.
Historic Charm and Chocolate Box Appeal
The village sits within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is unique because absolutely no new houses have been built in the historic centre of the village since around 1600. Many of the cottages in the village are made from Cotswold stone, and the area has previously been described as 'chocolate box', a term used to describe places that are excessively pretty, quaint, or conventional. The term originates from scenic illustrations of English villages that were painted on Cadbury chocolate boxes in the mid-20th century.
Recognition Beyond Social Media
While Alicia named Castle Combe as the 'most beautiful village in England' in her video, she is not the only person to make that claim. A 2002 book by Sue Hazeldine called A-Z of the Cotswolds: Places, People, History also described Castle Combe as 'the prettiest village in England'. Even Hollywood seems to agree, as several blockbuster films and iconic TV shows have used Castle Combe as a filming location.
Most notably, the 1967 film musical Doctor Dolittle was filmed in Castle Combe, much to the irritation of residents who were frustrated by the producers' modifications to the area. Throughout September 2010, the village was also a filming location for Steven Spielberg's production of War Horse, while it has also appeared in an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot, along with the films Stardust and The Wolfman.
It was also used as a filming location for several episodes of the Apple TV+ spy thriller series Slow Horses. The second season of the show used Castle Combe and the nearby airfield, using the fictional name 'Upshott'.
Tourist Reviews and Local Attractions
TripAdvisor reviewers also agree with the 'prettiest village in England' title, with a whopping 1,113 of the 1,480 reviews giving it a perfect five stars and many describing it as a village 'frozen in time'. One person said: 'Castle Combe is tiny, but it's often said to be the prettiest village in England, and it was certainly the prettiest village we visited. It's so perfect that you feel as if you could have stepped back in time.'
Another added: 'One of my favourite towns trapped in time. It's so peaceful and pretty there. Will go back there and spend a few days. We were part of a tour and only had two hours to visit.'
Although a castle once stood in the area - hence the name Castle Combe - it was demolished centuries ago. The village is home to the Castle Combe motor racing circuit, as well as a parish church and a total of 107 listed buildings.
