Take in some of the charming small towns in England and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime. Filled with history, hiking opportunities, and great places to eat and drink, start your fun-filled adventure by checking out our list of must-see towns.
Small towns in England: Suffolk
Suffolk is one of the counties where beautiful small towns are very much part of the scenery. Check out our list of small towns in Suffolk and let your adventure begin.
Southwold, Suffolk
Located on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is one of the small towns in England that should be high on your list. An upmarket seaside resort that boasts sandy beaches and a pier from 1900, it’s a thriving throwback to the English seaside entertainment scene that was once so popular across the country. Soak up the history of the town with the six cannons that line the cliff edge, dating back to the 17th-century battle against the Dutch.
A great place to go with your family, Southwold is also a hiker’s heaven. To get a great glimpse of the town, check out the Southwold Harbour Circuit, which is a 2.5-mile walk that takes in Southwold Common, the River Blyth, and the famous beach huts. For accommodation, check out The Swan Hotel, which is a famous hotel located in the centre of the town.
Lavenham, Suffolk
Staying in Suffolk, there is another of the small towns in England that is a must-see. Famous for its colourful streets that are filled with Tudor houses, there is loads for history lovers to enjoy. A medieval wool town dating back to the 15th century, one of the top attractions is the Guildhall of Corpus Christi, which dates back to 1530. An architectural feat that has been a religious hub, a prison, and a workhouse, it now offers visitors the chance to learn all about its history, in the in-house museum.
You can explore the town for yourself with the National Trust’s Lavenham crooked houses walk, which takes you to all the hidden gems and mysterious carvings. The Angel Hotel is located right in the centre of the town, so it’s a good choice for those wanting easy access to the major attractions.
Small towns in England: Devon
When it comes to small towns in Devon, we’re spoilt for choice. Take a look at our recommendations of small towns to visit when you’re in this southern county.
Beer, Devon
A town that is rich in smuggling history, it’s the perfect place to bring children who want to pretend they’re pirates for the day. Head to the Beer Quarry Caves, which contain a fine-textured limestone called beer stone. Then take in the views of the English Channel on the pebbled beach. Finish off your day with lunch at one of the many pubs in this quaint town.
A great walk to see everything this town offers is the South West Coast Path, beginning at Beer Hill. This gives you great views and takes you to Anchor Inn, where you can stop for a bite to eat. From here, you can walk up Fore Street, which takes in a range of historical sites, such as the Bomb Shelter tourist attraction. For a central stay, Lavender Cottage is the ideal accommodation.
Lynton and Lynmouth, Devon
Explore the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, with the former looking over the harbour village of the latter. Located in Exmoor, you’ll know you’re in for a treat with every turn. Check out nearby hotspots such as the Valley of Rocks or Glen Lyn Gorge for dramatic scenery.
Explore the surroundings on foot each year with the Lynton and Lynmouth Walking Festival. Accommodation doesn’t come much better than the Rising Sun Hotel, which offers stunning views.
Small towns in England: Cornwall
Another county that provides us with a range of idyllic small towns is Cornwall. To find out our top picks, take a look below.
Tintagel, Cornwall
With Tintagel Castle considered to be the location of King Arthur’s stronghold, there’s only one place to start when visiting this small town in England. The castle ruins, set on Cornish cliffs just outside the town, offer stunning views and set the scene for the rest of this medieval location. There’s plenty to do in Tintagel too, with there being a 14th-century post office, a famous fudge store and plenty of places to enjoy a bit to eat.
To see Tintagel on foot, start at Merlin’s Cave, which is a beach grotto named after the wizard from the legends of King Arthur. Follow the path up to Tintagel Castle before continuing on Castle Road to another attraction, Tintagel Toy Museum. Then walk through Fore Street towards Tintagel Visitors Centre, which will give you a great glimpse of all the historic architecture in the town. For lodging, check out The Wootons, which is perfectly located for exploring.
St Ives, Cornwall
The village of St Ives needs no introduction. Once a fishing village, this town has grown into a popular seaside resort. Known for its pristine, sandy beaches and delightful harbour, it’s a top holiday destination for families. The town itself boasts cobbled streets and eclectic fishing cottages, whilst the sea provides a safe haven for swimmers and surfers alike.
The St Ives Town Trail is an accessible walk that takes in the major sites. As the town is a popular resort, it’s best to book accommodation early. Check out Lifeboat Inn to be in the heart of the action.
Small towns in England: best of the rest
If you’re looking for small towns in other parts of the country, then there are plenty to choose from. Take your family on a holiday to remember and check out our list of top English towns that you cannot afford to miss.
Rye, East Sussex
Another ancient town in England, Rye is all about the cobbled streets and crooked houses. Located next to the sea on the south coast, Rye is a great alternative to busier resorts nearby such as Brighton. A fortified hilltop town, there is plenty to offer history lovers looking to step back in time. One of the most famous buildings is that of The Mermaid Inn, which dates back to 1420.
For those seeking out views to take their breath away, head up to St. Mary’s church tower, where you’ll get incredible vistas of the terracotta roofs and beyond. To explore the centre of Rye on foot, start at the Rye Heritage Centre and follow the ancient Mermaid Street towards St. Mary’s Church. Then loop back round via Market Street and Cinque Ports Street, where you’ll get to see some of the town’s most famous buildings. For accommodation, stay at The George in Rye, which is centrally located for your convenience.
Shaftesbury, Dorset
A quintessential English classic, Shaftesbury is one of the small towns in England that we couldn’t leave out. A town that boasts thatch-roofed cottages, quaint cafes and cobblestone streets that ooze history, it has something for everyone. The town, which sits on top of a hill, offers stunning vistas, including across Blackmore Vale. One of the most popular attractions in the town is that of Gold Hill, a cobblestone street, which is lined by an ancient stone wall from Shaftesbury Abbey.
You can also check out the Gold Hill Museum, which offers eight galleries looking at the history of the town. Take in some landmark trees during your trip with the Shaftesbury Tree Walk, which is suitable for all levels of walker. To stay in the centre of the town, look no further than The Grosvenor Arms, which is a stylish inn that oozes history.
Bakewell, Derbyshire
Renowned for the famous Bakewell pudding, which comprises a pastry casing filled with jam and frangipane, this is reason enough to visit. As with many of the small towns in England, Bakewell has a rich history too. Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, you can enjoy the Grade I listed Bakewell Parish Church, which was founded as far back as 920 AD.
To understand the history, you can enjoy the self-guided Bakewell History Walk. For lodging, The Peacock is a hotel that offers great access to the centre of the town.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Heading up to the north of the UK, there is a great array of small towns to explore, with Berwick-upon-Tweed being one of our recommended spots. Boasting a rich history, this town has changed ownership no less than 14 times between England and Scotland, making it a highly sought-after location. Whilst England may have been victorious, the local dialect still shares similarities with the Scots and the local football team plays in the Scottish League.
Oozing history, you’ll be able to explore the medieval wall, 13th-century castle ruins and the Old Bridge, which dates back to the 17th century. It’s also home to Britain’s first army barracks and boasts the title of England’s most northern hotel. Take in the sights on the Berwick-upon-Tweed Circular Tour and rest your feet at the end of a long day at Orkney Guest House.
Whitby, Yorkshire
Whitby is another one of the small towns in England that dates back centuries, with the first recorded settlement being as far back as 656. There’s loads for families and history lovers to do during their visit to Whitby, with the 14th-century ruins of Whitby Abbey being one of the most popular activities. Whitby also has a quirky edge, with it being the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. To celebrate, Whitby hosts the biannual Whitby Goth Festival.
Take a walk around Whitby to see everything the town has to offer. Staring at Whitby Beach, walk along Pier Road and cross Whitby Bridge to get to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Then head into Greens Yard and follow the paths that go by Cholmley House and Church of St Mary. If you want a hotel that’s close to the beach, then The Royal Hotel won’t disappoint.
Hawkshead, Cumbria
Once home to the famous English poet William Wordsworth, the charming village of Hawkshead is a great way to experience English heritage. If one famous wordsmith isn’t enough, how about checking out the former home of English writer Beatrix Potter, who also lived here? The town boasts beautiful whitewashed cottages, quaint pubs and cobbled streets for you to explore.
The Lake District is also only a short drive away, with Lake Windemere being an ideal place to spend a sunny day. Explore the Lake District National Park on foot, with a range of free guided walks on offer. If you want to stay in the centre of Hawkshead, then The Hive at Poppi-Red is a great option.
Upper and Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
Another set of twin towns, Upper and Lower Slaughter epitomise the natural beauty that the Cotswolds has to offer. Take a walk along the River Eye, which links the two towns in about 20min on foot, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings. In Lower Slaughter, you can enjoy the Lower Slaughter Museum and Old Mill, which looks at the history of the area. Then admire the architecture of St Peter’s Church in Upper Slaughter, before sitting down to earn a well-deserved bite to eat.
When it comes to accommodation, the Old Bank Rooms in nearby Bourton-on-the-Water is a great choice. To get to Lower Slaughter from here, you can enjoy a delightful, roughly 30-min walk across the countryside.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire
If you’re ready for a trip back in time, then Castle Combe is the town for you. Having earned a reputation for being the prettiest town in England, you’re bound to have high expectations when you visit. Fear not though, these expectations will only be met and most likely exceeded. Enjoy walking through the town and taking in the perfectly preserved honey-coloured houses and exploring the narrow alleyways that often have fresh blossoms in the warmer months.
There is, of course, plenty for history lovers too. Start at the medieval centre of the town, where you’ll see an ancient water pump amongst the flowers. Then head over to St Andrew’s Church, which is an architectural feat that boasts the working medieval Castle Combe Clock. One of the best things about this town is that it’s relatively untouched, with there being no tourist shops, big brands or advertising.
Take a stroll through Castle Combe without a map and enjoy getting lost in the cobbled alleys, and stop to buy fruit and vegetables from locals’ houses. For a historic stay, check out The Old Museum hotel, which is bound to be a great experience.
Bibury, Gloucestershire
Last but certainly not least on our list of small towns in England is Bibury. Another town that’s located in the Cotswolds, it offers more divine houses, idyllic rivers and ancient history for you to enjoy. Another of the villages that have been coined as one of the country’s most beautiful towns, it’s easy to see why. If you were to describe a picture-perfect English town, Bibury wouldn’t be far off.
One of the best-known attractions in Bibury is Arlington Row, which is a row of 14th-century weavers’ cottages that you’ve probably seen on a postcard before. If you’re a fan of fish, then you should head over to Bibury Trout Farm, where you can catch your own fish. As with many of these towns, they are getting more and more popular, so if you want to walk around in relative peace and quiet, it’s best to head there early.
If you want to explore the town and the surrounding area, why not go on the self-guided Bibury Trail. For accommodation, stay at the Bull Hotel in Fairford, which is about a 12-min car journey to the centre of Bibury.
