The holidays are here, are you ready for takeoff?
Castle Combe in Wiltshire is repeatedly voted one of the best towns in the UK for both its looks and community. It is located in the Cotswolds and is known for its signature sandy brickwork and a working medieval clock.
Painswick in Gloucestershire is a true fairy-tale town with a stunning graveyard and gardens. Here are the Roccoco gardens. The town used to produce wool, and so in many of the buildings you can see doors specially made for transport donkeys.
Rye in East Sussex is a great little town with beautiful 15th-century buildings with special dark wood framing. On a quaint weekend away, you can go exploring its adorable alleyways and go shopping in its well-known vintage shops.
Windsor in Berkshire is the home of Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world. You probably recognize it from Harry and Meghan's wedding photograph. Aside from the castle, there is a lot to see in this town, not least some beautiful gardens. You can also visit the Ascot racecourse nearby.
Clovelly in Devon is a very special place to visit. It is extremely serene because no cars are allowed in the town. You can walk along the medieval port and also hike to the highest point on the hill for a spectacular view.
One of the best reasons to visit Warwick in Warwickshire is to see Warwick Castle. It is a magical place where there are lots of exciting exhibitions and interactive activities. You can also visit the Lord Leycester Hospital to learn about the area's history.
Henley in Oxfordshire is a wonderful town based on the River Thames. Here you can see one of the best-ranked museums in the world, the River & Rowing Museum. There is also a lovely walk called the Thames Path National Trail that will take you through some beautiful spots.
John Constable, one of the best landscape artists in history, was inspired by this gorgeous town. Dedham in Essex is the quintessential countryside town. It has very unique water meadows and stunning Georgian-fronted houses.
These ominous-looking stones are called Avebury's henge. The stone circles surround part of this Wiltshire village. making it a very mystical place. It is a good quick stop on the way to Salisbury.
This Gloucestershire town is as quaint as it gets. It is built around the River Windrush and is even called the "Venice of the Costwolds." You can visit the amazing Motoring Museum as well as navigating the Dragonfly Maze.
Alfriston in East Sussex is located in the gorgeous South Downs National Park. It's very near the coastline, where you can see the chalky white cliffs of the Seven Sisters.
This bizarre little town on the coast of Wales will make you feel like you're on the Amalfi coast. The buildings are of exceptional beauty and the views are outstanding.
The Cotswolds always delivers when it comes to charming towns. All of the buildings are from the Georgian era–some have tiled roofs and some are thatched. There are some great tea rooms in Burford, Oxfordshire for a delicious afternoon scone.
This lush seaside town is known for its very colorful buildings and sweeping seascape. All of the seafood is fresh off the boat, so be sure to settle down for a delicious fish dinner when you visit Whitstable, Kent.
Lyndhurst in Hampshire is burrowed right inside the beautiful New Forest. It is the best town to stay in if you would like to stay near nature, but not on a camping site. The town offers delicious pastry shops, cute inns, and fashionable boutiques.
Bilbury in Gloucestershire is another town known for its quaintness. When you are there, be sure to visit Arlington Row, one of the sweetest streets around. The town is also near Cirencester and so it makes a good pit stop on your way.
Aberaeron is a historic Welsh fishing town where you will find charming multicolored houses and great sea views. It's a perfect place to get some high-quality fish and chips with mushy peas.
Near Harrogate lies the town of Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It's a gorgeous market town where you can still to this day pick up little souvenirs and treats at the weekly Wednesday market. It also has a brilliant castle that you can't miss.
Malton is the food capital of Yorkshire. Here you will find delicious sweet bites, as well as the traditional pies and pasties. It has an impressive food market and is a wonderful place for a walk around.
Cullen Bay is a quiet place to relax if you have been out exploring around Scotland. It has great views, is very hospitable, and even has its own special soup–it's called Cullen Skink and is made from potatoes and salmon.
If you really want to discover old England, then Lacock, Wiltshire is the town for you. You will find traditional bakeries, wood-paneled pubs, and endearing cobbled streets in this beautiful place.
Far up north in Scotland lies the Isle of Skye. It is situated in the Scottish Highlands and has some of the best beaches Scotland can offer. It may not be very sunny, but the incredible views make up for this.
Portree is one of the largest towns on the Isle of Skye and so makes a perfect base if you are going to explore the island further. It is a great town with wonderful fresh seafood and good views.
Sources: (PlanetWare) (Hand Luggage Only)
See also: Britain historic religious ruins
If you are going around the Peak District in the UK, then you must stop at the adorable town of Hathersage, Derbyshire. Surrounding it are beautiful hiking trails and some great local pubs.
This little town lies in the beautiful area of Dorset. It is a great place for a day trip with sights to see such as the Gold Hill Museum. They serve incredible pies and soups at The Salt Cellar.
As the name would suggest, Robin Hood's Bay in Whitby is where smugglers used to come in from the sea. There are tunnels going underneath the town where the thieves used to transport brandy, whisky, and other contraband. It has a fantastic history and a very charming appearance to boot.
As you can see in the image, this town is exceptionally grand. The whole place is jam-packed with history and has some wonderful places to chow down.
Brixham in Devon is situated in what is now called the "English Riviera." It offers wonderful insight into what a true fishing town is like, as well as providing lovely hotels and restaurants.
You may think this is in the Bahamas, but it's actually St. Ives in Cornwall. This old fishing village is one of the best seaside towns in Britain owing to its wonderful shops and luxurious beaches.
When you think of the UK, perhaps the words "wonderful holiday" do not spring to mind. However, the countryside and history of the UK are vastly underrated. There are countless numbers of charming towns that will transport you back to times gone by. There is such a wealth of activities to do, from trekking up tall mountain peaks to rowing in gently ebbing rivers.
On your exploration of the United Kingdom, it is important to find the right towns to stay in to make your trip as perfect as can be. Here are the towns that you won't be able to resist being charmed by. From Portmerion to Cullen Bay, click through to discover more.
The most captivating British towns you have to visit
Your next Albion adventure
TRAVEL Britain
When you think of the UK, perhaps the words "wonderful holiday" do not spring to mind. However, the countryside and history of the UK are vastly underrated. There are countless numbers of charming towns that will transport you back to times gone by. There is such a wealth of activities to do, from trekking up tall mountain peaks to rowing in gently ebbing rivers.
On your exploration of the United Kingdom, it is important to find the right towns to stay in to make your trip as perfect as can be. Here are the towns that you won't be able to resist being charmed by. From Portmerion to Cullen Bay, click through to discover more.