With the sheer number of quaint, quiet, and oh-so quintessential villages dotted across the country, it’s pretty tricky to pinpoint which of them is the most gasp-inducingly gorgeous of all. But one that certainly puts forward a rather convincing case is Bibury.
Sat scenically in the heart of the Cotswolds, this small but mighty Gloucestershire village was once named the most beautiful in England by highly-esteemed artist, William Morris. And if that isn’t reason enough to immediately catapult Bibury to the very top of your must-visit list, allow me to tell you a little bit more about it.
Bibury, Gloucestershire
Dating all the way back to the Saxon times, Bibury has graced records with its picturesque presence since around 701 AD. Beloved for its timeless charm, its jaw-dropping beauty, and its rich history and heritage, Bibury really does boast everything that you could possibly want or need from a chocolate box village – and then some.
Bibury certainly isn’t thin on the ground when it comes to outrageously attractive architecture, with each and every street looking like its leapt from the pages of a fairytale. The jewel in Bibury’s crown, however, comes in the form of Arlington Row. This line of 14th-century honey-hued weavers’ cottages were built back in 1380 to house wool workers, and have barely changed over the past 650 years.
The River Coln winds its way through the charming village of Bibury, and the riverbanks serve as a pretty wonderful spot for strolling, sitting, or swan-spotting. Bibury is also home to an impressive Saxon church, the oldest working trout farm in England, and a whole host of historic listed cottages.
Getting to Bibury from London
Bibury is approximately a two and a half hour drive from London and there is parking available once you get there (although it’s fairly limited). Non-drivers can hop on a train from Paddington to either Kemble or Swindon, and then take a local onwards bus from there.
