Castle Combe named among most beautiful UK villages

Castle Combe was handpicked by property experts as part of The Daily Mail’s list of 24 villages.

The article states: “With stories of rats and overflowing bins recently dominating the news, it’s easy to forget that the UK is blessed with beautiful villages dotted up and down the country. 

“But where can you find these gorgeous places? We’ve spoken to estate agents, property experts and buying agencies to bring you a selection of the UK’s prettiest villages.

“The 24 most beautiful villages in Britain have now been revealed by experts…there’s little-known ones and surprising gems - but does your favourite make the cut?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Castle Combe | England 🦆 (@castlecombeengland)

What did experts say about Castle Combe?

The Mail's article states: “With golden, stone-roofed cottages, cosy country lanes and a babbling brook, it’s no surprise that this Wiltshire village with its sweeping views across Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Dorset, and Somerset has been a filming location for Downton Abbey, War Horse and more.

“And ‘Castle Combe is the epitome of timeless Cotswold charm’, says Jonathan Hopper, CEO of Garrington Property Finders.

Patchwork fields, picturesque villages and iconic landmarks, Wiltshire is the ideal place to visit all year round... pic.twitter.com/D29vgjXxaF

— VisitWiltshire (@VisitWiltshire) April 29, 2025

“Most of the houses date back centuries and are built from honey-coloured Cotswold stone, which looks lovely all year round.

“The ancient bridge over the by Brook Valley in particular is ‘pinch yourself’ beautiful.”

What other villages made the list?

Equally stunning villages were also picked by experts, including Goudhurst, Kent, Great Budworth, Cheshire, The Mardens, West Sussex and Mells, Somerset.

Recommended reading:

• Castle Combe things to do from motorsports to river walks

• Marlborough tops Wiltshire's 'most desired' market towns

• Malmesbury named best place to live in Wiltshire as top 10 revealed

The news that Castle Combe made the most beautiful list comes shortly after two other Wiltshire villages were ranked among the 29 poshest places to live in Britain.

Biddestone and Shalbourne were both picked for their “intangible sense of a village’s so-called poshness” by The Daily Mail back in April.

The rankings added that the villages are an attraction for those with “deep enough pockets”.