Tiny Bibury in the Cotswolds is a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful stone cottages, the famous Arlington Row and its status as the ‘most beautiful village in England’
A quaint village home to fewer than 700 people is also ‘one of the prettiest spots in the world’.
The small hamlet of Bibury, nestled by the River Coln in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, is visited by tourists eager to soak up its English allure. Despite its diminutive size, Bibury has earned a spot on Love Exploring’s list as one of Earth’s most beautiful small towns.
None other than the esteemed textile artist William Morris was captivated by Bibury, hailing it as “the most beautiful village in England”. Today, tourists are enchanted by its picturesque stone cottages with their charmingly steep roofs, once homes to weavers from the nearby Arlington Mill.
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Arlington Row is picture perfect – a neat stretch of ancient cottages dating back to the 1300s and now in the care of the National Trust. This photogenic lane not only graces UK passports but also stole scenes in the fantasy flick Stardust starring Hollywood stars like Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Bibury, while serene in its tranquillity, isn’t brimming with activities. Yet, its main attraction is a trout farm where visitors can scatter food pellets to the eagerly awaiting fish below.
The village is also graced with a historical church, a classic old shop, a welcoming pub, a restaurant and a couple of cafes. Adjacent to the village meanders the River Coln, hemmed by a path leading to Rack Isle, formerly frequented for wool dying from sheep of the surrounding hills.
The charming village of Bibury holds a special allure for Japanese tourists, who flock to the area in coachloads, drawn by the legacy of Emperor Hirohito’s 1921 visit.
While it can get crowded in the summer, the village’s picturesque charm remains unspoiled.
Visitors can park in one of the several car parks and explore the surrounding Cotswold villages, Blenheim Palace, Cotswold Water Park, and Westonbirt Arboretum, all within easy reach.
Reviewers on Tripadvisor have lavished praise on Bibury, describing it as “one of the Cotswolds’ best”, “a quintessential chocolate box town”, and extolling the river and surrounding area as “nature at its best”.
One visitor waxed poetic, saying: “In a world where traffic congestion, pollution, crime and overcrowding make the quality of life so poor, this is a reminder that the planet still has little pockets of beauty tucked away.
“If your God has a holiday home, it’s probably here.” With an array of accommodation options, from hotels to holiday homes, visitors can find the perfect base to explore Bibury and its surroundings.
The village is easily accessible by car via the B4425 and the M4 or M5, or by train to Swindon, Kemble, and Cheltenham Spa.