The picturesque village of Bibury is often referred to as the “most beautiful village in England” – and it’s easy to see why, with its charming cottages, tranquil river and stunning natural beauty
The Cotswolds village of Bibury, nestled in Gloucestershire, has been likened to “stepping into a postcard”, with its charming homes and tranquil waterway earning high praise from visitors.
Famed artist and textile designer William Morris once declared Bibury as the “most beautiful village in England”.
This picturesque hamlet draws tourists from all corners of the globe, who are charmed by its lovely architecture, local trout farm and stunning scenery.
Arlington Row, a line of cottages, is the most photographed spot in the village.
These homes were initially built in 1380 as a monastic wool store before being transformed into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century, reports Gloucestershire Live.
In times past, the cloth produced at Arlington Row was taken to the mill and hung on wooden frames for degreasing, according to the Express.
While most of these historic cottages are privately rented, one is available as a holiday rental, offering guests a unique opportunity to experience life in this idyllic setting.
If you hold a British passport, you may already be familiar with this delightful row of cottages – a vibrant photo of Arlington Row graced the inside of all passports issued between 2010 and 2015.
Visitors strolling through the village can also discover the Bibury Trout Farm, established in 1902 and one of the oldest of its kind in Britain.
Visitors can observe feeding sessions for the fish and discover fascinating details about trout lifecycles – while also catching glimpses of ducks, swans, kingfishers, geese and the elusive water vole. The farm also provides a selection of fresh and smoked trout, along with an assortment of seafood, locally baked bread, free-range eggs and artisan cheeses.
One visitor took to TripAdvisor to describe Bibury as “is like stepping into a postcard”.
They added: “The charming village, with its picturesque cottages and tranquil river, feels like a scene from a fairy tale. Wandering along Arlington Row, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the ancient stone buildings, their honey-coloured walls.”
Another guest shared: “A lovely little piece of old England, we visited at 10am on Saturday morning, it was already hard to park in the village, but the trout farm had 2 lovely car parks with a short walk back to the village and very reasonably priced!”.
A third reviewer said: “Bibury lived up to expectations. A beautiful, picturesque village. The river stream is tranquil, full of trout and smaller fish and foul. The two bridges are lovely, Arlington Row is the perfect picture spot.”
Numerous tourists have commended Arlington Row and the surrounding countryside splendour, with one saying: “This will surely become your favourite place. Walk by the stunning river watching the ducks and swans and cross over the bridge to Arlington Row. Spend a few hours here and you will fall in love with it.”
