Clovelly is a village in Devon that has been largely untouched by time, and has a very surprising royal connection
There’s a unique charm to some of the British coastal towns and villages that seem as though they’ve been preserved in time.
These are places where cobbled lanes have been trodden for centuries, life moves at a leisurely pace, and you’re not constantly jostled on the tube.
Such spots are rare, and many of these charming villages were discovered long ago, becoming the unwitting targets of busloads of tourists.
Travel writers often wax lyrical about “hidden gems,” but this is something else. Its cliff-side location and winding, narrow streets appear to have shielded it from throngs of holidaymakers who can’t navigate its tight lanes.
With motor vehicles banned from many of its roads, just like in the olden days, donkeys do much of the heavy lifting, helping locals transport their goods and even offering traditional beach rides, reports the Express.
This village is Clovelly, a picture-perfect spot on the north Devon coast. With its whitewashed cottages, flower-adorned balconies, and panoramic sea views, it has long been a favourite among those fortunate enough to know of its existence.
But beyond its unique mode of transport, Clovelly boasts an impressive claim to fame, having once been owned by a Queen – not our current monarch, but England’s first ever crowned Queen, Matilda of Flanders.
Initially, the estate belonged to William the Conqueror, who presented it to his wife, where it remained a private Royal settlement for centuries, until the Giffard family took ownership and it stayed relatively obscure for the following 800 years.
Currently it is owned by the Hon. John Rous, whose mother shared blood ties with the late Queen Elizabeth II, providing the village with a Royal connection that’s both surprising and remarkable.
The scenic Devon location has also sparked some of the finest creative masterpieces of its era. J. M. W. Turner captured the village’s shoreline on canvas, whilst Charles Dickens featured it in his 1860 short tale “A Message from the Sea.”
One delighted visitor sharing feedback on TripAdvisor said: “Clovelly is a beautiful village to visit, and I have been visiting with my family for the last 30 years. Yes, you pay to enter (like most historical landmarks), and yes, it’s steep! Both of which are well-advertised on the website before visiting.
“There really is no other village quite like it in the UK. The beauty of Clovelly is how it remains unchanged and hopefully will remain this way for many years to come.”
Meanwhile another added: “We were very lucky that when we first arrived at the car park it was lunch time and it was raining cats and dogs (mid-July) so we decided to have our packed lunch in the car.”
Boasting historic streets, iconic donkeys, and breathtaking views, Clovelly is a hidden gem in England that’s worth visiting on a trip to Devon – even if it does set you back £9.50.