The world’s most beautiful villages have been revealed for 2025 and a charming British village with storybook surroundings has been crowned the winner
We Brits already know that the UK is full of ridiculously pretty places, but we’re getting attention from the rest of the world as Britain is officially home to the world’s most beautiful village.
Bibury in the Cotswolds looks like it could be right out of a fairytale with its lush green surroundings, thatched cottages, and picturesque stream and bridges that make up the bulk of the area. Throw in the cosy pubs and gorgeous walking trails in the area, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s a firm favourite with tourists from around the world.
A particular highlight is Arlington Row, a street lined with 17th century cottages which locals say are “the most photographed and beautiful cottages in the country” thanks to their waterfront location along the River Coln. There are plenty of picturesque attractions in the area too from England’s oldest working trout farm to Church of St. Mary, all of which contribute to the village’s quintessentially British charm.
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It’s therefore no surprise that Bibury regularly features on rankings of the world’s prettiest and most charming villages. In fact, this year it’s taken the crown for being the ‘most beautiful village in the world’.
The team at Forbes ranked the world’s 50 most picturesque villages, with Bibury coming out top thanks to its gorgeous cottages and riverside views.
The team explained: “Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Bibury unfurls like a watercolor dream—where honey-slicked cottages line Arlington Row; their mossy roofs whispering tales of 14th-century weavers. The River Coln murmurs gently here—weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow. Nearby, Bibury Trout Farm invites visitors to feed fish or enjoy a riverside picnic, and St. Mary’s Church offers a moment of stillness amid ancient stone—while the air carries the smell of blooming lavender, mingling with freshly-baked scones.”
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With a firmly established reputation for its beauty Bibury does garner a lot of attention from tourists, meaning that it can get very busy during the peak holiday seasons. One writer visited the village this summer and was caught off guard by the crowds. Of course if you can travel outside of the school holiday seasons, then you may be able to book in on quieter periods (and during the autumn, it can be a great base from which to make the most of those beautiful autumn walks in the region).
If you are after a dose of inspiration for your next long weekend, then the UK’s ‘best autumn walking destination’ is worth adding on your radar. Not only does it boast some fairytale-worthy woodlands and trails, but it’s also tipped as one of the places where there’s the lowest chance of rain (a very useful tip considering this is Britain after all!).
You can find out more about the village on bibury.com
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