Why it's best to go west for peace and tranquility: Two locations in Wiltshire top list of best countryside places for escaping the madding crowd
In the hunt for the perfect peaceful village, you should head to the South West.
Avebury and Castle Combe – both in Wiltshire – have topped a list of the best countryside villages and towns for escaping the madding crowd.
Joint second place went to Wells in Somerset, which, despite its size and charm, is technically a city due to its cathedral.
Consumer champion Which? questioned 2,000 of its members in its search for the top spots.
Avebury, which is surrounded by a prehistoric stone circle, received a destination score of 90 per cent, and was given five stars for scenery and attractions.
It received four stars for peace and quiet, attractiveness, and value for money.
Avebury, which is surrounded by a prehistoric stone circle, received a destination score of 90 per cent, and was given five stars for scenery and attractions.
Avebury and Castle Combe – both in Wiltshire – have topped a list of the best countryside villages and towns for escaping the madding crowd. Pictured: Castle Combe
Which? said: ‘Along with its Neolithic sites, Avebury also offers visitors a 16th century manor house and garden managed by the National Trust, the Alexander Keiller Museum displaying many of the archaeological finds from the area, and a quaint village pub with a thatched roof.’
Castle Combe won praise for its pretty honey-coloured houses and twisting lanes, complete with a babbling brook.
Which? said: ‘The quintessentially English village of Castle Combe was given five stars for scenery and attractiveness. The village has appeared in a number of cinematic productions including War Horse and Downton Abbey, and is revered as one of England’s prettiest villages.’
Wells, the smallest city in England, received five stars for tourist attractions such as Vicars’ Close, a complete medieval street. The Victorian model village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire came fourth, with four stars for tourist attractions, shopping, peace and quiet, and value for money.
Wells, the smallest city in England located in Somerset, received five stars for tourist attractions such as Vicars’ Close, a complete medieval street
At the bottom of the table was Bodmin in Cornwall with a destination score of 55 per cent. Visitors nevertheless spoke highly of its cycle trail and tourist attractions including the historic Bodmin Jail.
Matlock Bath in Derbyshire was second from bottom with 65 per cent but tourists said they enjoyed its riverside walks.
The Victorian model village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire came fourth, with four stars for tourist attractions, shopping, peace and quiet, and value for money