Lap up England at its peaceful peak
NOW that the summer crowds have melted away, it’s the perfect time to soak up the atmosphere in some of England’s enchanting towns and villages. KATIE ROWE has a selection of the best to visit…
MOUSEHOLE, CORNWALL
THIS Cornish village just oozes charm and character, with local granite houses huddled near the water’s edge and a compact harbour that sparkles with an impressive light show every Christmas. It’s easy to see why poet Dylan Thomas described it as ‘the loveliest village in England’. Along the harbour road you’ll find galleries, gift shops and restaurants, while the harbour is home to a sandy beach at low tide, and – best of all – the Ship Inn, where you can watch the boats sail by over a pint of St Austell ale or a meal of freshly caught fish and chips.
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE
ONLY an hour from London, Newbury is a well-heeled market town surrounded by sublime English countryside. It’s also home to Highclere Castle, more famously known as the set of Downton Abbey. Gin-lovers will be in their element on a tour of the Bombay Sapphire distillery at nearby Laverstoke, while fans of horse-racing should add November 26 to their diary for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury races. Why not top it all off with a stay at the sumptuous Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa, the perfect place for a few days of peace and quiet this autumn?
LAVENHAM, SUFFOLK
IN THIS medieval jewel, the wonky doors and houses that slouch over alleyways are all part of the village’s olde-worlde charm. Some telegraph poles have even been removed and phone lines buried to enhance the historical atmosphere. Among the winding cobbled streets lined with halftimbered houses and pink cottages, some of which have been around since the reign of Henry VIII, you’ll find little tearooms, galleries and The Angel Hotel, famed for its hearty pub food served in a cosy setting. And when it comes to retail therapy, there are
APPLEDORE, DEVON
SLOW down the pace with an escape to one of the West’s best-kept secrets. Perched on the North Devon coastline, where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet, is Appledore, where you can explore winding streets lined with fishermen’s cottages, many dating from Tudor times. Live like a local, stopping by the independent shops, galleries and cafes before swotting up on the village’s past at the Maritime Museum, or opt for a boat trip from the quay. Before dusk, make your way to the Beaver Inn, order a pint of local cider and pull up a pew on the patio to enjoy views across the Torridge Estuary. Once the sun has dipped behind the fishing boats, stick around for live music or order the catch of the day.