The villages of Britain evoke a sense of timelessness and peace, though each is unique and offers its own brand of "Britishness". Here are some of our favourite villages and small towns throughout the UK.

Ambleside, Cumbria - Famous for its Lake District scenery and its association with poet William Wordsworth.

Bibury, Gloucestershire - A sleeping gem among English villages, Bibury was once described as "the most beautiful village in England," and for good reason.

Braemar, Highlands - The home of the Highland Games is the epitome of a Highland village.

Bransgore, Hampshire - Unspoilt Hampshire village on the edge of the New Forest

Culross, Fife - The tiny Fife village of Culross is home to Culross Palace, which isn't actually a palace, but a prosperous merchant's house.

Diss, Norfolk - Old courtyards and twisty streets lend character to the old market town of Diss, in Norfolk.

Dunster, Somerset - a village steeped in history and charm.

Eyam, Derbyshire - The tiny village of Eyam in Derbyshire was the scene of historic drama during the Great Plague.

Goudhurst, Kent - a singularly beautiful village that was once a centre of the weaving industry.

Grasmere, Cumbria - Grasmere is set in beautiful Lake District scenery - a wonderful centre for walking and former home of poet William Wordsworth.

Hawes, Yorkshire - a bustlingvillage at the head of scenic Wensleydale.

Kendal, Cumbria - one of the most lovely of Cumbria's lakeland villages.

Lacock, Wiltshire - Lacock is a village lost in time, a beautifully preserved Cotswold village owned entirely by the National Trust.

Lavenham, Suffolk - a town famous for its half-timbered buildings and superb "wool church".

Llangollen, Wales - The scenic Welsh vilage of Llangollen is home to the International Musical Eisteddfod.

Lynton & Lynmouth, Devon - The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are charming reminders of Britain's past - for different reasons.

Ravenglass, Cumbria - the only coastal village within the Lake District national park.

Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire - this former smuggling centre is a labyrinth of streets and cottages piled on top of one another, clinging like wild goats to the cliffside.

Rye, East Sussex - once a bustling seaport, head of the ancient Cinque Ports.

Wedmore, Somerset - Perched high on a hill overlooking the Somerset Levels, Wedmore was the scene of high drama in the days of Alfred the Great.

See also
Irish & British Villages
a central hub for all mainland Britain
villages and village magazine web sites.

VillageNet
Historical and Topical Guide to the Villages in Kent and East Sussex UK.

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Villages Editor is Barbara Ballard