It's Official: This Charming, Storybook English Village Is The Most Beautiful In The World

Arts and crafts pioneer and 19th-century artist William Morris described this corner of the pastoral Cotswolds countryside as "the most beautiful village in England." The sentiment clearly resonates across generations, as Bibury was just crowned the most beautiful village in the world.

The recognition by Forbes' 2025 ranking of the world's most beautiful villages awarded Bibury the top spot on a list of 50 destinations. As if you needed more reasons to visit England, this postcard-perfect village exemplifies what makes the country such a perfect spot for first-time travelers. It's safe, friendly, and easy for English-speakers to navigate and communicate with locals. Exploring the charming Cotswolds countryside feels like stepping back in time, where history feels tangible and villages seem to grow organically from the landscape. None bear this standard better than Bibury, on the banks of the River Coln. The quaint stone and slate cottages are such a national treasure that the main row even featured in official British passports.

The buttery limestone buildings, with their distinctive steep roofs and mullioned windows, and winding streams, complete with adorable waddling ducks and graceful swans, add to the village storybook atmosphere. Traditional English gardens, neatly framed by waist-high dry stone walls, burst with color against the ancient architecture, creating a streetscape so perfect it appears almost impossibly quaint.

The Cotswolds is a favorite spot in England to relax and recharge, and the crown jewel is Bibury, most particularly Arlington Row, a collection of weavers' cottages that seems plucked straight from a fairy tale. Arlington Row forms one of the most spectacular rows of historic cottages located in the Cotswolds. The village's roots stretch back to Saxon times, but its current appearance largely reflects its medieval heyday as a center for the wool trade that made the Cotswolds prosperous. Arlington Row dates back to around 1380 when it was first used as a wool store. In the 17th century it was converted into the weavers' cottages that still remain today.

Bibury also features one of the oldest trout farms in England, providing a working glimpse into local traditions, where visitors can try their hand at fishing or simply enjoy fresh trout or other local dishes prepared on site. For further refreshments and at meal times you can head to the picturesque Catherine Wheel Pub or the Swan Hotel — perhaps even a table al fresco if weather permits.

With a population of around just 600 residents, this Gloucestershire gem has now achieved global recognition for its extraordinary charm. Part of what drives visitors in droves to Bibury is a nostalgic dream of simpler times when time flowed as gently as the River Coln. Ironically, this appeal comes with a price. The village's charm lies not only in what you see but also in what you do not. (There are no billboards, big box store, highways, or chain hotel brands.) But that means when 20,000 visitors descend on the small community, the roads, parking spots, and services, heave under the weight of all the attention.

To help keep things under control, consider staying in the nearby town of Cirencester. It serves as a convenient base for exploring Bibury and the surrounding region, and offer more accommodation options and amenities while remaining within the authentic Cotswold character. From there, you can catch the local bus into Bibury. If traveling from further afield by train, Kemble is the nearest station, just 14 miles from Bibury. Bibury is quieter from autumn to early spring, and just as lovely but with fewer crowds.

The setting is so dreamlike that is easy to forget Bibury remains a living village. While the famous cottages on Arlington Row are owned by heritage preservation agency The National Trust, they are all leased as private homes except for one that is available as a holiday rental. As picturesque as they are, people live in these cottages, so resist the temptation to peek inside. Nobody wants to be papped just as they tuck into their Sunday roast.