There’s something undeniably magical about small towns in the UK. Cobblestone streets, thatched-roof cottages, rolling green hills, and storybook charm—it’s no wonder so many British towns have doubled as film sets or inspired directors across the world. Whether you’re a film buff, a lover of all things quaint, or someone who just wants to experience a slower pace of life, these 15 towns will transport you into a movie scene you’ll never want to leave.
1. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Often called “the prettiest village in England”.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a period drama, Castle Combe will exceed expectations. Nestled in the Cotswolds, this village has remained virtually unchanged since the 1600s. It’s so picturesque that Steven Spielberg’s War Horse and Stardust used it as a backdrop.
There are no modern signs or overhead wires—just honey-colored stone cottages, a babbling brook, and a 14th-century market cross at the heart of the town. It’s not touristy, and that’s part of its charm. Visit during the early morning to hear the birdsong echoing through the empty lanes—it genuinely feels like time has paused.
Don’t miss:
Afternoon tea at The Old Rectory Tearoom
Walks through the surrounding By Brook Valley
Nearby filming location: Lacock Abbey (also used in Harry Potter)
2. Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The colourful harbour town that feels like a Wes Anderson set.
Portree is the heart of the Isle of Skye—and it looks like it leapt out of a dream. With its pastel-painted waterfront cottages and dramatic coastal cliffs, it’s cinematic from every angle. Though smaller and remote, it has big character.
It’s the perfect base for exploring some of Scotland’s most iconic natural wonders, including the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr (both featured in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus). The town’s peaceful setting, misty lochs, and Gaelic soul feel like something from a fantasy film.
Don’t miss:
Dinner at The Lower Deck overlooking the harbor
A boat trip to spot seals and sea eagles
A day hike to the Fairy Pools
3. Rye, East Sussex
A medieval hilltop town frozen in time.
Rye is where cobblestones meet centuries-old timbered homes, and where every corner tells a story. With its winding alleys, ancient inns, and panoramic views of the English Channel, it’s no surprise that it’s been featured in everything from Mapp and Lucia to The Monuments Men.
Stroll down Mermaid Street (arguably one of the most photographed streets in England) and you’ll feel like you’ve walked onto the set of a historical drama. Even the pubs, like The Mermaid Inn, date back to the 12th century and come with secret passageways.
Don’t miss:
Rye Castle Museum for a dose of history
Camber Sands beach just a short drive away
A ghost tour at night (if you dare)
4. Crail, Fife, Scotland
A coastal gem that looks like a painter’s canvas.
Tucked away in Scotland’s East Neuk, Crail is a tiny fishing village with crooked lanes, weathered stone cottages, and a harbor that seems untouched by modern life. It’s a place where lobster pots sit stacked by the docks, and the smell of fresh sea air fills your lungs.
Crail has a special calmness—especially at golden hour, when the light hits the sea and the houses glow. It’s been featured in Scottish travel films and period-style advertisements, but it still remains under-the-radar for most tourists.
Don’t miss:
Fresh crab sandwiches at Crail Harbour Gallery & Tearoom
Local artwork at Crail Pottery
The annual Crail Food Festival (every June)
5. Bibury, Gloucestershire
The postcard-perfect village that charmed William Morris.
Bibury isn’t just beautiful—it’s iconic. Arlington Row, with its ivy-covered cottages and flower-filled gardens, is one of the most photographed spots in the UK and has even appeared on the inside cover of British passports.
Bibury inspired artist and writer William Morris to call it “the most beautiful village in England”—and that’s saying something. The town has been a filming location for Bridget Jones’s Diary and even Stardust. You’ll understand why when you see the River Coln flowing gently by and trout darting beneath its crystal waters.
Don’t miss:
Arlington Row for photos and peaceful walks
Bibury Trout Farm (you can even catch your own lunch)
A scenic walk to Coln St Aldwyns
6. Clovelly, Devon
A car-free cliffside village with storybook vibes.
Clovelly is like stepping into a coastal fairytale. This privately-owned village tumbles down a steep hill towards the sea, with whitewashed cottages draped in wisteria and cobbled streets so steep they use donkeys and sledges for transport.
Used as a filming location for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Clovelly’s timelessness is preserved by design—no modern signage, and cars are banned. It’s a place where the 19th century never left.
Don’t miss:
A walk down to Clovelly Harbour
Fresh seafood at The Red Lion by the water
The Donkey Stables & Visitor Centre
- Plan your visit to Clovelly
7. Painswick, Gloucestershire
A Cotswold village straight from a Jane Austen novel.
Known as “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, Painswick is filled with creamy stone cottages, Georgian architecture, and countryside views that scream Pride and Prejudice. It’s one of those places where you expect to see a film crew around every corner—and sometimes, you do.
The village’s 99 yew trees at St. Mary’s Church and its narrow streets make it a favorite for period dramas. If you love peaceful walks, quaint cafés, and historical charm, Painswick is worth lingering in.
Don’t miss:
Afternoon tea at The Painswick Hotel
Rococo Garden, a hidden valley escape
Walking the Cotswold Way trail
- Visit Painswick’s official guide
8. Haworth, West Yorkshire
The Brontë sisters’ hauntingly beautiful hometown.
If moody landscapes, Victorian streets, and literary charm sound appealing, Haworth will feel like a movie set designed just for you. This West Yorkshire gem inspired Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, and it shows.
With the rugged moors rolling in the distance and a preserved steam railway chugging through the hills, it’s not hard to see why filmmakers and novelists are drawn to it. Haworth’s cobbled Main Street has hardly changed since the Brontës walked it.
Don’t miss:
Brontë Parsonage Museum
A ride on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (featured in The Railway Children)
Yorkshire Dales day trip
9. Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales
A pastel-coloured seaside town with cinematic cliff views.
Tenby is pure coastal charm. Pastel-painted buildings overlook golden beaches and turquoise waters, and medieval walls still wrap around the town. It’s a place where time slows down—and the views take center stage.
Featured in documentaries and Welsh films, Tenby’s harbor is especially scenic during golden hour. Whether you’re wandering the narrow lanes or exploring St. Catherine’s Island (featured in Sherlock), it feels like a vibrant film backdrop waiting to be explored.
Don’t miss:
The boat trip to Caldey Island
Strolls on Castle Beach
Gelato from The Dennis Café
10. Staithes, North Yorkshire
A hidden fishing village that could double as a fantasy film set.
Perched between cliffs on the Yorkshire coast, Staithes looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film or Cornish adventure tale. Once home to Captain James Cook, it’s now a haven for artists, writers, and quiet-seekers.
With boats bobbing in the tiny harbor and narrow alleys winding between crooked cottages, Staithes has an undeniably cinematic quality. It was also the filming location for the BBC’s Old Jack’s Boat, starring Bernard Cribbins.
Don’t miss:
Rock pooling and fossil hunting
Staithes Art Gallery
A pint at Cod and Lobster with sea spray in the air
11. Lavenham, Suffolk
A medieval masterpiece straight out of Harry Potter.
Walking through Lavenham is like entering a medieval time capsule. Once one of England’s richest wool towns, its crooked timber-framed houses and narrow lanes make it a living film set. In fact, Lavenham stood in for Godric’s Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
The town’s unique charm comes from its perfectly preserved 15th- and 16th-century buildings, each more characterful than the last. It’s a dream for history lovers, photographers, and fans of all things magical.
Don’t miss:
Little Hall heritage museum
Afternoon tea at The Swan at Lavenham
Guided ghost walk through medieval alleys
12. Cushendun, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones landscapes meet coastal serenity.
Cushendun is small, remote, and utterly cinematic. Located in Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast & Glens, this village is famous for its Game of Thrones cave scene where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow creature.
But beyond its film fame, Cushendun is truly peaceful—whitewashed cottages, dramatic cliffs, and views of Scotland across the sea. Designed in Cornish style by architect Clough Williams-Ellis (yes, the same visionary behind Portmeirion), it’s an unexpected gem.
Don’t miss:
Cushendun Caves (GoT fans, this is a must!)
Glenmona House and scenic walking trails
Exploring nearby Glendun viaduct and Glenariff Forest
13. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland
The Highland town with poetic soul and cinematic scenery.
Set on the banks of the River Tay and surrounded by forested hills, Aberfeldy is pure Scottish poetry—literally. It inspired Robert Burns’ famous poem The Birks of Aberfeldy, and today its tranquil trails, 18th-century bridge, and misty woodlands feel like something out of Outlander.
It’s a quieter, less-touristy alternative to nearby Pitlochry, offering Highland beauty without the crowds. Ideal for a movie-style escape into nature.
Don’t miss:
The Falls of Moness and Birks of Aberfeldy trail
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Whisky Distillery
Watermill Bookshop & Café (a local favorite)
- Explore Aberfeldy’s natural wonders
14. Beddgelert, Snowdonia, Wales
A legendary village beneath a dragon’s mountain.
Beddgelert is nestled in the heart of Snowdonia National Park—and it’s the kind of place that feels lifted from an epic fantasy film. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the village is tied to the legend of Gelert, the faithful dog of a Welsh prince.
Its stone cottages, flower-filled bridges, and views of Mount Snowdon give it a cinematic, Tolkien-esque feel. It’s perfect for hikers, history lovers, and anyone chasing that “secret fairytale town” vibe.
Don’t miss:
Walk to Gelert’s Grave and the scenic Aberglaslyn Pass
Ride the Welsh Highland Railway
Local lamb dishes at Hebog Eat café
15. Stamford, Lincolnshire
A period drama lover’s dream town.
Stamford is what happens when you mix regal architecture, English gardens, and preserved Georgian charm. No wonder it’s been used in multiple films and TV series—most famously Pride & Prejudice (2005, starring Keira Knightley), where it stood in for Meryton.
With over 600 listed buildings, it’s one of the best-preserved towns in England. It’s often overlooked by international travelers, but those who go are rewarded with grand facades, elegant squares, and old-world English charm.
Don’t miss:
Burghley House (filming location for The Da Vinci Code)
The George Hotel for an upscale lunch
Walking the River Welland trail
Final Thoughts
These five small towns may not have skyscrapers or nightclubs, but they do have character, charm, and cinematic beauty that’s hard to replicate. Whether you’re a traveler looking for that “off the beaten path” magic, or someone who just wants to wander through the scenes of your favorite films, each of these villages will leave a lasting impression.
FAQs – Small Towns in the UK That Look Like Movie Sets
Q: What’s the best time to visit these small UK towns?
A: Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant scenery.
Q: Are these towns suitable for solo travelers or families?
A: Yes! They’re all safe, walkable, and offer family-friendly accommodation and activities.
Q: Can you reach these towns by public transport?
A: Most are accessible by train or local bus from nearby cities. Castle Combe and Bibury may require a short taxi ride.
Q: Are any of these towns featured in real movies?
A: Yes! Castle Combe (War Horse), Rye (The Monuments Men), and Bibury (Bridget Jones’s Diary) have all been used as filming locations.
Related Post you may like:
I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
