Dreamy castles, enchanted woodlands, and villages that feel like they were plucked from a storybook — the UK is full of places that look like they belong in a fairytale. But here’s the catch: most travelers don’t even know they exist. Whether you’re a photographer, a history buff, or just chasing magical vibes, these 25 fairytale locations in the UK are sure to leave you spellbound in 2025.
1. Portmeirion, Wales – An Italian Village in Snowdonia
Hidden on the coast of North Wales, Portmeirion looks like something straight out of a Mediterranean daydream. Designed in the style of an Italian village by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, this private village is full of pastel buildings, domes, subtropical gardens, and seaside views.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s like stepping into a Wes Anderson film meets Alice in Wonderland.
- Location: Gwynedd, North Wales
- Visit Portmeirion’s official site
2. Dunrobin Castle, Scotland – The Highland’s Cinderella Castle
With its pointed turrets and grand gardens overlooking the North Sea, Dunrobin Castle feels like Scotland’s version of Cinderella’s palace. It’s one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the early 1300s.
- Why it feels fairytale: Turrets, secret staircases, falconry displays — it’s the stuff of royal fantasies.
- Location: Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland
- Explore Dunrobin Castle
3. Bibury, England – The Prettiest Village in the Cotswolds
Described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”, Bibury in Gloucestershire is known for its honey-colored stone cottages, especially the famous Arlington Row. This row of weavers’ cottages dates back to the 14th century and is featured in British passports.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s a postcard-perfect village where time seems frozen.
- Location: Bibury, Cotswolds, England
4. Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean – The Real-Life Middle-earth
Puzzlewood is an ancient, mossy forest in Gloucestershire that has inspired everything from The Lord of the Rings to Star Wars. Twisted roots, stone bridges, and gnarled trees make it feel like another realm.
- Why it feels fairytale: Literally used as a filming location for magical worlds.
- Location: Forest of Dean, England
- Puzzlewood Official Site
5. Tobermory, Isle of Mull – A Rainbow Harbour Village
With its colourful waterfront cottages, Tobermory looks like a children’s storybook drawing. Located on the Isle of Mull in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this seaside village is quiet, whimsical, and wildly photogenic.
- Why it feels fairytale: Rainbow buildings, sea breeze, and mountain backdrops.
- Location: Isle of Mull, Scotland
- Visit Mull & Iona
6. Ludlow Castle, Shropshire – A Forgotten Medieval Beauty
Tucked away in a small market town, Ludlow Castle is a crumbling but charming fortress with soaring towers, lush greenery, and sweeping views over the River Teme.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s like exploring the ruins of a forgotten kingdom.
- Location: Ludlow, Shropshire, England
- Ludlow Castle Official Site
7. Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland – Nature’s Fantasy Puzzle
While technically a natural phenomenon, the Giant’s Causeway is steeped in Irish legend. According to myth, it was built by a giant named Finn MacCool. The 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns look too perfect to be real.
- Why it feels fairytale: It feels like the entrance to another world — no CGI needed.
- Location: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- National Trust – Giant’s Causeway
8. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland – Spooky, Spectacular, Surreal
Planted in the 18th century, this avenue of beech trees became world-famous after featuring in Game of Thrones as the Kingsroad. But even without the TV fame, The Dark Hedges has an eerie, timeless beauty.
- Why it feels fairytale: Fog rolls in, branches twist above you… it’s haunting in the best way.
- Location: Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
- Discover Northern Ireland – Dark Hedges
9. Fingal’s Cave, Isle of Staffa – A Musical Sea Cave
Fingal’s Cave is an uninhabited sea cave with cathedral-like acoustics and hexagonal basalt columns — similar to the Giant’s Causeway but far more remote. The cave inspired composers and writers like Mendelssohn and Jules Verne.
- Why it feels fairytale: Echoing waves, volcanic geometry, and sea birds in the mist.
- Location: Isle of Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
- National Trust for Scotland – Staffa
10. Castle Combe, England – The Quintessential English Fairytale
Widely known as “the prettiest village in England”, Castle Combe is often used as a filming location for movies like Stardust and War Horse. With its medieval streets, stone bridges, and lack of modern signage, it’s pure magic.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s the village every child dreams of living in after reading bedtime stories.
- Location: Wiltshire, Cotswolds, England
- Visit Castle Combe
11. St Nectan’s Glen, Cornwall – A Waterfall Through a Sacred Forest
Hidden in a lush woodland near Tintagel (the legendary home of King Arthur), St Nectan’s Glen is a mystical gorge with a 60-foot waterfall that bursts through a hole in the rock. The trail is lined with ivy, moss, and hundreds of tiny “offerings” left by spiritual visitors.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s like entering a Celtic legend — complete with fairies, flowing water, and ancient trees.
- Location: Near Tintagel, Cornwall
- St Nectan’s Glen Official Website
12. Corfe Castle, Dorset – Ruins With a Legendary Backstory
Perched dramatically on a hill, the ruins of Corfe Castle are windswept and steeped in intrigue. Built by William the Conqueror and destroyed during the English Civil War, it’s one of England’s most iconic ghost-like castles.
- Why it feels fairytale: Mist often rolls in, giving it that enchanted, forgotten-kingdom vibe.
- Location: Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
- National Trust – Corfe Castle
13. Plockton, Scotland – A Hidden Highland Harbour
Tucked away on Scotland’s west coast, Plockton is often called the “Jewel of the Highlands.” With palm trees (thanks to the Gulf Stream), mirrored waters, and whitewashed cottages, it’s got a dreamy, unreal quality.
- Why it feels fairytale: Palm trees and mountains? In the Highlands? Yes, and it’s breathtaking.
- Location: Wester Ross, Scotland
- Visit Scotland – Plockton
14. Wistman’s Wood, Devon – The UK's Most Haunted & Ancient Forest
Wistman’s Wood is a twisted, moss-covered forest on Dartmoor that has barely changed since prehistoric times. Legend says it’s haunted by spectral hounds and druids. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, it’s mesmerizing.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s like stepping into a haunted elven forest — silent, eerie, ancient.
- Location: Dartmoor National Park, Devon
- Visit Dartmoor – Wistman’s Wood
15. Tresco Abbey Gardens, Isles of Scilly – A Tropical Oasis in England
Yes, the Isles of Scilly feel like a fantasy on their own. But Tresco Abbey Gardens, filled with exotic plants, succulents, and red squirrels, feels like something from Narnia meets the Mediterranean.
- Why it feels fairytale: Subtropical plants grow next to castle ruins. It’s surreal.
- Location: Tresco Island, Isles of Scilly
- Tresco Abbey Gardens
16. Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland – The Most Photographed Castle in the UK
Sitting on its own little island at the meeting of three sea lochs, Eilean Donan Castle is what you imagine when you think of “storybook castle.” It’s often featured in films like Highlander and The World Is Not Enough.
- Why it feels fairytale: The reflections in the loch, the mountains behind — pure cinematic magic.
- Location: Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland
- Eilean Donan Castle Official Site
17. Lavenham, Suffolk – A Real-Life Medieval Movie Set
If you want to walk through a perfectly preserved medieval village, head to Lavenham. Many of the buildings date back to the 15th century, and some scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were filmed here.
- Why it feels fairytale: Timber-framed houses, crooked roofs, and cobbled lanes. It’s like time-traveling.
- Location: Suffolk, England
18. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye – Crystal-Clear Magic in the Highlands
Set beneath the dramatic Black Cuillin mountains, the Fairy Pools are bright blue, ice-cold pools of water that look almost tropical — but they’re in Scotland. Waterfalls and rugged terrain complete the otherworldly vibe.
- Why it feels fairytale: It’s where fairies would bathe — if you can handle the freezing dip.
- Location: Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye
- Visit Isle of Skye – Fairy Pools
19. Aberdour Castle, Fife – Outlander’s Hidden Filming Spot
Often overshadowed by bigger names, Aberdour Castle is one of the oldest standing stone castles in Scotland. The gardens are quiet, lush, and filled with blooming flowers in spring — perfect for a peaceful, storybook escape.
- Why it feels fairytale: Peaceful ruins, secret paths, and historic gardens — it’s like a forgotten realm.
- Location: Aberdour, Fife, Scotland
- Historic Environment Scotland – Aberdour Castle
20. Haworth, West Yorkshire – Brontë Country’s Romantic Village
Haworth is the village that inspired the Brontë sisters’ novels, and walking through it feels like stepping into Jane Eyre. The cobbled streets, moors, and rolling hills are wrapped in mist and mystery.
- Why it feels fairytale: Literary charm, moody moors, and Victorian beauty.
- Location: West Yorkshire, England
21. Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, Wales – A Castle Where Water Meets History
Nestled beside a peaceful millpond that reflects its towers perfectly, Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire is a mix of Norman architecture and Tudor elegance. Right beside it sits the only restored tidal mill in Wales — adding to its unique charm.
- Why it feels fairytale: Swans gliding on a mirror-like lake beside castle ruins? Pure storybook scenery.
- Location: Carew, Pembrokeshire, Wales
22. Shanklin Old Village, Isle of Wight – A Chocolate-Box Hamlet
Shanklin Old Village is a small, delightfully preserved corner of the Isle of Wight filled with thatched cottages, tea rooms, and blooming gardens. It’s like a live-action Beatrix Potter world.
- Why it feels fairytale: You half-expect to see tiny woodland animals wearing waistcoats and bonnets.
- Location: Isle of Wight, England
- Visit Isle of Wight – Shanklin
23. Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland – Mysterious and Ornate
Famous from The Da Vinci Code, Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century church just outside Edinburgh, known for its intricate carvings of angels, dragons, and the mythical “Green Man.” It’s shrouded in myth, mystery, and masonic legend.
- Why it feels fairytale: A mystical chapel wrapped in ivy, secrets, and spiritual lore.
- Location: Midlothian, Scotland
- Rosslyn Chapel Official Website
24. Tarr Steps, Somerset – A Prehistoric Stone Bridge in an Enchanted Forest
Deep in Exmoor National Park lies the ancient Tarr Steps, a 3,000-year-old clapper bridge made of massive flat stones spanning the River Barle. The surrounding woodland is dense and peaceful — like something out of The Hobbit.
- Why it feels fairytale: Mossy stones, dappled light, bubbling rivers — classic fantasy setting.
- Location: Exmoor, Somerset, England.
25. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland – Hogwarts Express, Anyone?
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll instantly recognize the Glenfinnan Viaduct — the iconic railway bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses. But even beyond the wizarding world, it’s a marvel of architecture set in a spellbinding Highland landscape.
- Why it feels fairytale: A steam train winding through mountains over a sweeping stone bridge? Instant magic.
- Location: Glenfinnan, Scottish Highlands
- Visit Scotland – Glenfinnan Viaduct
Final Thoughts
The UK isn’t just castles and countryside — it’s a place of mystery, folklore, and wonder. Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of legends or simply escape the everyday, these fairytale places will make your 2025 travels unforgettable.
So, what are you waiting for? Dust off your boots and start planning your magical adventure.
Pro Travel Tips:
Book in advance if visiting during summer or school holidays. These hidden gems are no longer secrets!
If you’re photographing these locations, visit at sunrise for fewer crowds and better light.
Respect local communities — especially in remote villages.
FAQs – Fairytale Places in the UK (2025)
Q: Are these locations easy to reach by public transport?
A: Most are accessible via train or coach with a short taxi ride. Portmeirion and Puzzlewood may require a car.
Q: Can I visit all of these places in one trip?
A: Not easily — they’re spread across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Best to focus on one region at a time.
Q: Are these places suitable for kids?
A: Absolutely! Spots like Puzzlewood, Portmeirion, and Castle Combe are especially family-friendly.
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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.
