20 villages so pretty they should be on a postcard

From sleepy rural villages to quaint coastal spots, the UK is blessed with some impressive quaint villages. On the hunt for staycation inspiration? We've rounded up the top must-visit villages around the country, including Tenby in Wales, Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and glorious Portmeirion.

Take a look at the full list below...

This quintessentially English village is known as the 'prettiest village in England' — and we can see why. With its ancient, honey-hued Cotswold stone cottages and idyllic countryside views, it's a Wiltshire gem worth exploring.

This enchanting Italianate-style village is situated on the coast of North Wales, and is most famous for being the setting of the cult television program The Prisoner. Planning a summer staycation? Add this one to your must-visit list.

Over in Hampshire, the idyllic village of Beaulieu is steeped in history from the medieval days. Whether it's enjoying a riverside picnic or exploring the charming High Street, Beaulieu offers heaps to do.

Ah, Whitby! Situated on the east coast of Yorkshire, this seaside town really does have it all. With its picturesque port and stunning coastline, a visit here will have you yearning to come back every year.

One of Wales' top seaside towns, Tenby is the perfect place to spend a few weeks in the summer. It might be a popular tourist destination, but it still has plenty of charm that makes it so special.

Not only does this market town look beautiful but it also plays host to an annual Christmas tree festival where all trees are sourced locally. Have you visited before?

This idyllic village lies in the valley of the River Cuckmere and is home to the Cathedral of the South Downs. Here, you'll enjoy a slower pace of life.

Beddgelert is undoubtedly Snowdonia's loveliest village. Rich in character, history and unrivalled views, this picturesque stone-built village is ideal for ramblers to spend a long weekend. Don't forget your hiking boots.

How glorious! This picturesque old fishing village looks like something from a postcard, with charming cottages, towering cliffs and cobbled lanes.

Home to the Bronte sisters and no doubt a heavy influence in English literature, Haworth in North Yorkshire is a charming village amongst the rolling Yorkshire moors. A long, steep cobbled street lined with old-fashioned curiosity shop types makes for picture-perfect winter scenes.

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Lustleigh is a small village situated in the Wrey Valley, Dartmoor National Park. Here you will find thatched cottages and frosty forest walks. Dreamy!

This undiscovered gem is populated with historic mills dating back to as early as 1200. Here, the fountain in the Village Centre provides the perfect setting for a winter wonderland but, if you fancy a little more hustle and bustle, Edinburgh is only a short journey away.

Malpas is a picturesque village deep in the south Cheshire countryside; which still retains its Norman motte and bailey castle, as well as a medieval street pattern. If the views alone aren't enough, there is local shopping and cosy rural pubs aplenty.

The village of Braemar in Royal Deeside is at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and acts as the eastern gateway to the Cairngorm Mountains. Braemar is surrounded by spectacular highland scenery and has welcomed travellers and visitors, from cattle drovers to Kings, throughout its long and colourful history.

These twinned villages, linked by a dainty river, derive their names from 'wet' or 'mud' but, despite this, provide for the most eye-wateringly beautiful streets. Lower Slaughter is home to the most romantic street in Britain, Copse Road, according to a Google street view poll.

With cobbled streets lined by historic buildings, it's no wonder this was one of the filming locations for Christmas film The Holiday. Godalming lies in arguably the finest countryside of southern England and is sure to captivate those who visit.

A pretty collection of brick and flint cottages, a Jacobean Manor and the Old Rectory create a winter wonderland scene in Hambledon, nestled in one of the most attractive valleys of the Chiltern hills.

Take a walk through the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds' and take in the thatched cottages sprinkled with snow and look for the snowdrops adorning the winding country lanes. The winter scenes here are a sure showstopper.

A village and civil parish in rural Wiltshire, Lacock is entirely owned by the National Trust in order to preserve the untouched beauty. Lacock Abbey is over 800-years-old and the village itself has been used as a filming location for Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey; making it easy to see how both magic and history come to life in this serene wonderland.

Stunning views and beautiful stone buildings are the crown jewels to this Yorkshire Dales village, and when December comes around it is host to the original Dickensian festival.

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