Quaint village frozen in time, built into a cliffside and famous for its royal connection
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
There’s something truly special about some of Britain’s seaside villages that feel as though time has stood still.
These are the kind of places where cobbled streets have been walked for centuries, where life moves at a gentle pace, and where there’s no rush or crowd pushing past like on a busy city tube.
Villages like this are rare, and many that were once hidden treasures have long been discovered, now swarmed by coachloads of tourists every summer.
Travel writers often call places like this “hidden gems,” but Clovelly is something else entirely.
Its steep cliffside setting and winding narrow lanes have protected it from the usual crowds, as large groups simply can’t make their way through its tiny streets.
Cars are banned on most of its roads, just like in centuries past. Instead, you’ll see donkeys carrying goods for locals and giving children gentle rides along the beach, keeping old traditions alive.
This magical village is Clovelly, a postcard-perfect spot on the north coast of Devon. With its white cottages, flower-filled balconies and sweeping sea views, it has long been loved by those lucky enough to discover it.
But Clovelly’s charm isn’t its only claim to fame. It was once owned by royalty, not Queen Elizabeth II, but England’s very first crowned queen, Matilda of Flanders.
The estate originally belonged to William the Conqueror, who gifted it to his wife. It remained a private royal village for hundreds of years before being passed to the Giffard family, who kept it quietly hidden for nearly eight centuries.
Today, Clovelly is owned by the Hon. John Rous, whose mother was a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, giving this peaceful village a surprising royal connection.
The beauty of Clovelly has also inspired great artists and writers. The painter J.M.W. Turner captured its coastline on canvas, and Charles Dickens even wrote about it in his 1860 story A Message from the Sea.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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