The charming village with Britain’s prettiest street that feels frozen in time
- UK Hidden Gems
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
Hidden in the heart of the Cotswolds, there’s a stunning little street that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.
This hidden gem, in the village of Bibury, Gloucestershire, has been attracting visitors from around the world for hundreds of years, and once you see it for yourself, it’s clear to see why.
The row of golden stone cottages sits beside the River Coln, surrounded by soft green hills, and is often called the prettiest street in England.
It’s one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds, even appearing inside UK passports between 2010 and 2015. The street has captured the hearts of everyone from artists to royals.
Arlington Row has a history that goes back over 600 years. The buildings were first built in 1380 as a store for wool, reminding visitors of the Cotswolds’ busy medieval wool trade.
In the late 1600s, they were turned into small cottages for weavers who made cloth to be finished at Arlington Mill across the road. The finished fabric was then dried on wooden racks in a nearby meadow called Rack Isle.
The cottages have remained beautifully preserved over the centuries.
They were saved by the Royal Society of Arts in the 1920s and later restored by the National Trust in the 1970s. Today, Arlington Row is a Grade I listed site and sits within a protected conservation area.
The village of Bibury has long been seen as one of the most beautiful in the country. Victorian designer and artist William Morris even called it “the most beautiful village in England” after visiting in the 19th century.
It’s not just locals who love it either. Arlington Row became famous around the world in the early 1900s when Emperor Hirohito of Japan stayed in Bibury while travelling through Europe as a prince.
Since then, Japanese visitors have continued to visit in large numbers, and the street remains a must-see stop on travel itineraries from across the globe.
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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