Seven alternatives to the Cotswolds – with all the charm, but fewer crowds

International tourists tend to prioritise a trip to London when they visit England – but the Cotswolds is also high on many travellers’ wishlists. The Cotswolds National Landscape, which lies across six counties, but mostly Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, has a population of around 139,000, but receives about 38 million visitors a year, according to local estimates. Indeed, there are frequent complaints that it’s overrun with tourists, with the storybook-like village of Bibury among the hotspots for overtourism. The Cotswolds is undeniably pretty. Rural landscapes are peppered with villages and towns featuring the local yellow limestone, as well as stately homes and gardens. While the region is deserving of its high visitor numbers, there are plenty of other pockets of England that offer a similar appeal. For those who fancy trying somewhere different, we’ve curated a selection of towns and villages that have a bit of the Cotswolds’ spirit – think independent shops, pubs and restaurants, must-see attractions and a strong sense of community – but without the tourist crowds. (Photo: fotoVoyager/Getty/iStockphoto)

Stamford, Lincolnshire

Described by Sir Walter Scott as “the finest sight on the road between Edinburgh and London”, Stamford is often referred to as the jewel in Lincolnshire’s crown. Appearing in the Domesday Book, this well-heeled town, often lauded as one of the best places to live in the UK, is largely made up of 17th and 18th century limestone buildings and older, timber-framed structures. It’s home to a number of coaching inns, including the George Hotel, to which references date as far back as 10th century. There are also more than 600 listed buildings in and around the town, as well as five medieval churches, which helped Stamford win the honour of becoming England’s first conservation area in 1967. A drink in the George’s cosy York bar is a must, as is a visit to the Burghley estate – one of the finest Elizabethan houses in the country, set in Capability Brown-designed parkland. Adult tickets from £20. The four-star William Cecil, set within Burghley Estate, has B&B rooms from £129 per night, and accessible options. (Photo: Travel Pix Ltd/Getty)

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Although it’s impossible to miss the eponymous Corfe Castle perched on a hill, there’s plenty more to do in this Dorset village. The castle, which was built a little after the conquest of 1066, was once one of the nation’s great strongholds. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil War, but its legacy remains – some of the stone ruins were used to build the village below. It also has a vintage railway station that serves the Swanage Railway. Steam trains run between the village of Norden, to the north of Corfe Castle, and south to the seaside town of Swanage. Adult freedom tickets, for unlimited travel, are £27.50. Like the hugely popular Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds, Corfe Castle also has a model village (adult entry is £4.50). There are plenty of walks here, too, including the Purbeck Way route which passes through on its way to the South West Coast path. Mortons Manor has rooms from £175 per night, on a B&B basis. Accessible rooms available. (Photo: Julian Elliott Photography/Getty)

Frome, Somerset

On the edge of the Mendip Hills is Frome, one of the largest towns in Somerset. Despite its size, it retains a quaint feel, with hilly streets, cobbled paths and 350 listed buildings. There’s a thriving arts scene, with plenty of galleries, such as Black Swan Arts, as well as independent stores and award-winning markets. As for scenic strolls, The Frome Heritage Trail is a circular walk. It begins at Frome Bridge, which is rare for having multi-storied shops built onto it. The trail takes you on a exploratory tour of the architectural and industrial heritage of the town. Frome is an ideal base from which to explore the Somerset countryside and nearby Bath, a 35-minute train ride away. Knoll Hill Farm, a boutique guesthouse, has doubles with breakfast from £114 per night. (Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty)

Turville, Buckinghamshire

Although tiny, this village in the Chiltern Hills National Landscape has certainly made its mark. Impossibly charming, Turville was a setting for The Vicar of Dibley and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s easy to see why it was chosen, with pretty cottages dating to the 16th century. Pop in the 12th century St Mary’s Church, the oldest standing building in Turville. Despite the village’s diminutive size, there’s a buzzy art space, Turville Studios, which is open on the first Sunday of every month. The 300-odd villagers are also overlooked by Turville Hill, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to two rare butterfly species: the silver spotted skipper and the Adonis blue. There is just one pub here, the timber-framed Bull & Butcher. It serves traditional fare in front of open fires. Walkers and dogs are welcome. There’s nowhere to stay in the village itself, but four-star Relais Henley is just up the road, with accessible rooms. Bed and breakfast costs from £183 per night. (Photo: Graham Custance Photography/Getty)

Grantchester, Cambridgeshire

Just outside Cambridge, Grantchester, on the River Cam, has a layered history and has seen its profile grow thanks to a TV series of the same name. It’s full of pretty thatched cottages and a church, St Andrew and St Mary, which dates to the 12th century. Grantchester is surrounded by bucolic meadows and, when the weather allows, you can take tea on deckchairs in the gardens of the Orchard Tea Rooms. There are several pubs to choose from, including the Rupert Brooke, named after the poet who lived and wrote in the village in the early 1900s. Grantchester's river is the perfect spot for punting without the Cambridge crowds and, when the weather warms up, it attracts wild swimmers and kayakers. The Gonville Hotel in Cambridge has accessible rooms from £152 per night, with breakfast at an extra cost. (Photo: Getty)

Castleton, Derbyshire

This Derbyshire village dates to 1086, when William the Conqueror’s son built a castle here. Castleton is situated at the head of the Hope Valley, in the heart of the Peak District National Park, and has a population of a little more than 600. Most buildings here were created with local limestone and gritstone, reflecting the unusual surrounding geology. As well as many walks setting off from Castleton to popular spots like Winnats Pass and Mam Tor, the village is a designated conservation area. There are plenty of places to rest between sightseeing, including cafés, tea rooms and pubs, such the historic Bulls Head, which wouldn’t look out of place in the Cotswolds. Show caves are another attraction, including Speedwell Cavern, with its underground boat ride, a place where you can get to grips with the ancient history of Derbyshire. The Bike & Boot Inn has B&B rooms from £101. Accessible rooms available. (Photo: Joe Daniel Price/Getty)

Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire

You may well recognise the 17th century thatched Beck Isle cottage, which has no doubt inspired the front of many a chocolate box, even if you’ve never been to Thornton-le-Dale. Despite its position around 200 miles north of the Cotswolds, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its buildings, made of limestone, sandstone and Georgian brick, for being from the southern region. On the edge of the North York Moors National Park, Thornton-le-Dale is often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire, thanks to its tiny, typically English green and duck pond. As well as its obvious beauty, it’s a community-focussed place with independent shops and cafés, and volunteers who work to improve wildlife habitats. The Fox and Hounds Country Inn in nearby Sinnington has rooms on a B&B basis from £150. Accessible room available. (Photo: Peter Shaw/Getty)