Inside the ‘hidden gem’ village near Coventry, named the most beautiful in Britain

Its beautiful streets look like something you might see on a postcard. Just 30 miles by car from the hustle and bustle of Coventry is a quiet, sleepy village previously named the prettiest in Britain. Inkberrow is often considered to be the model for the village of Ambridge in the long-running Radio 4 soap The Archers.

And it’s easy to see why writers would want to emulate her. With its beautiful country walks, parish church and mock Tudor pub, it’s the kind of place you might wish you could live by.

Not that many do. Its population at the time of the 2021 census was approximately 2,300. It could have been very different today. In the 1960s it was earmarked as the site for the new town, one of many planned in Britain in the post-war era to meet the growing demand for housing.

Read more: People with these 12 Coventry names could inherit lost fortunes

But the scheme never went ahead. But the nation’s housebuilders’ loss is everyone’s gain – if beautiful villages are anything we can all agree we love. What is Inkberrow like if you want to buy a house there?

For house hunters who can find a way to move there, there’s plenty to like. Located off the A422 between Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester, it is convenient for commuting.

It’s not cheap, as you might expect. According to Rightmove, the average house price there over the past year is £474,778.

But there’s plenty to like, including a local primary school, Inkberrow Primary School, which is part of an academy trust. In its last Ofsted inspection in its previous incarnation as Inkberrow First School, it was rated outstanding.

It also has a pub, The Old Bull, which is so well regarded that it is believed to be the inspiration behind The Bull in The Archers. Nearby are the remains of an old castle and an old nunnery from the 13th century.

And there are good places nearby for food. The Oak at Upton Snodsbury, for example, has a Travelers Choice award from TripAdvisor.

In addition, there is an award-winning village shop, The Forge, which is open from 7am to 8pm daily. There is also a doctor’s office, a Post Office, a town hall – and there are also lots.

There are also plenty of clubs and associations for people to get stuck into community life. Among those listed on the local parish council website are badminton, bowling, running and WI.

The community spirit of beautiful Inkberrow

A story about the village from the era of the pandemic only tells us something about the character of the place. Retired couple Avril Rowlands, 75, and her husband Christopher, 76, decorated their huge Christmas tree they planted as a sapling more than 40 years ago to bring some light into their little village.

The huge 60-meter Christmas tree lit up the entire neighborhood with more than 1,000 lights. At a time when good spirits were in short supply, the move warmed hearts locally and across the region as word of the tree spread.

The village is now in the headlines for being named the most beautiful village in Britain. That’s thanks to researchers at StressFreeCarRental.com, who named the seven most beautiful villages in the UK.

Others on the list include Broad Campden in Gloucestershire, East Budleigh in Devon, Grassington in North Yorkshire, Crovie in Scotland, Solva in Wales and Hawkshead in Cumbria. Google them – they all look great.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, said: “The UK has some of the most beautiful and quaint countryside in the world, and motorists should seriously consider stopping through some of these gorgeous destinations while are heading this holiday. 14 million drivers are expected to be on the roads, so it’s a good idea to take a detour to stretch your legs and get some fresh air after being stuck in traffic for hours.”

“Instead of stopping at a service station, make the most of your journey and wander around some of the most beautiful countryside the UK has to offer.”

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