THE most romantic village in the UK has been revealed – and it’s an ideal staycation spot for Valentine’s Day.
The Cotswolds is a popular day trip for holidaymakers across the country.
GettyThe Cotswolds is a popular day trip for holidaymakers[/caption]
AlamyBourton-on-the-Water is home to the only Grade II listed Model Village in the country[/caption]
AlamyThe Model Village was built in the 1930s by a pub landlord[/caption]
While there are several charming towns and villages dotted throughout the Cotswolds, one has been hailed the most romantic in the UK by a group of travel experts.
Last September, Bourton-on-the-Water was named the UK’s most romantic destination by Rough Guides.
Thanks to its cobbled streets and winding alleyways, the Gloucestershire village looks like it’s been frozen in time.
The tiny village is home to just 4000 residents, although this number can increase significantly when holidaymakers flock to Bourton-on-the-Water in the summer months.
One of its main features is the River Windrush, which runs through the heart of the village.
There are five small stone bridges dotted along the river that holidaymakers can cross.
In recent years, Bourton-on-the-Water has been dubbed “Venice of the Cotswolds” thanks to the small winding river and its tiny bridges.
Visitors can walk along the side of the river, and stop for a picnic or an ice cream on the grassy bank.
In 2022, Bourton-on-the-Water was named one of the UK’s best stargazing hidden gem spots.
According to the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, the Cotswold village came out in joint eighth place in a study on the UK’s best hidden stargazing spots.
There are plenty of other activities for holidaymakers to enjoy, including a visit to the Cotswold Perfumery.
Set inside a 300-year-old Grade II listed building, the perfume specialists have been creating fragrances for over 50 years, with celebrity clients including the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In addition to purchasing a bottle of perfume, visitors can also sign up for a one-day perfume-making course – although tickets don’t come cheap at £245 a pop.
Bourton-on-the-Water is also home to the only Grade II listed Model Village in the country.
Located behind the Old New Inn, the model village was built out of Cotswold stone by a former pub landlord in the 1930s.
Inside the model village, which is one-ninth in scale, visitors will be able to carefully walk through the village and past some of its key landmarks.
Because of its narrow paths, there is limited access for pushchairs, wheelchairs, walking frames, and other walking aids.
Entry tickets into the Model Village cost £4.50 per person and can be purchased on the day.
Cotswold Motoring Museum is another highlight holidaymakers are encouraged to pack in during a visit.
Located in The Old Mill, the Cotswold Motoring Museum is home to over 50 classic cars and rare bikes, with the oldest dating back to the early 1900s.
In addition to the vintage vehicles, the museum is filled with lots of other motoring memrobilla and old toy cars.
While the museum is closed for the winter, it is set to reopen on February 10, 2024.
Entry tickets into the museum cost £7.00 for a full-paying adult, and £5.00 for children.
There are other outdoor activities too, including Birdland, which is home to over 500 birds.
Set in nine acres of woodland, holidaymakers may be able to spot flamingos, emus, pelicans, owls and parrots.
There’s also a Jurassic journey exhibition, with life-sized models of dinosaurs.
Another outdoor activity is the Dragonfly Maze, a traditional English Yew Maze.
Bourton-on-the-Water is home to several riverside pubs and restaurants, including the Kingsbridge, which overlooks the River Windrush.
There’s also the Green & Pleasant Tearooms and the Bourton Riverside Cafe.
There are a handful of hotels holidaymakers can book for overnight stays.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at The Lansdowne Guest House for £50 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Bourton-on-the-water is a 27-minute drive from Cheltenham, and it’s a 55-minute drive from Oxford.
While the nearest train station to Bourton-on-the-Water is eight miles away, coach services are in operation from top UK cities like London and Birmingham.
Meanwhile, you should never visit this UK town during the day.
And this UK seaside town has a “magical” secluded beach.
AlamyBourton-on-the-Water has its very own motor museum[/caption]
AlamyThe museum is home to over 50 classic cars and bikes[/caption]
GettyBourton-on-the-water has been compared to Venice[/caption]