With chocolate-box cottages, traditional pubs and miles of beautiful countryside surrounding them, there’s no denying that villages have an air of romance to them. They are the type of place you would expect to see in a rom-com and they provide the perfect backdrop for a love story.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s that time of year to get in touch with your romantic side and what better way than to visit a picture-postcard village. You don’t have to travel far from Manchester to find one, either, with several only a short drive away.
If you’re a fan of period dramas and old fashioned romance, head to Downham in Lancashire for a day out which will feel as if you’re on a film set. Or for Harry Styles fans, visit Great Budworth where the singer famously took Taylor Swift on a date.
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Whether you’re planning a dreamy day out with your partner, or just fancy doing something with your friends, read on to discover some gorgeous villages to visit.
Haworth, Yorkshire
With winding cobblestone streets and dark stone cottages, the Yorkshire village of Haworth is straight out of the pages of a Gothic romance novel. In fact it’s where the Bronte sisters lived.
The nearby windy moorland inspired Emily Bronte’s celebrated novel Wuthering Heights and you can hike up to Top Withens, a ruined farmhouse which is said to have inspired the house in the novel. As you take a walk through this wild landscape it’s easy to imagine a dramatic love story unfolding.
The Bronte family home has even been transformed into a museum. The village itself has cobblestone streets lined with independent shops, cafes and pubs.
Great Budworth, Cheshire
With charming timber-framed cottages, Great Budworth looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. Several of the buildings date back to the 17th century and the village is so well-preserved that it’s been used for various period dramas over the years.
The village’s only remaining pub, the George and Dragon, is full of historical details and it’s a great place for dates. It’s even hosted a famous couple before as Harry Styles brought his then girlfriend Taylor Swift here when he took her on a tour of his home county.
Bradwell, Peak District
The Peak District has more than its fair share of beautiful villages and it can be hard to pick just one. But if you're looking for somewhere a little quieter than the usual tourist hotspots, Bradwell is the one for you.
Bradwell is nestled in a gorge and features rows of pretty cottages, most of which date from the 18th and 19th century. There are a couple of pubs in the village and it’s the perfect place to go for a romantic stroll.
Prestbury, Cheshire
Prestbury is one of the three villages which make up Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’, an affluent area popular with footballers and celebrities. Even if you’re just visiting for the day, it’s still nice to be caught up in the romance of living in one of the village’s magnificent houses.
The village’s main street is a Conservation Area, lined with black and white timber-framed buildings and dark red Cheshire brick properties. The village has several restaurants and if you’re feeling particularly extravagant, you can even visit Bacchus Restaurant and Champagne bar for a glass of bubbly.
Downham, Lancashire
If you’ve always longed to live the life you see in romantic period dramas then a visit to Downham offers you the chance to do just that. You won’t see any signs of modern life in the village - there aren’t any TV aerials or satellite dishes, with only a few necessary road signs.
It’s been kept in the same family for more than 500 years, which has helped to preserve it - and it’s also served as a filming location. Downham is located in the Forest of Bowland’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are lots of pretty walks to do nearby.
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