The hustle and bustle of the city is what makes Manchester such an amazing and exciting place to live. Yet every now and then it’s nice to escape to somewhere with a slower pace of life.
Fortunately for us there are dozens of gorgeous villages you can visit which are only a short drive away from Greater Manchester. With charming cottages and cosy pubs - not to mention breathtaking scenery - these villages will make you yearn for a quiet life.
From the rugged landscape of the Peak District to the green countryside of the Cheshire plain, you’ll find villages perfect for a day out or weekend away. Here are some of the prettiest villages we think you should visit in 2023.
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Downham, Lancashire
Take a walk around the Lancashire village of Downham and you’ll notice something a bit odd - there are hardly any signs of modern life in the village. You won’t see TV aerials or satellite dishes, while there are only a few necessary road signs.
The village, located in the Forest of Bowland’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been in the same family for more than 500 years, which has helped to preserve it. Thanks to its unspoilt beauty, it’s been used as a filming location for period dramas.
In the summer you can sample the delights of Downham’s ice cream shop as you take in the views of the surrounding countryside. The village’s pub, the Assheton Arms (named after the family who own the village) is perfect for a hearty lunch after a country walk.
Castleton, Peak District
Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Castleton is a village with a lot to offer, from cosy pubs to intriguing caves. The village is near to Mam Tor and only a short walk away from the stunning Winnats Pass.
There are four caves to visit in Castleton. Peak Cavern boasts the largest cave entrance in Britain at 60ft high and it also has the rather interesting nickname of the ‘Devil’s Arse’. While in Speedwell Cavern you can enjoy a boat ride on a subterranean lake. In Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cave you’ll find large deposits of Blue John Stone, famous in the area.
As its name suggests, Castleton is overlooked by the ruins of Peveril Castle, which was completed in 1086. If you climb to the top you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Croston, Lancashire
Although the village of Croston lies in the Lancashire countryside, if you time your visit just right you’ll find that it has a distinctly French-feel to it. The village is twinned with the Azay-le-Rideau area in France’s Loire Valley and it takes this connection very seriously.
This quintessential English village, with cobblestone streets and red-brick cottages, has its own boules league and even celebrates Bastille Day in July. You won’t find any boulangeries in Croston, but there are several traditional pubs to choose from.
The prettiest part of Croston is Church street, which is said to be one of the best-preserved rows of 17th century cottages in Lancashire. In Drinkhouses Lane you’ll also find several three-storey weavers cottages dating back to the 18th century.
Great Budworth, Cheshire
Cheshire has more than its fair share of charming villages, but Great Budworth is particularly special. With cobbled lanes lined with black and white timber-clad buildings, this village is like stepping back in time.
Various period dramas have been filmed here over the years and it's easy to see why. It has several buildings which date back to the 17th century, while the village was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Great Budworth’s only remaining pub, the George and Dragon, is full of historical details, including gorgeous stained glass windows. Harry Styles famously brought his then girlfriend Taylor Swift here when he took her on a tour of his home county.
Wycoller, Lancashire
A stone’s throw away from Colne, the ‘lost village’ of Wycoller is a magical place to visit. It was once a handloom weavers’ village but it was abandoned during the Industrial Revolution.
Today it’s a country park and visitors are able to explore the ruins of Wycoller. There are several ancient bridges, including the Clam Bridge, which is 1,000 years old, and a picturesque arched Packhorse Bridge.
One of the main attractions of the village is the ruin of Wycoller Hall, believed to have been the inspiration for Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. It’s also reputedly haunted.
There are a handful of restored cottages in the village but cars are banned from entering. Visitors can use two pay-and-display car parks which are around a mile away from the village centre.
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