UK's best hidden villages to escape the summer crowds revealed - see the full list

The UK's best under-the-radar beauty spots in which to escape the staycation crowds have been compiled.

When the school holidays start next week popular cities, beaches and resorts in the UK are likely to be overloaded by Brits staying closer to home than usual.

For those wanting to stay in the country but keep away from the bustling crowds, HomeToGo has pinpointed and ranked the top 24 hidden gem villages across the UK for summer holidays in 2022.

All locations included in the study are picturesque, have plenty in them to do and are situated in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks - yet none appear on the list of the top 500 most-searched destinations.

The Dunwich landscape offers a huge amount (Publicity Picture)

Fourteen National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty feature in the index, with hidden gems uncovered across Cornwall, Dorset, Strangford Lough, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths, Chichester Harbour, the Cotswolds, the Norfolk Coast, East Devon and South Devon, as well as the North York Moors, the Lake District, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the Pembrokeshire Coast and the Yorkshire Dales.

Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast, which sits within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has topped the list.

The area boasts the beautiful Dunwich Forest and Dingle Marshes, and is surrounded by stunning countryside landscapes.

You can stroll through swathes of heather and gorse at the National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beach, listening for the songs of rare birds, before stopping by The Ship for a bite to eat and local ale in a cosy coastal pub.

Studland in Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has four miles of sandy beaches nearby which are perfect for whiling away a hot day on.

Dive straight in with swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking, or take a short walk to see the Jurassic Coast's awe-inspiring Old Harry Rocks.

The Bankes Arms' beer garden also offers an incredible ocean outlook.

Bosham in Chichester Harbour's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is third on the list.

Perched on an inlet of Chichester Harbour with sailboats bobbing at the quay, the atmosphere in this picturesque West Sussex village is undeniably idyllic.

Relax over afternoon tea in the Millstream Hotel, or pop by Wendy's cafe for a slice of cake before wandering through Bosham Walk arcade, admiring the local art and eclectic finds on display.

Top 24 best hidden villages

There are 24 villages on the list - although in the research three scored equally for the 'eight' slot. Check out the full list below.

1. Dunwich, Suffolk
2. Studland, Dorset
3. Bosham, West Sussex
4. Worth Matravers, Dorset
5. Blockley, The Cotswolds
6. Bibury, The Cotswolds
7. Patterdale, Cumbria
8. Brancaster, Norfolk
   Branscombe, Devon
   Abbotsbury, Dorset
9. East Prawle, Devon
10. Challaborough, Devon
11. Arrochar, Loch Lomond
12. Rosedale Abbey, North York Moors
13. Salthouse, Norfolk
14. Cawsand, Cornwall
15. Solva, Pembrokeshire
16. Burnsall, Yorkshire Dales
17. Strangford, Strangford Lough
18. Ravenscar, North York Moors
19. Glaisdale, North York Moors
20. Helford, Cornwall
21. Polruan, Cornwall
22. Porthgain, Pembrokeshire

You can find out more on hometogo.co.uk.