From cobblestone streets and colourful cottages, to medieval castles and ruins, the UK is filled with destinations that feel straight out of a storybook. But which have been named the most fairytale-like of them all?
To find out, the team at Betway Casino analysed towns and villages across the UK based on a range of key ‘fairytale’ indicators. Each metric was chosen to reflect the elements that make a destination feel enchanting, from historic character to picturesque scenery.
Metrics included:
- Distance to closest airport (as the crow flies)
- Distance from the closest castle (by road)
- Number of listed buildings
- Number of forest walks within three miles
- Population size (with smaller communities scoring higher for their quaint, village-like appeal)
Hawkshead is the UK’s most fairytale-like destination
Hawkshead, in the Lake District, has been crowned the UK’s most fairytale-like destination. This charming, car-free market village is home to just 519 residents and is located 75 miles from the closest major airport (Manchester), giving it a peaceful, close-knit atmosphere that feels a world away from the pace of modern life.
Rich in heritage, the village is characterised by whitewashed cottages, narrow cobbled lanes, and 69 listed buildings that preserve its historic charm. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, Hawkshead also boasts 124 forest walks within three miles, while the majestic Wray Castle can be explored less than four miles away, making for a perfect storybook setting.
Other fairytale-like UK destinations
Beddgelert takes second place, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The village is home to just 450 residents and 115 listed buildings, giving it a timeless feel, and just over a mile away sits Dinas Emrys, a fortress ruin woven into legend as the site where the red dragon triumphed, giving Beddgelert an extra sense of mysticism.
Keswick comes third, the second Lake District location to rank in the top three. With 115 nearby forest walks for visitors to explore and 51 listed buildings within the town, Keswick is a destination that blends natural beauty with storybook charm.
Top 10 fairytale-like destinations in the UK
- Hawkshead, Cumbria
- Beddgelert, Gwynedd
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Oban,Argyll and Bute
- Tobermory, Isle of Mull
- Plockton, Highland
- Clovelly, Devon
- Hay-on-Wye, Powys
- Rye, East Sussex
- Helmsley, North Yorkshire
