The UK's 'new Cotswolds' filled with pretty little villages

The UK is full of stunning natural landscapes, speckled with beautiful villages. The patriotic song Jerusalem proudly mentions England's "green and pleasant land", and the Cotswolds is perhaps the most famous example. Tourists flock there from across the world to sample the region's chocolate box settlements, many of which having been used in well-known films and TV shows, with their distinctive yellow brickwork. But there are other places that are equally gorgeous.

North Norfolk has been dubbed the "New Cotswolds" and has its own collection of idyllic towns and villages. Holt, a market town 23 miles north of Norwich; Burnham Market, comprised of Burnham Sutton, Burnham Ulph and Burnham Westgate; and the town of Cromer and village of Holkham by the sea are stand-out examples. The latter is home to a 25,000-acre estate, in which stands Holkham Hall, an 18th-century Palladian house, home to the Earl of Leicester, described as "one of the most unspoilt and beautiful stretches of sand in the country".

A nature reserve is also home to lots of rare species of flora and fauna.

In addition, North Norfolk boasts a royal palace loved by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Sandringham.

Other places highlighted by local officials include the "unspoilt" market town of Aylsham, the home of Norfolk's slow food movement, which promotes small artisan producers and their food related businesses.

Blakeney, is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is described as an "ideal base" to explore the county's coast.

Brancaster and Brancaster Staithe are also mentioned in this regard.

Fakenham's market, which dates back to 1250, is famous, and still runs on a Thursday, utilised by local traders to sell their wares.

Visit North Norfolk points out that there is a good mix of places for golfers to enjoy, including links and inland courses close to the popular seaside towns of Sheringham, Fakenham, Mundesley and Hunstanton, as well as Cromer.

If you wanted to live in this scenic part of the UK, it comes at a price.

According to Rightmove, house prices in North Norfolk have averaged £365,300 over the last year.

The majority sold have been detached, flogged for an average price of £461,884.

Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £304,211, with terraced houses fetching £283,033.

Experts add that, overall, historical sold prices over the last 12 months were 3% down on the previous year and 5% down on the 2022 peak of £386,409.

The Office for National Statistics reported earlier this month that the average house price in England was £296,000 in August 2025, up 2.9% (£9,000) from a year earlier.