Cranborne named among 30 best British villages for 2024

Cranborne in East Dorset was featured alongside 29 others in a list from The Telegraph.

Discussing the creation of the list, the publication wrote: "Britain has no shortage of eye-catching villages, but a combination of good looks, convenience for day trippers and a few influential endorsements can be enough to turn what was once a peaceful retreat into an over-tourism battleground inundated with selfie stick-wielding tourists from April till October."

They added: "Fortunately, there are still plenty of beautiful but uncrowded British villages that do retain their authentic character, where medieval pubs and churches remain the beating heart of the community, and where welcoming shopkeepers stock treats from local producers."

The Cranborne Estate is located near the village (Image: Jacquie Webb/Dorset Camera Club)

The full list of the 30 best British villages for 2024 can be found on The Telegraph website here.

What was said about Cranborne?

The Telegraph describes Cranborne as being a village with "a big appetite" due to the numerous foodie businesses it has located there.

It wrote: "Comely Cranborne is a little village with a big appetite. It’s owned by the Cranborne Estate: the estate manor, built as a royal hunting lodge in the 12th century, is private, but the surrounding gardens are open for tours".

They continue: "The estate helps nurture village businesses too, which are mainly foodie. The main hub is Cranborne Stores, which sells everything from Meggy Moo’s milk to Cranborne Chase Cider.

"The stores also stocks manchego-like Hardy’s and other award-winners from the Book and Bucket Cheese Company – or you can buy direct from the dairy, on the village outskirts.

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"Also just outside is Holwell Farm, whose barns house Orchard Bay Bakery (pop along for Friday pizza nights) and Sixpenny Brewery: order a citrusy Gold in the taproom or a four-pint cartoon to takeaway."

In terms of where to stay The Telegraph recommends The Fleur de Lys which is "a 17th-century coaching inn in the heart of the village".

Meanwhile, for where to eat they suggest La Fosse which is "a tiny but award-winning restaurant with rooms" with the chef Mark Hartstone having trained at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.