Tucked away in the heart of the Cotswolds, there’s a picture-perfect street that looks like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. Arlington Row, found in the village of Bibury, Gloucestershire, has been drawing visitors from across the world for centuries – and once you see it, it’s easy to understand why.
The row of honey-coloured cottages, perched beside the River Coln and backed by gently rolling hills, is often described as the prettiest street in England. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the Cotswolds, featured on the inside of UK passports between 2010 and 2015, and has charmed everyone from industrialists to emperors.
Arlington Row’s history stretches back more than 600 years. The buildings were originally constructed in 1380 as a monastic wool store – a reminder of the region’s thriving medieval wool trade. In the late 17th century, the structure was converted into a terrace of cottages for weavers, who would produce cloth to be processed at Arlington Mill across the way. The fabric was then dried on timber racks on a nearby meadow known as Rack Isle.
The row has survived remarkably intact through the centuries. It was preserved by the Royal Society of Arts in the 1920s and later restored by the National Trust in the 1970s. Today, it’s a Grade I listed building and part of a designated conservation area.
Bibury has long been considered one of England’s most beautiful villages – a claim backed up by Victorian artist and designer William Morris, who called it “the most beautiful village in England” during a 19th-century visit.
It’s not just British visitors who make the trip. The street’s fame spread internationally during the early 20th century when Emperor Hirohito of Japan stayed in Bibury while touring Europe as a prince. Since then, Japanese tourists have formed a steady stream of visitors, and Arlington Row frequently appears on international travel itineraries.
Given its fairytale appearance, it’s no surprise that Arlington Row has been used as a film and television location. It featured in the 2007 fantasy film Stardust, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro and Claire Danes, where the cottages formed part of the film’s rustic backdrop.
Arlington Row’s appeal isn’t new. In the early 20th century, American industrialist Henry Ford reportedly attempted to buy the entire terrace. His plan was to dismantle the cottages stone by stone and ship them to the United States to reassemble there. Thankfully, this ambitious idea never came to pass, and the row remains exactly where it should be – nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside.
Although most of the cottages on Arlington Row are privately rented from the National Trust, one of them is available as a holiday let. Unsurprisingly, availability is extremely limited, but for those lucky enough to secure a booking, it offers the rare chance to sleep in one of the most recognisable buildings in the country.
Bibury is located roughly seven and a half miles from Cirencester and ten miles from Burford. If you’re approaching from Burford, Arlington Row appears on the left as you enter Bibury. There’s limited roadside parking, which fills quickly during peak tourist season, so arriving early is advised.
From Cirencester, cross the bridge over the River Coln and follow the road in front of The Swan Hotel. Arlington Row can be seen across the meadow on the right, with small parking areas nearby.