The UK is filled with hundreds of pretty towns and villages, each with a unique character and personality of their own.
They can be found in every corner of the country, from deepest Cornwall in the southwest all the way up to the northwest edges of Wales or deep in England’s rolling countryside.
One village in particular is one of the most beautiful in the UK and ideal for a refreshing winter walk.
Dunning, Scotland, has a population of just 1,000 people, but despite this, it has a fascinating history featuring witch monuments and ancient churches.
At its heart is a 12th-century church known as St Serf’s. It is here that the Dupplin Cross is displayed. The Daily Record reported that the artefact dates all the way back to 800AD.
Outside of Dunning is a much spookier testament to the village’s history in the form of the Maggie Wall Witch Monument. Located in a field northwest of the village, it stands a testament to a mysterious period in the village’s history.
During the 1600s, Dunning was rumoured to be a hotspot where women accused of being witches were put on trial and executed. While the monument is named after someone known as Maggie Wall, no record of her exists.
For visitors who don’t want to learn about Dunning’s history, there are plenty of alternatives thanks to the village’s vicinity to nature, making it perfect for winter walks.
On TripAdvisor Dunning has built up a series of five-star reviews which praise the town’s history and the nature around it.
One visitor described the St Serf’s Church as “beautiful” and “steeped in history” with a “graveyard full of historic stones dated 1700s and 1800s”.
A second person added: “If you find yourself close to Dunning in Perthshire, make sure you stop off at St Serf’s Church which is managed by Historic Scotland.
“On arrival, you are met by one of the experienced guides. A must-visit for anyone interested in the history of this wonderful country.”
The village is also home to a war memorial that recognises residents from Dunning who lost their lives in conflict.
One reviewer explained its history: “Sitting in Tron Square this well-maintained memorial is a sombre reminder of lives lost on foreign lands.
“Carved in granite there is a Celtic knotwork design carved on the front the cross standing on a plinth.
“Names for both wars 1 and 2 are on granite tablets around the Cross. Mr D. A, Stewart, Perth was the Architect and the builder was Messrs Beveridge & Son, Perth. It was unveiled on 31 July 1920.”
