Inside 'most beautiful' Cheshire village that's a hotspot for TV and film crews

No caption
Great Budworth in Cheshire, known as one of Cheshire's prettiest villages with period cottages and cobbled walkways. -Credit:MEN


The 'most beautiful' Cheshire village, Great Budworth, is often likened to living on a film set due to its picturesque cobbled walkways, timber-framed cottages and tree-lined avenues. The village's charm and period details make it a popular location for filming period dramas and films, including Netflix's newest drama Missing You and BBC's War of the Worlds.

In addition to its cinematic appeal, the Northwich village is a tourist hotspot in warmer weather, boasting an ice cream farm and historic pub at its heart. It's also located on the Cheshire Cycle Route, attracting fleets of cyclists.

The quaint village has been a magnet for celebrities, attracting everyone from actors on location to the likes of pop icon Harry Styles, who not only frequented the local ice cream farm but also the George and Dragon pub. Styles even brought Taylor Swift to the village for a quaint stroll and a cosy pub lunch during their romance in 2012.

Great Budworth Parish Council's Chair, Karen Hammond, has cherished her life in the village for eight years, expressing that it felt like home from her very first visit, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Originally hailing from the north east, Karen remarked, "When I first came to the village it was a real wow moment. It really is a chocolate box village in a beautiful setting with an excellent community life and community spirit."

She added: "I'd been travelling for many years but I felt immediately at home here."

Now 65, Karen resides with her husband Don Hammond, who himself has served as chairman of the parish council. She notes that the villagers generally 'love' the excitement of filming, particularly when it involves well-known actors.

During the production of War of the Worlds, Karen had the delightful opportunity to meet its leading actors - Rafe Spall and Eleanor Tomlinson - who even took a moment to snap a photo with her beloved dog, Tara.

The filming of the series transformed the village, closing it down to create the harrowing disaster scenes depicting an alien invasion, set against the backdrop of the village's picturesque cottages.

Karen remarked: "We get a lot of filming, but most people enjoy the publicity, and the fact that it brings people to the village. War of the Worlds took over the whole of the village more or less. We had Rafe Spall and Eleanor Tomlinson filming here and they were delightful, I got a beautiful photo with them."

"But the last two or three film shoots here have been on a much smaller scale. It does become complicated if it goes on for a week or more but then you've got the thrill of film stars."

Great Budworth's resident Reverend and vet Jenny McKay describes living in the village as 'like another world'. She shared: "When I drive home from work I feel that I'm returning to another world. The village is close knit and everyone looks out for each other."

"Sometimes I feel that they know what's happening in my life before I even do. We have also had a lot of filming in the village and while that's good for the local small businesses, the villagers have to get used to more visitors peering in their front windows!"

Karen further highlighted the village's attractions, saying: "We're on the Cheshire cycle route and we've got the George and Dragon pub which does good food.

"There's a bowling club and tennis courts and a very active village hall which is the centre of the community. The village has a gardening club, a WI, a dining club, the church does afternoon teas during the summer months.

"Then there's the ice cream farm which Harry Styles really likes and pops in to when he's back here. It really is a fabulous place."

The 14th century St Mary's and All Saints church stands proudly at the heart of the village, flanked by a quaint cobbled lane lined with historic cottages. The village retains its charming cobbled walkways, adorned with vibrant flower planters and neatly trimmed topiary.

Venture down School Lane and you'll be greeted by a breathtaking avenue of lime trees, framing spectacular views across the Cheshire plains towards the Northwich salt works and further afield. For those keen on exploring, there's a delightful three-mile trek through the fields leading to the esteemed Arley Hall estate.

The village is home to two ancient pump houses that once served as the main water supply, with the lower one shrouded in romantic folklore. Legend has it that couples who drink from its waters are blessed with everlasting love.

Above the tap, an enduring inscription invites the curious to read before sampling the legendary waters.

With a rich tapestry of buildings dating from the 17th century, the village was once bustling with five pubs, a butchers, and a Post Office. However, the passage of time has seen these establishments transformed into residential properties.

Notably, the former post office on High Street, now a four-bedroom family residence, is currently spoken for. Property sales are a rarity in this sought-after village, with locals noting that homes are snapped up swiftly when they do appear on the market.

The quaint village of Great Budworth, referenced in the Domesday Book of 1086, boasts a history that stretches back to Saxon times.

For many centuries, the homes within the village were owned by the Warburton family of the nearby Arley Hall estate, with villagers paying rent to them until the houses were sold off to residents in the 1940s.

Much of the village's current charm is credited to Rowland Egerton-Warburton of Arley Hall, who in the 1800s undertook a mission to 'render it picturesque in Victorian eyes', leading to the remodelling of cottages and the addition of decorative brickwork and chimneys. The most notable example of this can be seen at the old George and Dragon pub, which sits at the heart of the village.

The village's oldest structure is the sandstone church of St Mary and All Saints, dating back to the 14th century. On bank holidays and special occasions, visitors are permitted to ascend the tower for panoramic views across Cheshire.

Interestingly, the original village school was constructed within the churchyard, with the building still standing today. However, it was replaced by a newer primary school in 1857, which continues to serve the local children along School Lane.

Despite its modern-day tranquillity, centuries ago, the route through the village would have been a bustling main road to London.

At one time, the small village was home to five pubs for thirsty travellers- four now preserved as houses such as Ring O' Bells Cottage and Saracens Head House. The Cock O' Budworth, an old coaching inn on Warrington Road, recently underwent a major refurbishment.

Just one of those original five pubs remains in the village, the charming George and Dragon. It continues to be a favourite spot for locals, tourists and cyclists stopping at the weekend for its 'famous' fish and chips.

The interior boasts quirky historical elements, including original stained-glass windows and a 1722 stone plaque inscribed with "Nil Nimium Cupito" translating to 'I desire nothing to excess'.

A notable brass inscription above the door serves as a cautionary memento: "Saint George in armed array, doth the fiery dragon slay; Mayst thou with might no less, slay that dragon drunkenness."

Further down Church Street, eye-catching features include an old-style red telephone box and post box. Upon closer look, the telephone box has been transformed into a public library supplying books for borrowing.

The successful Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm situated on the edge of the village on Heath Lane has drawn scores of new enthusiasts to the scenic village.

The family-run business was started as a sideline for the dairy farming Wilkinson family 28 years ago. But mum June Wilkinson still makes all the ice creams today even in her 70s.

Her son David and daughter-in-law Rachel run the ice cream farm shop and offer a range of traditional flavours as well as regular specials. You can get a single cone for £2.20, double from £3.40 - or go for a full on triple boat of scoops for £5.20.

They also offer a range of home-made cakes and ice cream sundaes, as well as hot and cold snacks.

NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here