The 'secret villages' an hour away from Derby that are still under the radar
With more and more people escaping to the countryside each year to enjoy a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it's becoming harder and harder to find places that don’t have swarms of tourists every weekend. However new research conducted by The Times has disclosed some of the UK's best-kept secrets, rounding up the 20 best villages to live in the UK.
The villages have been ranked based on their charm and the fact that they are still under the radar, allowing them to maintain a peaceful and friendly atmosphere that is so treasured in the English countryside. Despite none of these villages being in Derbyshire there are two which are in close proximity, with one just under an hour away from Derby city centre.
Barlaston, a village in Staffordshire has been named among the top secret villages in the UK, ranked 18th in the Times list after being praised for its green spaces and amenities available in the area. With a popular golf course available, a cricket pitch and a gastro pub called the Plume of Feathers that brews its own beers with a view of the village's bowling green.
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The census of 2021 stated that the small village had a population of 2,811 with an average house price of £329,070. One of the factors that The Times judged these villages on is the average house price. The village is also home to the Beautiful estate of Barlaston Hall situated on the edge of the stunning Wedgwood Estate.
Another village not that far away from Derbyshire is Gaydon in Warwickshire. Halfway between Birmingham and Milton Keynes, the village is known for being close to the British Motor Museum and the Jaguar Land Rover Headquarters.
The picturesque village is home to a number of thatched cottages as well as The Malt Shovel Inn, a traditional pub with a range of drinks and monthly quiz nights. The average house price of Gaydon was £592,463.