A stunning village in the UK that's repeatedly appeared in lists naming the prettiest places in the country enforces a total ban on cars. Perched on a cliffside above Bideford Bay, Clovelly is one of North Devon’s most iconic coastal villages, celebrated for its enchanting character. With its steep cobbled lanes, storybook cottages, and breathtaking views, the village winds down a single hill—completely free of cars, preserving its timeless charm.

For centuries, donkeys played a big role in Clovelly, helping locals carry supplies and visitors transport their bags up and down the steep streets. These days, they have taken a well-earned break from hard work, but you can still see them in the stables at the top of the village. Kids can enjoy donkey rides, and the animals continue to be a beloved part of Clovelly’s character.

The village with bright white cottages and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean is a peaceful, tucked-away spot that feels like a secret worth discovering.

Clovelly’s main street winds down past old cottages dating back to the 16th century to a tiny harbour, where visitors can hop on a shuttle for a small fee to reach the Red Lion pub.

The village has a rich history—once owned by William the Conqueror and passed through royal hands before the Giffard family took over in 1242. For centuries, Clovelly remained a hidden gem, largely unknown beyond its borders until the mid-1800s.

Many visitors have been left stunned by its beauty. 

One of them wrote on the TripAdvisor forum: “I live in North Devon and visited, admittedly reluctantly, for the first time with a friend who was down staying with us and expressed a desire to go there. We arrived early and were warmly greeted by a lovely lady on reception who talked us through places to see in the village. 

“After coffee on the lovely terrace at the visitors centre we headed on the very steep walk down, enjoying stunning views and all the pretty buildings decked with flowers. Stopped at the little museum and another very friendly and informative lady told us the history of the place. 

“At the harbour we did the precarious walk to the waterfall then headed up for lunch at the tea rooms, before visiting the Fisherman’s Cottage, full of old photos and artefacts. We finished with a visit to the donkeys and a stroll along Hobby Drive. Enjoyed every moment of our day and thank you to all the lovely staff we met.”

A second said: “Clovelly is a beautiful village to visit and I have been visiting with my family for the last 30 years. Yes, you pay to enter (like most historical landmarks) and yes, it’s steep! Both of which are well advertised on the website prior to visiting. 

“There really is no other village quite like it in the UK. The beauty of Clovelly is how it remains unchanged and hopefully will remain this way for many years to come.”

A third commented: “We were very lucky that when we first arrived at the car park it was lunch time and it was raining cats and dogs (mid-July) so we decided to have our pack lunch in the car. 

“Once we'd finished eating, the rain had stopped and the sun was shining, and the rain had quickly evaporated, making the steep walk down manageable, even if still a little scary. This is a very picturesque and quaint village and should definitely be experienced at a leisurely pace.

"The locals are friendly and welcoming and the weather definitely made a difference to being happy to stroll outside while soaking up the ambience of the village. Once we got down to the harbour we had a drink and an ice-cream, again simply soaking up the views and the peaceful surroundings.

"Clovelly is definitely worth visiting though I'd admit for us atleast the sunshine did make the visit more enjoyable.”