Charney Bassett

It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, with honey-coloured stone cottages lining quiet lanes and a genuine sense of community that's become increasingly rare in the Cotswolds.

St Peter's church is well worth visiting if you're interested in medieval architecture, and the working farm shop here serves locals rather than passing tourists. The surrounding countryside is excellent for walking, with footpaths that link into the broader network across the Vale. The landscape is gently rolling rather than dramatically hilly, which makes for easier rambling.

Twentieth-century Oxford architect Thomas Rayson had connections to the village and left his mark on several local buildings. He was also an accomplished watercolourist, and if you're interested in that period of design, you'll notice his influence in some of the village structures.

Charney Bassett works best as part of a wider exploration of the Vale rather than as a destination on its own. It's genuinely quiet and unspoilt, though amenities are limited as a result. Wantage is about four miles away and has proper shops and restaurants if you need them. This is a place that rewards you for slowing down and appreciating the everyday landscape that most people rush through.