There’s nothing quite like the charm of a quaint UK village in winter and this one has been named as one of the prettiest.

With chillier weather and darker nights, visiting somewhere that will get you into the festive spirit is a must in December.

Dunster in Somerset, has been featured on a list of the prettiest villages in the UK.

One must-visit place in the area is Dunster Castle. The building has a striking combination of medieval and Victorian architecture which offers visitors an interesting journey through centuries of English history.

A visitor on Tripadvisor said: “Great place to visit and so good that we returned the following day to spend more time around the gardens. 

“Great tour of the castle and in the grounds there was a selection of activities taking place, military through the ages including the firing of historic firearms. Great fun. The guides were very helpful and the gardens delightful.”

Dunster is located in the Exmoor National Park’s rolling hills and if you enjoy nature, this village could be the perfect place for a winter break.

The historic village has over 200 listed buildings and a small yet charming high street.

Dunster Village Guide says: “The village’s history includes its High Street, the Yarn Market the Butter Cross, and Dunster Castle which towers above the village. 

“There is also a dolls museum and Dunster even has its own watermill. The High Street looks almost the same as images from close to two centuries ago.”

It adds that there are a huge range of independent shops to visit in the area where you can find handmade crafts and local art.

You won’t be short on places to stay as there’s a range of accommodation hidden amongst the historic buildings.

If you’re looking for a quiet and cosy place to visit, Dunster could be just the place for you.

There’s nothing quite like the charm of a quaint UK village in winter and this one has been named as one of the prettiest.

With chillier weather and darker nights, visiting somewhere that will get you into the festive spirit is a must in December.

Dunster in Somerset, has been featured on a list of the prettiest villages in the UK.

One must-visit place in the area is Dunster Castle. The building has a striking combination of medieval and Victorian architecture which offers visitors an interesting journey through centuries of English history.

A visitor on Tripadvisor said: “Great place to visit and so good that we returned the following day to spend more time around the gardens. 

“Great tour of the castle and in the grounds there was a selection of activities taking place, military through the ages including the firing of historic firearms. Great fun. The guides were very helpful and the gardens delightful.”

Dunster is located in the Exmoor National Park’s rolling hills and if you enjoy nature, this village could be the perfect place for a winter break.

The historic village has over 200 listed buildings and a small yet charming high street.

Dunster Village Guide says: “The village’s history includes its High Street, the Yarn Market the Butter Cross, and Dunster Castle which towers above the village. 

“There is also a dolls museum and Dunster even has its own watermill. The High Street looks almost the same as images from close to two centuries ago.”

It adds that there are a huge range of independent shops to visit in the area where you can find handmade crafts and local art.

You won’t be short on places to stay as there’s a range of accommodation hidden amongst the historic buildings.

If you’re looking for a quiet and cosy place to visit, Dunster could be just the place for you.

I have travelled around France and its 18 regions for well over 20 years. Despite remaining loyal to the Parisian flea markets and the cartoon culture and Wes Anderson filming locations of Angouleme, there is one city I will always return to. 

Montpellier is, in many ways, France’s answer to Brighton. Although its main streets are not quite as close to the beach, it is southerly, relaxed and artistic. However, Montpellier’s real hook is that it is far less touristy that Nice, Paris or Leon. I have been to all of the above as well as other tourist hotspots La Rochelle, Bordeaux, the Île de Ré and smaller historic towns like Saint-Émilion. I first visited Montpelier in 2017 and was stunned by how cheap a glass of wine and some food was. Settling down at the Place de la Canorgue, you will find Comptoir de L’Arc has a generous happy hour every day.

This square of the city is the perfect place to spend an evening as people spill out from work or the university to enjoy a few drinks in the gaggle of restaurants that overlook a well-worn stretch of grass that seats smokers and picnic-goers.

There are a number of artisan shops selling handmade items through these sheltered cobbled streets that you can peruse after a warm glass of merlot.

Montpellier is a beautifully walkable city. Its pedestrianised city centre means you can wander from a Zara to its grand Musee Fabre in less than half an hour, and soak up the towering classical architecture of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and Porte du Peyrou.

If you’re not a walker, there is also a regular tram which costs around €1.60 – this will also take you down to Montpellier’s sandy beaches. There is a unique energy to Montpellier that is two-pronged. It is one of the biggest business centres in the South of France, so there is enough investment to keep the city pristine — the polished Place de la Comedie is truly shining.

But the university and thriving arts scene, including a healthy nightlife culture, means there are enough people making this city interesting. Many a budding DJ will flock to Montpellier, meaning your evening doesn’t have to end when the restaurant closes.

Winding your way through the medieval quarter, L’Écusson, you will find yourself squeezing through enough snickets to feel you may have wandered far enough away from the 21st century to have actually travelled back in time.

For the youths the Parc du Preyou is a hotspot, with gaggles of teenagers lying like lizards in the hot summer sun. For the more refined nature lovers, you may want to pop your head into the Jardin des Plantes, a stunning botanical garden and arboretum located on Boulevard Henri IV, maintained by the university.