The Cotswolds, with its rolling hills and charming villages, often epitomizes the quintessential English countryside, especially to those outside the UK. Known for its timeless beauty, the region offers a glimpse of rural life that contrasts sharply with the modern sprawl of motorways and uniform high streets.
Castle Combe, a tiny village in Wiltshire, is frequently hailed as the crown jewel of the Cotswolds. Travel experts often praise its unmatched charm, with some naming it England’s prettiest village despite inevitable tourist visits.
However, Adam Henson, the well-known Countryfile star and lifelong Cotswold farmer, holds a different view. Born and raised near Guiting Power in Gloucestershire, Adam appreciates many of the region’s villages but notably doesn’t include Castle Combe among his favorites.
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In an interview with the Oxford Mail, Adam highlighted his top picks: “Just driving up Burford’s High Street, it’s lovely… and I also think Chipping Campden is really, really lovely.” He believes the charm of these villages endures despite increasing tourism, saying, “I don’t think it’s lost its charm and its beauty as you go into some of the Cotswold villages, and they’re still beautiful.”
Adam also praised the local architecture, remarking, “Just looking out the window here in Burford, you can see that even with more modern buildings, we’ve still got that lovely Cotswold stone, that oolitic limestone.” He supports sensitive development that enhances the area without sacrificing its distinctive character: “I think the development and uplift of any area is a good thing as long as you can maintain and retain the charm.”
Beyond the Cotswolds, Adam’s affection for the English countryside extends to other scenic regions. With family and friends farming in Yorkshire’s Malham and Wensleydale areas, he described those landscapes as “gorgeous,” highlighting the diverse beauty of England’s rural heartland.
Looking ahead, Adam revealed he may soon step away from the farm he inherited from his father. As neither of his children has pursued farming careers—his son works in finance in Leeds, and his daughter is an events organiser in Perth—Adam and his wife Charlie plan to move into a nearby bungalow in Winchcombe once their tenancy ends in 12 years.
“My dad was ahead of his time by opening a farm for people to come and visit, bottle-feed a lamb or hold a chick,” Adam shared with the Daily Express. “While I was pulling on my wellies and chasing my dad out of the door to join him on the farm, my own children aren’t interested in a career in farming.”
Despite this new chapter, Adam intends to keep a few sheep and dogs on their new land, ensuring he remains connected to the countryside he loves. “It will be the end of an era, but I will still be able to enjoy the lovely countryside,” he said, underscoring his enduring bond with the rural landscape.