Inside the little-known English village designed to look like its in the Alps – where you stay in a stately home for £18
THERE’S a town in the West Midlands that was built to look like it belongs in the Swiss Alps.
Ilam in Staffordshire, which sits within the Peak District National Park, was designed by an eccentric rich man in the 19th century, with a very specific European design in mind.
Ilam’s 343 residents have Jesse Watts-Russell (a wealthy industrialist) to thank for their Swiss chalet-style homes.
The businessman purchased the estate in 1820 and because the region reminded him so much of the Alps, he had houses built in a typical Swiss style.
While we’re not sure he got the Swiss-style exactly right, if we squint then we can definitely see what he was getting at with the sloping roofs.
Plus, no one can deny that his heart was in the right place – as at the same time as his chalet-building endeavour, Mr Watts-Russell also built and founded the village school, even though education wasn’t compulsory for children in the mid-19th century.
Over the last 200 years, residents have kept the picturesque cottages in good condition, with many still boasting colourful window box displays and meticulously landscaped gardens.
The Tourism Board, Let’s Go Peak District, described Ilam as “just about as perfect a Staffordshire Peak District village as you could hope to get.”
“With a collection of pretty cottages set in the most idyllic location, it’s a wonderful place to spend a day”.
Even though houses in Ilam sell for nearly half a million, holidaymakers can stay at Ilam Hall for just £18 per night.
Set in the heart of the village, Ilam Hall was given to the National Trust in 1934 as long as it was run as a youth hostel.
The huge Victorian Manor still operates as a youth hostel – run by the YHA -to this day, with guests able to book dormitory beds from £18 per night.
Private rooms that can sleep up to three people cost £20 per night per person.
While Ilam Hall is only open to overnight guests, day-trippers to the Staffordshire village can explore its grounds and stop for a brew at the on-site tearooms.
Set within Ilam Park, the grounds feature a terraced garden, which overlooks Thorpe Cloud – a nearby limestone hill.
Other features include a pretty church and a footpath that runs alongside the River Manifold.
And it’s not just the Alpine-style homes that help to make Ilam picturesque, its location is also swoon-worthy.
Located in the Staffordshire Peak District Ilam is set among limestone hills like Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill.
Ilam is also the closest village to Dovedale – a renowned beauty spot that’s known for the River Dove, its impressive limestone ravines and stepping stones.
Because of its idyllic setting several period dramas were reportedly filmed in Ilam, including the 2006 BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, starring Ruth Wilson.
Scenes from the Other Boleyn Girl, featuring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, were also shot around Ilam.
While the village itself doesn’t have any pubs, on the outskirts is the Izaak Walton country House Hotel, with stunning views of the surrounding Dales and a bar that welcomes walkers for roast dinners and beers.
Ilam is an 80-minute drive from Birmingham and it’s a 66-minute drive from Nottingham.
Three other quirky villages to visit in the UK
HERE are three other quirky villages to visit in the UK.
Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales
This unique village was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1973 in the style of an Italian village. It is famous for its colourful buildings, beautiful gardens, and as the filming location for the 1960s TV series “The Prisoner.”
Clovelly, Devon
This charming village is known for its steep, cobbled streets that lead down to a small harbour. The village is traffic-free, and goods are traditionally transported by donkeys or sledges. The picturesque setting and historic buildings make it a delightful place to explore.
Pluckley, Kent
Often referred to as the most haunted village in England, Pluckley is reputed to have a large number of ghosts and paranormal occurrences. Visitors come to explore its spooky reputation and to see locations such as the Screaming Woods, Fright Corner, and various haunted pubs and houses. The village’s eerie atmosphere makes it a fascinating destination for those interested in the supernatural.
Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.
And an abandoned village in England only opens to tourists once a year.