When people think of England, landmarks like Big Ben or Stonehenge might spring to mind – but the real heart of England lies in the charm of its market towns.

The English towns surrounded by rolling hills, with their winding lanes and bustling high streets are as British as tea and scones – and the most picturesque and  quintessentially British town has just been revealed by Independent Cottages.

By analysing publicly available data on several important factors including the age of the town, the Google ratings and the number of independent shops and markets the experts have revealed the most  ‘quintessential’ of these English gems. 

Coming in at the top of the list is the charming market town of Bridport in Dorset. 

This gorgeous seaside village is packed full of history and charm.

It dates back to 1086 and visitors can easily discover much of the town’s vibrant history as they explore its streets, filled with Georgian and Victorian buildings, and by visiting its local museums, including the Bridport Museum, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre nearby. 

Bridport is also famed for its eclectic boutique shops. Roy, who owns Clocktower Records told The Express the area can feel like someone is “moving back in time”.

He said: “There have been more opportunities for more people to start their own businesses here because there’s been so many small shops and small units.

“The other upside of this is we have a street market and that attracts a lot of footfall so if you want to be in a business it has a lot of footfall throughout the year.”

There are markets selling antiques, handmade soaps crafted in Dorset and art perfect for wandering through on a bright winter’s day.

Often referred to as a gateway to the renowned UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast of Dorset, Bridport’s inviting setting is just the beginning to discovering the beauty that lies along the rest of Dorset’s coastline.

If you want to check out any of the other quintessential market towns in the UK, the full list is below.

1. Bridport, Dorset

2. Stockport, Greater Manchester

3. Devizes, Wiltshire

4. Beverley, Yorkshire

5. Bromley, Greater London 

6. Faversham, Kent

7. Romsey, Hampshire

8. Richmond, Yorkshire

9. Kingston upon Thames, London

10. Bolton, Greater Manchester