The untouched UK seaside village from 1800s with whales & dolphins swimming offshore
A VILLAGE in the UK has been compared to taking a step back in time due to its unique and unspoilt setting.
It’s rare to find a town untouched by modernity, but in the far corners of the British Isles, there’s a small village that looks much like it would’ve done when it was first built.
The Gearrannan “blackhouse village” consists of nine restored traditional thatched cottages that overlook Garenin Bay in the Scottish Outer Hebrides.
The small cluster of homes was originally built in the 1800s and is very typical of the “blackhouses” that could once be seen scattered throughout the landscape.
Today, the area acts as a living museum to the time, with visitors even able to stay in four of the remaining cottages.
The village was originally set up as a “crofting” township, which involves a small agricultural community building several properties together and living off the land.
People lived in the homes at Gearrannan until the late 1970s when the remaining elderly population left to live in more modern houses that required less upkeep.
However, instead of letting the town become abandoned, the local trust took over in 1989 and started restoring and preserving the historic buildings.
Now tourists can see what it would have been like to live there, while also taking part in traditional activities, including weaving the famous Harris Tweed.
There is a small shop on site selling souvenirs, as well as a cafeteria selling homemade cakes and sandwiches.
As well as the individual homes to stay in, there’s also a hostel option.
The Gearrannan website states:” Each blackhouse has its own character, named after the family who once lived there.
“In the morning you can wake up to the crashing Atlantic Ocean on your doorstep, while in the evening you can relax in front of a real fire.
“During the day you can enjoy the variety that the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village has to offer, or you can spend your time taking in the rest of the islands.”
The rest of the islands are well worth exploring too, with sights like the Callanish Standing Stones just a short drive away.
The cross-shaped setting of stones was erected around 5,000 years ago.
It predates Stonehenge and was an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.
Meanwhile, the waters off the outer Hebrides are home to several amazing species of animal, including whales, dolphins and seals.
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Visit Outer Hebrides explained: “Dolphins in the Outer Hebrides include seasonal visitors such as the Common, Risso and Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin, while visitors can spot Harbour Porpoise and Bottle-Nosed dolphins in the Western Isles year-round.
“Whales such as the Pilot Whale and Orca (year round) or Minke Whale (seasonal) are popular with Scottish Islands wildlife watchers.
“Spotting Basking Sharks in the Outer Hebrides can be done on a guided sea tour”
Travel bloggers Travel Project visited Gearrannan and listed it as one of their four most inspiring UK trips.
They said of the village: “A trip here feels like stepping back in time.
“It’s not exactly the easiest to get to, but those who make the journey are rewarded with an experience that will live long in the memory.”
Meanwhile, Undiscovered Scotland described the village as “a unique place in a beautiful environment”.
Gearrannan isn’t the only place where people can go in the UK to feel like they’ve travelled back to the past.
Beamish
The Beamish living museum in County Durham is a small that demonstrates what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s and 1950s, with replica homes, shops, pubs and businesses.
The museum is also fully interactive.
Instead of dusty items sitting behind glass cases, it has real people in authentic costumes, demonstrating activities and telling visitors about the type of people they’re representing and their lives.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor
This Welsh manor house has been restored to reflect how it would have looked in the 1600s.
What’s more the staff remain diligently in character throughout to make visits that touch more realistic.
Edward Prichard, the master of the house, and Mistress Mary Prichard, his wife, can be met, along with the servants and other people from the time.
Haworth
The small Yorkshire village has been compared to a 1940s film set because of its attributes that make it feel like it’s in the past.
It’s home to a steam train and narrow cobbled streets, while some of its former residents are incredibly well known.
The village was the home of the Brontë sisters in the early 19th century and has retained a lot of its historical charm since then.
Between them, the sisters made significant contributions to the world of literature, including famous novels like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.
Meanwhile, this museum is like visiting a Victorian village.
And this retro tourist town was used to film popular TV shows.
