Lacock village in the Cotswolds has remained virtually untouched over the past two centuries. This quintessentially English hamlet, which has been used as a backdrop for numerous popular TV shows and films, feels like a ‘toy’ town frozen in time.
The National Trust owns the entirety of Lacock, situated in Wiltshire, including 90 properties. The village is home to just 1,000 residents, with most houses rented out to families who have lived there for several generations.
Even during the winter months, tourists are drawn to Lacock to explore its historic streets. Key attractions such as St Cyriac’s Church, the tithe barn, and Lacock Abbey are Grade I listed and date back to the Middle Ages.
A visit to the grounds of Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum will cost you £11 for an adult ticket during the winter season. This price is reduced due to the seasonal closure of the abbey and cloister until March.
The museum showcases the pioneering photographic work of William Henry Fox Talbot and the role Lacock played in this, featuring a must-see camera obscura on the grounds outside the abbey, reports Gloucestershire Live.
More recently, the village has been thrust into the limelight through the film and TV industry. It’s been used several times for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, including where an old cottage which served as the exterior of Harry’s childhood home at Godric’s Hollow where Lord Voldemort killed Harry’s parents in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Lacock Abbey, a notable location, served as the interior of Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter series, with its cloisters doubling as the school’s corridors. The abbey has also featured in the popular ITV series Downton Abbey and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast.
The well-preserved buildings have also been used in BBC productions of Pride and Prejudice and Cranford, providing an authentic backdrop for historical dramas. The Tudor courtyard of the abbey feels so genuine that visitors may feel like they’ve stepped onto a film set.
The village boasts three pubs, each featuring roaring open fires, perfect for a pit stop after a leisurely stroll. The Sign of An Angel is particularly noteworthy, housed in a 15th-century building with five bedrooms and cosy seating for those stopping by for a drink or meal.
The George Inn, a 14th-century public house, oozes character with its narrow corridors and uneven floors, offering several Wiltshire ales. The slightly more modern Georgian pub, The Red Lion, features a covered, heated beer garden and indoor seating.
Visitors can also indulge in some retail therapy on Lacock’s High Street, where local makers and designers sell gifts, food, drink and accessories. A second-hand bookshop can be found in the Abbey’s Tudor courtyard, and plant sales are available at the visitor reception.
For Bristol tourists seeking a day trip to a village steeped in history, with beautifully preserved medieval buildings, it’s an ideal journey.
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