Photos and the City

Category: In The Movies

  • Lacock

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    I only had made a short stop in Lacock during my last time in the Cotswolds and back then decided to come back and visit the Abbey, not only one of the many sets of Harry Potter or Downton Abbey but also the birthplace of photography.

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    When I then stumbled over “Snoozums #11” I just had to stay for a night and take the time to explore Lacock more and just spend some time at this cosy place!

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    It was hard to leave Castle Combe that fabulous four-post-bed and as there were still no buses running I had to travel by cab again – quite the experience! Lacock awaited me with snow and sunshine, perfect combination! But the main reason for visiting, Lacock Abbey, was closed because of the snow… so I´ll probably have to visit again another time!

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    I started my visit with sipping the most delicious hot chocolate from CoCo Chemistry and just wandering around the village. Lacock is one of the oldest villages in England.

    Nine hundred years ago, the Countess of Salisbury founded Lacock Abbey, the focal point of the area, from which the village you see today sprang into life.

    The early-middle ages saw Lacock as a flourishing woollen mill village; its proximity to the London and Bath road ensured it retained influence and commerce. Over time, it gave way to larger towns but the village remained intact with its myriad of architectural styles. Stone houses and timber-framed houses stand side by side. Memories of the woollen trade are visible all around; (Visit Lacock)

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    In 1944 Matilda betrusted the Abbey and the houses to the National Trust who owns them and is responsible for their upkeeping. If there wouldn´t be cars walking around Lacock would be like travelling in time, probably one of the reasons many movies and TV shows are filmed here. To name a few: Harry Potter, Cranford, Downton Abbey and the upcoming HBO presentation of William Shakespeare.

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  • Castle Combe

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    And then it stopped snowing…

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    View of the old weavers´ cottages where the local red and white clothes were produced. Once upon a time ago, Castle Combe was the heart of the heart of the Cotswolds wool trade.

    Castle Combe’s history goes back much further than this though. The site of the castle is above today’s village, but little other than earthworks now mark its one time presence. Originally it was a British hill fort which became occupied by the Romans due to its proximity to The Fosse Way. After the Romans, came the Normans, who built the fort up into a Castle.

    By the Middle Ages the village in the valley had become an important centre for the wool industry. The spinsters and weavers lived in the cottages (hence names such as “Weaver’s House”) and the river, still known as By Brook, provided the power to run the mills.

    (Castle Combe)

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    Today Castle Combe is not only loved by visitors but also by the TV- and Movie industry, a lot of movies and tv shows have been filmed in the lovely village. From Dr Dolittle to Dr Thorne, The Wolf Man, Stardust, War Horse, Poirot to Downton Abbey and many more!

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    The Manor House

    The Manor House is a 5star hotel situated in a stunning garden next to the village. The house was built in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 19th century.

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    Beside the Manor House, one can also rent these stunning little cottages.

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    Castle Combe village is built around the 14th-century Market Cross with the old water pump beside it. It was erected when the privilege to hold a weekly market in Castle Combe was granted.

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    After some cream tea, it was time for a walk at sunset.

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    The Castle Inn and another walk the next morning…

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  • Winterwonderland

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    The next morning I woke up to a winter wonderland in Bath. It has been snowing the whole night and Ms Holle was still going strong. On my way to the train station, I enjoyed the snow covered views!

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    Despite the snow, my train to Chippenham was right on time and fifteen minutes later I arrived there. As I had one hour until the bus would bring me to Castle Combe I did a short walk around town (and bought some books). Somewhen I realized there would be no buses today, the twitter account of the Wiltshire buses said all buses for this day were cancelled and I had to find another way. Luckily there was one cab at the station and it was a Scotsman, brave enough to face the snow and the road to Castle Combe – so it came that I was driven through the winter wonderland and arrived safe and sound in the most beautiful village, Castle Combe. And finally learned how to pronounce it!

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    A Porsche driver wasn´t that lucky and needed a lot of help (including the brace Scotsman) to make its way to the Manor Hotel.

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    I´ve already been to Castle Combe in December 2017, when I also was surprised by a winter wonderland, but back then I only stayed for one or two hours and I just wanted to explore and enjoy it more this time!

    I had booked a room (aka the cheapest one) at the Castle Inn right next to the market cross. And I was greeted with surprise as they hadn´t expected to anyone arrive today and I got super lucky! Because staff had to sleep over my original room was occupied and I got a fabulous upgrade to a big room with a bathtub, chaise lounge and a four-poster bed – a room you never want to leave again!

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    My travel companion Froggy enjoyed the bed may be a little too much…. Handmade by the amazing Nonna Rosa, Froggy wanted to join me on my travels to explore England a little bit.

    But it was about time to do the first walk through the village!

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    Castle Combe has featured regularly as a film location, most recently in The Wolf Man, Stardust and Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse. It was also used in the original Dr Doolittle film.
    The village has a rich history and the houses are made up of the honey coloured Cotswold stone, typical for a village of this area. (visit Wiltshire)

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    The cakes still taste as good as last time and were a nice treat, as all the tearooms were on a winter break.

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