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Have you seen the Harry Potter movies? Or enjoyed hours watching BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford? Or probably binge-watched the highly acclaimed Downton Abbey (I know I did, heh)? If the answer to any of that is yes, then you’re most likely familiar (or caught a glimpse of, at the very least) with Lacock, a village in England where some scenes in these films were filmed.
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Yes, Lacock is a favorite among filmmakers doing period movies because the whole place just looks untouched by time it feels like you’ve gone back to the Middle Ages when there. Its unspoiled medieval look is authentic, charming, and bewitching.
So join me as we explore the picturesque streets of this pretty village. Who knows, after we’re through, you might just find yourself booking a flight and a lovely bed and breakfast for a visit.
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Lacock England Location
Lacock is located west of London in the County of Wiltshire, near the town of Chippenham.
Getting There
It takes a couple of hours to drive from London, a half-hour more if taking the train, and more than 3 hours by bus to reach this town.
For those doing the train option, you can take the hourly train that runs from London’s Paddington Station to Chippenham, then board a bus upon arriving in that town to Chippenham’s bus station. Once there, transfer to another bus that finally takes you to Lacock. This bus is hourly and provides a 13-minute journey.
Exploring Lacock England
Being a small town like the beautiful Castle Combe, Lacock can easily be explored on foot. It takes more if you’ll be visiting Lacock Abbey (which you should, and more on that later), which is just a stone’s throw away from the town center, or if you explore the museum nearby.
Activities
For the best Lacock experience, you can book these guided activities well ahead of your trip.
Lacock England Town
Lacock is a quintessential English village. Around town, you’ll see stone cottages and half-timbered homes sporting thatched roofs on quaint narrow streets. Cute shops, souvenir stores, and little offices dot the main street (or high street as they’re called in England). The whole town has retained its medieval feel, thanks to the minimal changes it has undergone ever since it stopped being a wool-producing village.
You can find a shop of the National Trust, which takes care of Lacock, in town.
One cute shop in town is the Lacock Bakery.
Other sights to see around the village are the village church, the tithe barn, the old workhouse, and the old lock-up.
Lacock Abbey
If you continue up ahead past the main streets, you’ll come across an iron gate that heralds you to Lacock Abbey, a structure that dates back to the 13th century.
Lacock Abbey stands regal amidst an impressive wide well-manicured lawn. What’s notable about this abbey is that it’s the location of some of the scenes from “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” and its second installment, “Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets”.
Because we visited in spring, we were treated to a gorgeous abbey landscape in fine weather. The grasses were so green and the flowers were in full bloom. A lot of people took advantage of the fine day as many were taking a picnic at that time.
For information about Lacock Abbey’s opening times and admission fees, please see The National Trust website.
Where to Eat
We stopped by for lunch at The Red Lion Pub, where we feasted on some English fares. They offer good food and good service. The ambiance was great as well, and the price was reasonable.
Where to Stay
You can find great accommodations in Lacock here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lacock famous?
Lacock is famous for its picturesque streets and historic architecture, notably Lacock Abbey, a former nunnery turned country house, and the charming village setting frequently used as a filming location for movies and TV series, including “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey.”
Is Lacock worth seeing?
Yes, Lacock is worth seeing for its well-preserved medieval village ambiance, stunning Abbey, and its role as a backdrop for famous film and television productions. It offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and cinematic charm that appeals to visitors from around the world.
Do you have to pay to visit Lacock?
No, you do not have to pay to visit Lacock.
Wrap Up
In closing, Lacock was one of our best day trips in England. We loved it for three reasons, namely:
- It had that authentic medieval feel as everything in town looked like it did hundreds of years ago.
- It was small and we just loved small towns.
- And third, it was pretty—really pretty. Plus, because we’re big Harry Potter fans (we’ve read the books many times), it was fun seeing the places we saw in the movies. That wasn’t the main attraction during our visit or our main motivation for visiting, but it sure was a nice bonus!
So we hope you won’t miss Lacock on your next trip to England! As always, happy travels!
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Love Lacock! We were there last year and had dinner at Sign of the Angel, a 15th-century Inn. Such an enchanting village!