Walk Leader: Julie Constable
Eleven Strollers met at the National Trust carpark for today’s stroll around the village of Lacock. We started with morning coffee at the Stables Cafe.
Once refreshed, we walked to the Tithe Barn. The Tithe Barn was built in the 14th Century and was once attached to Lacock Abbey. Villagers would bring corn or fleece to the barn as ‘rent’ payment to the Abbey.
We then explored the beautiful National Trust owned village of Lacock. The central grid of four streets, timber framed cottages and local shops look very similar to how the village looked 200 years ago. Lacock is one of England’s most filmed villages. Many scenes from ‘Harry Potter’ were filmed here. We explored the ‘Sign of the Angel’ restaurant and guest house (used to film the Barberton Arms Pub in ‘Harry Potter’). The lack of modern overhead cables and TV aerials have also made Lacock the perfect location for period dramas such as Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice.
A local choir sang in the main street adding to the ambience as we explored. We looked in a few gift shops, the Post Office, and bakery before heading to the Packhorse Bridge crossing the Bide Brook. In Saxon times, settlers used the Bide Brook as a source of water. The stream runs through the centre of the village. The name Lacock comes from the word Lacuc, meaning ‘little stream’.
We then headed to St Cyriac’s Church. The church has an unusual dedication to the three year old Roman martyr, St Cyriac reflecting Lacock’s Norman historical links.
We then looked at a private house on Church Street used to film Harry Potter’s Parent’s home in Godric’s Hollow. This was used in the first Harry Potter film: ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ in 2001.
We ended our walk at the Red Lion Pub for lunch. This is another film location from Pride and Prejudice (1995). The Red Lion Pub was used as the Assembly Rooms where the characters first met.
A very enjoyable stroll, exploring a beautiful village in the Spring sunshine.
I wish I had come along now as you had another good day for it. I just wondered if one could have got away from wearing walking boots.