The
village of Lacock dates back to the 13th Century when Lacock was a
classic wool village. The outward appearance of the village is of
this time, but Lacock is a normal living village complete with functioning
school, public houses, church, bakery and post office.
The owners, the National Trust rent out the houses, pubs etc. to private
tenants. The exterior is kept as it was several hundred years ago.
No aerials on the houses, streetlights etc.
As
such the village is very popular with film makers and TV who require
a medieval backdrop. The most famous films to use Lacock in recent
times has been the Harry Potter films, others include Pride and Prejudice,
Moll Flanders and Emma.
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Typical
Lacock Timbered House With Slate Roof |
| The
village is laid out in a simple square grid with Lacock Abbey adjoining
it on its eastern side. |
The
Tithe Barn pictured right is open most days for you to wander into
and admire the timber roof supporting the heavy slates.
In medieval times this is where the village brought their rent in
kind, one tenth of their output. (Tithe being old English for ten).
On the other side of the village entrance to the Tithe barn is the
exit to the landlord, Lacock Abbey.
Adjoining the Tithe Barn is the village jail, just big enough for
one person to sleep off a hard nights drinking.
Again this is open most days during the day time.
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Lacock Tithe Barn and Prison (foreground) |
The
village has its fair share of pubs and there is a tea house in the
old stables.
The village bakery does a good trade in pies, cakes and such like. |
St Cyriac's Church is the village church dating back to the 15th Century,
built on the site of another Norman Church.
Unless there is a wedding, choir practise etc. going on the church
welcomes visitors to browse around the church.
The graveyard is extensive and many people pass time trying to read
the inscriptions on the grave stones.
The church was much restored in Victorian times.
Lacock is the nearest village to the family of the Parker Bowles family.
Camilla Parker Bowles, the wife of Prince Charles had her daughter
married in the church.
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St Cyriac's Church Lacock |
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George
Inn
For such a small village you have a wide choice of outlets for refreshment.
The George Inn should have something for everyone. There is a wide
range of offerings from snacks to full meals. Food is home cooked
and of a high standard and there is always an extensive list on the
blackboards.
The George Inn itself is very historic, one of the oldest licensed
pubs in England. During the winter the medieval fireplace roars with
a log fire. You can see a dog wheel which a specially bred dog used
to revolve fanning the flames. |
In
the courtyard are stocks and a well and a very large beer garden.
There is a noticeboard inside the pub tracing the films that have
been shot in Lacock and a corner devoted to the Fox Talbots, once
owners of Lacock Abbey and photography pioneers. |
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