When describing the perfect English village, Castle Combe might come as close as any to that ideal image. The babbling Bybrook River flows through the middle, surrounded by gorgeous honey-coloured limestone cottages on cosy narrow streets. Picturesque and ‘chocolate box’ are just some of the words closely associated with the stunning village.
No new houses have been built in the area since about the 1600s, there are over 100 of the listed buildings in Castle Combe too; nearly all of which are in the Grade II category. This includes two churches and a manor house. So a day trip here can feel like a step back in time to a lost England.
It’s no surprise then that Castle Combe has become a beloved filming location. The village was first used in the original 1967 film Doctor Dolittle, but more recently for a series of Downton Abbey. Other productions shot in the area include Stardust, The Wolfman and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, among others.
Recently, Castle Combe was voted among the most stylish places to live in the UK, coming in at 12th. The study Furniturebox was based on such things as the beauty of the buildings, scenery and popularity as a filming location. Earlier in the year, Big 7 Travel named it among the top 10 most beautiful places in the country.
Half an hour by car, or 50 minutes by public transport, there’s no reason not to visit this quaint Wiltshire village from Bristol. Wandering through you’ll find honesty stalls selling everything from plants to eggs and flowers; afternoon tea at The Castle Combe Manor; and hampers from The Little Picnic Shop ideal for a lunchtime break.
Motorheads might also be familiar with Castle Combe, which gives its name to the nearby Castle Combe Circuit. Featured regularly on motoring shows Top Gear and Fifth Gear to test cars, it also holds a large number of car shows and track days for all types of vehicles.
The revving of engines won’t bother you as you wander about the village though. This quiet and peaceful village is an ideal getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Bristol. Castle Combe isn’t the only beautiful village near Bristol, however, there are plenty of other pretty places to visit too.