Castle Combe: Arguably the prettiest village in England



Castle Combe, Wilthsire, England

This evening, I am posting information on Castle Combe in the Wiltshire, Cotswold region, often described as the prettiest village in England.

The village is situated about 15 miles N.E. of Bath,a popular tourist destination with Roman origins.From London the distance is about 110 miles due west.

Castle Combe has changed little over the past 500 years. Most of the buildings are a product of the 15th century cloth boom.

Key features and information on Castle Combe:
  • Settlement dates from Saxon times but the Romans built a fort nearby.
  • After the Norman invasion in 1066 the manor was handed to Humphrey de L’Isle
  • During the 12th century Reginald de Dunstanville built the castle from which the village gets its name.
  • The village’s heydays were in the Middle Ages when Castle Combe’s cloth was a prized and lucrative product.
  • The Parish Church of St. Andrew dates from the 12th century.
  • The river running at foot of the village is called the By Brook.
  • Weavers cottages from the cloth boom can be found in Water Lane.
  • The Manor House is now a luxury hotel.
  • In the centre of the village can be found the Market Cross which includes a stone tiled roof supported on four massive pillars.
  • The village has been used as a film set in the past, including Dr. Doolittle and Warhorse.

Market Cross, Castle Combe, Wiltshire

Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England

Inside Castle Combe Church

Castle Combe Churchyard, Wiltshire

Colourful cottage at Castle Combe

Castle Combe, Wiltshire

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