Have you ever seen the village of Lacock in Wiltshire, UK?
Before you say “No,” let me ask you – Have you ever watched the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, Moll Flanders, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Cranford, Wolfman, Downton Abbey, or Harry Potter?
If you answered “Yes” to any of the above, then you have seen Lacock. On screen.
Compare the image above with the shot below. Look familiar?

You can also see some great shots of the cast of Downton Abbey in “Downton Abbey filming held back by local tour guide.”
The village of Lacock, owned almost entirely by the National Trust, and located about a hundred miles west of London, has been used for filming several period movies and TV shows.

We went there in January 2013 with David’s Day Tours, a custom sightseeing guide we hired to take us to Stonehenge and Bath, but trust me, the village hasn’t changed much since then, thanks to the generosity of Matilda Talbot (formerly Gilchrist-Clark) who inherited the Lacock estate in the early 20th century from his uncle.
In 1944 she presented Lacock Abbey, Abbey Farm, all of the village that she owned and 284 acres of land to the National Trust.
As the Lacock Community Portal says, most of the houses in the village were built in the 18th century or earlier. The oldest buildings date back to the 14th century! And Lacock prides itself on preserving the history, character, and charm of the bygone days.
One of the oldest buildings in the village is The George Inn, a restaurant housed in a building from around 1360s.
The Red Lion hotel and restaurant, in front of which scenes from Pride and Prejudice where shot, seems young in comparison, even though it was built way back in the 1700s.
A Bit of History
The best accounts of the history of Lacock I found are on the “Wiltshire Community History” page of the Wiltshire Council site, and “About Lacock” on the Lacock Unlocked site.
According to these sites, the earliest finds in Lacock date from the Roman times, and were mostly coins. There was a major Roman road running through the south of the parish.
The name Lacock might have been derived from the Saxon Lacuc, which meant “a small stream.”
The village is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, and at that time it had between 150 to 200 inhabitants, 2 mills, and a ½ acre of vineyard.
In 1232, Ela, Countess of Salisbury, founded a nunnery at Lacock and built an Augustian house, now known as Lacock Abbey. In 1540, Sir William Sharington converted the abbey into a manor house. Scenes from several movies, including Harry Potter, were filmed at the Lacock Abbey.

If you’re planning to visit Lacock when you’re in the neighborhood (Stonehenge is about 25 miles southeast, and Bath is about 15 miles west) you might find this Lacock village map useful.

You can also download to your mobile device a free audiovisual guide to Lacock, which you can review ahead of time in “Armchair” mode or “Live Play” as you walk around the village.
I had never heard of Lacock before our trip, but I’m certainly glad David suggested we stop there for a brief visit. It’s a lovely village, and walking down the narrow streets, looking at the houses with slate roofs and multi-pane windows, you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.



How did the kids like Lacock?
Well, my daughter (the younger one) was barely six at that time and really didn’t care much for looking at old buildings. My son, who was eleven, was somewhat impressed by how old the buildings were, though for the most part he claimed he was bored.
I think now, knowing how many movies have been shot here, we’d do a “scavenger hunt” of sorts, trying to find all the locations, and they’d be much more excited trying to find the house that “played” Godric’s Hollow.
Yes, I’m thinking maybe we should go see this place again some time.

Other blog posts about Lacock
Not surprisingly, Pride & Prejudice and other period movie lovers have blogged about Lacock extensively. One of the posts I like is “Lacock – my Bath trip part 7” by The Secret Dreamworld of Jane Austen Fan, which includes photos from Lacock mixed with screen shots from the movies.
Where to Stay in Lacock?
We didn’t stay at Lacock overnight, unfortunately, but there are a few accommodations in the area that you might like to consider. I’m thinking next time we’re in the area, we just might.
Interested? Pin it for later
If this brief overview of the village makes you think you might want to visit it some day, feel free to pin it to your board on Pinterest.
Or, follow my Uk | Wiltshire | Lacock board, which includes not only this posts, but also all the links mentioned in this post, and more.

Invitation to #WeekendWanderlust Link Up
#WeekendWanderlust, hosted by Chris & Heather from A Brit and a Southerner, Jessi & Tara from Outbound Adventurer, Ashley from A Southern Gypsy, Justin and Lauren from Justin Plus Lauren, and yours truly, is a collaborative effort to share travel blog posts, and to discuss all travel-related things.
The hosts organize each week a link up through which travel bloggers from around the world can promote their posts, in exchange for a promise to give some attention to other travel bloggers. (One of the rules for linking up is to comment on three linked up posts.)
If the link up is still open, feel free to add a link to one of your posts below, then comment on three linked up posts. I welcome comments as well, of course, and will reciprocate as soon as I can.

Look beautiful – the movie scavenger hunt sounds like a plan. In Paris I kept hearing myself say “You know the lady who got her head cut off, well she was here…” as the preface to every second building and street we went to….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…The towering cliffs and canyons in Kaua’i
Thank you for reading, Lydia! I smiled at “the lady who got her head cut off.” I think you could say that a lot in London as well, though probably not that much in Lacock. It’s a small village, but the atmosphere is pretty amazing. Just imagine how much those walls have seen, though.
Jolanta, I loved this post! You guys (or is it just you?:) are real history buffs. It’s amazing how different travel blog highlight different aspects of a travelling experiences.
Victoria @celebratetheweekend recently posted…Boston Weekend. Artsy Dates and Summer Classes.
Thank you for reading, Victoria! My husband was in a Ph.D. program in history, before he decided he’d rather do his own thing. I’m not good with dates or locations, but I do try to learn a bit about every place we visit, so that’s probably why my blog is very history-oriented. We see travel as a very educational activity.
I would have answered “no”!! Good to know that it’s also so close to London, perfect for a day trip.
Shere recently posted…Postcard from Mono Lake, California – ww
Thank you for reading, Shere. It’s not an “easy distance” as Elizabeth Bennett or Mr. Darcy would say, but it’s doable. I’m so glad we went there.
I’ve never heard of it but looks really enchanting.
Thank you for reading. Lauren. It’s a really cute place, and if you like old stuff, I’m sure you’d like it.
Our daughter is absolutely obsessed with Harry Potter right now, so I am sure she would be able to point out all the hotspots 🙂 Looks like a beautiful place 🙂 Love all the history you included 🙂
The Adventure Ahead recently posted…Top Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Thank you for reading, The Adventure Ahead. I’m glad you liked the bit of history I included. Yes, your daughter might be able to recognize the important spots, and if you watch period movies, you probably would recognize some places as well.
looks lovely! The scavenger hunt sounds like a great idea to get kids more into it. What a great stop on your tour.
Karilyn recently posted…Exploring the World in Lists: Travel Listography Giveaway
Thank you for reading, Karilyn! I also think that kids might like a scavenger hunt kind of sightseeing. I’d have to research it a bit, and print photos, but it might get them more involved.
Andrew and I both love Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. We, along with our 11-year-old daughter, love Harry Potter. So yes, we’ve seen Lacock! I truly have never heard of this little place. This would be just the type of tour we would have enjoyed. I think it would be fun to do a bit of scavenger hunting as you suggested. Thank you for all the information and education.
Brenda recently posted…Dish Our Town’s Guide to New York A-L
Don’t worry, Brenda, even though I had watched Pride & Prejudice dozens of times, when we were in Lacock, I didn’t realize that I was walking the same streets as Colin Firth, until I returned back to London and looked up the village on Google. 🙂 Shame on me, really. I hope when we go back to the U.K. in a few years, we’ll visit this place again. Maybe by then I will have taught my daughter to like P&P as well.
I have never hear about this town but I think I have seen it in movies. I thought a lot of the movies you mentioned were filmed in sets. Great to know a town as cute (and full of history) as this still exists.
Ruth – Tanama Tales recently posted…Pacific Grove: Point Pinos, Asilomar and Downtown
Thank you for reading, Ruth! A lot of movies are filmed in sets, yes, but sometimes they need to shoot outside, and it seems Lacock is very well known in the movie industry.
I’ve been to both Stonehenge and Bath…but didn’t know about Lacock. Next time, I’ll definitely have to fit it into the itinerary.
Fairlie recently posted…Vivid Sydney – bright lights in the big city
Thank you for reading, Fairlie. Lacock is just a small village, so I’m not surprised you’d never heard of it. I had not either, until we visited.
Isn’t it amazing how they can turn modern day into the past, Ok the building are old but add some dirt to the tarmac roads and you’ve returned the village to yesteryear.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…A Family Getaway to Bali with Kids: A trip of firsts
Thank you for reading, Sally. Yes, that’s what they do – they cover the asphalt road with dirt, and turn it into 19th-century Meryton 🙂
Looks beautiful, I definitely remember it from Harry Potter, the abbey is gorgeous! 🙂
Vlad recently posted…A Day Trip From Bucharest to Sinaia
Thank you for reading, Vlad! We didn’t go inside the abbey, but even just the village was very nice.
How funny! I’ve learnt something today 🙂 England has so many cutesy villages… I’d never heard of this one though despite being a huge film/TV series geek and living in England for 9 years!
Camille recently posted…Wanderlust Instagrammy Awards: Myanmar in 30 Amazing Pictures
Thank you for reading, Camille. I’m glad you learned something new today 🙂 It’s a tiny village, but quite popular in the movie industry, apparently.
I haven’t been here for years, but would love to return with the kids. I know they would love the TV and film references in particular and I would love all the history!
Sarah Ebner recently posted…Learning about Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne
Thank you for reading, Sarah. It’s a fun place, isn’t it? I would love to see one of those houses inside!
How enchanting! I have to show my daughter – she will love this!
Thank you, Beth! I’m glad you liked the post.
I never knew this (and I call London home)! What a fun day trip and I love that some of Harry Potter was filmed here (the kids would be less keen if it had only been used for Downton Abbey 🙂 )
Katja – globetotting recently posted…My Family Adventure: A Journey to Machu Picchu, Peru with Kids
Thank you for reading Katja. Lacock is pretty small and England is full of charming small villages, so I’m not surprised you don’t know them all. 🙂 But yes, the movie factor is I think what makes Lacock stand out from the others.
The village of Lacock has been the set of some of my favourite movies! I just assumed it was somewhere in London and now I know the name :). I’ll have to bookmark this for later. I too have young children (6 and 3 years old) and I don’t think they’d appreciate this place yet until they’re a bit older and have watched more movies.
Cheryl recently posted…Affordable Summertime Tradition in Toronto: Centreville Amusement Park
Thank you for reading, Cheryl! Lacock is a bit of a drive from London 🙂 but worth visiting, and since you’re likely to be in the area anyway, visiting Stonehenge or Bath, you might as well stop there too!
What a charming village – and so much history! One thing I love about England and Europe is the off chance of a building – or entire village! – that is so old and drenched in history. I had never heard of Lacock before, but now I’m going to be looking for any excuse to go find it! Thanks for sharing!
RobRob recently posted…How Would You Rate as a Passenger?
Thank you for reading, RobRob. I’m glad my post made you want to go to Lacock. It’s a charming place.
wow so cool that Harry Potter was filmed in the area!
Jessica recently posted…City Views from a Seattle Seaplane [Photos]
Thank you for reading, Jessica! Yes, you can see Godric’s Hollow in this village when you visit.
I love villages just like this. Now I need to add it to our to do list!
Heidi Wagoner recently posted…You Need To Go Off Road In Southern Utah
Thank you for reading, Heidi. I’m glad my post makes you want to visit Lacock. It’s a charming place.
I love visiting old historic villages where movies and tv series are shot! We were in Barringtons Court earlier this year where Wolf Hall was shot, was fun seeing Tudor houses and the environment surrounding the house, imagining what it was like during that period. I haven’t been to Lacock but I bet I would love it as have seen several of the moves/series you mentioned. Perhaps next time we are in England 🙂
samiya selim recently posted…Review of Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge – Fun Family Adventure!
Thank you for reading, Samiya! We haven’t been to Barringtons Court, but it sounds like fun. Lacock has some Tudor houses as well, though they’re pretty small. I don’t know if any of them can be called a “Hall”. Glad to hear my post made you want to visit Lacock. It’s a cute village.
Very cool post. Would love to check it out!
Thank you for reading, Sarah! Hope you’ll get to see Lacock some time.
Super cool! I love finding places like this, that look awfully familiar… and then you realise! I feel very lucky that there are places like this in the UK that are so beautiful and could really have come straight from the past. I feel a day trip coming on!
Thank you for reading, Rachel! The UK truly is a charming place. I’ll have to go there again some time. I hope you’ll get to visit it too!
Hi Jolanta, this place looks marvellous. Thanks for posting. The UK is full of pretty wee villages and towns that haven’t featured on as many travel guides as they should have done. I’d love to visit on my next trip to England. Safe travels. Jonny
Jonny Blair recently posted…Backpacking in Denmark: Exploring Helsingor, Hamlet’s Town
Loved reading this article. Amazing that it was mentioned in the Domesday Book!!
solosophie recently posted…MY WORKSPACE
Thank you for reading, Solo Sophie! Some parts of the UK are so old. I love it!