Lacock

Lacock

High Street, Lacock
Lacock
 Lacock shown within Wiltshire
Population 1,159 (in 2011)[1]
OS grid referenceST915685
Unitary authorityWiltshire
Shire countyWiltshire
Ceremonial countyWiltshire
RegionSouth West
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town CHIPPENHAM
Postcode district SN15
Dialling code 01249
Police Wiltshire
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK ParliamentChippenham
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire

Coordinates: 51°24′45″N 2°07′06″W / 51.4125°N 2.118333°W / 51.4125; -2.118333

Lacock is a village and civil parish in the rural county of Wiltshire, England, 3 miles (5 km) from the town of Chippenham. The village is owned almost in its entirety by the National Trust and attracts many visitors by virtue of its unspoiled appearance.

The parish includes Bowden Hill, a small village 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east of Lacock, and the hamlet of Notton, the same distance to the northwest.

History

Lacock is mentioned in the Domesday Book, with a population of 160–190; with two mills and a vineyard. Lacock Abbey was founded on the manorial lands by Ela, Countess of Salisbury and established in 1232; and the village — with the manor — formed its endowment to "God and St Mary". Lacock was granted a market and developed a thriving woolen industry during the Middle Ages. Reybridge, and a packhorse ford, remained the only crossing points of the River Avon until the 18th century.[2]

At the dissolution, the Abbey and estate, including the village were sold to William Sharington, later passing into the Talbot family by marriage.[2]

Most of the surviving houses are 18th century or earlier in construction. There is a 14th century tithe barn, the medieval St Cyriac's Church, an inn dating from the 15th century and an 18th century lock-up.

In 1916 Charles Henry Fox Talbot bequeathed the Lacock estate to his niece, Matilda Gilchrist-Clark, who took the name of Talbot. The estate – comprising 284 acres (1.15 km2), the Abbey and the village – was given to the National Trust in 1944 by Matilda Talbot.[2] Lacock has two public houses and a number of shops in its High Street including a Grocery store, a bakery, gift shops and a National Trust shop.

Filming location

Church of St Cyriac, Lacock was established in the late 11th century.

The village has been used as a film and television set, notably for the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice and the 2007 BBC production of Cranford. It has also made brief appearances in the Harry Potter films Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In the spring of 2012, it was a filming location for the fantasy adventure film Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box. Most recently it was used for the upcoming series of Downton Abbey.

Scarecrow festival

A scarecrow festival is held annually in Lacock and is usually popular with visitors from the local area.[3]

School

Lacock has a small primary school with 75 pupils.[4]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "Wiltshire Community History - Census". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Lacock (Wiltshire County Archives) accessed 28 September 2009
  3. ↑ BBC - Wiltshire - Entertainment - Lacock Scarecrow Festival
  4. ↑ "Lacock Primary School". Retrieved 18 October 2014.
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