The River Avon flows through the grounds of Lacock Abbey
Atmospheric 700-year-old north walk of the Cloisters
Intricate detailing on the Cloisters' vaulted ceilings
The George Inn is one of Lacock's three centuries-old pubs
Tranquil Abbey, grounds, quaint village & museum
Once belonging to the Victorian inventor and botanist William Henry Fox Talbot, this medieval nunnery-turned-country house has captured each of its owners' charisma inside and out.
Tudor chimneys, Gothic church-like windows and medieval arched ceilings reveal the changing architectural fashions and functions of the Abbey over 750 years. Inside, the Victorians' story is told through the oriel window, the subject for Talbot's pioneering photography. The story continues in the Museum, through a display of his life, inventions and experiments.
Medieval cloisters enclose the ground floor of the Abbey. Their main feature is a square walkway, topped by vaulted ceilings from which carved stone creatures dangle. A series of monastic rooms surround the main corridors for you to explore - each steeped in a pious atmosphere.
Outside, a ha-ha seamlessly ties the unspoilt flat countryside to the simple formal grounds, as the meandering River Avon arches around the Abbey. Make your way through the wooded grounds around the Abbey to uncover a botanist's paradise full of rare flora and fauna.
Leave the serenity of the grounds for the quaint streets of the village unaltered by time. Timber frames jut out over the quiet roads and you won't spot any modern accessories such as TV aerials on these charming Cotswold stone cottages. It’s no wonder that this village has been used as the backdrop for films such as 'Harry Potter', 'The Other Boleyn Girl', 'Cranford' and more.