Holiday Season Trip 4 - Castle Combe

On our way from Oxford to Bath, our next city to stay overnight, I asked J to drop by two villages that I strongly wish to see. First was Castle Combe. It was a tiny village that has barely changed architecturally since the 15th century. Castle Combe is often selected one of the prettiest English villages. I understood why. Even in a deeply foggy winter morning, the village was very charming indeed. 

 

For me, the village is known as King's Abbot. It was where Roger Ackroyd and Dr James Sheppard lived and where Poirot came out of retirement. It was the main filming location of "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," one of episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot TV series! There were Doctor's house next to Poirot's house. The Market Cross, The White Hart, and St Andrew’s Church, which all have been around since the 13th or 14th century, as well as the main street (well, there was only a street technically) are seen in the show repeatedly. How exciting!

Strolling to the bottom of the village, we reached a bridge, which was also seen in the show. Right next to the bridge, Water Lane, wool weavers workers cottages stood. The village was prosperous in the 15th century from wool and the local cloth industry. It is said that one of the houses was once owned by the ‘Blanket’ brothers who gave their name to this common-place bed covering. I thought that was a quite intriguing story.

The village has only a few pubs and a cafe, but none of them were open when we were there. Perhaps the largest commercial property was the Manor House, a 17th century luxurious country house hotel. Before the trip, I inquired the hotel if they serve breakfast to non-residents at their restaurants or lounge. The answer was unfortunately no. At least I wished to glance at the hotel but the gate to the hotel was closed to public. However, after we visited the village's church, we accidentally found a path to enter the hotel property and saw the hotel! It would be wonderful if we could stay at the hotel, dine at their Michelin star restaurant, and take a walk in the woods or to another villages near by. Perhaps someday in the future. While I dreamed about it, we were getting hungry and left to the next stop, Lacock, another little village to find a cup of tea and hopefully breakfast. 

To be continued...