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Castle Combe: a picturesque medieval village in England and one of the loveliest in the country

Oh boy, do we love medieval villages which look like they’ve been taken out of a fairy tale!

About 5 miles (8 km) northwest of the town of Chippenham in Wiltshire, England, there is a village named after a 12th-century castle and by the looks of it, our next getaway location.

Castle Combe, a civil parish, and a tiny village with a population of about 350, is considered as one the most photographed places in England, and we totally understand why.

Castle Combe is a small Cotswold village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. .Photo Credit
Castle Combe is a small Cotswold village in Wiltshire, England, with a population of about 350. .Photo Credit

 

The village was the setting for the movie "The War Horse" and also the original version of Doctor Doolittle with Rex Harrison. .Photo Credit
The village was the setting of the movie The War Horse and also of the original filmed version of Doctor Doolittle with Rex Harrison. .Photo Credit

The village, which is regularly referred to as one of prettiest in England, has two parts: one in the narrow valley of the By Brook river, and another one on the higher ground to the east,  known as  the Upper Castle Combe.

Castle Combe .Photo Credit
Castle Combe .Photo Credit

 

Castle Combe .Photo Credit
Castle Combe .Photo Credit

The heyday of Castle Combe was during the 15th century when it belonged to Millicent, the wife of Sir Stephen Le Scrope and later of Sir John Fastolf, a Norfolk knight who was an effective manor for fifty years.

Sir John Fastolf promoted the woolen industry and recruited his own and other troops for the war of Henry V in France.

 

House in Castle Combe..Photo Credit
House in Castle Combe..Photo Credit

 

Castle Combe, England .Photo Credit
Castle Combe, England .Photo Credit

One of the landmarks in this adorable village is the 14th century market cross, established in the period when Castle Combe was granted the privilege to hold a weekly market.

Next to the market cross is one of the two village pumps. Near the cross there are small stone steps which used to help horse riders to mount and dismount.

House in Castle Combe .Photo Credit
House in Castle Combe .Photo Credit

 

Houses .Photo Credit
Houses .Photo Credit

The most notable house in Castle Combe is the Dower house, dating from the late 17th century.

The village increased its popularity since being portrayed as a fishing port in the 1967 filmed musical Doctor Dolittle, as well as being the key filming location for Steven Spielberg’s production of War Horse.

Castle Combe .Photo Credit
Castle Combe .Photo Credit

 

Houses in Castle Combe .Photo Credit
Houses in Castle Combe .Photo Credit

 

Looking up Water Street from the Brook - Castle Combe, England .Photo Credit
Looking up Water Street from the Brook – Castle Combe, England .Photo Credit

 

St Andrew's Church .Photo Credit
St Andrew’s Church .Photo Credit

 

April Cottage, Castle Combe. Located near the SW end of Dunns Lane, the early 18th century thatched roof cottage was Grade II listed in 1960. .Photo Credit
April Cottage, Castle Combe. Located near the SW end of Dunns Lane, the early 18th century thatched roof cottage was Grade II listed in 1960 .Photo Credit

One of the most fascinating things about this place is that to this day, Castle Combe strictly bans any modern attachments to the exterior of the houses, including TV dishes and external wires.

Love medieval motifs? We have another story for you: Skellig Michael: The mysterious abandoned medieval monastery

This prohibition has provided the historic, medieval village to maintain its authentic picturesque appearance.