General :- This 5 1/2 mile route starts
and finishes in Lacock village, the location for many historic films, the most
recent of note is the BBC's Pride & Prejudice. Lacock Abbey featured in the
Harry Potter film and the large bay window you can see from the road was the
subject of the world's first photograph taken by Fox Talbot. There is a museum
in recognition of his work in a barn alongside the Abbey entrance.
The National Trust owns most
of the village for a very good reason, the diversity of architectural styles makes it
a perfect place to view different methods of house construction through the
ages. It's well worth
allowing an hour at the end of the walk to walk around the village and absorb
its charm.
Once the village is left behind there is a
variety of countryside to complement what you have already seen. The old canal
and its locks are clearly visible, a mixture of woodland and farmland blend in
well with the grandeur of Bowden Park. All in all this walk is a history lesson
on foot if you take the trouble to look for the clues.
There is a a steep hill up from the old canal but
it's worth the effort. The Bell pub is outside the village and tends to get less
crowded than others in the village. (GPS length 5.15
miles).
How to get there:- From
the A350 Chippenham to Melksham Rd take the road to Lacock @ ST9148 6785. At
ST9157 6825 Turn right at the crossroads. The carpark is on the right @ ST9179
6823.