Lacock
| Lacock | |
| Wiltshire | |
|---|---|
 The High Street, Lacock | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°24’45"N, 2°7’6"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,000 (2001) |
| Post town: | Chippenham |
| Postcode: | SN15 |
| Dialling code: | 01249 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Wiltshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Chippenham |
Lacock is a delightfully beautiful village in Wiltshire three miles 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.
Lacock Abbey is the grand house of the village, and it was here that Henry Fox-Talbot developed the first practical photography.
The parish church is the Church of St Cyriac, which was established in the late 11th century.
History
Lacock is listed 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 wool industry during the Middle Ages. Reybridge, and a pack horse ford, remained the only crossing points of the River Avon until the 17th century.[1]
At the Dissolution, the Abbey and estate, including the village were sold to William Sharington, later passing into the Talbot family by marriage.[1]
Most of the surviving houses are 18th-century or earlier in construction. There is a 14th-century tithe barn, a mediæval church, and 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 was given to the National Trust in 1944 by Matilda Talbot – comprising 284 acres, the Abbey, and the village.[1]
Film set
The village has been used as a film and television set, notably for the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, 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. Most recently, in the Spring of 2012, it was a filming location of the fantasy adventure movie Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box, which is scheduled for release in 2013.
Corsham Road Estate
The Corsham road estate on Corsham road in Lacock was built as affordable housing was needed in the parish. The land was purchased from the Self family, who own and run Whitehall Garden Centre, in 1961. The estate consists of 30 houses and bungalows, 21 Garages and a purpose built block of 18 flats, known as Rosemary House. Most of the dwellings are now owned and rented to tenants by Westlea Housing Association. During the building of the estate North Wiltshire council decided that a children's play area was needed and located this to the south of Rosemary House next to a communal green area.
Scarecrow festival
A scarecrow festival is held annually in Lacock. It is usually popular with visitors from the local area. In 2006 the theme for the festival was Fictitious Heroes and villains, although it changes annually.[2]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Lacock) |
- Lacock - Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Village information at the National Trust]
- Corsham and Lacock Churches Web Site
- Pictures from filming of Cranford at the Wiltshire Times