Lacock

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Coordinates: 51°24′45″N 2°07′06″W / 51.4125°N 2.118333°W / 51.4125; -2.118333
Lacock

The High Street of Lacock
Lacock

 Lacock shown within Wiltshire
Population 1,000 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference ST915685
Unitary authority Wiltshire
Shire county Wiltshire
Ceremonial county Wiltshire
Region South West
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town CHIPPENHAM
Postcode district SN15
Dialling code 01249
Police Wiltshire
Fire Wiltshire
Ambulance Great Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament Chippenham
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire

Lacock is a village in the rural county of Wiltshire, England, 3 miles (5 km) 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.

History

Lacock is mentioned 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 18th century.[2]

At the Dissolution, the Abbey and estate, including the village were sold to William Sharington, later passing into the Talbot family by marriage.[2]

Most of the surviving houses are 18th-century or earlier in construction. There is a 14th-century tithe barn, the medieval St Cyriac's Church, and an inn dating from the 15th century[citation needed] 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 (1.15 km2), the Abbey, and the village.[2]

Film set

The Church of St Cyriac, Lacock was established in the late 11th century.

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.

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.[3]

School

Lacock has a small primary school with about 30 people in it at anyone time.Dan George,the well known comedian attended this school whilst living in the nearby town of Melksham.

References

  1. ↑ Lacock CP Key statistics (Office for National Statistics) accessed 12 May 2010
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lacock (Wiltshire County Archives) accessed 28 September 2009
  3. ↑ BBC - Wiltshire - Entertainment - Lacock Scarecrow Festival

External links

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