GUIDE TO LACOCK ABBEY HARRY POTTER & TALBOT
GUIDE TO LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE: UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS, INFO + TIPS
Medieval Nunnery, The Birthplace of Photography + Filming Locations for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Planning a visit to Lacock Abbey? Excellent! I have all the information you need in this complete guide to Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, England.
Lacock Abbey is a fabulous place to visit. If you are a fan of the magical world of Harry Potter, or a photography fan, you’d already know that this is an unmissable destination. However, you may still wonder what to look out for during your visit. If you are not a fan of either category, you may be thinking about what exactly is there to see and do or is Lacock Abbey worth a visit at all.
Worry not, for I have you covered and happy to provide you with all the answers you are looking for.
In this guide to Lacock Abbey Harry Potter & Talbot photography, you will find the unmissable highlights of the abbey. From its importance as a nunnery, the birthplace of photography, to the abbey’s popularity as a location for filmmakers, you are guided to what to see and do at Lacock Abbey.
I have also included specific highlights of the Abbey which were the backdrop to the making of Harry Potter films along with highlights in and around the massive grounds to ensure you don’t miss anything.
We shall also take a quick look at the history of Lacock Abbey and how it evolved over the centuries along with the purposes it fulfilled. I had a super awesome time walking in the footsteps of history during my recent visit where I got to see a medieval dictionary! That’s correct – a medieval dictionary, one of its kind belonging to Lacock Abbey, a rare find indeed.
I am so happy to share information and tips about this incredible Abbey so you could have a fantastic experience as well. Read along…
HERE IS YOUR GUIDE TO LACOCK ABBEY HARRY POTTER AND TALBOT PHOTOGRAPHY
An overview of what is covered in this article:
- Is Lacock Abbey worth visiting?
- Where is Lacock Abbey?
- About Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
- The history of Lacock Abbey;
- What to see and do at Lacock Abbey;
- Lacock Abbey: The birth place of Photography and the Fox Talbot Museum;
- Lacock Abbey Harry Potter Hogwarts filming locations;
- How to visit Lacock Abbey with or without a car;
- Places to eat and drink;
- How much time is needed to visit Lacock Abbey?
- finally…
- Read more…
- What’s new.
IS LACOCK ABBEY WORTH VISITING?
Lacock Abbey is absolutely worth a visit! It is a gorgeous property where it exudes an aura of charm and timelessness which allows you to step back in time. Surrounded by rich history as you walk through the splendid gardens and the many rooms which were once homes to the nuns and nobles.
Lacock Abbey is a stunning piece of architecture with very detailed elements and lots of lovely Gothic windows, Tudor masterpieces and Victorian deco. There are so many rooms and doors that it sometimes feels like you are going through a maze.
The cloisters are beautiful and shows the history of the abbey in detail. If you’re a Harry Potter fan it’ll bring back those movie memories for sure.
Outdoors, a well-preserved Tudor stable courtyard, a lake, and a meander through the pathways in the trees and exploring the extensive grounds are absolutely fun and wonderful to do. The beautiful gardens make for great photography. There’s a lot to see here and this historic gem is definitely worth a visit, and should feature high on your England life list.
WHERE IS LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE
Nestled within its own woodland grounds, in the water meadows beside the meandering River Avon, Lacock Abbey is situated in the village of Lacock, county of Wiltshire on the fringes of the Cotswolds** in the English countryside.
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire is prominently signposted on the M4 motorway, with Junction 17 being the main exit. You could also follow the directions to Lacock Village, then on to Lacock Abbey.
If you are not driving, take the train to Chippenham and then a bus to Lacock Village. You could also opt for a group tour that departs from London with lunch included or one that departs from London and visits a couple more historic sites.
There’s more information about How to visit Lacock Abbey with or without a car further down this article.
LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE
This marvelously gorgeous country house with monastic roots dates back to the 1200s.
Lacock Abbey sits on a flat rectangular terrace laid to lawn to the south and east. It is supported by a sunken wall, hence raising the Abbey above the flood plain of River Avon.
Lacock Abbey has evolved through every owner and it was here that photography was born in the 1800s. Presently owned by the National Trust, Lacock Abbey has been a location for films such as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and a couple of Harry Potter movies filmed in 2001/2002.
This impressive property is small enough that it does not take up a complete day but still offers a variety of things to see and do for a few hours. Lacock Abbey is a must-visit destination for Harry Potter and photography fans. It is an ideal destination for history buffs and those who want to explore unhurriedly. It makes a great getaway for rainy days in Wiltshire where you can spend a couple of hours easily in the very least.
**The Cotswolds are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encompassing lush woodland, wildlife and warm honey-coloured houses. An area in England which is highly acclaimed for its natural beauty, unspoilt scenery and preserved villages.
THE HISTORY OF LACOCK ABBEY
Founded in 1232 by Countess of Salisbury.
Ela, Countess of Salisbury and Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey was founded as a nunnery of the Augustinian order by Ela, the Countess of Salisbury in 1232. Ela was the widow of William Longespee, the illegitimate son of King Henry II. She was one of the most formidable women in England at that time who owned a copy of the Magna Carta created in 1225.
The copy of the Magna Carta was kept in Lacock Abbey until it was transferred to the British Museum, London in 1946.
Countess Ela founded the abbey for learning and worship where the nuns had a strict daily schedule of prayers. The nuns here were from aristocratic backgrounds, with extensive wealth and land, offering these as an endowment to the abbey, in the hope that their entrance to heaven is guaranteed. Ela herself became one of the nuns living at the abbey when it was established.
Suppression of Monasteries
Lacock Abbey remained a nunnery for almost 300 years until the Dissolution of Monasteries under King Henry VIII. The convent was closed in 1539. While its use as a nunnery was suppressed, the property itself survived.
The abbey’s original cloister was torn down in 1400s and a new one built which is what we see today.
The Sharington Family
Sir William Sharington (also sometimes written as “Sherrington”) bought the abbey for £730.00 in 1540. Following the purchase, he built an impressive Tudor manor house for him and his family.
Sir William tore down the abbey church, chapel and part of the nun’s dormitory. He used the stones to build the bakery, brewhouse and stables around the outer courtyard.
When he deconstructed the abbey chapel, he moved Ela’s tomb to the cloisters.
He opted to retain the stone cloisters which is the most preserved medieval feature of Lacock Abbey (as this will be familiar to Harry Potter fans). The medieval basement was also left untouched.
A whole new floor was constructed over the cloisters and basement with several rooms to accommodate his lifestyle. He added Italian inspired architecture to his impressive manor house.
The ground floor rooms were used for storage and domestic purposes.
The property passed on to his brother, Henry Sharington upon his death. Henry was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, as a way of thanks for the hospitality shown to her when she visited Lacock Abbey in 1574.
During the English Civil War, the house was used by the Royalists until their eventual surrender in September 1645.
When Henry Sharington passed, his estate was inherited by his daughter, Olive who was married to John Ivory Talbot.
The Talbot Family
Following the English Civil War, John Ivory Talbot, through marriage to Olive Sharington, came to inherit Lacock Abbey and the village of Lacock in 1714.
In a curious twist, Talbot was a descendant of Countess Ela who founded the nunnery. This unexpected inheritance began the long association of the Talbot family with Lacock Abbey.
John Talbot was inspired by Gothic style and made dramatic changes to the Tudor manor house. He added Gothic features to the elegant dining room and the grand hall. He commissioned a Gothic arch and had this installed at the frontage of the house, to act as a visitor entrance, which you can still see today.
William Henry Fox Talbot
A notable figure from the Talbot family is William Henry Fox Talbot, who inherited the Lacock estate from his father in 1800 when he was just 5 months old. At that time, the estate was in debt and the property was let out for a considerable length of time. He moved in with his mother and stepfather in 1827. In 1835, he created the first photographic camera negative. He took a photo of the interior view of the iconic oriel window which still exists today.
Upon the death of Fox Talbot, the Lacock estate passed on to his son, Charles Henry Talbot in 1877. Charles Talbot left the Lacock estate to his niece, Matilda Theresa Fox.
Matilda and the National Trust
Matilda actively managed the estate and worked tirelessly to ensure that her grandfather’s work, especially in photography is preserved.
In 1944, Matilda gave the house along with the surrounding village of Lacock to the National Trust.
The National Trust presently owns and manages the property as “Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Village”. Lacock Abbey is a Graded I listed building since 1960.
The architecture of Lacock Abbey
Over the years, the manor house underwent substantial alterations, additions and renovations. The architecture of Lacock Abbey is a mixture of various architectural styles representing various eras, hence lacking a cohesive style.
At the core, Lacock Abbey is a stone house, with stone slated roofs and twisted chimney stacks. It has retained the stable courtyard from the Tudor period including the original brew-house and bake-house.
The Gothic entrance arch is an unmissable feature of the abbey today as well.
Lacock Abbey over the years…
Lacock Abbey, in its almost 800 years of history has been many things. Born as a convent in 1232, then becoming a Tudor family home in the 1600s. A garrison during the English Civil War, a tenanted property, then a family home for the Talbots. The Talbots lived in the abbey, pretty much as it looks today.
The manor house evolved with every owner and this is evident with architectural styles that are exhibited throughout the property today. From medieval, Italian Renaissance, Gothic to Tudor, Lacock Abbey is a timeless architecture across centuries.
The Abbey’s timelessness has attracted many filmmakers and has been used as a backdrop to several films and TV dramas. Notably, Harry Potter, Pride & Prejudice and Downton Abbey.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT LACOCK ABBEY
Lacock Abbey is a wealth of history that offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of nuns and aristocrats who made their home here.
Here are some things to see, do and experience as you saunter along the incredible national heritage.
Walk along the Cloisters
Take a walk along the medieval cloisters that have fine vaulted ceilings. The cloisters surround the central green courtyard on three sides. The is a series of vaulted rooms that date from the abbey’s early life, including the Warming Room, Chapter House and Sacristy.
The nuns of Lacock Abbey followed St Augustine of Hippo’s teachings about Christianity and how to live their lives.
The cloisters were a private place for the nuns to spend their day studying the Bible and other religious writings. This is also an area where they spent their time in prayer and contemplation between church services. Some say, the nuns would go to the garth, in the centre of the cloisters for some respite, to rest their tired eyes.
As you walk along the cloisters, stop by at the Warming Room, Chapter House and Sacristy of Lacock Abbey.
The Lacock Abbey Warming Room
At the cloisters, turn right and you will see a large, bright and airy room that has a large cast iron cauldron sitting in the centre. This was the Warming Room at Lacock Abbey.
The Warming Room is said to have been the nun’s favourite room as this is the only place they could be warm in winter.
The cauldron is an impressive cast iron artefact, originating from the 16th century. It is said to have been made in Antwerp, but little is known about it. Some theories suggest the cauldron was used by the nuns for cooking. Another theory suggests that it was used for Queen Anne’s visit to the abbey in the early 1700s. Apparently, they prepared a hearty stew of pork and peas for her Highness’ pleasure.
The Lacock Abbey Chapter House
A large and airy room, the chapter house has beautiful vaulted ceilings supported by two central pillars. This was a room made famous by the Harry Potter filming of a very touching scene (more on this below under Harry Potter filming locations).
The Lacock Abbey Sacristy
At the cloisters, turn left and walk towards the far end of the corridor. Here, you’ll find the Lacock Abbey Sacristy.
The Sacristy is one of the oldest sites of the abbey, having been built in 1230s. “Sacristy” in Latin translates to Sacred, which means that this room would have stored the most precious and valuable possessions of the abbey, which in those days were books.
Lacock Abbey was an important learning centre and a house of faith. The nuns here enjoyed the privileged position of being taught to read and write, unlike most women in the medieval period who were not educated. In those days, books had to be handwritten or painted, thus making it a valuable treasure that had to be protected.
The medieval Book Cupboard
Lacock Abbey, as an important centre of learning in medieval times would have had several books in its possession. As they were considered treasures, the books were locked away when not in use, or chained to shelves.
Pictured below is a photo of a medieval book cupboard which I noticed near the warming room. You can see the holes where the door hinges were and slots for the shelves. This dates from the 1200s.
See the priceless Brito Book
A notable historic treasure that is still in the abbey is the “Brito” book. A rare manuscript encompassing a collection of theological terms in alphabetical order of difficult words used by the nuns of Lacock Abbey. An early Bible dictionary.
This priceless book survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII. It was kept hidden for 700 years and is on display at Lacock Abbey.
The book, Expositiones Vocabulorum Biblie, better known as the “Brito” book takes its name from Guillaume le Breton or William Brito in short who compiled it in the middle of the 13th century. The manuscript is handwritten in Latin, on animal skin by a group of scribes and bound between wooden boards linked by leather thongs. The book has scrap parchment in the bindings which are part of the accounts of the abbey.
Legacy of the Abbey
The Brito Book offers a remarkably rare glimpse into the everyday life of the nuns at Lacock Abbey and how they might have lived. It shows that the nuns studied the bible closely and were literate. The scrap parchment showing an account of the abbey tells how the business side of the abbey was managed, for example, the abbey sold wool to generate an income.
Only three books from the Lacock Abbey library are known to have survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries: The Brito Book, an illuminated Psalter which is presently housed in Bodleian Library and a collection of Anglo-French Poems is at the British Library.
The Short Lobby
When William Sharington renovated the abbey, he created small spaces to create cosy rooms. The Short Lobby is one such space. The walls are adorned with portraits from times gone by and the room is of Victorian deco. The one striking feature in this room is a set of 500-year old doors, which we were not allowed to touch! The doors are one of the oldest in the abbey.
The Stone Gallery
Situated on the first floor of the abbey is the Stone Gallery showcasing various collections belonging to the abbey. The space was used by the nuns as a dormitory. Between 15 and 25 nuns were said to have slept here on beds with straw mattresses separated by screens.
TIP: Look out of the window from the Stone Gallery for some magnificent views of the lake and gardens.
View the Tudor Stone Table
The Tudor Stone table, considered as one of the treasures of Lacock Abbey is an octagonal marble top made to mirror the shape of the tower. It is located in the ‘Strong Room’ of the tower.
Tudor Stable Courtyard
The handsome 16th century Tudor stable courtyard stands to the north of the house. The courtyard includes the original brew-house, one of the oldest in Britain and a bake-house. There are well-preserved gabled dormer windows and Tudor arched doorways. A striking feature of the Tudor stable courtyard is the tall clock tower on the west side. Also in clear view are the twisted chimneys.
The Gardens and Grounds of Lacock Abbey
Take some time to explore the abbey’s magnificent gardens and grounds.
From the visitor centre, along the main path to the house, there is a neo-classical double-column. The column is topped by a figure of a Sphinx.
The 18th Gothic arch, situated slightly to your right as you walk up the path welcomes visitors to the abbey entrance, while ahead, is the Tudor stable courtyard.
Near the abbey entrance, there is a Botanic Garden, planted with a selection of unusual species of plants. A short walk from here leads to an orchard where a variety of apples are grown.
Past the orchard, is the Rockworks, a folly in the form of a ruined wall. This is an 18th century creation and sits next to Byde Brook, an artificial cascade.
An 18th Century Sundial
On the southeast terrace of Lacock Abbey sits an 18th century Grade II listed brass sundial on top of a 16th century carved stone base. The dial is signed off by Thomas Wright. Worth stopping by to take a look.
In summary, the unmissable highlights at Lacock Abbey:
- Walk along the Cloisters;
- See the priceless Brito Book;
- The Short Lobby;
- The Stone Gallery;
- View the Tudor Stone Table;
- The Tudor Stable Courtyard;
- The gardens and grounds of Lacock Abbey;
- An 18th century Sundial.
LACOCK ABBEY: THE BIRTHPLACE OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE FOX TALBOT MUSEUM
William Henry Fox Talbot, a scientist, inventor and a pioneer of photography was the only child of William Davenport Talbot of Lacock Abbey.
Fox Talbot is best known for his paper photographic invention and as the first to make this publicly available. He invented “negatives” in 1834 which could be used to make multiple prints. This discovery revolutionised the image making industry and he is credited as the British Inventor of Photography.
Today, the Fox Talbot Photography Museum at Lacock Abbey showcases the history of photography and explores how Talbot’s scientific curiosities led him to pioneer the changing breakthroughs in photography. The museum exhibits the story of the birth of photography, photographs, equipment and technology from the early years of photography.
The museum is an interesting exhibition and is enjoyable even if you are not into photography. It is not a huge exhibit, though. Housed on the left side of the entrance to Lacock Abbey, where you’ll need to purchase a ticket if you are not a National Trust member. A ticket includes entry to the Fox Talbot Museum as well as to the Abbey and the grounds.
LACOCK ABBEY HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS FILMING LOCATIONS
Amongst all the filmmaking ventures at Lacock Abbey, it is fair to say that the abbey shot to fame following the Harry Potter series in the filming of the magical school, Hogwarts. More recently, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was also filmed here in 2018.
Here are some parts of Lacock Abbey which were used as backdrops for the film making of the wizarding world:
Lacock Abbey Cloisters: Hogwarts Corridors
A number of scenes portrayed in the magical school, Hogwarts were filmed around the Lacock Abbey cloisters surrounding a courtyard. There are plenty of scenes where Harry, Ron and Hermione are seen walking along the cloisters. Also, scenes of Hogwarts students and teachers striding through the corridor between classes.
Fans of Harry Potter will recognise some iconic scenes within Hogwarts from Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone(2001) and Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets (2002).
In Philosopher’s Stone, Harry wears his invisibility cloak to escape from being caught by Filch for being in the restricted section at night. While under his invisibility cloak, Harry also observes Snape threatening Professor Quirrell.
The Chamber of Secrets sees Lacock Abbey cloisters make an appearance in a couple of night time scenes. Here, at the cloisters, Harry Potter hears Basilisk whispering to him.
The Warming Room at Lacock Abbey: Professor Quirrel’s Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom
The cauldron in the Warming Room (mentioned earlier) is a recognisable feature of a scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The Warming Room was Professor Quirrel’s Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom. In the scene, McGonagall interrupts Quirrel’s class to ask for Oliver Wood to let him know that Harry Potter is the Gryffindor Quidditch Team Seeker.
The Sacristy at Lacock Abbey: Professor Snape’s Classroom
The Sacristy at Lacock Abbey makes an appearance in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film as Professor Snape’s Potions Classroom. The classroom was meant to be underground for the film, so most of the windows were covered up so as to give it the “darkness” effect. In the scene, Snape gives Harry his first potion lesson, while reminding him that “fame isn’t everything”.
The Chapter House at Lacock Abbey: The Mirror of Erised
Along the cloisters on your left, you’ll find an entrance to the Abbey’s Chapter House. It is in this beautiful vaulted room that Harry finds the “Mirror of Erised” in the Philosopher’s Stone film. Harry Potter fans will recognise this room instantly as one of the most touching moments in the film.
For my readers who are not in the know about this particular scene, the “Mirror of Erised” is depicted as a magical mirror in the film which reflects a sad moment when Harry discovers the mirror. He removes his invisibility cloak, and looks into the mirror. For the first time, he sees his parents standing by him.
Harry returns to the room and this time finds Dumbledore there. Dumbledore explains to Harry how the magical Mirror of Erised works. The mirror “shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts” – which explains how Harry was able to see his lost parents.
The room makes another appearance in the Chamber of Secrets film as a Hogwarts study hall where the students are gossiping about Harry.
The Courtyard at Lacock Abbey: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts is another movie in the Wizarding World created by J.K. Rowling. It is set in 1920s and is the prelude to the Harry Potter series.
The story-line surrounds the fictional character Newt Scamander along with his suitcase filled with magical creatures. The film also features a young Dumbledore as a professor in Hogwarts. Another fictional character is Leta Lestrange who returns to Hogwarts in Fantastic Beasts. She comes from a family infamously known for mastering in the Dark Arts. When she returns to Hogwarts, she recalls the Chapter House, the Cloisters and some parts of the Courtyard.
In sum, Lacock Abbey Harry Potter Hogwarts Filming Locations:
- Lacock Abbey Cloisters: Hogwarts Corridors;
- The Lacock Abbey Warming Room: Professor Quirrel’s Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom;
- The Lacock Abbey Sacristy: Professor Snape’s Classroom;
- The Lacock Abbey Chapter House: The Mirror of Erised;
- The Courtyard at Lacock Abbey: Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
HOW TO VISIT LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE
Public Transport
By Train: The nearest train station to Lacock is Chippenham, which is served by regular trains from London Paddington, Bristol, Bath, and other cities.
From Chippenham, you can take bus 234 towards Melksham, and alight at the Lacock, High Street stop. From Bath, take the X72 bus towards Melksham, and alight at the same stop. The journey by bus takes 30-35 minutes.
You can also take a taxi to Lacock Abbey which is a more expensive option. The journey takes around 20-25 minutes.
Once you arrive in Lacock village, the Abbey is a short walk from the High Street.
Tours
One of the best ways to visit Lacock Abbey is to join a tour group. A tour usually combines a visit to several places in the region to make full use of a day. This makes sense because Lacock on its own does not take too long to explore and a tour does alleviate the stress of taking the public transport. Tour guides usually give you enough time to explore a destination so this option is really worthwhile if you do not wish to drive to Lacock Abbey.
If a tour to Lacock is an option you’d consider, book one of these tours which includes other popular destinations in their one day itinerary:
A day tour to Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor Castle & Lacock from London;
Tour to Stonehenge, Bath, Avebury and Lacock from London;
Experience the sunrise over the stone circle at Stonehenge, then experience the city of Bath and Lacock on this day trip from London;
Bath and Lacock Village in a day.
By Car
Exit Junction 17 on the M4;
Take the A350 exit towards Chippenham;
Follow the A350 for approximately 3 miles until you reach a roundabout;
At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A350 towards Melksham;
Continue on the A350 for approximately 2.5 miles until you reach a junction with the B3353;
Turn right onto the B3353 towards Lacock;
Follow the B3353 for approximately 1.5 miles until you reach the village of Lacock;
In the village, follow the signs for Lacock Abbey. The entrance to the abbey is on the left-hand side of the road.
Parking
There is a car park next to the abbey. The car park is free for National Trust members, or £4.50 for non-members. You can park for the whole day.
PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
Stop by at the historic Stables Cafe for a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a pot of tea along with sandwiches, snacks and cakes.
The Courtyard Tearoom is the best place on warmer days where you can grab a seat outdoors and take in the atmosphere of the courtyard whilst admiring the magnificent Tudor architecture. During high season, the Tearoom serves warm meals.
Additionally, take a short stroll into Lacock Village, where there is a greater variety of places to eat. Try The George Inn or the Red Lion for some hearty pub food.
HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED TO VISIT LACOCK ABBEY
Realistically, I’d suggest that a minimum of two hours should be dedicated to visiting Lacock Abbey. While it is quite small, there is quite a lot to see both inside the abbey as well as on the grounds. Moreover, unless you are a National Trust member where entry would be free, it costs £17.00 for an adult and you really want to ensure that you dedicate enough time to get your money’s worth.
You may want to combine your visit to Lacock Village as well. Lacock Village, also owned and managed by the National Trust is just a 5-minute walk from the Abbey. After you have explored the abbey, you can take a stroll around the village of Lacock. The village dates from the 13th century and is full of historic buildings and quaint shops and cafes.
If this is something you’d like to do, dedicate at least half a day for your visit to the Abbey and the Village. In this way, you can really absorb the atmosphere, take a walk in a preserved medieval village and see, experience all there is in this enchanting corner of England.
finally…
Lacock Abbey is a beautiful and historic site located in the picturesque village of Lacock and is worth visiting as much for the grounds that surround it as for the house.
The abbey has a rich history that spans over 800 years. It is easy to walk the footsteps of history and imagine being transported back several centuries as you stroll through this magnificent house. While the abbey has been used for various purposes throughout its existence, it exudes an aura of old time charm combining spirituality, aristocracy and stylistic innovation.
Today, Lacock Abbey is one of the most complete survivals of a medieval nunnery. The abbey is open to visitors who can explore the historic building and its stunning grounds.
Lacock Abbey is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, natural beauty and the Harry Potter series. With its fascinating past and stunning surroundings, it is a truly unique and memorable experience that should not be missed.
My sincere wish is that this post has provided you with all the information you were looking for about Lacock Abbey.
**All photos were taken by my fabulous daughter or myself. The blurry nature of the photos is intentional.
Before you go, take a look at some of my articles about the UK and EUROPE:
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Delightful Things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water ;
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About Europe
You may like to read some of my articles about Italy, Spain and Amsterdam in The Netherlands:
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Complete Guide to Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Things to do, Cuisines and Responsible Travel.
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