The Prettiest Village In England

Once, there was a village. It was a place of thatch and climbing ivy, one of church bells and chimney smoke. Dwellings here were christened with names rather than numbers, granted titles such as Shepherd’s Cottage and Preedy’s Grange. 

A narrow river traversed this idyllic hamlet, its banks a habitat for reeds and the whisper of the water. When it rained, as it often did here, a mist hung like curtains of tulle and the golden stone of the village was stained a darker shade of honey. Those who visited said it was marked by a charm that was almost bewitching. 

            In the present day, the gluttonous hands of modernity have simply caressed Castle Combe. Settled in rural Wiltshire, the self-proclaimed Prettiest Village in England is a ten-mile journey from Bath. A drive here will involve winding lanes, routes canopied with trees and signs from farms for eggs and local spreads. It takes little wondering as to why period dramas such as Stardust and Warhorse took advantage of this civil parish for filming. 

I made use of the free public car park, walking perhaps half a mile into the village proper. Although Castle Combe Circuit, a motorsport track, is situated close by, the village held no signs of racing enthusiasts. The falling rain intensified the green of the trees, of the leaves, of the plants that were slowly budding into their spring colours. The path curved downwards to reveal the first glimpses of a cottage and the view was striking, even under the dull sky. It was a vision of fairy-tale imaginings. I expected my coat to melt into a ballgown, and birds to begin relaying their messages in human tongue. My feet splashed through puddles that held the reflection of a village caught in time.

Castle Combe is not large. It consists of a single street of residential buildings, two pubs, a tea room and a smattering of guesthouses. Nor is it a place where you could – or should – spend a day. It is a village, after all. My camera captured private property. Doors with gilded knockers led into homes, whilst windows with time-warped frames were openings into real lives. However, that is not to say one should neglect a visit. 

In a tour of the Cotswolds, Castle Combe surely stands out on a map of beautiful destinations. Providing both charm and postcard-perfect views, it has certainly earned its title of the Prettiest Village in England.