{"id":20171,"date":"2022-10-01T13:02:25","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T11:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=18615"},"modified":"2022-10-07T15:22:16","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T13:22:16","slug":"walk-castle-combe-wiltshire","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/walk-castle-combe-wiltshire\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk: Castle Combe, Wiltshire"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Ben Lerwill\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 01 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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In certain places, the centuries seem to pass by with barely a ripple of change. The Cotswold village of Castle Combe \u2013 a living antique adrift in the Wiltshire countryside \u2013 is one of them.<\/p>\n

It looks no less exquisite today than it did when its weavers played their part in the medieval wool industry: think narrow lanes, a meandering brook, and storybook cottages with tile-stone roofs. The last new house? Built in the 1600s.<\/p>\n

No matter what the season, Castle Combe is filled with charm, and the surrounding valley is laced with walks through gorgeous woodland.<\/p>\n

Back in the village, which has direct buses from Chippenham rail station, the cosy, dog-friendly Old Stables Coffee Shop is just right for post-ramble tea and cake, while the 12th-century Castle Inn<\/a> \u2013 adjacent to the pretty market cross \u2013 lures you in with open fires, local ales, and a food menu with two AA rosettes.<\/p>\n

Looking for more walks in the area? Check out BBC Countryfile Magazine<\/em>\u2018s walking routes in Savernake Forest<\/a>, Avebury<\/a> and Bradford-on-Avon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Castle Combe Cotswolds Wiltshire\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Castle Combe in film<\/h2>\n

With its soft, golden Cotswold stone weavers\u2019 cottages, medieval church and packhorse bridge, Castle Combe demonstrates all the credentials needed to play the quintessential sleepy English village in many films and TV series \u2013 from Dr Doolittle<\/em>, Dick Turpin<\/em> and Robin of Sherwood<\/em> to the 2007 fantasy adventure film Stardust<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s no surprise that producers chose the village as the backdrop to one of Agatha Christie\u2019s most famous mysteries, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd<\/em>. In this memorable episode, Poirot attempts to escape the wickedness of the city and retires to sleepy King\u2019s Abbot (Castle Combe) to cultivate his garden and grow the perfect marrow. But Poirot\u2019s peace is shattered when his friend Roger Ackroyd is killed and the great detective is drawn back into the world of murder and intrigue.<\/p>\n

Castle Combe walk<\/h2>\n

4.5 miles\/7.2km | 3 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Start<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the free car park north of the village, turn right and walk downhill. Spend some time exploring the village, often described as \u2018the prettiest village in England\u2019.<\/p>\n

Turn left at the Market Cross and walk down The Street. You\u2019ll soon cross a packhorse bridge \u2013 after which there is a beautiful photo opportunity looking back into the village. Pick up a path running left, signed Long Dean.<\/p>\n

The path goes over a stile and weaves alongside and above the brook, with views opening up as you climb higher. Cut through woodland and climb several stone stiles. When you reach a junction of paths and a lane at Long Dean, turn right on a bridleway signed to Ford. Carry on along the main path and, when you come to a mill, pick up a path\u00a0to the right under trees.<\/p>\n

Go through a gate (look out for The Macmillan Way marker), and keep on the upper path above a paddock. When the track goes right, turn left over a stile, and follow the path through a field. Climb a stile to the road and walk left towards Ford.<\/p>\n

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