Castle Combe

About Castle Combe

Tucked at the bottom of a wooded valley near the southern edge of the Cotswolds, Castle Combe has no street lamps, no overhead wires and no television aerials — by long-standing planning agreement. Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and the makers of Downton Abbey have all filmed here precisely because it could be 1640.

The whole village is one road dropping to a 14th-century market cross, with a stream running past — smaller than visitors expect, and all the more enchanting for it.

The Cotswold Guide view

Castle Combe is well known for its beauty and rightly so. It is magical and unspoilt but there is not a lot to do here so don't plan to spend hours. Why not stop off on the way to Bath or another Cotswold treasure?

The Cotswold Guide Top Tips

Park at the upper car park (a steep ten-minute walk down) — there is no public parking in the village itself.
Visit early morning or late afternoon to see the village without the camera-club crowds.

Attractions in Castle Combe

Where to eat & drink

The Castle Inn
Right by the market cross — straightforward pub food and a courtyard for sunny afternoons.
The White Hart
The village's other pub; cosy bar, decent Sunday roast.
Manor House Hotel
Fine dining and afternoon tea; book well in advance.
Old Rectory Tea Rooms
Five minutes' walk uphill — homemade scones and a peaceful garden.

Getting there

By car
2h from London via M4 j17. Visitors must park at the upper car park (free) and walk five minutes down the hill — driving into the village is prohibited.
By train
Chippenham (5 miles) then taxi.

Best time to visit

Spring blossom and autumn leaves are equally lovely. Try a weekday morning — by 11am the village fills with day-trippers and the magic of the empty street is gone.