Lacock village in the Cotswolds has remained virtually untouched over the past two centuries. This quintessentially English hamlet, which has been used as a backdrop for numerous TV shows and films, feels like a 'toy' town frozen in time.
The National Trust owns the entirety of Lacock, situated in Wiltshire, including 90 properties. The village is home to just 1,000 residents, with most houses rented out to families who have lived there for generations.
Even during the winter months, tourists are drawn to Lacock to wander its historic streets. Key attractions such as St Cyriac's Church, the tithe barn, and Lacock Abbey are Grade I listed and date back to the Middle Ages.
A visit to the grounds of Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum will cost you £11 for an adult ticket during the winter season. This price is reduced due to the seasonal closure of the abbey and cloister until March.
The museum displays the pioneering photographic work of William Henry Fox Talbot and the role Lacock played in this, featuring a must-see camera obscura on the grounds outside the abbey, reports Gloucestershire Live.
More recently, the village has gained fame through the film and TV industry. It's been used several times for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, including where an old cottage served as the exterior of Harry's childhood home at Godric's Hollow where Lord Voldemort killed Harry's parents in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Lacock Abbey is most renowned for its role as the interior of Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter series, with its cloisters doubling up as the school's corridors. It has also featured in the popular ITV series Downton Abbey and Disney's Beauty and The Beast.
The abbey has been a backdrop for other period dramas such as BBC's Pride and Prejudice and Cranford. The well-preserved buildings make it an ideal location for historic dramas, giving visitors the feeling of stepping onto a film set - especially the authentic Tudor courtyard of the abbey.
The village boasts three pubs, each featuring roaring open fires, perfect for a pit stop after a long walk. The Sign of An Angel is particularly noteworthy, housed in a 15th-century building, offering five bedrooms and cosy seating for those just stopping for a drink or some pub grub.
The George Inn, a 14th-century public house, oozes character with its narrow corridors and uneven floors, serving several Wiltshire ales. The slightly more modern Georgian pub, The Red Lion, offers a covered, heated beer garden and indoor seating.
Visitors can indulge in some retail therapy on Lacock's High Street where local makers and designers sell gifts, food, drink and accessories, with plant sales at visitor reception. A second-hand bookshop can be found in the Abbey's Tudor courtyard.
For tourists seeking a day trip steeped in history, this village with its perfectly preserved medieval buildings is a fantastic choice.