Castle Combe

Castle Combe in northern Wiltshire, about 8 km north-west of Chippenham, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its name comes from a 12th-century castle that has almost disappeared. The village grew rich on cloth-making: a fulling mill existed as early as 1340, and the By Brook drove the mills. In the late 18th century the level of the brook fell, the mills could no longer be powered and the trade declined; the medieval look of the village was largely preserved. Sights include the 14th-century Market Cross, the church of St Andrew (mostly 15th century) and the bridge over the By Brook.

Do not drive into the village: there are only nine parking spaces there, mostly used by residents. Use the pay-and-display visitors’ car park above the village near the B4039 and walk down. About an hour is enough for a stroll round the village. It is quieter on weekdays, in spring or autumn, and early or late in the day; bank holiday weekends are the busiest.