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Lacock and Chippenham

A day tour from a base in Chippenham, visiting the historic village of Lacock, Wiltshire for lunch by BUS or if by CAR returning on the scenic route via BOWOOD HOUSE.

Park in Bath Road car park (toilets available) accessible from A4 - you will see signs to Tourist Information Centre. Maps of the town and details of a river walk are available here.

An Exhibit at Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre (image owned by the Museum)Chippenham is the largest town in the district and owes its importance to wool. In the morning you will have time to visit Chippenham's Museum and Heritage Centre and see the history of the town unfold. Situated across the river, past The Buttercross, right of the Market Place.

Open Mon-Sat 10.00 - 16.00 and Bank Hols.
Admission free.
Disabled access and toilets.

Return to Tourist Information Office and your car or take the BUS to Lacock:
Badgerline 234 Mon-Sat 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 or 14.00, a journey of approx 20 mins stops at George Inn Lacock.

BY CAR - exit car park and turn right onto Bath Road where you should immediately take the left fork, A350 to Melksham. After 4 miles you will see a National Trust sign to Lacock Village. This delightful village is owned by The National Trust and is full of architectural features.

Turn left into village where you will find a free car park on your right. Take road opposite to reach the village and the Stable Tearooms. (Light lunches, Public toilets, Wheelchair access).

In the High Street, recognised from classics such as Pride and Prejudice filmed here, you will find The Red Lion Inn (lunches available) and The National Trust Shop. Follow The High Street passing the school and the post office. Turn right into West Street for The George Inn (lunches available) and Ye Old Shoppe which sells a selection of books, maps and prints.

Lacock Bakery (credit: David Pegden)Turn right into Church Street and on the left you will find At the Sign of the Angel Inn (lunches available, not Monday). Lacock Bakery is on your left and you will see St Cyriac's Church ahead.
Turn right into East Street passing the Carpenters Arms (lunches available) on the left and Watlings Jewellers where there is an exclusive range of handmade jewellery made on premises.
You will pass the Tythe Barn and Lock Up on the left as you return to the High Street.

After lunching at one of the many hostelries you can visit :

Fox Talbot Museum which commemorates the life and work of W.H.E. Talbot pioneer of photography 1800-1877.
Open from Mar - Oct. 11.00 - 17.30 daily, closed Good Friday
also open weekends Nov - Feb, excluding Christmas period
Admission - see below for combined entrance fees.
Wheelchairs available.

Lacock Abbey founded in 1232 as a nunnery with Cloister Court and some medieval quarters still existing. Later converted to a country house, it became the home of Fox Talbot. The small oriel window on the south front was reproduced as the first negative 1835.
Open daily from March - October closed Tuesdays and Good Friday 1.00 - 17.30
Difficult access for wheelchairs
Sympathetic hearing scheme, Braille and taped guide

Abbey Grounds and Cloisters - Fox Talbot was also an eminent biologist and planted various unusual trees in the grounds. Children's play area.

Admission
Abbey, Museum, Cloisters and Grounds - £7.80 adult, £3.90 child, £20.00 family (2 adults & 2 children).
Museum, Abbey Grounds and Cloisters - £4.80 adult, £2.40 child, £12.20 family.
Abbey, Cloisters and Grounds - £6.30 adult, £3.20 child, £16.10 family.
Museum (Winter) - £3.40 adult, £1.70 child, £8.70 family.
For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock.

RETURN TO CHIPPENHAM

BY BUS from The George Inn No. 234 Mon - Sat

16.57 and 18.13 arriving at Chippenham approximately 20 minutes later.

BY CAR - from the car park turn right and right again to Bewley Common and Bowden Hill. Follow the road over bridge via Bewley Common and Bowden Hill where you should have good views of The Abbey on your left.

A detour can be made to Bowood House, sign on the right - a magnificent 18th century house set in beautiful parkland with an outstanding adventure playground for children under 12 yrs.
In season there is also a lovely Rhododendron Walk.
Open 1st April - 31st October 11.00 - 18.00
Admission - House and Gardens £7.70 adult, £6.70 senior citizen, £5.20 child (5-15)
Licensed restaurant serving buffet lunches and cream teas.
Partial wheelchair access to house, wheelchair available
Toilets and disabled toilets
No dogs.
For more information visit www.bowood-house.co.uk.

Follow A342 until it joins A4 and continue to Chippenham.