Lacock, Bowood and Hogwarts

May 20 Day 13

We went to the town of Lacock, where there is an old abbey that is still intact except for the church, which was torn down. When King Henry VIII dissolved the abbeys in the 1500's, he sold this one to a gentleman who converted it into his own private residence. Therefore, much of the abbey was preserved. The cloister on the main floor was used in many of the scenes depicting Hogwarts castle, the hallways and classrooms, in the first two Harry Potter movies.

Immediately surrounding the abbey

Lacock Abbey

The halls of Hogwarts


This room was used as a classroom at Hogwarts



Some interior views of the Abbey

THe land where the town grew up was also owned by the owner of the abbey, and it hasn't changed in over two hundred years. There are no modern signs, telephone poles, or any other sign we're in the 21st century, other than the fact there are cars parked along the narrow streets, for this is a live village with people living here. Because the village hasn't changed in 200 years, it is a favorite place to film old English villages from the early 1800's. You can see Lacock village in such films as "Cranford and the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice". All they really have to do is put dirt on the pavement and change some of the signs on the buildings, and voila, you have a 19th century village. THere are many other places in Britain like this where things haven't changed in hundreds of years.

Lacock village scenes

We also visited another manor home that is still owned and inhabited by a Lord and Lady. It was a beautiful mansion with beautiful artwork and artifacts from the family's travels around the world. The gardens and the land surrounding the home was just as beautiful and tranquil. It was so peaceful to just walk around the grounds, sit on a bench, listen to the birds, and think of what it must be like to be Lord and Lady Monson. THe only way I would want something like that would be to have it come with all of the help. IT would take quite a large staff of people to help with the house, the grounds, etc. But it's nice that the public can enjoy both the house and its treasures and the grounds.

On the way to Bowood Manor on a narrow country road

Bowood Manor

Inside the home

Joseph Priestly discovered Oxygen in this very room at Bowood Manor


Some really expensive jewels


A handy place to have when you have small children




The grounds outside the manor

We visited a little town called Hilmarton, where some of Marilyn's ancestors came from back in the early 1600's. THere are tons of these tiny hamlets throughout Britain, and they are all alive and well, each with their own church and pub and live residents. And they're not just old people, but young families with children. There are active grade schools in the community, with active sports leagues for the kids. THere are many large employers throughout the area. We have seen large light industrial plants as we drive along, but they are discreetly hidden behind large hedges and trees so they are not an eyesore. The British really take pride in maintaining the charm of their countryside.

Hilmarton Village


This small car reminded us of the one Mr. Bean drives. We actually saw a car that only had one front tire and two rear tires. These small cars can easily maneuver the tiny streets of Britain.

The White Horse. Under the topsoil in southern England is a layer of chalky soil, and from time to time you will see these carvings in a hillside of a chalk figure. No one seems to know how long they have been there.