Spending a day in England’s most famous Harry Potter Village? Here’s my personalized guide of things to do in Lacock.
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I didn’t mean to end up in Lacock. But when you find yourself in the Cotswolds and your Airbnb hosts tell you to check out a magical sleepy village nearby — you listen.
And so we went, an American girl and her Harry Potter obsessed friend to England’s most famously starstruck village, Lacock.
Over the course of our trip, I found a day in Lacock is a day well spent. If you ever find yourself in the English countryside along with a Harry Potter itch to scratch, here’s how to spend a day in Lacock (The Harry Potter Village!)
Lacock, England: A Quick History
Apart of the Cotswolds and England’s National Trust, Lacock in Wiltshire isn’t new to the spotlight. Home to a plague of British films and TV Series you’d recognize the timbered houses and 13th-century roofs in everything from Pride and Prejudice to Downton Abbey and of course, Harry Potter.
Lacock originated as a medieval wool town, eventually adding a market, a nunnery, and all the fixing of a 13th-century village. A place where time intentionally stands still, the National Trust put great effort into making sure the village keeps its history charm — with no new building built since the 18th century. In doing so, Lacock stands as a mirror back in time, quite literally.
Things to do in Lacock, Wilshire
Although Lacock is a small village, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to get up to in the area! From a short afternoon to a village day trip here’s how to spend a day in Lacock.
1. Pop into the Village Shops
Of course, any day in Lacock is bound to include some light shopping, of the local variety of course. The bread and butter of many Lacock residents — the village shops are filled with everything from handmade soaps and dainty crafts to deliciously warm jars of raspberry jam. Spend some lazy minutes browsing the local goods at Sue Stokes Antiques, the Choc Shop, the Soap Shop, and the ever-yummy Jean Sheard’s bakery.
2. Explore Lacock Abbey
A nunnery turned family estate Lacock Abbey is now home to the Fox Talbot Museum. Fellow camera buffs can take in the history of photography at the museum with beautiful exhibitions and Schilling displays of old photographs. In fact, William Henry Fox Talbot took the first photo known to man — right in Lacock Abbey!
3. Visit St. Cyriac’s Church
Another historic gem St. Cyriac’s Church sits pretty on the top of Lacock’s east end. The picturesque walk up is enough reason to make the journey, but the church itself holds an equal allure. St. Cyriac was a Christian martyr killed for refusing to recant his beliefs in 313 AD. Inside you’ll find odes to his memory alongside vaulted ceilings, stoned memorials and medieval paintings.
4. Have a Pint at the George Inn
A day in the Lacock will most certainly leave you in need of a liquid pastime. And St. George’s is the oldest pub in Lacock, dating back to…wait for it….1361! So consider it a historical duty to have a bite and a pint.
If you sit near the booth next to the right-hand window you’ll find tons of photographs from the movies and tv series filmed in the village. If you’re really keen you can also try the White Lion’s pub right down the road from St. George’s (which we did) and King John Hunting Lodge Tea Room for an afternoon tea.
5. Check out the Harry Potter Odes
Of course, if you’re going to Lacock, you probably have some Harry Potter fantasies you’d like to fill. Well, luckily (or unluckily) I won’t be getting into the nitty-grittys here. Mostly because Christina of Happy to Wander would put my Harry Potter knowledge to shame with her full guide on all the Harry Potter spots to find in the village, so be sure to read it!
Between the Mirror of Erised’s scenes to Harry Potter’s infamous house in the Philosopher’s stone, you’re bound to pass a movie spot or two just browsing around.
Read More: A Magical Guide to Lacock Abbey and Other Harry Potter Filming Locations by Happy to Wander
6. Take (Many) Pictures!
Okay, I hate to say it. But Lacock is simply too picturesque to not bring your camera. In fact, we even passed a couple of guys dressed in Peaky Blinder outfits setting up for a full-on photo shoot during our trip. Now, you don’t have to go that far (unless you want to). But be sure to take artistic advantage of the village’s incredibly charming backdrop.
Bonus: Go to Another Part of the Cotswolds!
Of course, one of the most amazing things about visiting Lacock (or anywhere in the Cotswolds really) is the close proximity to dozens of sleepy villages in the area, just waiting to be explored. You can easily combine a trip to Lacock with a day in Bath, or my personal favorite Castle Combe!
Read More: What to do in Castle Combe (England’s prettiest village!)
Final Thoughts on Things to do in Lacock (Aka the Harry Potter Village)
What was meant to be a day of sticking to our itinerary turned into a whimsical trip to a village I’ll find hard to forget. Between the history, charming village shops, cobblestones houses and Harry Potter odes planning Lacock trip 2.0 is already in the works. I hope you get to visit this magical visit soon and if you do, let me know what you got up to!
Happy wandering,
If you liked Lacock be sure to visit Castle Combe closeby!
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