Headed to the Cotswolds
Trip Start
Apr 23, 2012
1
12
32
Trip End
May 24, 2012
Where I stayed
Badger's Hall, Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden, England, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I hadn't had time to really see Lacock, so I decided that I would take the morning for a look around. I discovered that it is on the Avon River. Because of all the rain the Avon had overflowed it's banks and the bridge behind the Lacock Abbey was under water as were the grounds closest to the river. The Abbey has an interesting history. Begun by a noblewoman in memory of her husband, she later became it's first abbess in 1541 (I think). During the desolution of King Henry VII it was purchased and the chapel torn down. It is believed that the stones were used to build a tower for the house. The Cloisters and some of the ancient rooms were used in the filming of the first two Harry Potters. Other parts of the town were also used for Harr Potter, as well as Cranford, Pride and Prejudice, and others. The entire town is part of the National Trust. The history of photography also has ties to Lacock Abbey. The first photographic negative was done here. I can't locate my material to share more.
Tired, will finish in the morning!
Still playing catch-up!
From Lacock I headed to the Cotswolds and the wool market town of Chipping Campden. Along the way I stopped at Avebury. Avebury is my choice, instead of Stonehenge. It isn't as commercial, nor as busy, and you can still get up close and personal with the stones. Weather still not great but not raining, just cold. So fascinating. One did have to watch where one walked though, because the sheep shared the area with the stones and the visitors. The shop had all kind of new age type items. One of the most surprising things things was to get to the top of one of the hills, look down and see a guy meditating in the ditch that circles the ring. This is a Neolithic site. Stonehenge is Bronze Age.
I began to feel rushed and felt I needed to get on the road so the atmospher was lost. So back to the car and off to the next stop.
Comments
Oh so cool! Love your posts! You go girl!