Castle CoombCastle Coomb, ForrestCastle CoombCastle Coomb, Main StreetCastle Coomb
Over the last few months we’ve decided we want to get out more and see more of this fantastic area and country that we live in.
There are so many amazing places we’ve not yet seen, one of which is the prettiest village in Britain….Castle Coomb.
Castle Combe has been called ‘The Prettiest Village in England’ and with good reason; visitors have been coming to enjoy it for at least a century, and the small street leading from the Market Cross down to the By Brook is as picturesque today as it ever was.
Castle Combe’s history goes back much further than this though. The site of the castle is above today’s village, but little other than earthworks now mark its one time presence. Originally it was a British hill fort which became occupied by the Romans due to its proximity to The Fosse Way. After the Romans, came the Normans, who built the fort up into a Castle.
Where do you have near you that maybe we should come visit?
So, while the wife is away in Slovakia visiting her family, I’ve decided to take myself out a few times over the next 10 days on a few mini adventures to places I’ve never visited in the local area.
A couple of weeks ago my friend Jeff kindly took me up flying, you can read the blog here. Part of the route was flying over the Uffington, White Horse. I’ve driven around the area many times, but, I’ve never actually taken the time to stop and take a look at the area, it’s the highest peak in Oxfordshire, and on a clear day you can see 6 counties from one point as you look around. It’s such a beautiful area, as are all National Trust parks and houses.
I arrived and the car park was filling up already. A lot of people go along to spend the day having picnics and tiring out the kids as the run around in the big open spaces. If you’re a National Trust member the car park was free, sadly, Zuzana and I aren’t members, but, the car park costs just £4 for the whole day, so it’s not exactly going to break the bank for a whole family to go up their and spend the day enjoying themselves.
I took a wander up to the viewing area first, you can’t really see the horse from anywhere perfectly (except for the sky) but the area itself is just amazing.
I then walked up to the top of the hill and just above the horse to the highest point on the peak. At this point if you go around a full 360 degrees you can see six counties on a clear day.
I can have a less than rosey view of the UK at times, and have often thought about us moving abroad, however, when you see views like this, it’s makes you realise the UK is a beautiful places and the national trust helps us keep places like this as stunning as they are. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and it’s great having this opportunity to appreciate what we truly have in this country.
So, where is your favourite National Trust place to visit near you? Maybe, I’ll have to come and see it soon, I know for sure I’m going to try and visit many more this year.
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