Lacock, A Magical Village
Overseen by the National Trust, Lacock today looks much like it did 200 years ago. It’s oldest house is older than the thirteenth century abbey! The village has a deceptive amount to see and do and is easily accessible just a short drive from the Chippenham exit of the M4 motoway in the South West of England county of Wiltshire. Alternatively take the train to Chippenham and hop on a bus! Perfect for a day trip from London!
There’s lots to discover in this village; chocolate box perfect traditional stone cottages, the old workhouse, a medieval tithe barn, the village church and several wonderful little pubs (with lovely beer gardens). There are also lovely little places to stop for drinks and snacks and a darling village shop
A reasonable entrance fee gains you admission to the museum and Lacock abbey, which you may recognise from some of the areas from a certain Wizarding school. The museum is dedicated to William Fox Talbot, the father of photography, and is an interesting attraction in itself. If you are visiting as a family or would like to visit more than one National Trust property during your stay you can make great savings by buying a National Trust Touring pass, or if you are staying for more than 2 weeks a National Trust Membership. The National Trust pass and full National Trust annual membership grant free property entry and parking to more than 300 National Trust properties, plus a discount at the gift shop! If you plan on visiting more than one property, you may well find the pass pays for itself almost instantly! I’ve popped the details for all of the National Trust passes and membership levels, as well as how to buy them at the bottom of this article. Please note, passes and membership cannot be bought at National Trust properties, and must be bought online in advance, though it only takes a minute and grants you instant access to the properties, with no wait once you have purchased your pass or become a member!
Lacock village is a firm favourite for film and TV producers, most notably for its picturesque streets and historic cottages, untouched by modern alterations. The village’s most famous appearances include ‘Downton Abbey’, the BBC’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Cranford’, and as a filming location for the films ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and ‘Wolfman’.
Why not combine your trip with a visit to the city of Bath, less than half and hours drive away! There are also several National Trust stately homes, gardens, parklands and historic buildings within a short drive of Lacock village.
National Trust Multi Visit Touring Passes
If you’re travelling to the UK this year, buy a touring pass and enjoy free entry to over 300 houses and gardens – it makes great sense.
Prices
There are three categories of pass to choose from – Admit one, Admit two or Admit family (two adults and any children under 18, children under five go free). The 2019 prices are as follows:
7 day:
Admit one – £33
Admit two – £58
Admit family – £64
14 day:
Admit one – £38
Admit two – £69
Admit family – £81
National Trust Touring Passes cannot be bought at National Trust properties, they must be bought in advance here.
National Trust Membership
Free entry to over 500 special places
Free parking at most National Trust car parks
National Trust Handbook full of ideas to help you plan a visit
National Trust Magazine sent to you three times a year
Regular newsletters sent straight to your inbox
Join now and you can visit as a member straight away….they email you a handy code to use until your membership card arrives!
Plus, buy online and pay by annual Direct Debit to receive a free pair of binoculars!
They also have a special Junior Nation Trust membership and a reduced Young Persons National Trust membership for those 18 – 25 years old.
Click here to buy! You cannot purchase membership at the venues.
Prices
Joint membership
Adult
Two adults (aged 18+) living at the same address
£120 a year
£10 a month by direct debit.
Family memberships
Family 2 adults
Two adults (aged 18+) living at the same address and up to 10 of their children or grandchildren (17 or under). Under 5s go free.
£126 a year
£10.50 a month by direct debit
Family 1 adult
One adult (aged 18+) and up to 10 of their children or grandchildren (17 or under). Under 5s go free.
£78 a year
£6.50 a month by direct debit
Individual membership
Adult
26+ years
£72 a year
£6 a month direct debit
Young person
18-25 years
£36 a year
Junior
0-17 years. Under 5s go free
£10 a year
National Trust life membership benefits:
Unlimited use of all National Trust places
Free parking at most National Trust car parks
Free National Trust Handbook every year, full of ideas to help you plan a visit
Free National Trust Magazine, three times a year, packed with news, interviews and inspiration
New life member welcome pack including life membership card and an A5 hardback book titled ‘Leave No Stone Unturned’
Individual life membership prices
Individual life membership includes free admission for one accompanying guest at National Trust places
Individual life: £1,730
Individual senior life: £1,295
An individual aged 60 or over
Joint life membership prices
Joint life: £2,160
Two people, who are lifetime partners, living at the same address
Joint senior life: £1,620
Two people, who are lifetime partners, living at the same address, one of whom is aged 60 or over
Family life membership prices
Joint family life: £2,265
Two adults and all their children or grandchildren up to the age of 18. Adults must be lifetime partners, living at the same address. Under 5s go free.
Any of the National Trust memberships can be purchased here.