LAURIE&MICHAEL
Things To Do
Castle Combe
Considered by many to be England's prettiest village, Castle Combe is a remarkable example of a medieval village that hasn't changed in 600 years.
Take a Hike
Castle Combe and the surrounding countryside contain some fabulous walks. If the lap of luxury isn't totally your thing, strap on some wellies and muck around the many walking trails. For those of you willing to walk a mile or so in someone else's shoes, The Manor House does offer use of wellies for their guests. Maps of local trails are also available at The Manor House.
The Manor House Golf Club
Too much tea time, why not play a round here? Even the worst golfer would do well to tee up on this particularly pastoral course. Special rates available to hotel guests.
Chippenham
Forgot something other than your worldly concerns? Chippenham, where you can find pharmacies, grocery stores, etc., is about a 15 minute drive from Castle Combe. While probably not the first place on your list as a tourist destination, it may well be the only place on your list for sundries.
London
London calling? It sure is. This seems pretty obvious, but you should definitely check this place out. Linked is a great tool for finding public transportation options within London.
Stonehenge
Plan your drive from the airport right, and you'll see this old place from the A303 motorway (English for highway, aka freeway for you Californians). We had considered this slightly older property for our wedding venue, but the Druids are notoriously bureaucratic, and the rather spartan accommodations left us wanting. And then there is the sacrifice. Who would it be?
Highclere Castle
See the real 'Downton Abbey', sans the 'judgey' glare from Lady Mary.
Bibury
Can you have too many quaint villages? "Absolutely not", say the swans in Bibury. What happens in Bibury, stays in Bibury....so go ahead and have that second cup of tea.
Bourton-on-the-Water
A ridiculously idyllic village with shopping and restaurants. Like the 'Truman Show', you might think there is a benevolent director in the sky orchestrating your experience. Rest assured, we haven't found any trap doors so we're pretty sure this place is real. Be sure to let us know if you find any. Wait...don't. If it's all fake, we don't want to know. We love this place!
Stourhead Gardens
Henry Hoare II wasn’t kidding when he designed this landscape in the 18th century. Spend hours strolling around this magnificent English garden and you’ll be amazed. While it all may look natural, the gentle rolling hills, restful pond, perfectly places trees, and curious follies in the distance were made by hand to create this pastoral landscape, as idyllic now as it was then. That’s no joke.
Lower Slaughter
Don't let the name scare you. This place offers some wonderful moments stolen from time. Be sure to check out Upper Slaughter while you are there, if you can find it. If it's good enough for the Beckhams, it's probably good enough for you. :)
Blenheim Palace
This almost painfully opulent palace is the birthplace and ancestral home of Winston Churchill. It was originally built for the first Duke of Marlborough following his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704, but don't worry, the only battle you'll encounter is with sensory overload. It's well worth the price of admission.
Wells
Home to the famous Wells Cathedral, a lively village, and surrounding farmland. This place is no joke, or at least we couldn't think of one.
Castle Combe Circuit
For those of you looking to rev things up a bit, why not take a spin around the track on the 'wrong' side of the road? This seems like a good idea, right?
Bath
Who doesn't need one of these? In addition to the beautiful city, the original Roman baths are a sight to see. This place was built for pleasure and relaxation and continues to offer this experience to us moderns. Check out the Thermae Bath Spa where you can experience Britain's only natural hot springs.