12 brilliant things to do in Castle Combe

Find the medieval market cross monument near the pretty, Grade I-listed St Andrew’s Church. Head in and spot the faceless clock, one of the oldest working clocks in Britain, and check out the monument of Norman knight Sir Walter de Dunstanville, Baron of Castle Combe, who died in 1270. A tip for history buffs: his crossed legs signal that he went on two medieval crusades. Absolute hard nut. Next, get a snap of Doctor Dolittle’s house from the original 1967 movie. The film’s producers at the time ignored warnings of the county’s rainy summers which persistently interfered with shooting – let’s hope the weather is better for you today. Drop by the village hall, too, to check if the sporadic market is on. If it is, you’re in for a treat – you’ll find locally made pies, cakes, jams, quilts, jewellery and more. Go home with a glut of glorious bits and bobs.

Once you’ve seen this dinky village up close and personal, you'll want to view it from the surrounding hills. You’ll soon find there’s a reason it’s a key attraction within the Cotswolds Area of Natural Beauty. Slide on your wellies (which are a must in this mud), and navigate up The Street from Market Place to follow the footpath that trails off to the right and into the woodland. The full loop is a gloriously muddy 5.5 miles. Don’t forget to pause now and again to absorb the local wildlife. Depending on the time of day, spot owls, woodpeckers and buzzards overhead.

Travelling as a group? For a real village experience, pre-book afternoon tea at The Old Rectory Pop-up Tearoom for a table full of home-baked cakes, afternoon tea and savoury nibbles. This private party venue is authentic old-school English teatime all the way down – just check out those tiny sandwiches, ornate tablecloths and proper china tea sets. If you're a bit more rough and ready, you might want to plump for a bacon butty and coffee in front of the roaring log-burner at The Old Stables. After your walk you'll be glad to tuck into a warm panini and slurp locally-roasted coffee. Otherwise, collect your pound coins and cobble together a picnic from the honesty boxes placed outside locals’ homes – it's that kind of place.

Two pubs vie for your attention once you reach Market Place: The Castle Inn and The White Hart. Both are charming pubs filled with the same history you see in every corner of Castle Combe, and more importantly, they both offer freshly pulled pints, roaring fires and charming courtyards in which to rest your walk-weary feet. The Castle Inn offers a fancier food menu both indoors and on its patio. Choose between steak, Cornish crab and the battered fish of the day.

Looking for a bit more luxury? The ivy-covered five-star hotel Manor House is your place to push the boat out. Get your fine dining fix on food fresh from the kitchen garden at in-house Michelin-starred restaurant The Bybrook, sip a freshly-mixed cocktail at the Full Glass Bar or indulge in an afternoon tea complete with clotted cream. If you’d rather be getting active, book in for a day of golf on the championship 18-hole course. Too serene for your tastes? Take a supercar for a spin at Castle Combe Circuit – petrol heads will love it.