A visit to Castle Combe offered a combination of historic surroundings, film locations, overnight accommodation and a traditional Sunday roast, according to a review published by Stroud Times.
The village sits at the end of a descending hill and is presented in the review as a place where centuries of history remain visible in the stone cottages, historic buildings, winding streets and riverside setting. Its preserved appearance has also made it attractive to film-makers, giving Castle Combe a place in the story of several well-known productions.
A village with a film history
Castle Combe’s streets have been used as the backdrop for the 1967 film Doctor Dolittle, which starred Rex Harrison, as well as Stardust in 2007 and The Wolfman in 2010. Steven Spielberg’s First World War drama War Horse, released in 2011, was also filmed there.
The review describes the village as unusually cinematic, with traditional buildings, narrow streets and attractive views creating the impression that a film crew could appear around the next corner. During the visit, time was spent walking around the village, taking photographs beside the river and enjoying the atmosphere before heading back for the evening meal.
That short walk formed an important part of the break. Castle Combe’s character provided something to explore outside the inn, while its compact, picturesque setting allowed the visitors to combine sightseeing, dinner and an overnight stay without leaving the village.
Staying at The Castle Inn
The destination was The Castle Inn, where staff gave the visitors a warm welcome before showing them to their room. A four-poster bed was the main feature of the bedroom, and the windows looked across the village.
The room was described as charming and well suited to the setting. Rather than being separate from the destination, the accommodation placed the historic village directly into the experience, with views from the room and the streets outside available to enjoy before dinner.
After the walk, there was time for a gin and tonic before the table booking at 5.30pm. Because the meal was taking place on a Sunday, the visitors were hoping to find a traditional roast on the menu.
A Sunday dinner at the inn
The restaurant was described as simple, welcoming and free from unnecessary fuss. The first courses were pork and Stornoway black pudding terrine for one diner and leek and potato soup for the other. The soup was hearty, warming and full of flavour, and was served with a scone. The terrine was also enjoyed, particularly because of the black pudding.
For the main course, one diner chose pork and the other selected beef. The pork was described as tender, with crackling providing a crisp contrast, and it was served with vegetables. The beef was cooked medium and came with a generous portion of horseradish.
Together, the two main courses made up the traditional Sunday roast the visitors had been hoping for. The meal was regarded in the review as satisfying, with the pork’s tenderness and crackling singled out as particular strengths.
Dessert brought a choice between poached pear with almond, mascarpone and ginger, and ice cream. The poached pear was praised for its combination of flavours and natural sweetness. Although the portion was not oversized, it was described as a pleasing way to finish the meal.
Breakfast and the cost of a stay
After a comfortable night in the four-poster bed, breakfast was served before the journey home. One diner chose a traditional full English, while the other had poached eggs, smashed avocado and smoked salmon on toasted sourdough.
The review concludes that the combination of food, welcoming staff, comfortable accommodation and Castle Combe’s historic setting made a positive impression. Visitors may be drawn by the village’s film connections, its riverside walks or its preserved streets, while the inn offers a way to extend the visit beyond a daytime trip.
Rooms at The Castle Inn start from £148 on a bed-and-breakfast basis, according to the supplied article. The article also directs readers to the inn for further information and bookings.
