If you’re in the midst of planning your Cotswolds itinerary, you may find yourself asking: “Is Castle Combe worth visiting?”

This ridiculously romantic village is unlike anywhere I’ve traveled to before, and it’s a place I’d easily return to. In fact, I’ve compiled this detailed list of reasons why I’m so enamored with Castle Combe to inspire you to add it to your England bucket list. I’ll even plug an overnight stay at one of these irresistibly charming Castle Combe accommodations for the full experience!

On the other hand, no place is perfect, certainly. Since I can also see why it may not be everyone’s cup of (English breakfast) tea, I’m going to share those honest observations as well.

So let’s get to the bottom of this quandary and determine whether Castle Combe deserves a visit on your next (or first!) trip to England.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

If you’ve been following my blog for a bit, then you already know how taken I am with European storybook villages…

…And if not, well, it’s high time you found out! I’m utterly obsessed with well-preserved historical villages and Castle Combe was honestly the most impressive one I’ve visited yet.

It reminded me of Bruges in miniature and I was completely enraptured as I strolled around.

Here, you’ll wake up to the sweet serenade of songbirds, stroll ancient streets, wander through gorgeous gardens, and uncover hidden lanes. You may not be able to shake the feeling that you landed in a storybook!

Are you suspicious that Castle Combe looks like more of a film set than a real place? Well, you’re definitely onto something there…

This village literally puts the “picture” in picture-perfect, as it’s appeared in a number of major motion pictures and television productions!

Here are some top productions that have been filmed in Castle Combe:

• War Horse (scenes for the film adaptation)
• Stardust
• The Wolfman
• Doctor Dolittle
• Robin Hood
• Downtown Abbey

While this town has already accrued an impressive cinematic reputation, I have no doubt that Castle Combe will continue to charm film directors for years to come.

Given that Castle Combe has served as a popular backdrop for several major motion pictures, it should come as no surprise that it’s a wonderful place to take pictures!

From the cobbled lanes, to the babbling brooks, to the ivy-clad facades, photo opportunities await around every turn in Castle Combe. Even without me to guide you to the best ones, I have no doubt you’d stumble upon plenty of your own gems organically.

That said, I’m not a fan of gatekeeping, so I’m going to let you in on a few favorites.

Here are two can’t-miss spots to photograph in Castle Combe:

1. Bybrook (a.k.a By Brook), the small river with the storybook bridge (first two photos just above)
2. The Manor House (second two photos below)

If you consider yourself an introvert, you’ll feel right at home in Castle Combe – I should know! I technically consider myself an “extroverted introvert” and found Castle Combe to be a great place to clear my head.

This is the type of village where you could wander around and see very little car traffic. It’s also the type of place where you could follow an intriguing foot path or park yourself on a bench and lose yourself in a good book.

You won’t find all-night clubs or overstimulating nightlife here. In fact, the evenings are exceptionally quiet and peaceful once the daytime tour groups clear out.

Castle Combe was named after the 12th-century castle that once dominated the landscape above the village. It’s widely believed that the castle was originally constructed to serve as the seat of the Barony of Combe.

Beginning in the 14th century, the wool industry was thriving in Castle Combe – and throughout the Cotswolds – and the picturesque, honey-colored weaver’s cottages you still see standing today are evidence of that.

One of the highlights of the Cotswolds is its many walking paths and Castle Combe is no exception. While I didn’t have a chance to explore this avenue myself, it’s definitely something I’d like to do on a return trip.

In the meantime, you can find directions to the most popular Castle Combe walks and loops here.

It’s no surprise that England is the place for tea and Castle Combe is a wonderful place to enjoy it.

If you’re looking to splurge on the indulgence of Castle Combe afternoon tea, The Manor House & Golf Club will definitely be your cup of tea – pun very much intended!

Perfect for two or more tea-lovers, this experience includes tasty tea and decadent goodies served on a three-tiered tray.

Afternoon tea at the Manor House is served between 1:00PM and 4:00PM in their Bybrook Restaurant or in one of the lavish hotel lounges.

If the Manor House isn’t quite in budget, there are other places to enjoy tea in Castle Combe.

Here are some of the other tea spots in Castle Combe:

• The Old Rectory Pop Up Tearoom
• The Old Stables Castle Combe
• The Little Picnic Shop (for picnic boxes to-go)

If you’re a lover of car shows and racing, then you won’t want to miss a visit to the Castle Combe Circuit. For over 70 years, this near-three-kilometer-track has remained one of the most beloved circuits in the UK.

Whether you want to get behind the wheel of a racecar yourself or enjoy the excitement as a sportscar spectator, this is the place for you.

You can check out all of the relevant visitor information here.

My first introduction to a British pub was at The Castle Inn and let me tell you – I was instantly hooked! This charming pub-meets-bed-and-breakfast is an absolute must-visit when in Castle Combe.

Everything here is absolutely mouth-watering. Imagine taking classic British pub food and putting an innovative, gourmet spin on it and there you have The Castle Inn menu. So delicious!

(Frankly, I think The Castle Inn is also a “must-stay,” as I spent two nights here and couldn’t recommend it enough!) I highly encourage you to read about my culinary experience and check out some of the other best places to stay in Castle Combe before your visit.

You know how The Manor House Hotel & Golf Club is known for its afternoon tea? Well, that tea just so happens to be served in the property’s own Michelin-starred restaurant!

Bybrook Restaurant is a highlight of not only the Manor House, but of Castle Combe overall. Aptly named after the famous Cotswolds river of the same name, Bybrook boasts a seven-course menu (and a steep price tag of 145 pounds to match). They’re known for crafting scrumptious seasonal dishes with local ingredients that are paired with top-rated wines.

If you’re looking to make a reservation, note that Bybrook serves dinner from 6:00PM to 8:30PM from Wednesday through Sunday.

You know how some destinations are catered toward a specific type of traveler demographic? A wonderful aspect of Castle Combe is that it’s ideal whether you’re flying solo, taking a romantic escape, or enjoying a family holiday with children.

Solo travelers (which I was) will appreciate the ease of getting around the village on foot as well as the peaceful atmosphere. Castle Combe is also incredibly romantic, which makes it ideal for couples looking to get away from busy city life as well.

Folks traveling with kids will appreciate visiting The Dower House, the home that was famously featured in Dr. Doolittle as well as doing one of the nearby circular walks as a family.

Castle Combe – just like the rest of the Cotswolds – is super dog-friendly.

I was truly touched by how much this region caters to four-legged family members. From furry friends galore along the hiking trails to the many dog-friendly hotels and accommodations, Castle Combe (and surrounding villages) proudly support furry friends. I’ve even come across some hiking trail directions specifically for dogs!

So whether you decide to base yourself in Castle Combe or nearby, you can comfortably bring your beloved companion along.

One of the highlights of Castle Combe’s location is its proximity to the famous city of Bath.

While I unfortunately didn’t have enough time for a visit here during my short stay, Bath is less than a half hour away from Castle Combe by car. Here, you can admire stunning Gothic architecture, treat yourself to a spa day at one of the many spas in Bath, stroll through stunning parks and gardens, and more.

If you’ve ever dreamt of waking up in a real-life fairytale village, Castle Combe is just that place.

Staying in this gorgeous village is a truly unique experience that is well worth the cost! As I mentioned earlier, I’ve detailed the top accommodations in Castle Combe, so be sure to check that out if you’re looking to base yourself here for a night or two.

While there aren’t a huge range of properties, that’s part of what makes this village so special and exclusive. You can truly feel like you live here for a moment in time!

Overall, even if it’s not ultimately your favorite escape, it’s hard to argue the fact that visiting Castle Combe is an unforgettable travel experience.

It’s certainly not every day that you can experience a place with more foot traffic than cars, admire architecture dating back to the 12th century, and stroll through streets without any modern-day details like power lines!

Getting to Castle Combe is more complicated than I initially anticipated when I first discovered it on Instagram years back. At the time, I naively assumed you could just hop aboard a direct train from London to Castle Combe and call it a day. Unfortunately, however, it’s not so straightforward.

The main issue here is that Castle Combe is a very small village that does not have its own train station. So if you’re traveling by train, you’ll need to do a few changes and then take a bus (or hire a car) for the remainder of the journey to Castle Combe.

Fortunately, I’ve actually covered all of the details for traveling to the Cotswolds without a car in a separate post, so be sure to check that out while planning your trip!

While this may be a pro for some (like me), I do want to emphasize just how small of a village Castle Combe really is, as this can be viewed as a negative.

To give you a better idea, you could literally walk through the entire main village area in a matter of minutes. It would take around 20 minutes or so if you’re leisurely strolling and closer to 10 minutes if you have a faster gait. Either way, that’s quite a short amount of time!

This is not the town to come to if you’re looking to do a lot of shopping, for instance. (In fact, there are no touristy shops to speak of in town).

(By the way, if shopping is more your bag and you wish to base yourself in an area with more opportunities for store-browsing, definitely check out my post on the best places to stay in Bourton on the Water.)

Instead, it’s perfect for people who want to admire its well-preserved architecture, enjoy a nearby nature hike, and savor a tasty meal at a pub.

Despite its notable lack of stores and activities, Castle Combe can still experience quite a bit of foot traffic during the day time, particularly in the peak summer season. This village is also a popular stop with tour groups, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see a bus unloading a herd of tourists in mid-summer.

Frankly, I didn’t find this to be an issue when I visited in early June. I believe this was for two reasons:

1. I was here before summer season officially kicked off
2. I found quieter spots to enjoy (like the grounds of St. Andrew’s Church and those of The Manor House).

Plus, spending two nights in Castle Combe meant I could enjoy the town to the fullest when crowds dispersed.

If you’re someone who enjoys a lot of restaurant options when traveling, Castle Combe is not the destination for you.

I first realized this when I booked a stay at The Castle Inn and a staff member asked me if I wanted to make a dinner reservation (months in advance). She informed me that there were only two dining options for my stay – at The Castle Inn Pub or Bybook Restaurant of The Manor House. This definitely caught me by surprise!

Since visiting, I also discovered The White Hart/Wadworth Pub across the street from The Castle Inn, so I’m thinking the “two” referred only to the two restaurants in town under the “Exclusive Collection” property umbrella (The Castle Inn & The Manor House).

In any case, regardless of how you interpret it, three dining options is still quite slim pickings!

Since Castle Combe accommodations are limited, you can expect to pay more of a premium here than you would in a larger city with more options.

On average, rooms can cost around $220 per night in the low season. In the high season, prices tend to jump up closer to $340 per night, on average.

That said, I don’t think this factor alone should dismay you from visiting, but it is something to consider when budgeting for the trip.

So this brings us full circle to the question that brought you to this post in the first place: Is Castle Combe worth visiting?

In short, I think the ultimate answer depends on your priorities when you travel.

Here’s my final two cents on the matter:

You Should Visit Castle Combe if You:

• Enjoy small villages
• Love old and charming architecture
• Appreciate historical places and older buildings
• Enjoy hiking and spending time in nature
• Don’t mind having only a few restaurant choices and aren’t looking to shop
• Prefer quieter environments with more foot traffic than automobile traffic

You Should Skip Over Castle Combe if You:

• Prefer lively towns with lots of action
• Seek out modern architecture, amenities, and conveniences
• Want to spend a lot of time indoors and go museum-hopping, for instance
• Are looking to enjoy cultural activities
• Need a lot of restaurant options to choose from
• Plan on purchasing souvenirs to take home

I hope this guide has helped you determine whether Castle Combe deserves a place on your Cotswolds itinerary. It’s definitely a place I will remember fondly and one that I hope to return to in the future!

Do you think Castle Combe will be a fit for you? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking to uncover more of Castle Combe and the surrounding Cotswolds region? Check out my other guides:

• 10 Irresistibly Charming Places to Stay in Castle Combe, England
• 12 Best Places to Stay in Bourton on the Water (From Canal-View Stays to Country Inns)
• 20 Fun Things to Do in Bourton on the Water (Including Free Activities & Day Trip Ideas)
• How to Visit the Cotswolds Without a Car: From Public Transport to Private Transfers