Unspoilt by modern developments, Lacock is the perfect example of how things used to be in Wiltshire and has provided a stunning location to many film and TV productions.

Things have gone relatively unchanged in this beautiful village near Chippenham and everyone is quite happy for it to stay that way. Lacock dates back to the 13th century and has many limewashed half timbered and stone houses.

Founded in 1229, Lacock Abbey was sold in 1539 and converted into a family home and it remained so for 405 years until it was given to the National Trust in 1944. The fine medieval cloisters, chapter house and monastic rooms have all remained largely intact and the Victorian woodland garden boasts a fine display of spring flowers, magnificent trees, an 18th century summerhouse, rose garden and botanic garden. The Abbey is open to visitors between April 1 and October 29 each year, except Tuesdays and Good Friday. The cloisters and gardens are also open with the Fox Talbot Museum between February 26 and April 1.

The Fox Talbot Museum showcases the photographic work of William Fox Talbot and there are also exhibitions featuring the work of contemporary photographers. The Talbots lived in the family home at the Abbey and William began his work in photography with a wooden camera, made to design by the village carpenter.

At one time, Lacock was a town rather than a village and was on the main London to Bristol road until a new through route through Chippenham took away the traffic. Lacock had its own market each week and plenty of shops. It had its own butchers, bakers and grocers, not to mention three farms, a carpenters, a wheelwrights, several pubs and a brewery. Now just a few shops and pubs, supported by the tourist trade, remain.

There used to be a mill in Lacock and several of the houses had looms on their upper floors. The National Trust continues to care for the fabric of the village.

Due to Lacock's picturesque qualities it has been used as a location for several films and TV productions including Pride And Prejudice, Moll Flanders, pictured, and Emma. It has proved an excellent location for period dramas. The historic Abbey was also featured in the recent Harry Potter films. The cloisters were used for the interior classroom shots at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Warming Room, Chapter House and sacristy also played host to Harry and co. The residents may get to rub shoulders with plenty of stars but in turn must cope with the upheaval of filming. This involves eradicating all traces of modern life, such as laying an authentic road surface and, of course, banning traffic.