Does Alfie need wellington boots?

It may have been the wettest summer for 100 years but our guests were out and about come rain or shine. Families often went to Bath, Bristol or Wookey Hole if it was raining but there were plenty of dry days too - perfect for Longleat, Bowood or a walk over the downs to Avebury or Stonehenge.
Our new cats Alfie and Leo have been a great hit with our guests. We've noticed quite a few have bought cat treats.
Alfie has decided that wellingtons are this years fashion not next when the weather is sure to be fabulous all summer long.

Travels with Michael Palin - Lacock Abbey Apr-Sep 2012
One of our guests told us about this fantastic exhibition of photographs taken by a cameraman who accompanied Michael Palin on his travels around the world.

Olympic Torch comes through Chippenham
On Weds May 23rd the Torch comes through Chippenham (3 miles from Barn Cottages) at 9.46am. See the link above for details.

We went for a walk in Lacock on Sunday and popped in to the new Photographic Gallery which is tucked away off Cantax Hill. The exhibition of photos by Louise Murray called 'High Arctic' is superb. It's well worth a visit.
On our website there are a number of pages of 'Things to Do' to help visitors get the most out of their stay. We've updated them and added a page of things that you can do if you are on a budget.

News update

Lacock Abbey is now open all year and there are newly opened rooms including the kitchens.
We are looking forward to the 2011 summer season and our advance bookings are the best they have ever been at this time of the year.
We have guests who have booked all of the cottages for hen weekends , weddings and reunions as well as group of artists, which is a first for us.
We have visitors coming from France,Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand and we are welcoming back people who have stayed with us before.
In the case of one couple their visit in June will be the eighth time they have stayed with us since 2006.

I caught this double rainbow over fields whilst walking the dogs.
Even when rain is around there can be pleasure to be had!

Down by the river

I caught one of our local herons in flight this morning down by the river at Reybridge. The weather has been very hot for May and the river is a popular spot to cool off not just for herons.
This meadow is part of an ancient flood plain, something that seems to be disappearing in modern Britain. In the winter and sometimes in summer after very heavy rain, the river bursts it's banks and floods right up to the cottages by the bridge.
When that happens the road is impassable for cars but a raised walkway allows walkers to get through.

Spring and Summer events at Lacock Abbey

The popular Lacock Scarecrow Trail is being held over the Bank Holiday weekend of 29th May 2010. This years theme is children's books.

Also coming up is an outdoor production of Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' at the Abbey. The Abbey provides a stunning backdrop and people usually go early and picnic on the lawns.

The National Trust holds a variety of really good events over the Spring and Summer and these can be found on the NT event section of their website.