Rocco the Rock Star visits Castle Combe in Wiltshire

Castle Combe

Each week we share with you a taste of our adventures. This week we feature Castle Combe, a particular favourite with our gang as it's just so pretty and so English.

As we follow the race course flag to Castle Combe the excitement builds in the jeep as familiar smells waft through the windows. A quick pit stop in the car park at the top of the hill to let the dogs stretch their legs before the gentle descent into the beautiful village.

The stroll to the Village

The stroll down to the village is beautifully shaded either side by trees and there is an impressive yellow building that you can not miss just as you approach the village. This delightful house was featured in the 1967 film Dr Doolittle, the house was built around the 1700 and is named Dower House.

The walk is so pleasant down to the village that before you know it the village is welcoming you and you automatically feel as if the world has stopped and you have gone back in time.

The Old Market Cross

The Old Market Cross which was built in the 14th century makes a wonderful spot to perch and take in the wonderful scene. This is fabulous in summer as The Old Market cross has a roof where you can find shade and where our gang of misists could have a bowl of milky water before we commenced our adventure.

The Old Market Town Cross informs us that Castle Combe once held a weekly market. You can not miss the two water pumps that have been adorned with pretty flowers.

St Andrews Church

The gang of misfits were eager to get moving, so off we went, towards the Church. The church is pretty and well maintained and visitors are welcome to visit any time as the church is open every day of the week (in normal times) and you will receive a friendly welcome. As our gang of misfits were not permitted in the church, Rachel waited outside and explored the church yard.

The church inside is typical of this era and really worth a look around, you will notice a memorial to a Baron of Castle Combe and this efficacy is crossed legged which means that he served in all the crusades. There is also a faceless clock in the church which is on display and still operates every hour on the hour. It is questioned to be one of the oldest mechanical clocks in the world.

The church was built over 300 years, originally commencing in the 13th century and was completed in the 16th century. The building was funded by wealthy wool merchants who believed by putting money in the church would secure them a place in heaven.

I regrouped with the gang and we headed to the back of the church yard and through a little gap in the wall where we found ourselves on the grounds of the The Manor House Hotel.

The Manor House and the Golf Club

Decadent is what came to my mind as I cast my eyes up the Manor House Hotel and I think we were all thinking the same. Just absolutely stunning, The Manor is set within 365 acres of land and dates back to the 14th century.

It truly is a fairytale setting, you look to the left and there is the grand hotel and to the left the stunningly immaculate gardens with a riotous waterfall.

We discovered some very good news that there are 16 delightful dog friendly rooms located in the stunning mews cottages and the room types vary from intimate and cozy to luxurious home from home manor suites. (We all agreed one day we need to stay overnight).

The Village and The Door of Trust

Visiting Castle Combe wouldn't be complete without appreciating the quaint chocolate box cottages, stroll along and really take in the magnificence of it all.

We suggest stopping off at what we have affectionately named as 'The Door of Trust' in the village - it sells a selection of gorgeous home made cakes and soft refreshments and you pay for the items you purchase by popping your monies through the letterbox of a delightful chocolate box cottage typical of Castle Combe, so the exchange works on a trust basis.

The Stunning walk from the village of Castle Combe to Ford, and back (4.7-miles)

From here we walked to the delightful Castle Combe bridge where again you can look back towards the village and take some stunning photos. We picked up a path to the left signed Long Dean. From here there are a few walks through the Castle Combe valleys following the Bybrook River, our dogs loved the smells and we loved the tranquil scenery, we kept following the Bybrook River.

The round trip takes about 2 hours and there is a pub along the way, The White Heart. We did not take the complete 2 hour round trip as Flo (older ex-rescue) may have found it too much, however easily achieved with younger dogs.

Does Castle Combe have a castle?

Well Castle Combe once had a castle which used to stand about half a mile from the manor house, and did you know there are no street lights or over overhead cables in Castle Combe.

About the books

The "Rocco the Rock Star" books are based on the true story of Rocco, now known as Rocco the Rock Star, a Romanian rubble pup (street dog) who thanks to a stranger's act of kindness began his 2,788km journey to a safer, happier and more confident life in the beautiful Cotswolds.

Rocco the Rock Star (book 1)

Rocco the Rock Star is the first book in the enchanting. early reader children's book series based on the true story of an ex-street dog called Rocco. This rags to riches kid's book is a sure fire hit for dog loving children.

Rocco the Rock Star and the Flower of Sascut (book 2)

This beautifully illustrated Children's book introduces another amazing rescue dog called Flo who soon becomes part of Rocco's gang. In this book the gang continue their hilarious and amazing adventures uncovering a series of hidden tunnels underneath the medieval Chipping Dogbury High Street where they live.

Charlie and Rachel - www.roccotherockstar.com