Tourists from as far afield as Japan are flocking to one of England's most picturesque villages, just a half-hour drive from Bristol. This idyllic spot is often described as 'quintessentially English'. Nestled in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Castle Combe has earned the title of 'prettiest village in England'.
It boasts a race circuit and has served as a filming location for movies such as War Horse and Stardust, as well as episodes of Downton Abbey. The village's charming architecture, crafted from Cotswold stone, has remained unchanged for centuries. With no new homes built for hundreds of years, it offers a tranquil escape from city life, perfect for country walks and a step back in time.
Among its traditional features are a 13th-century church and a 14th-century manor turned hotel. However, it's a unique B&B that's drawing visitors from Japan, according to My London. Fosse Farmhouse and its owner, Caron Cooper, 60, who has run the place for over three decades, were featured in the Kinmoza anime series.
The fame has reached such heights that Caron has attended a red-carpet premiere in Japan and hosted members of the Japanese Royal family, reports The Mirror, reports . The connection began when Caron met a Japanese couple, Shozo and Yasuko Mitani, at a market stall in 1989. The couple revealed to Caron their plans to establish a British-themed B&B in Japan, prompting her to invite them to experience her farmhouse.
Their stay was so enjoyable that they modelled their own B&B after Caron's. This led to an increase in Japanese guests at Fosse Farmhouse, culminating in Caron being invited to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to prepare tea and scones for the Japanese Royal family. She even had the honour of hosting them for three nights in 1994.
Despite the renowned B&B being situated just outside the village - a mere six-minute drive away - Castle Combe has attracted visitors from as far as Japan and beyond. Best explored on foot, visitors often discover honesty stalls on residents' doorsteps, offering slices of cake. For those seeking more historical marvels, while the castle no longer stands, there is still much to discover.
This includes visits to a 14th-century Market Cross, once the site of the weekly market, the 13th-century St Andrew's Church with a medieval faceless clock - one of the oldest working clocks in the country - and the 14th Century Castle Combe Manor, now transformed into a luxury hotel..
