The New Murrey and Blue blog

Well, we’re all familiar with the above idyllic view of Castle Combe, which is surely one of the most picturesque villages in the whole of England. Just imagine the effect all our new housing developments will have on future generations. Will people be as enchanted then as we are now by this matchless example of Olde England? Hardly. A box is a box is a box.

I love looking at the Country Life articles which describe astonishing properties for sale all over the United Kingdom (all well beyond my means) and The Bridge House in Castle Combe caught my eye, both for the setting and because its interior and garden are truly lovely. Go to this site to see more photographs. Very nice indeed.

But even as I reached for my wallet, I had to pause. Much as I like Castle Combe I have to wonder if I really would be happy there. I don’t know what it’s like in the winter, but in the summer it’s swarming with sightseers.

Of course people want to see and enjoy such historic and beautiful places, but this property, like most in the village, has no front garden to separate it from the street. Just how much would I like to have all those eyes trying to see in past my net curtains? Not a great deal, so even though I think The Bridge House is very desirable, I’ll have to pass on this one. So I’m going to tell myself that as its only 17th century, it’s not really old enough to satisfy my medieval taste!