From Harry Potter to Mr Darcy himself, Lacock in Wiltshire attracts all the best fictitious characters. Mervyn Hancock discovers its appeal

F or many people, the picture postcard village of Lacock, in Wiltshire, is recognised and loved as the location where period dramas such as Pride and Prejudice and Cranford were filmed.

The beauty and history of Lacock means a visit there is like a visit back in time.

The entire village was bought by the National Trust, from the Talbot family in 1944. Preserved from the ravages of modern civilisation, it still supports a thriving community, but the houses are preserved as they were for centuries.

There are no satellite dishes or television aerials here – no advertising hoardings, modern traffic controls, or any indication that the 21st century has arrived. So Lacock has become a filmmaker's and photographers' dream.

Indeed Lacock Abbey became world renowned when it was transformed by Hollywood into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – and Harry Potter fans travelled from all over the world to view the place where JK Rowling's young wizard spent his formative years.

The historic abbey was also the home of William Henry Fox Talbot, who played a major part in the development of photography in the 1830s.

And in a nod to the great man, the National Trust is proudly hosting the first collection of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition there until Sunday, May 3.

Creating the great outdoors in the confines of your own property can be difficult. With houses and gardens getting smaller, it is tricky, if not impossible, to grow and enjoy larger plants and trees.

That's why it is such a joy when those lucky enough to have the space to accommodate Mother Nature throw open their gates to allow the rest of us to share in their bounty.

One way to take in the sights and sounds of the seasons is to take a leisurely walk through the grounds of an historic house.

And that's just what some of the country's best and most enthusiastic photographers have done, capturing their experiences on camera for the rest of us to enjoy. There's a chance to see what comes from combining cutting- edge technology and a skilled eye with nature's finest.

More than 100 photographs are included in the first collection, which has moved to Lacock from the most famous gardens of all, Kew in London.

"As well as being a pioneer in photography, Fox Talbot also had a love of botany," explains Karen Bolger, visitor services manager for Lacock.

"He used to travel across Europe collecting specimens to bring back and plant in the botanic garden here at Lacock, and many of his earliest photographs were of plant specimens."

As the collection focuses on the great outdoors, that's exactly where the exhibition will be placed – set between the trees and borders of Fox Talbot's Botanic Garden.

The Abbey grounds and Botanic Garden are open daily. There's no additional charge to see the exhibition, and entry is free for National Trust members. Details can be found on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock