The village of Lacock in Wiltshire has long been a favourite of film crews, and it is easy to see why. Its unspoilt historic streets and honey-coloured stone cottages have provided the backdrop for numerous productions, most famously the Harry Potter series. Now, one of the village's most substantial properties, a 19-bedroom country mansion that doubled as a key location in the films, is on the market for £1.5 million. The sheer scale of the house, combined with its storied past, makes it one of the most intriguing listings to appear this year.
The mansion, which sprawls across a generous plot, offers everything a film fan or history lover could want: grand reception rooms, period features, and multiple outbuildings. Its connection to the wizarding world adds undeniable cachet, and estate agents expect strong interest from buyers looking for a home with a genuine piece of cinematic heritage. But while the property's film credentials steal the headlines, there is another, often overlooked angle that can reveal a great deal about what makes a location truly special: the postcode.
Postcodes and elevation: a surprising link
| District | Post town | Region | Avg elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA9 | Alston | North West | 350m |
| NP23 | Ebbw Vale | Wales | 337m |
| NP22 | Tredegar | Wales | 320m |
| SK17 | Buxton | East Midlands | 320m |
| AB36 | Strathdon | Scotland | 318m |
| BD13 | Bradford | Yorkshire and The Humber | 290m |
| AB37 | Ballindalloch | Scotland | 276m |
| OL13 | Bacup | North West | 275m |
| PH23 | Carrbridge | Scotland | 267m |
| AB35 | Ballater | Scotland | 257m |
While Lacock's mansion captures the imagination, Postcodes UK has been examining a different kind of property feature: altitude. Our database shows that the highest postcode district in the United Kingdom is CA9, which covers Alston in Cumbria. The average elevation here is 350 metres above sea level, and the peak reaches an impressive 521 metres. This is a far cry from the gentle Wiltshire countryside, but it highlights the incredible geographical diversity packed into the UK's postcode system.
For prospective buyers, postcodes often influence decisions beyond mere location. They can hint at the landscape, the climate, and even the lifestyle. The CA9 district, in the North Pennines, offers a rugged, upland environment that appeals to those seeking solitude and sweeping views. In contrast, a village like Lacock provides a different charm: community, history, and a direct line to the silver screen. Neither is better or worse, but they illustrate how postcodes can set expectations before a single photo is viewed.
The mansion in Lacock may not sit at the highest point in the land, but it does offer a different kind of elevation: a leap into a fantasy world. For those who grew up with Harry Potter, owning a piece of that universe is priceless. Yet the data from CA9 reminds us that the UK is also home to real-world peaks that inspire their own sense of wonder. Postcodes UK continues to map these extremes, helping buyers, researchers, and the curious understand the country from every angle.
The data behind this
This analysis draws on data from HM Land Registry, the ONS census, and our own Postcodes UK database. The elevation figures for postcode districts are sourced from our comprehensive geographic data, offering a unique perspective on the nation's high points. Property listing details are based on public records, while population insights come from the latest census returns.
In response to reporting by This is Money Homes. Analysis and figures by Postcodes UK.