Blockley is a charming Cotswold village that’s often overlooked in favour of its more tourist-trodden neighbours – but it has a unique aesthetic and a surprising claim to fame
Blockley, a Cotswold village as enchanting as its leafy neighbours, hides a little-known claim to fame beneath its unique aesthetic.
Often overshadowed by its more popular neighbours, Blockley is one of the larger villages in the region, yet it maintains an untouched charm that makes it feel like a hidden treasure.
The village’s honey-coloured stone cottages and winding lanes are steeped in history, shaped by the silk industry that thrived here in the 18th and 19th centuries, but this only reveals a fraction of its story.
Blockley boasts a rich industrial past, a thriving community, and a surprising brush with television fame.
Once powered by the brook that flows through the village, Blockley’s mills were once buzzing with activity, weaving fine silk which was then shipped across the country, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Today, the village is better known for a more unexpected claim to fame: its starring role in the BBC’s Father Brown series – a crime drama following a Roman Catholic priest who relies on his intuition and understanding of human nature to solve crimes in the fictional village of Kembleford in the early 1950s.
Fans of the show will instantly recognise the Church of St Peter and St Paul, which doubles as the fictional St Mary’s Church in the show, while the vicarage next door serves as Father Brown’s residence.
The village itself often appears in scenes, lending its timeless beauty to the detective drama.
Blockley, more than just a film set, is a bustling community of around 2,000 residents who warmly welcome visitors.
The Blockley Café, tucked away in the village centre, serves up locally sourced grub and vegetarian-friendly dishes, while Mr Watson’s Café, boasting a flawless 5.0 rating on Tripadvisor, is a favourite amongst both locals and tourists.
For those after a quintessential countryside pub experience, The Great Western Arms offers hearty British favourites in a snug setting, whilst the nearby Crown Hotel and charming Snugborough Mill B&B provide top-rated lodgings for exploring the local area.
Just a stone’s throw away, the Batsford Arboretum, a 60-acre sanctuary of trees and seasonal hues, along with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway and Sudeley Castle, offer heritage-filled day trips within easy reach.
While it may lack the quaint thatched cottages typically associated with the Cotswolds, Blockley distinguishes itself from its neighbouring towns and villages for all the right reasons.
The charm of Blockley lies in its blend of historic yet buzzing atmosphere, picturesque yet lived-in feel. Whether you’re meandering through its peaceful streets, enjoying a coffee in a sun-drenched courtyard, or recognising familiar spots from Father Brown, the village encourages you to take a breather and immerse yourself in its subtle beauty.