Two massive stone pillars mark the entrance to the road leading to the village’s former silk mills.
Although the weather was for the most part miserable (i.e. cold, windy, and rainy) during our daughter YaYu’s visit to England, we did get to enjoy one absolutely glorious day while we were back in our village of Blockley. We made the most of it by taking a long walk with her through the village and out into the countryside. Even after a month and a half here, Brett and I have learned there are discoveries to be made in the village yet, and the countryside views still have the power to take our breath away. Fall is finally making its appearance although there is still plenty of green around, courtesy of all the rain the area has recently received.
The vines covering our cottage have turned a vibrant red. Subsequent storms, however, have begun stripping the leaves off the vines and the walls may be naked by the time we depart.Located on the high street is the second of two banks that used to operate in the village (the other was directly across the square from our cottage). We’ve been told that in the past residents never had to leave the village to find what they needed.Little alleys and openings occur now and then along the high street, leading to back doors, back yards and sometimes other residences.Leaves are dropping everywhere, but a few flowers still remain and the buildings continue to enchant and invite one to imagine life in Blockley back in the day.The village bath house was where residents could both bathe and/or do their washing. Like many other buildings, it’s been converted into a holiday residence.Located near the town square, the ground floor of this building was the village coach house, and the upstairs held a boys’ school, opened in the 18th century. There are now residences on both floors.Glorious fall color on the village green.The Blockley skyline. The church bell tower is visible from almost everywhere you go in the village.The fields outside of the village are green thanks to all the recent rain. On our trip back to the Cotswolds from London, we noticed that many fields had been flooded from rainstorms that occurred in this area while we were away.Our walking path took us through pastures, which required us to climb over a couple of stiles to continue. They are always awkward.Beautiful fall views were our reward during our walk. There was also quite a bit of mud!
If a half-million dollars (or more, haha) ever fell into our laps, Brett and I have decided that we’d buy a cottage here in Blockley and spend half of each year in this beautiful little village. We’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with this place!
Autumn = my favorite season (for as long as I can remember). And, Blockely may not have everything anybody needs these days, but is has turned out to have everything we need to make it the perfect place for us to be.
I am sorely tempted to start playing the lottery just for the chance to live here part of the year. I don’t think we’d care much for the late fall and winter months, but otherwise we could be very happy here.
Love the discoveries. Also love how in towns and villages with low rise buildings, the church steeple or bell tower is a guiding compass. Found the same in German villages.
As long as you’re willing to take November through May I’d be willing to split the year with you. You’d have to deal with the weather, and we’d get to deal with the tourists. Sounds like a fair split to me!
Blockley is interesting in that at a maximum only 25% of the village is visible from outside because it sits down in a little valley – you can’t see it all until you’re right in it. The church tower is the first thing you spot from afar though, and it’s visible from almost everywhere in town. If you can’t see it, turn the corner!
Blockley has amazing history! I love the boys’ school from the 18th century. The colors of the changing leaves is spectacular especially the red vines!
There is a book for sale in the village shop about historical Blockely, and we are sorely tempted to purchase a copy just to discover more about the places we’ve seen and walked past. We’ve had great luck though speaking with residents who were born and raised here – they have clued us in to so much about the village’s past. Also, lots of buildings, like the coach house and school have plaques and such with information about the building. The one on the school was inscribed in Latin into the stone – thankfully Brett can read Latin!
What a lovely village…love your pictures and history bits. That red vine covering your cottage! Wow! We saw a similar building (water tower? silo? I forget) in Normandy with a brilliant autumn vine growing on it, and it’s one of my favorite pics from that trip.
I love that the English villages preserve green space for common use. And their weather is really conducive to vivid greens and growth. I can see why you love it there.
I didn’t have my camera the other day – the sun was shining on the vines and the leaves were so RED! I’ve never seen anything in nature before that vibrantly red.
The weather here reminds me (too much) of Portland. Beautiful when the sun shines but a bit depressing when it doesn’t. I still love it though, especially the quiet and peacefulness we experience every day.
The Occasional Nomads 
Gorgeous pictures, Autumn is amazing isn’t it. We’ve done quite a bit of walking in that area and it is a lovely little village.
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Autumn = my favorite season (for as long as I can remember). And, Blockely may not have everything anybody needs these days, but is has turned out to have everything we need to make it the perfect place for us to be.
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Great post 😊
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Ha ha, start playing the lottery! Who wouldn’t fall in love with so much beauty? Thank you for sharing it with us and continue to enjoy your stay.
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I am sorely tempted to start playing the lottery just for the chance to live here part of the year. I don’t think we’d care much for the late fall and winter months, but otherwise we could be very happy here.
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We could go halves?
Love the discoveries. Also love how in towns and villages with low rise buildings, the church steeple or bell tower is a guiding compass. Found the same in German villages.
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As long as you’re willing to take November through May I’d be willing to split the year with you. You’d have to deal with the weather, and we’d get to deal with the tourists. Sounds like a fair split to me!
Blockley is interesting in that at a maximum only 25% of the village is visible from outside because it sits down in a little valley – you can’t see it all until you’re right in it. The church tower is the first thing you spot from afar though, and it’s visible from almost everywhere in town. If you can’t see it, turn the corner!
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Well I do want to escape sydney heat.
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Better to stick with the devil you know, I say.
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Blockley has amazing history! I love the boys’ school from the 18th century. The colors of the changing leaves is spectacular especially the red vines!
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There is a book for sale in the village shop about historical Blockely, and we are sorely tempted to purchase a copy just to discover more about the places we’ve seen and walked past. We’ve had great luck though speaking with residents who were born and raised here – they have clued us in to so much about the village’s past. Also, lots of buildings, like the coach house and school have plaques and such with information about the building. The one on the school was inscribed in Latin into the stone – thankfully Brett can read Latin!
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What a lovely village…love your pictures and history bits. That red vine covering your cottage! Wow! We saw a similar building (water tower? silo? I forget) in Normandy with a brilliant autumn vine growing on it, and it’s one of my favorite pics from that trip.
I love that the English villages preserve green space for common use. And their weather is really conducive to vivid greens and growth. I can see why you love it there.
LikeLike
I didn’t have my camera the other day – the sun was shining on the vines and the leaves were so RED! I’ve never seen anything in nature before that vibrantly red.
The weather here reminds me (too much) of Portland. Beautiful when the sun shines but a bit depressing when it doesn’t. I still love it though, especially the quiet and peacefulness we experience every day.
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