While it may not always bask in the limelight like its neighbouring locales, a picturesque village in Northumberland, home to fewer than 130 residents, has caught the eye of some well-travelled enthusiasts. Not only have they ranked it among the best in the region, but they’ve also hailed it as one of the ‘prettiest’ villages in the UK, reports Chronicle Live.
Globetrotting couple Jonny and Hannah, founders of the popular Finding our Adventure website, have named the tiny village of Blanchland in the North East of England among seven locations on their ‘most beautiful in Northumberland’ list. They penned: “Blanchland is arguably one of the prettiest villages in North England. Historically home to a medieval monastery, this village is also set adjacent to the River Derwent. Eat a delicious meal at the Lord Crewe Arms where you can also stay overnight.”
Nestled by the River Derwent and within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blanchland straddles the border between Northumberland and County Durham.
Often lauded as ‘picture perfect’, Blanchland’s architecture and breathtaking landscape could easily grace a postcard. While the historic and captivating Lord Crewe Arms, renowned for its top-notch cuisine, is widely considered the village’s crowning glory.
Blanchland also plays host to the White Monk Refectory and Tea Room. This charming establishment, set in an old school, has garnered high praise for its delightful setting and exceptional fare.
The picturesque village has also been used as a filming location for movies and TV, with Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet starring in the 1996 movie Jude, which many locals also featured in as extras.
WolfBlood, a 2012 teen drama set in the Derwent Valley, used the gatehouse and square in Blanchland as one of the main sets in the early series and long-running detective series Vera also features Blanchland as a backdrop.