Blockley

Beautiful Blockley, which was constructed on a series of terraces above the Knee Brook valley, provides a glimpse into the medieval topography of England. The vast meadows on the hill opposite the settlement, scattered with grazing sheep, still resemble the way they were in the past when sheep were brought there to be sheared before their wool was woven in mills at the foot of the valley. A picturesque journey through the village's labyrinth of paths will allow you to observe the legacy left by the woolen mills' eventual conversion to the production of silk.

The pretty village green at Blockley overlooks a hill that sweeps down to the Norman church. It’s an under-the-radar corner of the Cotswolds, which means you can stroll the peaceful streets without contending with daytrippers. A short drive away in busier Moreton-on-Marsh, the Cotswold Cheese Co draws dairy lovers with more than 80 artisan cheeses.

A prominent landmark is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which served as a location for filming Father Brown on television. It has a little cafe in the front. Spend 30 to 60 minutes strolling the charming streets, looking for wisteria in the spring, and paddling in the bubbling brook at the foot of the hill. When Blockley was the center of the industry, this is where the silk mills would have cleaned their product.

Location: midway between Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden