Bledington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The green at Bledington (photo by Philip Halling)

Bledington is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, located about six miles south-west of Chipping Norton. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 503.

Bledington is famed for its ducks which live all around the brook and village green; traffic through the village is warned of "ducks crossing".

The village won the Community category of the 2004 Calor Gloucestershire village of the year. The judges "were very impressed with the amount of activity in the community, considering the fact that the population is under 400. Its ability to run a large number of community events, ranging from the annual village fete to two flower shows and a music festival is impressive – as is the range of activities which take place in the village hall. We were also impressed with the provision the village makes for older people through the local church’s Care Committee and with the fact that it supports a village shop."

Bledington has a small Primary school.

The village is a short walk from Kingham station which has trains running to Oxford, London and Worcester.

The river Evenlode runs past the village.

The 16th century King's Head Inn pub, overlooking the village green, was awarded Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide in 2001, and also provides accommodation.

Bledington's small village shop closed in 2006. However, a planning application to change the premises to residential use was refused by Cotswold District Council on 23 August 2006.

Bledington is associated with the 'Bledington Tradition' style of Morris Dance.

The history of Bledington (1066-1914) was chronicled by MK Ashby in her book The Changing English Village.