Bledington

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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.

[edit] Bledington Primary School

Bledington Primary School Old Burford Road, Bledington, Chipping Norton,Oxon,OX7 6AG is a state primary school within the North Cotswold area of Gloucestershire County Council Education Authority. It is an all ability, co-educational day school for children aged between four and eleven years, with accommodation for approximately eighty children. There has been a school in the village since the 1830s but the present building came into existence in 1876 when it began life as a board school. In January 2004 a large hall was added to the premises to be used as a sports hall, dining room and for assemblies, plays and other functions. It also incorporates a new kitchen while the old kitchen has been converted into a staff room. Bledington school is constantly chaging the new hall and new equipment being brought is benefiting the children tremendously.

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.

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

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