Blockley, a Cotswold village as enchanting as its verdant neighbours, boasts a unique aesthetic and a little-known claim to fame.

Often overshadowed by its more popular neighbours, Blockley is one of the larger villages in the region, yet it maintains an untouched charm that marks it out as a hidden treasure.

The history of Blockley’s honey-coloured stone cottages and winding lanes is deeply intertwined with the silk industry that thrived here in the 18th and 19th centuries, but this only reveals a fraction of its story.

This quaint spot boasts a rich industrial past, a bustling community, and an unexpected brush with television stardom.

Once powered by the brook that meanders through the village, Blockley’s mills were once alive with activity, weaving fine silk which was then dispatched across the country, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Today, the village is better known for a more surprising claim to fame: its starring role in the BBC‘s Father Brown series – a crime drama centred around a Roman Catholic priest who uses his intuition and understanding of human nature to solve crimes in the fictional village of Kembleford in the early 1950s.

Devotees of the show will instantly recognise the Church of St Peter and St Paul, which doubles as the fictional St Mary’s Church in the show, while the vicarage next door serves as Father Brown’s residence.

The village itself frequently features in scenes, lending its timeless beauty to the detective drama.

Blockley, more than just a film set, is a bustling community of approximately 2,000 residents, extending a warm welcome to visitors.

The Blockley Café, tucked away in the village centre, serves locally sourced food and vegetarian-friendly dishes, while Mr Watson’s Café, boasting a flawless 5.0 rating on Tripadvisor, is a favourite amongst both locals and tourists.

For those yearning for an authentic countryside pub experience, The Great Western Arms offers hearty British classics in a snug setting, whilst the nearby Crown Hotel and charming Snugborough Mill B&B provide top-rated lodgings for exploring the local area.

Just a mile away, the Batsford Arboretum, a 60-acre sanctuary of trees and seasonal hues, is a must-visit, while the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway and Sudeley Castle offer heritage-rich day trips within easy reach.

While it may lack the quaint thatched cottages typically associated with the Cotswolds, Blockley distinguishes itself from its neighbouring towns and villages for all the right reasons.

The charm of Blockley lies in its blend of historic allure and contemporary buzz, picturesque yet lived-in. Whether you’re meandering through its peaceful streets, enjoying a coffee in a sun-drenched courtyard, or recognising familiar scenes from Father Brown, the village encourages you to take a moment and appreciate its subtle beauty.