Bledlow played a key role in the pilot episode of Midsomer Murders, first broadcast on UK TV in March 1997, where it was used as the fictional village of 'Badger's Drift'. It was featured again in several other episodes. The pub (top right) was particularly popular in several episodes, where it appeared under a variety of names in different episodes.
Bledlow is situated about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west-south-west of Princes Risborough, and is on the county boundary between Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
The name Bledlow is derived from Old English and means "Bledda's burial mound". A 10th century document records it as Bleddanhloew; the Domesday Book of 1086 records it as Bledelai. A more common derivation is from "Bled-Hlaw" meaning Bloody Hill which commemorates an undated battle between Saxons and Danes.
The village is on the ancient Icknield Way and is where several springs form a small pool called the Lyde. The water from the springs is said to wear away the chalk on which the village stands, giving rise to the simple local medieval nursery rhyme:
They who live and do abide
Shall see Bledlow Church fall into the Lyde
The brook running from the pool into the nearby valley (called the Lyde Brook) provided water power for two watermills for many years. Bledlow's watermill is a tourist attraction.
Above the village, carved into the chalk of Wain Hill is a large cross. There is also a round barrow on the hill. It is thought that this is the barrow or burial mound referred to in the village name.
Holy Trinity Church overlooks the Vale of Aylesbury. It has two aisles and the nave arcades include capitals made in about 1200. Other features of interest are the font, some fragments of wall paintings, and the 13th or 14th-century south doorway and porch. It is a Grade I listed building.
The village has a number of long distance footpaths that pass through or near it, including the Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, The Midshires Way and the Icknield Way Trail.
The age of the buildings can be hard to fix, but this is what I know.
The current church (top left) was probably built in the late 11th, or early 12th centuries, but it has been changed in many ways since then. For example the inverted V on the tower suggests it once had a much steeper roof.
The pub (top right) is thought to date from around 1650
The house (bottom right) with it's timber frame is possibly 17th century.
The house (bottom right) is the hardest to date, but it might possibly be 19th century.
Ian
February 10th, 2021
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
As well as being an interesting village, I enjoyed exploring some of the footpaths through the lovely local countryside.
Ian
The age of the buildings can be hard to fix, but this is what I know.
The current church (top left) was probably built in the late 11th, or early 12th centuries, but it has been changed in many ways since then. For example the inverted V on the tower suggests it once had a much steeper roof.
The pub (top right) is thought to date from around 1650
The house (bottom right) with it's timber frame is possibly 17th century.
The house (bottom right) is the hardest to date, but it might possibly be 19th century.
Ian