Blanchland Parish Council
Blanchland is a village in Northumberland, England, on the County Durham boundary. The population of the Civil Parish at the 2011 census was 135. The village is set beside the river in a wooded section of the Derwent valley, Blanchland is an attractive small village in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is renowned for its sheep farming and the story of its lead mining industry can still be seen across the moors and throughout the landscape.
Blanchland was formed out of the medieval Blanchland Abbey property by Nathaniel Crew, 3rd Baron Crew, the Bishop of Durham, 1674-1722. It is a conservation village, largely built of stone from the remains of the 12th-century Abbey. It features picturesque houses, set against a backdrop of deep woods and open moors. Located near the Derwent Reservoir, it provides facilities for sailing and fishing.
Its unspoilt qualities make it a frequent setting for period films, set in the 18th century, such as those based on the novels of Catherine Cookson and most recently the contemporary British Crime drama Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn was filmed in the village Square and the Post Office. The village has ample parking for visitors. The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel is a popular place to stay and eat and The White Monks Tea Room is a delightful place to stop for refreshments and relax. The village also has Blanchland Shop and Post Office and The Jaspah Crewe gift shops houses a host of art and craft delights.