English Heritage sites near Bledington Parish
ROLLRIGHT STONES
6 miles from Bledington Parish
Traditionally a monarch and his courtiers petrified by a witch, the Rollright Stones consist of three groups: the King's Men stone circle; the Whispering Knights burial chamber; and the single King Stone. They span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development.
MINSTER LOVELL HALL AND DOVECOTE
9 miles from Bledington Parish
The extensive and picturesque ruins of a 15th century riverside manor house, including a fine hall, south-west tower, and complete dovecote nearby. The home of Richard III's henchman Lord Lovell.
NORTH LEIGH ROMAN VILLA
11 miles from Bledington Parish
The remains of a large, well built Roman courtyard villa. The most important feature is a nearly complete mosaic tile floor, patterned in reds and browns.
HAILES ABBEY
13 miles from Bledington Parish
Founded by the Earl of Cornwall in thanks for surviving a shipwreck. It housed a renowned relic, ‘the Holy Blood of Hailes’: allegedly a phial of Christ’s blood. Great picnic spot. Audio tours.
BELAS KNAP LONG BARROW
14 miles from Bledington Parish
A particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow of c.3800 BC, featuring a false entrance and side chambers. During excavations in the 1860s, the remains of 31 people were found in the chambers.
DEDDINGTON CASTLE
15 miles from Bledington Parish
Extensive earthworks marking the site of an 11th century motte and bailey castle.
Churches in Bledington Parish
St Leonard
Church Road
Bledington
Stow-on-the-Wold
(01608) 658503
Much loved Norman village church with a service every week apart from the 1st Sunday of the month (when there is a benefice service at nearby Holy Ascension, Oddington). Regular services are traditional Evening Prayer on the 2nd Sunday (at 6) & 3rd/5th Sunday Holy Communion (at 9). There is a Prayer Group &, independently, a Mothers & Toddlers Group & the well-established Bledington Care Committee. There are 38 on the Electoral Roll.
History & architecture: St Leonard's dates from 1170: 12th century work includes the nave, pillars, tub font & sanctus bellcote. Later work includes the 13th century south aisle; 14th century windows; & the 15th century tower, stained glass & tiny Chantry chapel. The open bell-chamber is unusual: there is a ring of six bell. The pulpit & vestry screen were made around 1904 by the then churchwarden.
The church is one of around 170 in England dedicated to St Leonard, a 6th century French bishop (friend of Clovis) & later abbot (near Limoges) - prayers to whom were believed to have brought about the safe release of the 12th century Norman crusader Bohemunde, sometime Prince of Antioch.
Pubs in Bledington Parish
King's Head
The Green, Bledington, OX7 6XQ
(01608) 658365
kingsheadinn.net/