Blanchland lies just off the B6306 and is around seven miles west of the A68 at Carterway Heads. It is 11 miles south of Hexham – a 20-25 minute drive away, where the nearest rail station is located.

The volunteer-run village hall is the beating heart of the community – it holds a weekly ‘Warm Welcome Tuesday’ where you can get a two-course homemade meal and meet others.

There are regular music events; an annual bonfire night celebration and the Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show every August.

Blanchland also has a village shop and post office stocking a ready supply of Stanhope pies and sausage rolls alongside other essentials.

A cooperative of local artists and creators sell their wares in the village gift shop, Jaspah Crewe.

The Lord Crewe Arms is a destination hotel, restaurant and pub in the heart of Blanchland. There’s also the characterful White Monk tea room, a dog-friendly café, based in what was once the Victorian school where food is freshly baked on the premises.

Blanchland is thought to take its name from the distinctive white (blanche) robes worn by members of the religious order from Premontrée in North East France who founded Blanchland Abbey in 1165.

The abbey fell victim to Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. The nave was pulled down, or later collapsed, but many other monastic buildings survived and people continued to live here. The Abbot’s lodging became a manor house and the Gatehouse and a collection of cottages, formed from the outer court of the monastery, created the village square.

Derwent Reservoir is just three miles from the centre of Blanchland which is a perfect place for walking, cycling, fishing, sailing, paddle boarding and other water sports. Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club is based on the north shore.

Pow Hill Country Park is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, recognised for the quality of its dark night skies. It’s a brilliant spot for stargazing. On the edge of Derwent Reservoir, it offers a large, uninterrupted view of the northern sky.

Whilst there are no schools in Blanchland, there’s a daily school bus service running from Blanchland to both Corbridge and Hexham schools.

Slaley First School is only 15 minutes away for younger children, followed by Hexham and Corbridge Middle Schools.

Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School goes up to sixth form whilst Mowden Hall Preparatory School, near Corbridge, provides private education from nursery up to age 13.