There are not many places left where you get a genuine feeling of stepping back in time when you arrive, but Blanchland is certainly one of them.
There is a strange tranquility about the place, even on a busy weekend. The sound of nature surrounds you, only interrupted by the occasional passing car or van.
Communication appears to centre around the parish noticeboard that, unlike other places, has a number of notices placed upon an open board which are not interfered with by the younger members of the community. People sign up for community events on the board and receive information. A polite notice indicates that all Freedom of Information requests for the council should be addressed to the Town Clerk as there is no full time member of staff to deal with them.
Blanchland could accommodate far more visitors to the area but appears to have made a conscious decision to keep its open spaces. Visitors must park in the car park at the edge of the village and walk the few hundred yards into the centre. Perfection all round.
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