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We now enter the parish of Blockley, a detached part of the county. The town itself lies to the left of the London road, and the view from this point into Gloucester and Warwickshire is extremely pleasing, looking down upon the rich vale in which Campden is situated. The hills of this parish abound in stone quarries, which are much used not only for building but also for dry walling for which purposes they are very well adapted, as no hedges are to be met with an these hills, so that a stranger might almost fancy himself in Derbyshire. The town of Blockley has several corn and silk mills, which are very beneficial in occupying the industry of the town and vicinity; the comfort arising from which is evident on all sides. Much credit is due to the parishioners for the care and attention shewn to the Church; in which, however, at different periods, they have been much assisted by the liberality of the Rushout family, now elevated to the peerage. The foundation of this church is very ancient; for a charter of Burhred, King of Mercia, in 855, mentions a monastery here, which Hemingus says was afterwards given to the Bishopric of Worcester. There is nothing else particularly worthy of notice, except some vestiges of the Roman fosse, at a place called Dorn, within the limits of the parish; and a hill called the Parks, which is opposite the vicar’s garden, and is supposed to have been part of the Episcopal park, which, with a palace, stood here before the Reformation. Blockley has a Fair on the Tuesday after Easter-week for a few cattle; and another on the 20th of October, which is principally a mop, or statute for servants.

Source: A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Worcester, by Mr. Laird. Printed for Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, Paternoster Row; and George Cowie and Co. successors to Vernor, Hood, and Sharp, 31, Poultry, London. Printed circa 1814.