Living in Blakeney

Community spirit is a defining feature of life in Blakeney. The population is tightly-knit, and village events — from annual fetes to regular fundraisers and coffee mornings — are central to social life. The village hall serves as the main hub for social and cultural activities, hosting everything from fitness classes to local history lectures.

Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate proximity to the Forest of Dean, which offers walking, road cycling, and horse riding on waymarked routes. The banks of the Severn are ideal for bird-watching, while Blakeney’s recreation ground is popular for children and sports clubs. Many residents participate in village clubs, craft circles, and gardening groups that meet locally.

Blakeney’s identity as a welcoming, community-driven place is reinforced by a high level of volunteering and participation in local life, making it an engaging location for newcomers and long-term residents alike.

Blakeney enjoys a reputation as a safe, low-crime rural village within the Forest of Dean. Like much of Gloucestershire’s countryside, rates of crime in Blakeney tend to be far lower than in urban areas, with anti-social behaviour and petty crime the most commonly reported incidents. Violent or serious offences are infrequent, contributing to a sense of security among residents.

The Forest of Dean district council works closely with Gloucestershire Constabulary to provide regular policing and community reassurance programs. Visible neighbourhood policing retains a presence throughout the village, complemented by Neighbourhood Watch schemes and occasional community safety events. Blakeney residents generally report a high quality of life associated with low levels of crime and strong neighbourly awareness.

Parking in Blakeney rarely presents much difficulty for residents or visitors. The village has ample on-street parking along Main Road and in surrounding lanes. Residential properties commonly benefit from private drives or dedicated parking areas. While parking nearer the centre and key local facilities can be more limited during busy periods or events, overall congestion levels are typically low, and traffic volume is light outside of peak commuter times.

There are dedicated laybys and a few small parking areas for use by those accessing the village hall, parish church, and village shops. No resident parking permit scheme is in operation, and parking restrictions are minimal except for key junctions and school drop-off zones.

• Gloucester – approx. 30 minutes via A48 (18 miles)
• Chepstow – approx. 20 minutes via A48 (13 miles)
• Lydney – approx. 10 minutes via A48 (5 miles)
• Coleford – approx. 25 minutes via B4228 (13 miles)

Road access is excellent for reaching other Forest of Dean towns and the Severn Bridge for access to South Wales or the South West.

Blakeney’s food and drink scene is in keeping with its village backdrop, with cosy pubs and locally owned cafés providing popular gathering spots. The historic Blakeney Inn offers traditional fare and a relaxed social atmosphere, while The Cock Inn is another much-loved establishment for those seeking homecooked meals and real ales.

For daytime refreshments or light bites, the village is home to a tearoom and several independent cafés. Local takeaways serve classics like fish and chips, while farm shops and delis in the surrounding Forest of Dean deliver fresh produce and regional specialties.

Nightlife in Blakeney is more subdued, typically focused on pub quizzes, acoustic nights or seasonal village events held in the pubs or at the village hall. Residents looking for a broader nightlife selection often head to **Lydney**, **Chepstow**, or **Gloucester** for a wider range of bars, restaurants, and live venues.

The quality of schools in and near Blakeney is an asset for families, with well-regarded primary and secondary choices. Blakeney Primary School is at the heart of the community and often hosts family-focused events that bring parents and children together.

Access to green space is excellent, with the local recreation ground and Forest of Dean woodlands both within walking distance. Safe play areas and the gentle pace of village traffic make Blakeney particularly suitable for young families.

Childcare options are available via local preschools and childminders, and safety is consistently rated highly due to low crime and a community-conscious environment.

Family activities in Blakeney and the wider Forest of Dean range from walking, cycling, and pond dipping to seasonal fairs and wildlife events, providing week-round engagement for all ages.

Blakeney’s rural setting is ideal for pet owners, particularly dog lovers. Miles of footpaths and gravelled forest trails start from the village itself, allowing for varied walking without needing to drive. The nearby Forest of Dean is renowned for its accessible dog-walking options, and the banks of the Severn also provide adventures for four-legged companions.

Several local vets and pet supply shops can be found in **Lydney** and the surrounding area, catering for the health and wellbeing of animals. Pubs such as The Cock Inn are known to be dog-friendly, and many public spaces openly welcome pets as part of village life.

The overall attitude to pets is very positive in Blakeney, with most residential landlords and home sellers open to tenants or buyers with pets, reflecting the village’s appreciation for an outdoors-focused lifestyle.

Transport connectivity is a key appeal for those living in Blakeney. The village is situated on the A48, affording fast car links south into Lydney, Chepstow, and the M4 Corridor or north toward Gloucester. For public transport, regular bus services connect Blakeney to surrounding Forest of Dean settlements—Lydney, Cinderford, and Coleford—making commuting into nearby towns straightforward.

The nearest railway station is in Lydney (approximately 4 miles away). From Lydney, passengers can travel directly to Gloucester (fastest trains around 20 minutes) and onward to key destinations in the West Midlands and South Wales. Mainline train services to London Paddington can be accessed via Gloucester, with journey times in the region of 2 hours.

• Gloucester: Approx. 30 minutes by car (18 miles)
• Chepstow: Around 20 minutes by car (13 miles)
• Bristol: Approx. 45–50 minutes by car (32 miles)
• Cardiff: Just over 1 hour by car (48 miles)

For air travel, the nearest airports are Bristol Airport (about 1 hour’s drive) and Cardiff Airport (1 hour 15 minutes), placing international and domestic destinations within reasonable reach for Blakeney residents.

Blakeney provides families with a choice of educational options within the village and nearby, across the primary, secondary, and further education sectors. The village itself is home to Blakeney Primary School, which serves children from the area and is a key part of village life. Ofsted most recently inspected the school in May 2022, rating it 'Good'.

Secondary education is generally accessed in the surrounding towns, with destinations such as Dean Academy in Lydney (most recently inspected by Ofsted in 2022 and rated 'Requires Improvement') and Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean, which earned an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted in 2012 and continues to be a popular choice for local families. Wyedean School and Sixth Form Centre, located in Sedbury, serves a broad catchment including Blakeney and was rated 'Good' by Ofsted in its latest report.

For independent education, The Crypt School in Gloucester is well-regarded, providing both selective and independent study options and attracting students from across Gloucestershire. Further education options are available at Gloucestershire College's Cinderford campus, which offers vocational and academic courses for older students.

The nearest universities are the University of Gloucestershire in Gloucester and Hartpury University, both acclaimed for bringing a range of higher education courses within reach of Blakeney residents. The village’s location allows families to choose between the educational offerings of the Forest of Dean, Gloucester, and beyond, ensuring access to high-quality learning at all stages.