Meaning: It means the place of burial of a Saxon called Bledda, or bloody hill, referring to a battle between Saxons and Danes .

There is much evidence of prehistoric and Celtic settlement in the area but Bledlow is essentially a Saxon village.

The church is on the Spring line. The spring is the most dramatic in the Chilterns. Water tumbles straight out of the hillside into a lush ravine beside the church, to form the Lyd Brooke. The spring is so strong that it once supported a paper mill, built only tens of metres from the source. Further down the hill it also supported water cress beds. The source is now a feature of an attractive garden, the Lyd Garden which is open to the public. The garden has been cleverly designed with wooden walkways taking the visitor above pools of crystal clear water, surrounded by rich vegetation. It was a gift to the village from the Carrington family who owned the manor house opposite the garden entrance. The entrance is discreet and therefore quite hard to find. To assist, it was accessed via a low gate from the road and to the right of the church. From the garden, the water appears to gush from beneath the church and has led over the years to speculation that the church may at any time collapse. This has led to a local rhyme "They that live and do abide, shall see the church fall into the Lyde". The church, which dates from Norman times, continues to make a mockery of the rhyme and its author. Unfortunately, the church, which has remained virtually unaltered on the outside since the 13th century, is nearly always locked. A footpath through the churchyard to the right of the church affords probably the best views of the ravine. Further along it passes the old paper mill. The manor house, which dates from the 18th century, was sold to Lord Carrington in 1801. Once or twice a year the Carrington family open the doors to the public. For details, contact the Tourist Information Centre at Wendover .

The Lions of Bledlow was three cottages and is one of the best pubs in the Chilterns. The rest of the village is a mixture of period cottages, some dating back to the 16th century. There are very few villages today that can boast such a pretty and well preserved collection.

Bledlow Cross and Whiteleaf Cross are the only two turf crosses in England. The most popular theory is that they are of Neolithic origin, possibly even fertility symbols converted to crosses by early Christians. Another theory is that they were to guide travellers along the Icknield Way. Whatever you believe, it is almost certain that the Bledlow Cross is of later origin, possibly even as late as the 17th century .

The 14th and 15th century church has a Norman font. Beside the church is the Lyde stream, which supplies local watercress beds. The Manor House and Forty Green Farm are both 18th century and Bledlow Cross on Wainhill may be 17th century, a hillside figure cut in the slopes of Bledlow ridge. There is a fine view of the surrounding countryside .