The name Buckland is a common one around this area, and it simply means Book Land, or land held by charter or book, in this case, by the abbey of Gloucester.

The little settlement snuggles in the folds of the hills with all the drowsiness you could hope for from a remote country village. The hills rise up from the small group of houses, giving them a green backdrop with a fringe of trees on the top. These slopes play with your sense of perspective and give the little place a gentle kind of enveloped feeling.

There are three important buildings in the village, the first of which, the old rectory, is now a private house. It was probably built by William Grafton who was rector here from 1466 to 1510. The church sits on the top of a small hillock in the centre of the village and is full of interesting things.

There are three important buildings in the village, the first of which, the old rectory, is now a private house. It was probably built by William Grafton who was rector here from 1466 to 1510. The church sits on the top of a small hillock in the centre of the village and is full of interesting things.

The panelling on the walls is early 17th century work, as appears from the following inscription. “Thomas Izzard and James Sowthern, of there own cherg, have given this wainscot and benching to church in the year of our lord 1615. At Buckland, evidently the yeoman had not by that time ceased to take pride in their parish church or to be able and willing to spend their money on it.