UK's prettiest village shop in Northumberland has unique visitors

Blanchland, located on the Northumberland and County Durham border, has a population of fewer than 130, yet draws a sizeable number of tourists seeking scenery.

Blanchland has been named one of the 'prettiest villages in the UK' (Image: Supplied)

The village was home to a medieval monastery, and has attracted film crews for shows including period drama Jude (1996), teen drama Wolfblood and has also hosted ITV's Vera over the years.

Blanchland has previously been named as 'one of the UK's prettiest villages', with its quaint stone houses, Abbey, shops, tea room and pub, surrounded by scenic Northumbrian countryside.

Its village shop, which welcomes tourists and residents, also serves customers of the four-legged kind.

Pepe the horse loves his crisps (Image: Supplied)

Lilly and Pepe (Image: Supplied)

Eight-year-old Lilly, who lives on a nearby farm, rides her miniature horse Pepe to the Village Store and Post Office, where Pepe gets his treat - a bag of crisps.

Lilly and her miniature horse, Pepe (Image: Supplied)

Richard O'Connor, who has owned the shop with his wife Tracey for two years, said: "One of our regulars is actually a mini horse.

The village shop welcomes even more horses (Image: Supplied)

"We have many non-human regulars, mainly the village dogs and a regular cat called Ivor.

Richard O'Connor and his wife Tracey have owned the store for two years (Image: Supplied)

"There are a few other village horse regulars, and we have Lola, our Shih Tzu, who we have had for six years and is 11 now.

Lola, the couple's Shih Tzu (Image: Supplied)

"We rescued her, and she wins the Barkiest Employee of the Month regularly."

Lilly on her horse Spud (Image: Supplied)

The O'Connors took on the shop to preserve it as a key part of the community.

Richard said: "We wanted to keep a vital village asset in the post office and shop alive, and keep somewhere for the locals to shop, bank and use post office services. They are in rapid decline and especially vital for elderly residents, as well as a spot for tourists to get fuelled up for cycles and walks and send their postcards."

Ivor the cat, another regular customer (Image: Supplied)

In addition to running the shop, Richard has launched a Crowdfunder for his new venture, Ginger Beard Pizza, a mobile pop-up offering authentic pizzas in Blanchland village square.

He needs to raise £3,500 in funds to purchase a professional-grade gas oven and the equipment required to handle the heat.

Richard will be offering various vouchers for specific donation amounts. For example, a £10 donation provides a voucher for one pizza of your choice at the Ginger Beard Pizza launch event.