The charming series set in a small hamlet and its neighbouring town sees the return of favourite characters including Dorcas, Laura, Daniel, the Pratt sisters, Alf, Minnie – and a fond welcome home for Alf’s mother, Caroline.

Candleford has a new arrival in Gabriel Cochrane, the handsome and once wealthy owner of a large iron foundry – now bitter, penniless and homeless. Moved by his plight, Dorca offers him a job as a blacksmith and a room above the forge.

Meanwhile, a distraught Ruby returns home to Pearl Pratt to find Daniel settled in all too comfortably; Emma finds herself in dire financial straits and in a complete predicament; a poetry competition sends everyone into a frenzy of excitement and Twister gets in trouble again when Queenie wins a pig at the local fair.

Just as Dorcas resolves to stop meddling in others affairs, she realises Gabriel’s plans will ruin him and his reputation. Her help might just keep him in town – something that seems increasingly important to her…