Young country girl Laura Timmins leaves her friends and family in the hamlet of Lark Rise to start her first job at the post office in nearby town Candleford. Postmistress Dorcas Lane gives Laura a warm welcome but other residents of Candleford aren't so generous. When Lark Rise residents challenge the post office's 'eight mile rule' that forces them to pay for delivery of telegrams, Laura finds herself torn between communities.

When local widower Old Amos announces his engagement to his maid Patty, the town become suspicious that she may just be after his money.

Robert refuses to let his children sing a song in praise of the Tories at the local church concert, which results in them being banned from the concert altogether.

Robert's stubbornness incurs the wrath of his children, family and even the village.