| Trumpington Local History Group Trumpington History Trails: 1 Historic Centre of Trumpington |
| Copyright © Trumpington Local History Group, 2016. Updated 17 November 2016. Email: admin@trumpingtonlocalhistorygroup.org |
| The Historic Centre of Trumpington Discover the 1000 Year History of the Village Walk or cycle 1.2 miles/1.9 kms: walk on pavements and footpaths; cycle on roads and dual use paths |
| Councillor Sheila Stuart, the Mayor of Cambridge, and children from Fawcett School, at the unveiling of the village sign, 15 June 2010. Photograph: Stephen Brown (stop 5). |
Trumpington History Trails
This is one of a series of history trails about Trumpington and its links to surrounding villages
and Cambridge. We hope that long-established and new residents will find the trails to be a
fascinating way to discover more about the history of the area.
The trails have been developed by the Trumpington Residents’ Association and the Trumpington
Local History Group, with support from Cambridge City Council. The project is led by Andrew
Roberts and Howard Slatter.
Printed copies available free of charge from The Clay Farm Centre (2017) and Trumpington
Pavilion.
Contact the Local History Group with feedback: admin@trumpingtonlocalhistorygroup.org.
Download a PDF version of the trail or continue with the route ...
This is one of a series of history trails about Trumpington and its links to surrounding villages
and Cambridge. We hope that long-established and new residents will find the trails to be a
fascinating way to discover more about the history of the area.
The trails have been developed by the Trumpington Residents’ Association and the Trumpington
Local History Group, with support from Cambridge City Council. The project is led by Andrew
Roberts and Howard Slatter.
Printed copies available free of charge from The Clay Farm Centre (2017) and Trumpington
Pavilion.
Contact the Local History Group with feedback: admin@trumpingtonlocalhistorygroup.org.
Download a PDF version of the trail or continue with the route ...
| Hauxton Road/Shelford Road junction, 1920s. Cambridgeshire Collection (stop 3). |
| The War Memorial and Red Lion, 1920s-30s. Cambridgeshire Collection (stop 11). |
| Extract from A Map of the Parish of Trumpington ..., 1804. Cambridgeshire Archives. |
| Extract from Land Value map for Trumpington, 1910-11. Cambridgeshire Archives. |
| The unveiling of the War Memorial, December 1921. Percy Robinson (stop 11). |
| Additional information www.trumpingtonlocalhistorygroup.org www.trumpingtonresidentsassociation.org For information about Trumpington Church, see www.trumpingtonchurch.org.uk and The Trumpet. Second edition, © TLHG and TRA, September 2016. |
1. Start at the green by the shops, Anstey Way
The 10 trails issued in 2016 start and finish at the green. Anstey Way was constructed in the
1940s and the crescent of shops was added in the 1950s on the site of a recreation ground and
cricket pitch. Go to the junction with the High Street.
2. Junction of Anstey Way/High Street
Bidwells Head Office is on the site of Church Farm’s farmyard, built in 1967-68 and extended in
the 1970s. Charles Bidwell founded the company in Ely in 1839. In the early 1900s, the land to
the right of Bidwells included a wood-yard, cycle shop and village lock-up, replaced by the
garage and shops in 1957. Go left along the High Street, passing wrought iron gates which were
the entrance to Crossway Nurseries, built after 1925 on one of Church Farm’s fields.
3. Junction of Hauxton Road/Shelford Road
From the 1720s, two turnpike roads merged at the junction and the High Street follows the
combined turnpike route into Cambridge (Trail 3). In the early 1900s, this was the edge of the
village, with new houses being constructed on the High Street and at the start of Shelford Road
(Trail 8). Cross Shelford Road to the cemetery.
The 10 trails issued in 2016 start and finish at the green. Anstey Way was constructed in the
1940s and the crescent of shops was added in the 1950s on the site of a recreation ground and
cricket pitch. Go to the junction with the High Street.
2. Junction of Anstey Way/High Street
Bidwells Head Office is on the site of Church Farm’s farmyard, built in 1967-68 and extended in
the 1970s. Charles Bidwell founded the company in Ely in 1839. In the early 1900s, the land to
the right of Bidwells included a wood-yard, cycle shop and village lock-up, replaced by the
garage and shops in 1957. Go left along the High Street, passing wrought iron gates which were
the entrance to Crossway Nurseries, built after 1925 on one of Church Farm’s fields.
3. Junction of Hauxton Road/Shelford Road
From the 1720s, two turnpike roads merged at the junction and the High Street follows the
combined turnpike route into Cambridge (Trail 3). In the early 1900s, this was the edge of the
village, with new houses being constructed on the High Street and at the start of Shelford Road
(Trail 8). Cross Shelford Road to the cemetery.
| Route map: Howard Slatter. |
4. Trumpington Churchyard Extension
The cemetery opened in 1893, before any houses were built on this part of Shelford Road. Sir
George Darwin (son of Charles Darwin) and Maud du Puy and their daughter Gwen Raverat,
author of Period Piece, are buried here (walk along the path lined with yew trees; their grave is
marked by a flat stone three rows to the left beyond the last tree on the left). Cross Hauxton
Road (Trails 3 and 7) and turn right. Go past the toll house, with windows which gave good
views along the road, built 1811, and the weighbridge house to its right, built 1863, to the village
sign.
5. Trumpington Village Sign
The sign was unveiled in 2010 and shows Sir Roger de Trumpington on horseback, below which
is a shield based on the details on the brass in the Church. Go left along Maris Lane past the
Bidwells building.
6. Maris Lane and Anstey Hall
Church Farm was on the right (there is an old farm sign on the wall to the left of the Bidwells
access road). The first buildings on the other side of Maris Lane are part of Anstey Hall. Further
on the left, the Coachman’s House was built in 1865, with a roundel showing ‘CFF’ (Charles
Finch Foster, owner of the hall). The house on the right is Maris House (Church House), the
farm house of Church Farm, built around 1800 by the Maris family who farmed here from the
1770s-1867. Anstey Hall itself is in the grounds on the left. This was built by Anthony
Thompson around 1670, on the site of a Medieval manor. The hall was owned by the
Thompson family from 1637-1748, the Anstey family from 1748-1838 and the Foster family
from 1838-1941, and extended in the late 1800s. Go to the junction.
7. Junction of Maris Lane/Grantchester Road
The building opposite opened in 1843 as a National School. Known as the Church School, it
continued until 1950 when pupils transferred to Fawcett School. The Schoolmaster’s House to
its right was built in 1858, designed by William Butterfield. Go left to the Parish Church.
The cemetery opened in 1893, before any houses were built on this part of Shelford Road. Sir
George Darwin (son of Charles Darwin) and Maud du Puy and their daughter Gwen Raverat,
author of Period Piece, are buried here (walk along the path lined with yew trees; their grave is
marked by a flat stone three rows to the left beyond the last tree on the left). Cross Hauxton
Road (Trails 3 and 7) and turn right. Go past the toll house, with windows which gave good
views along the road, built 1811, and the weighbridge house to its right, built 1863, to the village
sign.
5. Trumpington Village Sign
The sign was unveiled in 2010 and shows Sir Roger de Trumpington on horseback, below which
is a shield based on the details on the brass in the Church. Go left along Maris Lane past the
Bidwells building.
6. Maris Lane and Anstey Hall
Church Farm was on the right (there is an old farm sign on the wall to the left of the Bidwells
access road). The first buildings on the other side of Maris Lane are part of Anstey Hall. Further
on the left, the Coachman’s House was built in 1865, with a roundel showing ‘CFF’ (Charles
Finch Foster, owner of the hall). The house on the right is Maris House (Church House), the
farm house of Church Farm, built around 1800 by the Maris family who farmed here from the
1770s-1867. Anstey Hall itself is in the grounds on the left. This was built by Anthony
Thompson around 1670, on the site of a Medieval manor. The hall was owned by the
Thompson family from 1637-1748, the Anstey family from 1748-1838 and the Foster family
from 1838-1941, and extended in the late 1800s. Go to the junction.
7. Junction of Maris Lane/Grantchester Road
The building opposite opened in 1843 as a National School. Known as the Church School, it
continued until 1950 when pupils transferred to Fawcett School. The Schoolmaster’s House to
its right was built in 1858, designed by William Butterfield. Go left to the Parish Church.
| The National School, built 1843, from a 19th century print. Percy Robinson (stop 7). |
8. Trumpington Church
At the entrance to the churchyard, the building by the gateway is The Bakehouse, renovated by
the church in 2010. The brick-built vicarage to the rear was built around 1733 and has been a
private house since 2009. The dwellings opposite include Number 18, set back from the road,
dated 1654, and timber-framed cottages to its left, dated late 1600s to early 1700s. The current
church building dates from 1200-1330: the interior is open during the day (Feature D). Continue
on the churchyard path and then along Grantchester Road.
9. Anstey Hall Farm
Anstey Hall Farm is to the left. The farm house dates from the 1600s. Its outbuildings included a
large weather boarded threshing barn and a pyramidal dovecote, converted into homes in 2016.
Trumpington Hall is behind the trees to the right, purchased by Sir Francis Pemberton in 1675
and rebuilt in 1715-35. Stop at the right-hand bend: the road continues to the River Cam and
Byron’s Pool, with the Country Park on the left (Trails 6 and 9). To continue on this trail, turn
back and fork left into Church Lane.
10. Church Lane
The ‘Old House’ on the right dates from the late 1500s, with narrow red bricks and crow-
stepped gables. The Lord Byron pub on the left dates from the mid-1800s (called The Unicorn
until 2012). Continue alongside the boundary wall of Trumpington Hall to the junction.
11. Cross Hill and the War Memorial
The War Memorial was unveiled in 1921 on the site of the earlier village cross (Feature A, C).
The main driveway to Trumpington Hall is through the gates. The area to the right of the gates
was the site of the village stocks and blacksmith’s. The fields both sides of the drive had been
incorporated into Trumpington Hall estate by 1800; before that, they may have been part of the
village green, with one area known as Camping Close (‘camping’ was an early form of football).
The blacksmith’s moved to the other side of Church Lane in the 1850s: the low flint wall is the
only evidence of the smithy, as Bidwells was built on the site in 1986. The Red Lion pub and
Manor Farm were to the left and right on the other side of the High Street, lost in the 1960s-70s.
Continue along the High Street.
At the entrance to the churchyard, the building by the gateway is The Bakehouse, renovated by
the church in 2010. The brick-built vicarage to the rear was built around 1733 and has been a
private house since 2009. The dwellings opposite include Number 18, set back from the road,
dated 1654, and timber-framed cottages to its left, dated late 1600s to early 1700s. The current
church building dates from 1200-1330: the interior is open during the day (Feature D). Continue
on the churchyard path and then along Grantchester Road.
9. Anstey Hall Farm
Anstey Hall Farm is to the left. The farm house dates from the 1600s. Its outbuildings included a
large weather boarded threshing barn and a pyramidal dovecote, converted into homes in 2016.
Trumpington Hall is behind the trees to the right, purchased by Sir Francis Pemberton in 1675
and rebuilt in 1715-35. Stop at the right-hand bend: the road continues to the River Cam and
Byron’s Pool, with the Country Park on the left (Trails 6 and 9). To continue on this trail, turn
back and fork left into Church Lane.
10. Church Lane
The ‘Old House’ on the right dates from the late 1500s, with narrow red bricks and crow-
stepped gables. The Lord Byron pub on the left dates from the mid-1800s (called The Unicorn
until 2012). Continue alongside the boundary wall of Trumpington Hall to the junction.
11. Cross Hill and the War Memorial
The War Memorial was unveiled in 1921 on the site of the earlier village cross (Feature A, C).
The main driveway to Trumpington Hall is through the gates. The area to the right of the gates
was the site of the village stocks and blacksmith’s. The fields both sides of the drive had been
incorporated into Trumpington Hall estate by 1800; before that, they may have been part of the
village green, with one area known as Camping Close (‘camping’ was an early form of football).
The blacksmith’s moved to the other side of Church Lane in the 1850s: the low flint wall is the
only evidence of the smithy, as Bidwells was built on the site in 1986. The Red Lion pub and
Manor Farm were to the left and right on the other side of the High Street, lost in the 1960s-70s.
Continue along the High Street.
12. Village inns
There are two historic pubs either side of the turnpike road. The Coach & Horses was built in
the late 1600s and the Green Man in the 1400s as a timber-framed hall-house. Go across the
High Street: St Mary’s House on the corner of Alpha Terrace is on the site of a boarding school
run by James Cuming and his son Charles from the 1790s-1840s (Trail 4). Return along the east
side of the High Street. The road surface has gradually built up, so that it is now higher than the
ground floors of the pubs and houses. Look back at the Green Man and its sturdy chimney
which would have been subject to the hearth tax when this was levied in 1664. In the early
1900s, it was well-known for its shaded tea garden, complete with tree-house. Continue past red-
brick houses opposite dating from the 1600s, to the corner of Beverley Way.
There are two historic pubs either side of the turnpike road. The Coach & Horses was built in
the late 1600s and the Green Man in the 1400s as a timber-framed hall-house. Go across the
High Street: St Mary’s House on the corner of Alpha Terrace is on the site of a boarding school
run by James Cuming and his son Charles from the 1790s-1840s (Trail 4). Return along the east
side of the High Street. The road surface has gradually built up, so that it is now higher than the
ground floors of the pubs and houses. Look back at the Green Man and its sturdy chimney
which would have been subject to the hearth tax when this was levied in 1664. In the early
1900s, it was well-known for its shaded tea garden, complete with tree-house. Continue past red-
brick houses opposite dating from the 1600s, to the corner of Beverley Way.
| The Green Man pub, 1920s. Percy Robinson (stop 12). |
13. Manor Farm and Village Hall
Manor Farm was on this corner until it was demolished in 1968-71. Its fields extended east from
the village, crossed by a farm track, the line of which is followed by Beverley Way, Paget Road
and the path across Clay Farm to the railway (Feature B). The Village Hall opposite opened in
1908. Designed by Walter H. Brierley, it has a corner stone inscribed ‘PFSP’ (Patience Frances
Sophia Pemberton) and the date over the entrance. The notice-board was erected in 2008 to
commemorate its centenary. The original building consisted of the current main hall, with no
internal toilets. Cross Beverley Way, continue past Hudson's Ale House (called The Tally Ho!
until 2015) and stop opposite Whitlocks.
14. Whitlocks
In 1728, George Whitelocke left his house as a legacy to the poor of the village. The house and
malting were reconstructed in 1819 and again in the late 1800s when the area was known as
‘Whitelock’s Yard’ or ‘Workhouse Yard’. The land was sold to the Council in 1963 and it was
rebuilt in 1968 and again in 2006. The house to its left is called The Red House, built of red
brick in the early 19th century. Return to Anstey Way.
Manor Farm was on this corner until it was demolished in 1968-71. Its fields extended east from
the village, crossed by a farm track, the line of which is followed by Beverley Way, Paget Road
and the path across Clay Farm to the railway (Feature B). The Village Hall opposite opened in
1908. Designed by Walter H. Brierley, it has a corner stone inscribed ‘PFSP’ (Patience Frances
Sophia Pemberton) and the date over the entrance. The notice-board was erected in 2008 to
commemorate its centenary. The original building consisted of the current main hall, with no
internal toilets. Cross Beverley Way, continue past Hudson's Ale House (called The Tally Ho!
until 2015) and stop opposite Whitlocks.
14. Whitlocks
In 1728, George Whitelocke left his house as a legacy to the poor of the village. The house and
malting were reconstructed in 1819 and again in the late 1800s when the area was known as
‘Whitelock’s Yard’ or ‘Workhouse Yard’. The land was sold to the Council in 1963 and it was
rebuilt in 1968 and again in 2006. The house to its left is called The Red House, built of red
brick in the early 19th century. Return to Anstey Way.
A. Early Development of the Village
Trumpington village developed around the junction of one route from the south towards
Cambridge and another from the southeast to the ford to Grantchester. The earliest evidence of
the village is a group of Saxon houses and graves, excavated in 2011 just south of the church. By
1000 AD, the local parishes and villages were well established. In the Domesday Book, 1086,
Trumpington had 37 households, 4 manors and a mill. The focus was the church and the nearby
manor houses, one of which was owned by the Trumpington family whose memorial was placed
in the church in the 1320s. By the late 1400s, the village had a green bounded by a triangle of
roads with a village cross at its northern apex and another open area to the west of the cross.
B. The Village after 1800
Cambridge and another from the southeast to the ford to Grantchester. The earliest evidence of
the village is a group of Saxon houses and graves, excavated in 2011 just south of the church. By
1000 AD, the local parishes and villages were well established. In the Domesday Book, 1086,
Trumpington had 37 households, 4 manors and a mill. The focus was the church and the nearby
manor houses, one of which was owned by the Trumpington family whose memorial was placed
in the church in the 1320s. By the late 1400s, the village had a green bounded by a triangle of
roads with a village cross at its northern apex and another open area to the west of the cross.
B. The Village after 1800
The parish was enclosed in 1809, by Act of Parliament. The manors had already consolidated
into two estates (the Pembertons’ at Trumpington Hall and the Ansteys’ at Anstey Hall) and
these were allocated most of the land. In the early 1900s, the heart of the village had three
working farms (Manor Farm, Church Farm and Anstey Hall Farm) and agricultural services such
as a blacksmith. Houses had been built on the village green and either side of the High Street but
the village was still tightly compact and surrounded by farmland. It was only in the mid-1900s
that housing spread over the farm fields east of the High Street and east of the road to
Cambridge, while the fields to the west and southwest were still retained for farming.
C. Cross Hill and War Memorial
into two estates (the Pembertons’ at Trumpington Hall and the Ansteys’ at Anstey Hall) and
these were allocated most of the land. In the early 1900s, the heart of the village had three
working farms (Manor Farm, Church Farm and Anstey Hall Farm) and agricultural services such
as a blacksmith. Houses had been built on the village green and either side of the High Street but
the village was still tightly compact and surrounded by farmland. It was only in the mid-1900s
that housing spread over the farm fields east of the High Street and east of the road to
Cambridge, while the fields to the west and southwest were still retained for farming.
C. Cross Hill and War Memorial
The War Memorial was unveiled on Cross Hill on 11 December 1921. Sculpted by Eric Gill, the
Portland stone monument is 19 feet high. It records the names of Trumpington men who lost
their lives in both world wars and incorporates four sculptured panels: St Mary with the baby
Jesus and the cradle (west); St George slaying the dragon (north); St Michael slaying the dragon
(east); the figure of a weary soldier, walking westwards towards the setting sun (south).
The Memorial stands on the site of an earlier village cross, the base of which was discovered
when the Memorial was erected and is now in the church. The base is inscribed ‘Orate pro
animab[us] Joh[ann]is Stokton et Agnetis uxoris ei[us]’ [Pray for the souls of John Stokton and
of Agnes his wife] and dates from around 1480. It is thought that John and Agnes Stokton lived
in a house in Church Lane (near the area now occupied by The Lord Byron pub) and that John
Stokton was a farmer.
D. Trumpington Parish Church
Portland stone monument is 19 feet high. It records the names of Trumpington men who lost
their lives in both world wars and incorporates four sculptured panels: St Mary with the baby
Jesus and the cradle (west); St George slaying the dragon (north); St Michael slaying the dragon
(east); the figure of a weary soldier, walking westwards towards the setting sun (south).
The Memorial stands on the site of an earlier village cross, the base of which was discovered
when the Memorial was erected and is now in the church. The base is inscribed ‘Orate pro
animab[us] Joh[ann]is Stokton et Agnetis uxoris ei[us]’ [Pray for the souls of John Stokton and
of Agnes his wife] and dates from around 1480. It is thought that John and Agnes Stokton lived
in a house in Church Lane (near the area now occupied by The Lord Byron pub) and that John
Stokton was a farmer.
D. Trumpington Parish Church
| Trumpington Church from the North East, c. 1840. Cambridge Camden Society, 1845. Cambridgeshire Collection (stop 8). |
The Parish Church was mainly built 1200-1330, renovated by William Butterfield in 1876, when
the original Barnack stone was partly refaced with Bath stone. Highlights of the interior include
the base of the village cross (stop 11); a monument to the Trumpington family with a memorial
brass of a knight, 1320s; wall memorials; and stained glass. In the churchyard, go from the north
porch around the tower to the south side. There are headstones to the Maris family near the
south porch and memorials to the Pemberton and Foster families to the right. Continue to the
south of the chancel, where there is the grave of Henry Fawcett, Postmaster General, died 1884,
and a headstone further left to William Stacey, died 1729. There is a restored tomb canopy with
coffin lid on the chancel wall, possibly to a member of the Trumpington family. Return to the
north porch. The base of the churchyard cross is to the right, with a headstone dated 1719 to its
left.
the original Barnack stone was partly refaced with Bath stone. Highlights of the interior include
the base of the village cross (stop 11); a monument to the Trumpington family with a memorial
brass of a knight, 1320s; wall memorials; and stained glass. In the churchyard, go from the north
porch around the tower to the south side. There are headstones to the Maris family near the
south porch and memorials to the Pemberton and Foster families to the right. Continue to the
south of the chancel, where there is the grave of Henry Fawcett, Postmaster General, died 1884,
and a headstone further left to William Stacey, died 1729. There is a restored tomb canopy with
coffin lid on the chancel wall, possibly to a member of the Trumpington family. Return to the
north porch. The base of the churchyard cross is to the right, with a headstone dated 1719 to its
left.