Barnwell: A Historic Area with a Rich Past
Image license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Barnwell is a historic area located on the eastern outskirts of Cambridge, UK. Once a separate village, Barnwell has been absorbed into the city of Cambridge over time, but its rich history and unique character continue to shape the area today.
Location
Historical Background
Barnwell’s history stretches back over a millennium. The name ‘Barnwell’ is believed to derive from ‘Bairn Well’, referring to a well where children would gather for amusements. This legend was recorded in the 17th century by Sir William Dugdale, an English scholar who studied medieval history.One of the most significant historical landmarks in Barnwell is the Barnwell Priory, founded in 1092 by Picot of Cambridge, a Norman landowner and Sheriff of Cambridgeshire. The priory was initially established at St Giles’ Church but moved to its current location around 1119. Today, only a 13th-century claustral building remains, which is Grade II* listed.
Notable Features
Barnwell is home to the oldest chapel in Cambridge, built in 1125, which still stands alongside Newmarket Road. The area was also home to the Theatre Royal, built in 1816, which later became the Cambridge Festival Theatre in 1926. Today, this building serves as a Buddhist centre.
Development and Growth
The Inclosure Act of 1807 and the Award of 1811 marked a significant turning point in Barnwell’s history, enabling the sale and division of open fields and leading to extensive building development. Between 1801 and 1841, the population of the parish of St. Andrew the Less, Barnwell, rose dramatically from 252 to 9,486.
Community and Lifestyle
Today, while Barnwell itself is no longer marked on Ordnance Survey maps, its legacy lives on in street names, organisations, and geographic features. The area is now part of the CB5 postcode district of Cambridge.
Conclusion
Although Barnwell has been absorbed into the larger city of Cambridge, its rich history continues to shape the area’s character. From its ancient origins and religious significance to its role in Cambridge’s expansion, Barnwell’s story is an integral part of Cambridge’s broader historical narrative. While much has changed over the centuries, the echoes of Barnwell’s past can still be felt in its surviving structures and the very fabric of the community.
More reading – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnwell,_Cambridgeshire
