Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Huntingdon

Huntingdon is an old market town in Cambridgeshire, and 15 miles from Cambridge.

It was formerly the county town of Huntingdonshire, which still exists, but only as an administrative unit of Cambridgeshire.

The town developed in the Anglo-Saxon period at the point where the Roman Ermine Street crosses the River Great Ouse. There had been a Roman town on the other side of the river at Godmanchester.

There was a Danish garrison here during the 9th century.

The Old Grammar School was created from a fragment of the 12th century Hospital of St. John, and was attended by both Oliver Cromwell and Samuel Pepys. It now functions as a Cromwell Museum.

By the 12th century, Huntingdon had twelve churches, two of which survive today. There is also a beautiful mediaeval bridge over the Great Ouse.

Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, and the former Prime Minister John Major was the town's Member of Parliament.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Huntingdon for groups.