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There are plenty of traces of Huntingdon's long and fascinating
history to be seen, with over 150 properties listed as being of
Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
The George Hotel
This was one of Huntingdon's great coaching inns,  rivalled
only by the Fountain Hotel, which stood nearby in the High Street,
where 99p store is today. The George retains the north and west
wings of its 17th Century courtyard and gallery. The rest was rebuilt
after a fire in 1865. Tel: 01480 432 444
The Town Hall Situated on Market Hill, its Assembly Room contains
many fine paintings. Contact the Town Clerk’s Office for viewing
access or bookings. Tel: 01480 388688
Hinchingbrooke House A Tudor country house built around the 13th
Century on the former site of a Benedictine nunnery. Henry VIII
granted the house to Sir Richard Cromwell in 1538. In 1627, it was
sold to the Montagu family, later the Earls of Sandwich and in 1960
it was bought by Cambridgeshire County Council. Today it is the
Sixth Form Centre of Hinchingbrooke School. Home to many royal visitors
over the years, it is open to the public every Sunday afternoon
from May Bank Holiday to August Bank Holiday. Tel: 01480 375628
* The Falcon Inn Although the story that Dick Turpin frequently
stayed here is unproven, it is certainly true that the notorious
highwayman plied his trade in this area. However there is no doubt
that this 16th Century Inn was in the thick of things during the
Civil War, as Cromwell made it is headquarters and in 1649, the
Inn was the seat of the Parliamentary Commissioners. * At the time
of writing this building is not open to the public.
All Saints Church Located on the north side of the Market Square,
this is one of the two surviving medieval parish churches out of
an original 16. There is some remaining Norman stone work, but other
parts are 15th Century, 17th Century and Victorian. The font, which
was originally in St John's, is believed to be that in which Oliver
Cromwell was baptised.
Cromwell House Oliver Cromwell was born here in 1599, although the
house currently standing on the property was built in 1830. A plaque
commemorating Cromwell's birth can be seen on the front of the house.
The site was originally a 13th Century Augustinian Friary.
The Cromwell Museum The site has a long and varied history, having
once been part of the large Hospital of St John the Baptist, founded
in the late 12th Century as an almshouse and travellers’ hostel.
It became a part of the Huntingdon Grammar School in 1565. The building
now houses the Cromwell Museum, containing paintings, documents
and some personal items that belonged to Cromwell. Tel: 01480 375830
St Benedict’s Court In the middle of a busy shopping area,
this recently re-developed area was once the site of St Benedict's
Church, which was destroyed by Royalists during the Civil War.
St Mary’s Church Dating from Norman times, the church was
almost completely rebuilt in the 13th Century. It contains records
from St John's Church, including those relating to the Cromwell
family. It is interesting to note that a Royalist scrawled his feelings
across the top of Cromwell's baptismal entry - “England's
plague for five years.” Although crossed through, this comment
is still legible.
The Commemoration Hall Originally established in 1842 as The Literary
and Scientific Institution, containing a library of 5000 volumes.
It was renamed the Commemoration Hall in 1960, in memory of the
men and women of Huntingdon who sacrificed their lives in the Second
World War. The building underwent extensive renovation in 2001,
re-decoration in 2009, and offers an attractive and popular local
venue for all kinds of events from civic ceremonies to exhibitions,
meetings, sales and theatrical performances.
Contact the Town Clerk’s Office for viewing access or bookings.
Tel: 01480 388688
Other Places of Historic Interest
Barley Mow (Hartford) Built in part from the masonry of St Benedict's
Church, which was severely damaged in the Civil War and finally
demolished in 1802. Tel: 01480 450557
Castle Hill House Dated 1787, former home of the Pathfinder squadrons
which operated out of local airfields in the Second World War.
Cowper House Home of the poet William Cowper from 1765-7.
Site of the Old Gaol and Debtor’s Prison It is still possible
to see the iron-grated openings which lit the underground cell housing
the condemned.
St John’s Churchyard Former site of St John’s Church
where Oliver Cromwell was baptised. A record is kept in St Mary’s
Church.
The Market Inn Originally built in the 16th Century, but subsequently
modernised.
Tel: 01480 431183
The Old Bridge Hotel Dated 18th century, this ivy clad building
stands on the banks of the River Ouse. Tel: 01480 424300
Thinking Soldier War memorial designed by Lady Kathleen Scott, wife
of Robert Scott (of the Antarctic) can be seen in on Market Hill,
opposite the Town Hall.
Wykeham & Walden Houses Early 18th and17th Century buildings.
Lyonel Walden became Huntingdon’s first Mayor and it is thought
was responsible for Oliver Cromwell leaving the town in the 1630’s.
Bibliography If you’d like to read more about Huntingdon,
you might like to look at the following:
Victoria County History (vol. 2, pp 121-148, 286-296)
The Book of Huntingdon, Christopher Dunn, 1977
Huntingdon Eight Centuries of History, Alan Akeroyd
& Caroline Clifford
Memories from Huntingdon and More Memories from Huntingdon,
by Vera Homer
Published Works of the late P.G.M. Dickinson
Huntingdon: A Brief History, Alan Akeroyd &
Caroline Clifford
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