Pictures of Hemingford Grey

About Hemingford Grey

Delightfully situated along the banks of the River Great Ouse this beautiful village is best known for its church with unique truncated spire and for the ancient Norman Manor House which was the home of Lucy Boston the children's writer.

The Manor House stands just of the river, built in the 1130's, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited homes in Britain. Hugely atmospheric, there is a sense of the romantic pervading this historic house where writer Lucy Boston lived during the Second World War and where she entertained the RAF with gramophone recitals. Much of her work is on display, not just her books but some of her exquisite patchworks can be seen. The upstairs hall still has the EMG gramophone from 1929 which was used by Lucy, it remains in working order to this day. The gracious grounds surrounding the manor has a stunning collection of old roses believed to be one of the finest in private ownership.

Just as Hemingford Abbots, its twin village across the river, Hemingford Grey is memorable for its many fine timber thatch and brick build cottages. Everywhere you look there are properties of immense charm, especially those dotted along the river. Even the house's built when the village began to spread in the twentieth century have a quintessential English charm and are not glaringly obvious.

A focal point of the village is the church of St.James. Originally built in 1160, the church has been altered and added to over several centuries Interestingly, in the year 1741 there was a great storm when it is reputed the church lost its spire. It has never been replaced and some say it still lies were it fell, at the bottom of the river! St.James's is a lovely old church with many treasures and interesting features. Standing next door is Hemingford Grey House, a beautiful Queen Anne building It was once the church rectory but is now a study centre. Apart from the buildings mentioned other places of interest are the post office, the reading room and the Cock Public House. In Hemingford Abbots, the historic thatched, Axe and Compass is well worth a visit.

There are delightful river-scapes, river-side walks and peaceful water-meadows provide a home for a rich variety of wildlife as well as grazing land for sheep and cows. Farming remains the main industry, the surrounding countryside is a patchwork of fields full of everything from ripened corn to huge sunflowers.

The Hemingford's offer quiet contentment, both are perfect English villages with a history reaching back to Saxon and Roman times, as such they make an ideal base from which to explore the countryside and rivers of this spacious open part of Cambridgeshire.

Places to visit include; Houghton Mill NT, Wildlife centre near Coppingford, The River Great Ouse, The Manor House, St. James's Church, Museum at St.Ives, Grantham Water Centre, The town of Huntingdon.