The church of St Andrew at Northborough is tucked away on a lane a little way from the busy A15 which leads from Peterborough heading towards Bourne. Despite the close proximity of this busy road, it is quiet and peaceful in the church grounds. A visitor here for the first time might be wondering about the very large south transept here which pretty much dwarfs the rest of the structure.If it wasn't for the south transept, this structure would resemble the church at Peakirk, a mile or so away to the east. It is thought that the original structure here was built towards the end of the 12th century or the start of the 13th century. Not only was there no mention of a church here at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086, there was no mention even of a village here!
The only survivng part of that original structure is the west wall. The present nave, which has north and south aisles, was built around 1230 and in the 14th century the clerestory windows were added with the chancel arch being rebuilt at the same time.
The south transept is known as the De La Mere Chantry, or the Claypole Chapel. It was built around 1350. This contains the tomb of James Claypole and also of Elizabeth daughter of Oliver Cromwell, who died in 1665. The original inscription on her tomb has long since worm away but the Cromwell Association has placed a commemorative plaque close to where her tomb is.
