Burwell, Cambridgeshire
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| Burwell | |
|---|---|
| OS Grid Reference: | Template:Gbmappingsmall |
| Lat/Lon: | Template:Coor dm NE |
| Population: | 5833 (2001 Census) |
| Dwellings: | 2428 (2001 Census) |
| Formal status: | Village |
| Administration | |
| County: | Cambridgeshire |
| Region: | East Anglia |
| Nation: | England |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | N/A |
| Postcode: | CB5 |
| Dialling Code: | 01638 (Newmarket) |
Burwell is a village in Cambridgeshire. It is close to The Fens. Burwell Lode runs along the western edge of the Village, with all land north and west of that being Fens.
The village name means "Spring by the Fort"
The village is twinned with two villages; Lizy-sur-ourcq and Mary-sur-Marne and one small town; Ocquerre. These are all situated in France, but only Lizy is mentioned on the signs as you enter the village. A plate commemorating the twinning is located on a wall on the outside of the Year 3 classroom at the village primary school; Burwell Village College (Primary) which educates local 4-11 year olds. The Village falls into the catchment areas of both Bottisham and Soham Village Colleges, which provide education at Secondary level (11-16).
It was recorded as BUREWELLE is the Domesday book when it was held by The Abbot of Ramsey.
With a population of 5,833 (2001 Census), it is the second biggest village in the county after Sawston (South Cambs) and the 3rd biggest Settlement in the District after Soham and Ely. It is fractionally larger than Littleport.
The village is located 4 miles from Newmarket, 13 miles from Cambridge, and measures 1/2 mile east to west and 1.5 miles north-south.
The term for a resident of the village is "Burwellian"
Burwell Castle
Burwell.14.5.05.jpg
The village is the site of an unfinished castle, situated in Spring Close. The final wall collapsed in the 1930s, but the moat is still clearly visible.
The castle was built during "The Anarchy", the internal British conflicts of the mid 12th century in the reign of King Stephen. Although a settlement had been reached such that the throne would pass to Henry II on Stephen's death, the Barons of the time took the opportunity to fight their own battles.
Among these Geoffrey de Mandeville was particularly troublesome and, after turning against Stephen, had set up an impregnable base around Ely. From his base he would attack local towns, such as Cambridge, and so the king ordered castles be built to surround Geoffrey. The few sites at which it is known such castles were to be constructed include Rampton (Giant's Hill), Ramsey (Booth's Hill) and Burwell.
At Burwell, a moat had been constructed and the stone keep partially build when Geoffrey attacked and was mortally wounded. His revolt thus collapsed and the castle was left unfinished.
The narrow lane running along the side of the church next to Spring Close, where the Castle is located, is named "Mandeville".
See also
External link
- burwell.co.uk (http://www.burwell.co.uk/)
- 2001 Census (http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3C3D23E9-2FE0-466B-B337-3973CFECE32F/0/Burwell.pdf)