A Stroll Around Great Paxton's Past
A popular and leisurely 2 mile walk around the village in about 2 1/2 hours seeing the familiar through the prism of history. Come and learn some of the long story of this village that was predates the Domesday Book, visit areas you may have never been before and meet others interested in our local history.
Any questions or to book or arrange a group walk please contact
me
Paul Ward
07483 815160
The modest cost of £5 per person goes entirely to the preservation of Great Paxton's 1,000 year old church. A limit of 20 people per walk.
While the walk is specific to Great Paxton, many of the themes covered are also relevant to many other small rural communities in this part of the country in the Great Ouse Valley.
We meet at the small green on the High Street near the old school house typically at 2 p.m. and then follow the route on the map above ending in the churchyard. Time permitting the church will be opened up if you wish to look around the interior at the end of the walk .
The pace is leisurely and there is plenty of time to chat to others in-between the numerous stops along the way. Whilst it is mainly on paved roads and paths there are parts across somewhat rough grassy areas, so reasonable footwear should be worn.
The walk is not really suitable for children younger than teenagers and while dogs are very welcome, they should not be let off the lead at any point.
Any questions or to arrange a group walk please contact me, Paul Ward 07483 815160
The Black Bull, a former pub on the High Street, now a private house, 1920's and 2019.
The Bell, a pub on the High Street still in use, 1930's and 2019.
The site of the Wray House Ferry across the river from Great Paxton to Little Paxton. Around 1934 on the left with Wray House Farm on the far bank, 2020 on the right, the farm was demolished in the 1960's and the islands in the river have now been dredged out. This is where Alice Brown fell through thin ice while crossing in February 1808, one of the events leading to the attack on Annie Izzard the "Paxton Witch".
The roads to Great Paxton in 1915, on the left, Paxton Hill, the road south to St. Neots, on the right, the road north to the Offords, Godmanchester and Huntingdon.
The walk ends at the church which will be open for you to look around inside if you'd like.
Great Paxton's 1,000 year old twin-aisled Saxon church, unique in the UK and the centre of village life for a millennium - and counting.
