A historic village in the Cambridgeshire countryside was once home to a medieval village listed in the Domesday book and left deserted in the 16th century
Mention Croydon and you’re more likely to think of the densely-populated South London suburb rather than the deserted medieval town.
But the lesser-known version in a Cambridgeshire village is arguably much more serene and peaceful than its better-known counterpart. With a population of around 250 people in Cambridgeshire (in comparison to more than 190,000 in London) this stunning, historic village is nestled in the serene countryside, in the southwest tip of the county.
Offering idyllic views of lush landscapes and greenery galore, the village is also known for its proximity to the medieval village of Clopton. A lost village (mentioned in the Domesday book in 1086) Clopton was deserted in the 16th century and has since been designated a ‘Scheduled Ancient Monument’ (meaning it’s a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change).
Today only earthworks (engineering works created through the processing of parts of the earth’s surface involving quantities of soil or unformed rock) outline its remains. The site where Clopton once stood can be reached by the Clopton Way, a footpath that connects the Wimpole Way to the Greensand Ridge Walk.
While the village has been lost, the walk ensures you can envisage the life that once took place there before the village was abandoned. The village of Clopton once stood on a prominent ridge, terraced into the hillside. Archaeological excavations showed a central church, two sites with moats and a probable mill.
Today, the village is centred around a street running through the parish, with some timber-framed houses dating back to the late 17th or early 18th centuries. It’s also close to Wimpole Hall, a stunning National Trust property that’s been an established site since 1640. Now a living working estate, it’s guided by the seasons and boasts an impressive mansion, parkland, gardens and rare breed farm. Set on 3,000 acres, it offers the opportunity for exploration around the vast Cambridgeshire countryside.
