A Day Spanning 90 Years

I managed to take a very quick snap of the Buttercross in Burwell as we drove past.  We were in convoy with a ladened car transporter, a very nice convertible,  and a tractor.  Luckily we knew we could turn off the main road once we got round the corner.

I have heard various stories about this building, some say it was the gaol, but I think the truth is that it was converted to a dovecote and now serves as a village hall.  It was built somewhere around 1700 and has obviously undergone many alterations.


Burwell itself is a very small village, which is tucked very neatly into the folds and bends of the Lincolnshire Wolds.  In medieval days it was a market town, and there was a Benedictine Monastery which was founded before 1110 but which was dissolved in 1427, so we can't blame that one on Henry VIII.


Burwell now consists of a few houses, the village hall, a redundant church, a pub/restaurant which serves Thai food, and several farms.

This large and very old barn always gets my attention as we turn off the road, one day I intend to find out its history.  


There used to be a large and very grand house, Burwell Manor House, but that was demolished in 1958 and now all that remains are the stables, more is the pity.

This dried-up lake/pond is one of a series of lakes in the grounds, Lincolnshire is suffering drought conditions - it doesn't bode well for the summer.

Here is the walled garden right next door to the dried out pond.  I wonder whether these are the legacy of those long-gone monks, utilised and expanded in 1760 when Burwell Manor House was built.


So many questions, so many books I need to read, so many local history classes to attend!  Another avenue I want to explore is the Roman connection, because I have heard from one local historian that there was a Roman bowling green here!

This photograph is for Ms Sparrow because I know how much she loves our snowdrops.  This particular house is right around the corner from us, I love the way the snowdrops have spread.

Claythorpe Manor is another old and interesting building - but that is for another day.


We spent this morning looking after my (90 year old)  Aged Aunt, then we came home and spent the afternoon and early evening looking after our five week old granddaughter.  Time to take a break and put our feet up.  It will soon be 7.30am and our grandson will be on the doorstep!