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Chesterton Tourist Information


The small town and parish of Chesterton is almost overshadowed by its better-known neighbour, Cambridge, which is just 1¼ miles to the south west. It is situated on the north bank of the River Cam amidst glorious Cambridgeshire scenery.

Chesterton lies to the east of Castle Hill and south of the districts of Arbury and King's Hedges. The A1309 Milton road runs through the village linking Cambridge to the north east-bound A14 road.

The name Chesterton means "next to the castle" and the area was the site of Cambridge Castle in Norman times, although all that now remains are the motte and earthworks.

The area was settled in Roman times with many Roman coins being found in the area, in particular a silver coin decorated with the head of Romulus on the face and Castor and Pollux on horseback on the reverse.

The settlement was well established in the 11th century with the Domesday Book recording it had 30 hides, land for 16 ploughs, a priest, 16 smallholders and 6 cottagers.

The 1154 records show that everyone who had a fireplace had to pay a tax, known as a fly farthing to St Peter's altar at Ely Cathedral.

In 2000 archaeologists were excavating a sewer shaft close to Chesterton when they discovered a hoard of coins dating back to the 13th century. They were in the remains of a wooden box on the site of an old dwelling.

The cache is now on display in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and includes 1,805 silver pennies and nine gold coins.


Present Day Chesterton

Chesterton has a number of local shops and services although most larger amenities are in the city of Cambridge, just over a mile away.

The town has several churches including the Parish Church of St Andrew. Within the churchyard is a large cross and memorial to the local men who lost their lives in the two world wars. There is also a church dedicated to St George and the Priory on Oundlke Road is a listed building.

Chesterton is well connected by regular bus service to Cambridge city centre as well as to Milton and Addenbrooke's Hospital a renowned teaching hospital nearby.

There is a Business Park and a Science Park in the area.


Things to Do Around Chesterton

The Cambridge and County Folk Museum is on Chesterton Road in the former White Horse Inn which closed in 1934. It has an excellent collection of local coins, medals, decorative arts and exhibits on local social history.

The nearby River Cam provides pleasant countryside walks and visitors can watch the boats at the Jesus Lock next to Chesterton Road.

Castle Hill was the site of Cambridge Castle although all that remains today is the green mound or motte. The Norman castle was of strategic importance and until 1842 was used as the county gaol. There are good views over the historic buildings of Cambridge from the top of the hill.

Cambridge is a pleasant city to explore on foot. Take a walking tour with a local guide to learn more about the college buildings within the historic city centre.

The grand building on Trumpington Street houses the Fitzwilliam Museum, the arts and antiquities museum of Cambridge University.

 

Images of Chesterton
Close up of Beville Monument inside St Michaels Chesterton © Robin Peel
Mid Summer Harvest in Chesterton © Robin Peel
Directions
Show map of Chesterton...


Attractions near Chesterton
Elton Hall (3 Miles)*
Elton Hall stands in the midst of unspoilt landscaped parkland, on a site where there has been a house since the Norman Conquest.
Nene Valley Railway (3 Miles)*
The Nene Valley Railway has only been operating since 1977 but the line once formed part of an important cross-country route from East Anglia to the Midlands.
Prebendal Manor House (4 Miles)*
The Prebendal Manor is a 1,200 year old medieval centre on the north eastern edge of Northamptonshire, near Oundle, Stamford and Peterborough.
more attractions in Chesterton and things to do in Chesterton ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Chesterton

Attractions:
  Nene Valley Railway  3 Miles
  Elton Hall  3 Miles
  Prebendal Manor House  4 Miles
more attractions in Chesterton...
 
Towns:
  Alwalton  1 Mile
  Water Newton  1 Mile
  Castor  1 Mile
more towns near Chesterton...
 
Estate Agents:
  Sharman Quinney  3 Miles
  Sharman Quinney  4 Miles
  Connells  4 Miles
Hotels:
  Days Inn Peterborough  <1 Mile
  Holiday Inn Express Peterborough  1 Mile
  Peterborough Marriott Hotel  1 Mile
more hotels in Chesterton area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:
  High Leys Farm  2 Miles
more bed and breakfasts near Chesterton...
 
Self Catering:
  Candlelight Cottage  4 Miles
  Park Road Penthouse Apartments  4 Miles
  Willow Cottage  8 Miles
more self catering near Chesterton...
 
Campsites:
  Yarwell Mill  4 Miles
  Quiet Waters Caravan Park  17 Miles
  The Secret Garden Touring Park  20 Miles
TIC: Peterborough Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01733 452336  4 Miles



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Towns near Chesterton
Alwalton Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Water Newton Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Castor Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
more towns near Chesterton...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Chesterton
Peterborough Marriott Hotel (1 Mile)*
Set within 11 acres of tranquil grounds adjacent to Peterborough's Business Park, the Peterborough Marriott Hotel is perfect for business or leisure. Spacious bright rooms feature air conditioning, high-speed internet access, and tea + coffee service.
Holiday Inn Express Peterborough (1 Mile)*
The Express by Holiday Inn Peterborough is adjacent to the East of England Showground, an ideal base for both business and leisure guests.
Holiday Inn Express Peterborough (1 Mile)*
The Holiday Inn Express Peterborough offers en suite rooms with satellite TV and power showers. It's 4 miles from the city centre, next to the East of England showground. The Holiday Inn Express Peterborough is a modern hotel with a lounge and bar.
more Chesterton hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Chesterton
Willow Cottage (8 Miles)*
Delightful and spacious one bedroom 17th Century Grade II listed thatched cottage. Achieved the GOLD AWARD for exceptional quality of accommodation and customer service 2009/2010.
Gardener's Cottage (10 Miles)*
Gardener's Cottage is a recently renovated stone cottage in a rural 17th Century village. The cottage garden backs onto rolling fields.
Your property could be here
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more self catering near Chesterton ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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