Bartlow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bartlow |
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 Bartlow St. Mary |
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 Bartlow
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| Population | 110 (including Horseheath) |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CAMBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | CB21 |
| Dialling code | 01223 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Bartlow is a small village in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located about 12 miles south-east of Cambridge. The River Granta flows right through the village. In 2021, about 101 people lived here. Bartlow is famous for its ancient Roman burial mounds, known as the Bartlow Hills.
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A Look at Bartlow's Past
Bartlow is one of the smallest parishes in Cambridgeshire. Its southern edge touches Essex. The area has been lived in since Roman times. But the village of Bartlow itself was first recorded in 1232. Before that, the main settlement was part of a nearby parish called Ashdon.
The name "Bartlow" comes from old words. It means "mounds or hills where birch trees grow." This name fits perfectly because of the famous hills found here.
The Mystery of Bartlow Hills
Bartlow is home to the amazing Bartlow Hills. These are ancient Roman burial mounds. Today, four mounds are left, but only one is actually inside Bartlow parish. Long ago, all the Bartlow Hills were in Essex county.
There were originally seven of these mounds. The tallest one is 15 metres high. It is the biggest mound of its kind north of the Alps mountains!
For many years, people thought these mounds held the bodies of soldiers. They believed these soldiers died in a big battle in 1016. But when scientists dug them up in the 1800s, they found something different. The mounds were graves for a very rich Roman family. They date back to the 1st or 2nd century AD.
During these digs, people found cool items. They found large wooden chests, fancy bronze and glass pots, and even an iron folding chair. Sadly, most of these treasures were lost in a fire later on. A small Roman house was also found nearby. People lived in this house until the late 300s AD.
Bartlow's Historic Church
Many people believed that the church in Bartlow was built by King Cnut. They thought it was near the site of a famous battle. However, there is no proof of a church from that time.
The church we see today is called St Mary's. It has a main room (nave) and a round tower. This tower is very old, from the late 1000s or early 1100s. It is believed to be the oldest part of the original church. The rest of the church was built in the 1300s.
Bartlow St. Mary is special. It is one of only two churches in Cambridgeshire with a round tower. The other one is in Snailwell. Inside the tower are three bells. They were made in 1440 and are still in their original frame. The bells are very old, but they cannot be rung fully. This is because their frame is not safe enough.
The church is also known for its old wall paintings. These paintings are from the 1400s. You can still see parts of them. They show pictures of St Christopher, St Michael weighing souls, and St. George's Dragon.
Life in the Village
Bartlow has one pub left, called the Three Hills pub. It has been open since at least 1847. The building itself is very old, from the 1600s. The pub was recently updated and has won many awards. It is a popular spot for villagers and visitors.
The Old Railways
The railway came to Bartlow in 1865. A line opened from Great Shelford to Haverhill. It ran along the southern edge of the village. Another line opened in 1866, branching off at Bartlow.
Bartlow railway station was located near the railway bridge. It closed in 1967 when the Haverhill line was shut down. Today, the old station building is a private house. It is even called "Booking Hall."
Images for kids
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Village sign in Bartlow, showing three of the Bartlow Hills
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Aerial photo of the Bartlow Hills, taken by Bill Blake
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Side view of one of the mounds
