Isleham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isleham |
|
|---|---|
 St Andrew's Church |
|
 Isleham
|
|
| Population | 2,378 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TL644738 |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ELY |
| Postcode district | CB7 |
| Dialling code | 01638 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Isleham is a village and civil parish in the English county of Cambridgeshire. It is located in a special area called the Fens, which is known for its flat, low-lying land. In 2011, about 2,378 people lived in Isleham. The village has a rich history and some interesting places to visit.
Contents
Where is Isleham?
Isleham is found in the Fens, a flat, low-lying area in south-east Cambridgeshire, England. The village is bordered by the Crooked Ditch on the west and the Lea Brook on the east. The River Lark forms its northern boundary. Isleham is located on the B1104 road, which connects it to other nearby places like Prickwillow and Chippenham.
Isleham is twinned with three towns: Nesles in France, Magdala in Germany, and Maltov in Russia. This means they have a special friendship and often share cultural exchanges.
Village Life
Isleham has several useful places for its residents. You can find a Co-op supermarket and a Post Office for your daily needs.
The village also has three public houses, which are traditional English pubs: The Griffin, The Merry Monk, and the Rising Sun. There are also three churches: St Andrew's Church of England parish church, the plfc (Pound Lane Free Church), and the Ark Church.
Amazing Discoveries
The area around Isleham, especially between Devil's Dyke and Littleport, is famous for its many archaeological finds. These discoveries tell us a lot about how people lived here long ago, during the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.
The Isleham Hoard
One of the most exciting finds in Isleham is the Isleham Hoard. This was a huge collection of more than 6,500 pieces of bronze. It included both finished items and broken pieces of bronze sheets. All these items date back to the late Bronze Age. The hoard was discovered by two brothers, Bill and Arthur Houghton.
A Look Back in Time
The name Isleham seems to come from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase, Gísla hám, which means "the home of the hostages." In Anglo-Saxon times, a "hostage" could sometimes be a person who represented their group in another community, almost like a guest.
Isleham Priory
The Priory of St Margaret of Antioch was a religious building founded in the village in 1090. It was an "alien priory," meaning it was directly controlled from France. Because of this, it was closed down in 1414. Later, it was used as a barn. Today, English Heritage looks after the priory, preserving it for future generations.
St Andrew's Church
St Andrew's parish church is a very old and important building. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it is considered to be of exceptional historical interest. This church was the burial place for the ancestors of the Peyton family. Many descendants of the Peyton family still visit the church today to see the brasses that decorate the Peyton monuments. The church is still being restored with help from donations, even from Peyton families in the USA. Isleham Hall, a building on West Street, is also connected to the Peyton family and dates back to the 16th century.
Famous Baptism
On May 3, 1850, a famous Baptist preacher named Charles Spurgeon was baptised in the River Lark in Isleham. A stone now marks the exact spot where this important event took place.
Culture and Art
Isleham has also inspired some creative works.
Fenwomen Book
In 1975, Mary Chamberlain wrote a book called Fenwomen. This book shared stories about the lives of women in a village she called Gislea, which was actually a made-up name for Isleham. It gave readers a peek into the daily lives and experiences of women in the Fenland area.
Isleham Swamp Song
In 2015, an English rapper known as Dirty Dike released his fourth album. One of the songs on this album was titled "Isleham Swamp." Dirty Dike has often mentioned places in Cambridgeshire and the Fenland in his music, showing his connection to the area.
See also
In Spanish: Isleham para niños
