Biggin Abbey

Heritage Site in Cambridgeshire South Cambridgeshire

England

Biggin Abbey

New building on Cambridge Square Opposite Cambridge North railway station. Photographed with the sun low in a clear sky at 8.45 on the morning of New Year's Day.
New building on Cambridge Square Credit: John Sutton

Biggin Abbey, located in Cambridgeshire, is a historic heritage site that holds significant architectural and historical importance. The abbey, originally founded in the 12th century, was a Premonstratensian monastery and played a vital role in religious and cultural activities during the medieval period.

The remains of Biggin Abbey showcase its remarkable architecture, with the most prominent feature being the partially intact abbey church. The church, constructed in the Gothic style, reveals intricate details and carvings, exemplifying the craftsmanship of the time. Visitors can explore the nave, transepts, and the remains of the chancel, gaining insights into the monastic life that once thrived within these walls.

The abbey's cloister, an essential element of monastic architecture, can also be observed. Although largely ruined, its layout and design highlight the daily routines and rituals that took place in these sacred spaces. The surrounding grounds provide a peaceful atmosphere, inviting visitors to reflect on the abbey's historical significance and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Biggin Abbey's rich history extends beyond its architectural beauty. It was a center of spiritual and intellectual life, attracting scholars and theologians from far and wide. The abbey also played a role in local agriculture, with its extensive lands and farms providing sustenance to the community.

Now a protected heritage site, Biggin Abbey offers a glimpse into the past, allowing visitors to appreciate the architectural splendor and immerse themselves in the history and spirituality of this once-thriving monastic community. Whether for educational purposes or leisurely exploration, Biggin Abbey is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of Cambridgeshire.

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Biggin Abbey Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.232/0.175 or Grid Reference TL4861. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

New building on Cambridge Square Opposite Cambridge North railway station. Photographed with the sun low in a clear sky at 8.45 on the morning of New Year's Day.
New building on Cambridge Square
Opposite Cambridge North railway station. Photographed with the sun low in a clear sky at 8.45 on the morning of New Year's Day.
Chesterton: new houses on Fen Road Caption to follow
Chesterton: new houses on Fen Road
Caption to follow
Sun rising on New Year's Day Ditton Meadows, seen from the Chisholm Trail path about half an hour after the official sunrise at 8.09. The water meadows were watery after a wet December.
Sun rising on New Year's Day
Ditton Meadows, seen from the Chisholm Trail path about half an hour after the official sunrise at 8.09. The water meadows were watery after a wet December.
Low Fen Drove Way at Snout Corner In The Fens just north of Cambridge at the end of summer.
Low Fen Drove Way at Snout Corner
In The Fens just north of Cambridge at the end of summer.
On Low Fen Drove Way in early spring Autumn-sown cereals looked to be doing well in these fields in The Fens just north-east of Cambridge.
On Low Fen Drove Way in early spring
Autumn-sown cereals looked to be doing well in these fields in The Fens just north-east of Cambridge.
End-of-summer sunflowers in The Fens Looking north-east from Low Fen Drove Way, not far from Fen Ditton on the edge of Cambridge, on a fine Sunday morning in September. The wheatfield beyond the strip of sunflowers was harvested in late July or early August in the hot and dry summer of 2022.
End-of-summer sunflowers in The Fens
Looking north-east from Low Fen Drove Way, not far from Fen Ditton on the edge of Cambridge, on a fine Sunday morning in September. The wheatfield beyond the strip of sunflowers was harvested in late July or early August in the hot and dry summer of 2022.
River Cam A typical view of the Cam at dusk. As always, it's full of rowers.
River Cam
A typical view of the Cam at dusk. As always, it's full of rowers.
Milton, All Saints <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.druidic.org/camchurch/churches/milton.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.druidic.org/camchurch/churches/milton.htm">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Milton, All Saints
A14 Cambridge Northern Bypass near Milton Showing the Jane Coston cycle bridge under construction to the north of the road.  Once complete, it was moved into its final position overnight on a set of Mammut tractor units.  This photo was taken at sunrise, well before I'm usually awake!
A14 Cambridge Northern Bypass near Milton
Showing the Jane Coston cycle bridge under construction to the north of the road. Once complete, it was moved into its final position overnight on a set of Mammut tractor units. This photo was taken at sunrise, well before I'm usually awake!
Fen Ditton The almshouses and the King's Head
Fen Ditton
The almshouses and the King's Head
Harvesting wheat near Horningsea Taken from the lane to Snout Corner
Harvesting wheat near Horningsea
Taken from the lane to Snout Corner
Biggin Abbey This farmhouse is marked on the map in Olde Worlde writing, and the name suggests it was once a monastery. I'd guess that the present building is more recent, though.
Biggin Abbey
This farmhouse is marked on the map in Olde Worlde writing, and the name suggests it was once a monastery. I'd guess that the present building is more recent, though.
The Plough and Fleece, Horningsea
The Plough and Fleece, Horningsea
Ditton Meadows A large area of open land by the River Cam, on the edge of Cambridge. Fen Ditton is in the distance.
Ditton Meadows
A large area of open land by the River Cam, on the edge of Cambridge. Fen Ditton is in the distance.
Baits Bite Lock The Bumps (Cambridge rowing races) start here.
Baits Bite Lock
The Bumps (Cambridge rowing races) start here.
The A14 near Fen Ditton This is by far the most significant feature in the square!
The A14 near Fen Ditton
This is by far the most significant feature in the square!
Dismantled railway The railway line has been converted into a track which is presumably now the main access route for the house, replacing the much rougher byway which crosses it here.
Dismantled railway
The railway line has been converted into a track which is presumably now the main access route for the house, replacing the much rougher byway which crosses it here.
Farmland near Snout Corner I think this is maize stubble, but I'm not sure.
Farmland near Snout Corner
I think this is maize stubble, but I'm not sure.
Show me another place!

Biggin Abbey is located at Grid Ref: TL4861 (Lat: 52.232, Lng: 0.175)

Administrative County: Cambridgeshire

District: South Cambridgeshire

Police Authority: Cambridgeshire

What 3 Words

///deals.impulsive.desk. Near Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.232,0.175
Motorway Junction
Fen Ditton Junction
Exit To: Horningsea;Fen Ditton
Ref: 34
Lat/Long: 52.2319649/0.1729709
Traffic Signals
Traffic Signals: signal
Traffic Signals Direction: forward
Lat/Long: 52.2285163/0.179218
Traffic Signals
Traffic Signals: signal
Lat/Long: 52.2302198/0.1803975
Traffic Signals
Traffic Signals: signal
Traffic Signals Direction: backward
Lat/Long: 52.2286797/0.1793631
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 52.2299516/0.1713956
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 52.2341151/0.1717751
Design: barrel
Line Attachment: suspension
Power: tower
Ref: PTK 41
Source: yahoo
Lat/Long: 52.2315391/0.1751763
Power: tower
Ref: PTK 40
Source: yahoo
Source Ref: interpolation
Lat/Long: 52.2313542/0.1798188
Design: barrel
Line Attachment: anchor
Power: tower
Ref: PTK 42
Source: yahoo
Lat/Long: 52.2317663/0.171627
Bus Stop
Note: Not 100% sure of the operator name as it was obscured. Might now be Firstgroup.
Operator: Eastern Counties
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 52.2317958/0.1819849
Biggin Abbey
Historic: abbey
Note: Don't know if this qualifies as a ruin or not, I've not been to inspect it yet.
Lat/Long: 52.2338071/0.1771018
Crossing
Bicycle: yes
Crossing: traffic_signals
Segregated: no
Lat/Long: 52.2302002/0.1804991
Crossing
Bicycle: yes
Crossing: traffic_signals
Segregated: no
Lat/Long: 52.2286477/0.1792479
Design: three-level
Power: tower
Source: yahoo
Tower Type: termination
Lat/Long: 52.2327145/0.1678338
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2325373/0.1745179
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2330466/0.175057
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2311427/0.1689115
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2344498/0.1765323
Line Attachment: (pin)|(anchor)
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2311213/0.170449
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2311909/0.1736578
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2336987/0.1758536
Fixme: Has some extra pole-mounted equipment?
Line Attachment: anchor
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2311654/0.1729829
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2356879/0.178273
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2348974/0.1771874
Line Attachment: pin
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2311628/0.1713858
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2339706/0.1769064
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 52.2363967/0.1761108
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 52.2363255/0.1756641
Waterway: weir
Lat/Long: 52.2364205/0.1745007
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 52.2324949/0.1718127
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 52.232008/0.1714009
Traffic Signals
Traffic Signals: signal
Traffic Signals Direction: backward
Lat/Long: 52.2303441/0.1807636
Traffic Signals
Traffic Signals: signal
Traffic Signals Direction: forward
Lat/Long: 52.2299405/0.1804226
Line Attachment: pin
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2284132/0.1724122
Fixme: Continue
Line Attachment: pin
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 52.2291528/0.1729855
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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