Grantchester

Civil Parish in Cambridgeshire South Cambridgeshire

England

Grantchester

Grantchester is a civil parish located in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. Situated just 3 miles southwest of Cambridge, this picturesque village covers an area of approximately 3 square miles. The River Cam flows through the village, adding to its charm and tranquility.

Grantchester is known for its rich history, dating back to the Roman times. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, and its name is derived from the Old English words "Granta," meaning "river," and "ceaster," meaning "Roman fort." Today, it is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its idyllic setting and historical landmarks.

One of the village's most famous attractions is Grantchester Meadows, a vast expanse of grassland along the River Cam. This area is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also for its literary connections. Grantchester Meadows inspired the famous poem "Grantchester" by Rupert Brooke and was a favorite spot of the renowned writer Virginia Woolf.

Grantchester also boasts several historic buildings, including the Grade II listed Church of St. Mary and St. Andrew. This 12th-century church features stunning architecture and is a significant part of the village's heritage.

In addition to its historical significance, Grantchester offers a range of amenities for residents and visitors. The village has a primary school, a village hall, a pub, and a few shops. It is also well-connected to Cambridge, with regular bus services and cycling routes.

Overall, Grantchester is a charming and historic village, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern amenities.

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Grantchester Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.184803/0.087597 or Grid Reference TL4256. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grantchester church

mym

Trumpington church

mym

Eltisley Avenue

A typical street in the residential area of Newnham Croft in south-west Cambridge. The poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath lived on this street when they were first married, and it inspired a poem by Hughes, "55 Eltisley Avenue".

Tom Pullman

The River Cam southwest of Cambridge

A bend of the Cam just south of Newnham, among meadows.

Tom Pullman

Swan on the Cam

Lera Miles

Barton rifle range

Looking down the range from the bridleway that runs along the top (and which is obviously closed when the range is in use!). Taken from outside the square, so I'll be in trouble with the Geograph purist police, but that's preferable to being in trouble with Cambridgeshire police for trespassing on MOD property...

David Gruar

Wheat field near Wheatcases

One of Cambridgeshire's billion fields of wheat. This one has the M11 in the background and, behind it, the skyline of Cambridge. The large brick tower is the University Library (see TL4458).

David Gruar

Is There Honey Still For Tea?

I am not sure if the Red Lion or the Green Man in Grantchester serve Honey sandwiches to fulfil the last line of Rupert Brooke’s poem The Old Vicarage Grantchester” see Link

Glyn Baker

Stands Still The Clock at Ten to Three?

The pub here has changed its name to celebrate Rupert Brooke and his poem “The old Vicarage Grantchester” see Link

It was written in the Café des Westens Berlin in 1912 whilst Brooke was recovering from illness. Brooke, renowned as a “war poet” only wrote six sonnets about the war after a limited engagement near Antwerp. The penultimate line of the poem “stands still the church clock at ten to three” has a bit of poetic licence as Mym's photo of the church TL4355 : Grantchester church attests there is no sign of it ever having had a clock! I wonder if a memory of a finger post like this one was the inspiration for the fourth verse?

Glyn Baker

âThereâs Peace & Holy Quiet Thereâ

This is a view across the churchyard in Grantchester, the memorial seat to a villager is an idyllic spot to sit and contemplate. The full quote from the picture’s title can be seen at Link

Glyn Baker

âAnd Worse Than Oaths at Trumpingtonâ

This is a picture of the Driveway to Trumpington hall, Contrary to Rupert Brooke’s experience the locals seemed very friendly these days! For an explanation of the title see Link

Glyn Baker

âThe Lovely Hamlet Grantchesterâ

Immortalised in his poem “The Old Vicarage Grantchester”, Grantchester is located to the west of Cambridge; it was home to Rupert Brooke. This is shot of just a few of the ancient cottages that abound in the village. To read the poem, go to Link

Glyn Baker

âMen With Splendid Heartsâ

This is the war memorial in Grantchester churchyard. The quote above is inscribed upon it together with “To the glory of God in loving thanks 1914-1918” as well as the name of Rupert Brooke among the fallen. Yeats described the young Brooke as “the handsomest young man in all England”. Brooke was a promising young poet before WW1. His reputation as a War poet stems from six sonnets (five of them numbered in a cycle) published after he saw limited action in an engagement near Antwerp. The patriotic nature of them was popular at the time. Brooke was due to take part in the Dardanelles Campaign; however before he saw action a mosquito bite became infected, blood poisoning set in and he died on Easter Sunday 1915. “The Old Vicarage Grantchester” is one of his most popular works. To read the poem, go to Link

Glyn Baker

The M11 west of Grantchester

This is only five miles or so from the northern end of the M11, and it's only dual carriageway at this point. The photo was taken looking south from the footbridge in the north-west of the square.

Tom Pullman