The Oldest Buildings in Peterborough: Part Two

This time I am focussing on domestic and ancillary buildings and I’m certain you’re desperate to know the oldest building, but there needs to be a little explanation first.

The oldest group of buildings in modern Peterborough and the soke are, of course, churches. So it’s no surprise that buildings associated with the churches are also some of the oldest, specifically the buildings in the Cathedral precincts. I have therefore separated the cathedral buildings into their own little table. You can decide whether you think the buildings belong with the churches, or domestic buildings. The dates are from the buildings listing and it should be made clear that some of the buildings have changed names. I have given The Deanery (was no. 15) the top spot as the oldest building because other people have told me they believe it is the oldest and that there are Norman features in the building. As ever, if you know more, then please let me know. As with all of these buildings, if you get the chance to visit during the Heritage Open Days, I highly recommend it. The King’s Lodgings has some incredible features and is an entrance route into the Great Gate, which has a fantastic dual aspect views over Cathedral Square and the Cathedral (as shown in the picture). I would love to lead a creative writing class in that space – just imagine the tales that people would be inspired to write!

 

Deanery (was no. 15)	Cathedral precincts	12th
King’s Lodgings	Cathedral precincts	12th
Chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury (Becket’s Chapel)	Cathedral precincts	1174-77
Great Gate	Cathedral precincts	1174-94
Prior’s Gate (was Deanery)	Cathedral precincts	13th core
Table Hall	Cathedral precincts	15th
Canonry House	Cathedral precincts	Medieval

To reiterate the parameters I used in the first part of this blog, a building can only be dated from the first substantial, structural element that it contains. It needs to be more than a wall or window i.e. to remove it would change the look or integrity of the building. It’s also worth adding that datestones are not always good indicators of a buildings age. Datestones often commemorate improvements (raised roofs, new wings, new owners) and can even be fitted into later buildings from earlier demolished buildings. Therefore, datestones should be treated with some scrutiny, only being believed if the architectural features agree. Also, with the number of buildings on the list they have been grouped based on the date given. Some of the time periods – medieval, for example – make it very difficult to compare one building to another because the period is so long, so what might be the oldest building today may change as information is discovered.

The oldest house in Peterborough is probably Longthorpe Tower House – not the tower - with a date of 1250-1270 according to English Heritage. The house was built first and the tower was a later addition at the end of the century. They were part of the same property, but I have included them separately because they are distinct buildings and have different owners.  Why have I written ‘probably’? There is another building that it possibly older. Sibberton Lodge at Thornaugh is potentially older because of its 13^th century wing (possibly a previous chapel). The main building dates from 1657, according to the datestone, but would be much less of a building without the substantial 13th century wing, and so it stakes its place as a viable contender for the oldest building in the soke. There are videos online that show the gardens and views of the house, so do google it if you’re curious. (And if you’re extra curious you can google the deserted medieval village of Sibberton). 

In third place on the list is Woodcroft Castle – hurrah, a castle! Dated to the late 13^th century, it has its own moat and gruesome ghost story. At one time it was neighbours with Torpel Manor and Maxey Castle, which have both since returned to the ground, leaving this the last castle in the area. It is hidden away down a single-track road and is definitely not easy to visit, but you can find images of the interior online from its recent sale and there are some beautiful features.

The rest of the list deserves a lengthy note on each building, but that will perhaps have to become a book, or a talk to any local groups who are interested. A few points worth noting are that Barnack and Maxey are the top two destinations to visit if you’re looking for pre-1700 buildings. With Barnack having the oldest church (and therefore oldest building) in the district, it is perhaps not surprising that there are other old and fascinating buildings in the vicinity. Take a walk around the village and enjoy the landscape archaeology in the middle of the village too (particularly if you’re a fan of moats).

The addition of Peakirk Hermitage on this list is definitely up for debate. I could have placed it with the churches, and still might move it, but decided to include it in domestic buildings. This is because it was always designed as a living space, unlike the churches, and is now a private residence. If someone has a strong case for its removal to the churches list, I’m happy to listen and move it. But then it raises the question of whether rectories need to be moved too, and both lists could start to change a lot.

One way to enjoy the list it to identify a well-known building – Burghley House for example – and count the number of buildings that pre-date it or find buildings of a similar age. I have highlighted some of the best-known buildings for ease. I was surprised to find several buildings with datestones close to that of Thorpe Hall. It is noted as a Cromwellian mansion, but it was not the only Cromwellian building in the area, with three others having datestones from the era, and the potential inclusion of the Old Rectory at Thornhaugh and others also belonging to that period.

It's also worth pointing out that some of the buildings are available as holiday lets, so if you’re looking for a bit of local history and a get away for the weekend, they might just fit the bill. And if you’ve stumbled across this blog because you’re researching your holiday let, hello!

As ever, if you disagree with my placement of buildings, if you have further information, or if you’ve noticed a mistake, please do get in touch. I politely request that you don’t take this information and use it in your own work or social media, but reference it or place a link to it instead. Thank you.

Building	Location	Date
Longthorpe Tower House	Longthorpe	1250-70
Sibberton Lodge	Thornhaugh	13th wing (1657 main house)
Woodcroft Castle	Near Etton	Late 13th
Longthorpe Tower	Longthorpe	1290-1300
Hermitage	Peakirk	Circa 1300 chancel
7 Station Road	Barnack	13-14th
Old Rectory (Uphall)	Ufford	13-14th
The Rectory	Paston	13-14th
Northborough Manor and Gatehouse	Northborough	1330-40
Oxney Farmhouse	Oxney	14th origin
The Friary	Maxey	Medieval
Manor Farmhouse	Werrington	Part Medieval (17th)
Old Vicarage	Maxey	Probably Medieval
25 Mill Road	Maxey	Possibly Medieval
Stoney Croft	Barnack	Possibly Medieval
Feoffee Cottages	Barnack	15th
Lolham Hall	Lolham, near Maxey	Late 15th/early 16th
Castle Farmhouse	Maxey	15th/16th (17th and 19th)
College Farmhouse (was Helpston House)	Helpston	15th/16th
Barn to south-east of The Limes	Barnack	15th/16th
Village Farmhouse	Castor	Prob 15th/16th
Kingsley House	Barnack	Early 16th
75 Church Street	Werrington	16th
Etton Manor House	Etton	16th
Hake House	Peterborough	Probably mid-16th
Burghley House	Near Stamford	1555-87
Manor Farmhouse	Orton Wistow	1571
Abbey House	Thorney	Late 16th
Upton Manor	Upton near Ailsworth	Late 16th
Fayreholme, Church St	Werrington	Late 16th
Westwood Farm	Westwood	Possibly 16th
Milton Hall	Near Bretton	1594
46 Cherry Orton	Orton Wistow	1600
Wothorpe Tower (Ruin)	Wothorpe	1600
Church Farmhouse	Etton	16th/17th
Manor Farmhouse	Helpston	16th/17th (1660)
Maxey Hall	Maxey	16th/17th
Woodgate House	Maxey	16th/17th
Belsize Farmhouse and Barn	Near Marholm	Prob 16th/17th
Orton Hall	The Village, Orton Longueville	Late 16th/early 17th (part)

17th Century

22 Main Street	Barnack	Prob 17th or earlier
23 and 24 Main Street	Barnack	Prob 17th or earlier
The Gordon Arms, Oundle Road	Orton Longueville	Early 17th (part)
Grange Farmhouse, The Village	Orton Longueville	Early 17th
Manor Farmhouse	Maxey	Early 17th
The Willows	Werrington	Early 17th
Winterfold, The Village	Orton Longueville	Prob early 17th
Old Smithy	Castor	Prob early 17th (1676 datestone)
Glinton Manor and Stables	Glinton	1630-1640
Marholm Farmhouse	Marholm	1633
Old Rectory	Thornhaugh	Mid 17th (possibly 1620s according to estate agent listing)
Yew Tree House	Longthorpe	Mid 17th
Thorpe Hall	Peterborough	1653-56
Ivy Cottage	Maxey	1655
Cromwell House	Helpston	1658
The Old Nursery House	Wothorpe	1658
Thorney Abbey House	Thorney	1660
Blue Bell	Dogsthorpe	1665
1103 Lincoln Road (Heading’s Farm/Walton House)	Walton	1668
The Guildhall	Peterborough	1671
Walcot Hall	Near Barnack	1678
Walcot Hall Stables	Near Barnack	1680
Barn End, Cherry Orton Road	Orton Waterville	1682
Ye Olde Corner Shop	Barnack	1684
Model Farmhouse	Upton	1685
1 Lover’s Lane	Sutton	17th
7 Castle End	Maxey	17th
8A and 9 Church Street	Peterborough	17th
14 and 15 Main Street	Barnack	17th
320 Thorpe Road	Longthorpe	17th wing
Apple Acre Cottage	Thornhaugh	17th
Barn, Wothorpe House	Wothorpe	17th
Blue Boar	Eye	17th
Gate House	Barnack	17th
Fitzwilliam Arms	Castor	17th
Littlefield	Barnack	17th (Saxon Window)
Malthouse	Glinton	17th
Manor House	Thornhaugh	17th
Old Rectory	Castor	17th
Pilsgate House	Pilsgate	17th
Rectory Farmhouse, Cherry Orton Road	Orton Waterville	17th
Rose Cottage	Maxey	17th
Workhouse/Almsrooms, Cumbergate	Peterborough	17th
Wothorpe Farmhouse	Wothorpe	17th
19 Graeme Road	Sutton	Late 17th
24 High Street	Maxey	Late 17th
35 South Street	Stanground	Late 17th
51 Priestgate (Old Vicarage)	Peterborough	Late 17th
71, 73 Wharf Road	Woodston	Late 17th
Eyebury Farmhouse and Barn	Near Eye	Late 17th
The Grove Farmhouse	Longthorpe	Late 17th
Nunton House	Near Maxey	Late 17th
Oxney Farmhouse Barn	Oxney	Prob 17th
Walnut House	Ailsworth	Prob 17th
Dovecote to Longthorpe Tower House	Longthorpe	Possibly 17th
Outbuildings to Longthorpe Tower House	Longthorpe	Possibly 17th
8 Station Road	Barnack	17th/18th or earlier
4 Ladds Lane	Maxey	17th/18th
7 High Street	Maxey	17th/18th
11 High Street	Maxey	17th/18th
19 West End Road	Maxey	17th/18th
28 High Street	Maxey	17th/18th
36 High Street	Maxey	17th/18th
Blue Bell Pub	Maxey	17th/18th
Cook’s Hole Farmhouse	Thornhaugh	17th/18th
Green Man	Marholm	17th/18th
House on the Square	Barnack	17th/18th
Lolham Hall Cottages	Maxey	17th/18th
Old Butcher’s Shop	Barnack	17th/18th
The Old Cottage	Barnack	17th/18th
Pasque Cottage	Barnack	17th/18th
Wisteria Farmhouse	Maxey	17th/18th
Chester Cottage	Barnack	17th/early 18th
Westways and Hillside	Pilsgate	17th/early 18th
52 North St	Stanground	Late 17th/early 18th
Longacre Cottage	Maxey	Late 17th/early 18th
Manor House Farmhouse	Stanground	Late 17th/early 18th

Update: three buildings from Longthorpe have been added to the 17th century section