The Cambridgeshire village that was once claimed by another county

A village in Cambridgeshire offers a range of local amenities as well as a small community with a big history

A picturesque village in the northernmost part of Cambridgeshire has a “stunning little museum” and was once home to a genius poet. Helpston offers a small community with a big history, as it was once claimed by another county.

Helpston is situated around seven miles from Peterborough and lies close to today’s Northamptonshire border. The village is part of Cambridgeshire, but for the majority of it’s existence, was in Northamptonshire.

Described by guests as “a lovely little museum of arguably one of UKs best (least known) poets”, John Clare Cottage offers an intriguing museum, cafe and giftshop showcasing the heritage and history of John Clare’s former home.

He was born in 1793 in Helpston, in what has now been preserved as Clare Cottage. The son of a farm labourer, John grew up in a modest thatched home surrounded by open fields, ancient hedgerows, and the common lands that sustained rural communities for generations, according to the cottage.

With only basic education, John taught himself to read and write, quickly developing a talent for poetry and soon became best known as an unparalleled ‘peasant poet’ who celebrated rural English countryside life.

House prices in Helpston had an overall average of £403,857 over the last year, according to Rightmove. The majority of properties sold in Helpston during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £311,250.

Home to The Bluebell Inn, a village pub with rooms to stay, and other local amenities including a village hall, a church and a local school called John Clare Primary School, this village offers a range of services you need to raise a family there.

The Bluebell Inn, believed to have been built in the 1700’s, said it offers guests “all the charm you’d expect from a village inn with oodles of quirky character thrown in” and promises a “warm, friendly smile and the same hospitality which has been offered here for over 250 years”. It appears that previous guests agree, with one highlighting “what a beautiful little gem this is” in a Tripadvisor review.

Another person wrote: “It is a beautiful old place with what is clearly a contemporary interior – attractive in quiet colours, smart and clean – but one that is entirely harmonious with the venerable building. It is one of those cosy, compartmented pubs with lowish ceilings and low, comfortable lighting. Full of character.”