The idyllic village near Peterborough full of history that used to be an island

It has plenty of sites to visit and a great spot for afternoon tea

In our wonderful county, we have so many places to visit – and some have a history most people don’t know. One hidden gem in Cambridgeshire is the remote town of Thorney, just outside Peterborough.

The village, which has existed since the sixth century has an incredible history, despite being very small with just under 3,000 residents. Despite very much being a village now, it was once known as an island.

The village was previously called the Isle of Thorns thanks to it being a tiny island in the middle of the fens. It is now a quaint residential village that is easily accessible from Cambridge with a few historical attractions to stop at.

Thorney’s history

Thorney has a rich history that spanned many centuries. Archaeological research that has been conducted in the village revealed that there had been settlements in the area from the Iron Age, Bronze Age, and Roman Times.

In the 17th century, the Dukes of Bedford were largely involved in draining the fens to create a thriving village out of what used to be the island. A lot of the village’s surrounding land was perfect for farming, however nowadays, most of the agricultural cottages and farmhouses have been converted into homes.

In 1849, the seventh Duke of Bedford ordered a rebuilding of Thorney to turn it into a model village. The architect, Samuel Sanders Teulon, helped to design many of the cottages that are still a major part of Thorney today.

The model village improvements also include adding in fresh water and sewage systems, a gas supply, and the usual shops and schools for the area. Thorney’s design was based around medieval and Tudor buildings.

You can learn even more about Thorney’s deep history from the locally run Thorney Museum. With talks from local experts, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the village.

Tankyard

The focal point of the village has to be the Tankyard. Built as part of the model village project, the Tankyard was used to pump water to homes in the area and collect their sewage just by using gravity.

Bedford Hall is the 96 foot high tower attached to the beautiful Jacobean style building. Thanks to its height, the hall is impossible to miss. The hall is now home to many community events, such as discos and festivals. The building is well worth a visit just for its architectural beauty.

Tea at 18

After spending a day exploring the historic village , you can take a moment to sit down and enjoy an afternoon tea at Tea at 18. The luxury tea room is a staple part of the village and is well-liked by both locals and visitors.

The popular café has something for everyone with a wide range of sandwiches, paninis, and rolls for the perfect lunch. If you have more of a sweet tooth, Tea at 18 also sells homemade cakes and pastries that are definitely generously sized.

The highlight at Tea at 18 seems to be the afternoon tea, where you can get warm scones served with fresh cream and jam, a selection of sandwiches, a slice of cake, and unlimited tea or coffee. The charming café is a nice way to finish the day off.

How to get there

Thorney is easy to get to by car and is around an hour from Cambridge. If you follow the A14 to join the A1, you’ll reach Peterborough and from there, join the A47 to get to the village.

If you prefer to travel via public transport, you can get a train to Peterborough and a bus that takes you right into the heart of Thorney.