The village is just outside of Cambridge and is filled with pretty thatched cottages
No matter where you’re from, it’s likely that you know of a place with a name that people often pronounce wrong. The English language loves to throw in a silent letter where it can, and some place names in Cambridgeshire have fallen victim to this grammatical curse.
One village that is often pronounced wrong is Great Wilbraham, which is six miles from Cambridge. Many assume that it is pronounced Great Wil-bra-ham, but it’s actually Great Will-brum.
But despite its confusing name, the village has a rich history which dates back all the way to the Domesday Book, where it appeared as Wilburgaham. This name is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon princess Wilburh, the daughter or close family member of Penda King of the Mercians. Wilbruh remains a part of the village today as she features on a village sign.
In the Middle Ages, the Knights Templar held the manor of Great Wilbraham, which is still known as ‘The Temple’ today. Within the grounds of the temple, the remains of a Roman villa were found. Above it, a Middle Saxon burial ground was also found.
Today, Great Wilbraham is a charming village home to around 600 people. Property prices in the village range from around £300,000 to over £1 million. There is a real mix of homes in the village including more modern homes and chocolate box-style thatches cottages.
There is one pub in the village called The Carpenter Arms. The pub has served the village community for more than 250 years, with what it calls “genuine hospitality”. Visitors have praised it for its “beautiful” decorations and that it feels “really welcoming”. The pub is also dog-friendly.
There is also a Post Office, a shop and a well-used village hall. The village also has a strong sporting history, as it has a local football and cricket team.
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