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The caste has strong links with one of Henry VIII’s wives, but now operates as a school
There is a Cambridgeshire village filled with so much history that it is admired by history buffs. Tucked away in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside is Kimbolton – a pretty village with a population of around 1,050 people, according to the 2021 census.
Like many places in our county, Kimbolton was settled at least as far back as the Roman era. The name Kimbolton is Anglo-Saxon, meaning Cenebald’s tone or estate. The village was interestingly considered to be King Harold’s only estate in Huntingdonshire. It is believed that he had a hunting lodge nearby.
Much interest in the village comes mainly from Kimbolton Castle and its claim to fame is the village’s associations with Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon. The former queen called the castle her home until she died in seclusion. Her death at Kimbolton Castle in 1536 came after several months of declining health and years of imprisonment.
The castle was largely renovated in the 17th century and several of the most prominent architects played a part in transforming Kimbolton into the impressive place we see today. These include: Sir John Vanbrugh, Robert Adam, and Nicholas Hawksmoor. The castle was sold by the 10th Duke of Manchester in 1950 and is now a well-established private school.
The New Sun Inn pub also has a long history, having been a mainstay of the village for around three centuries with exposed beams, brickwork and an inviting open fire. Some of the items on their menu include a steak and stout pie, battered haddock and marry me chicken. For desserts, the menu is loaded with classics like apple and cinnamon crunch, chocolate brownie and sticky note pudding.
Kimbolton is one of those villages where history follows you at every turn. There are a total of 84 listed buildings identified within the Kimbolton Conservation Area – each with individual charm and stories to tell.
Its past is a big selling point in itself, but if people want to come to Kimbolton for more than just a visit, it can be expensive. House prices in the village averaged around £412,594 last year, according to Rightmove.
The majority of properties sold in Kimbolton in the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £552,500. While terraced properties sold for an average of £274,833, with semi-detached properties £407,500.
In comparison, average house prices in Huntingdonshire reached £347,344 last year. That is more than £65,000 less than the overall average in Kimbolton itself.
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