URPoint Details
Only a few miles south of Huntingdon an expanded but historic village beside the Great North Road.
The greatest feature for centuries was the palace of the Bishops of Lincoln, a large building now gone save for the 15th century brick gatehouse and massive Great Tower. The latter, for many years in ruins, has been restored. The buildings have been acquired by the Roman Catholic Church and are used by Claretian missionaries. Several of the bishops who stayed here have monuments in Buckden's church, a handsome Perpendicular building.
Buckden has several 16th and 17th century houses and, as befits a major coaching centre on the Great North Road, it retains former coaching inns including the 16th century Lion and the 18th century George.
The Lion was thought to have been a guest house associated with the bishop's palace but was later a coaching inn. Fine moulded beams in its lounge meet in a central boss. Good food and hospitality are still the lifeblood of this inn as they are of The George whose long brick frontage stands across the road from The Lion which has an old forge.
Catherine of Aragon was once imprisoned in the Great Tower before being moved to Kimbolton.
The
- Type:
- Landmark