Whittleseyweb

Whittlesey's famous Butter Cross built circa 1680.

This photograph was taken in the 19th Century, and is from the front cover of "Millennium Memories of Whittlesey" one of two books, each containing over 40 photos, recording life in Whittlesey in the past. These books, published on behalf of the Whittlesey Society are available from Whittlesey Museum)

Whittlesey History

(Information taken from the Victoria History of the Counties of England 1953)

Whittlesey is a town in the north-west of the Isle, 6½ miles east of Peterborough and 11 miles west of March. Its ‘island' rises to 26ft above sea level, and is about 3 miles long and ½ mile broad.

The town is situated at the intersection of the road from Peterborough to March with that from Ramsey to Thorney and Crowland. The latter (B1040) is planted with trees on the Thorney side of the town, a pleasant but unusual feature in this part of the country; from it fine views of Peterborough Cathedral may be obtained.

Whittlesey is situated just off the limestone belt of England, and has an extensive display of good domestic architecture. The most important buildings are the manor house and the Butter Cross.

The right to hold a market and three annual fairs was granted in 1715 to George Downes, steward to Richard Price and Nathaniel Webb, the lessees of the manors. The market had been discontinued for about twenty years in 1808, but the June fair, limited to one day only, was still kept up. Horses were the chief item of trade at this fair. Shortly before 1851 the market was revived ‘and bids fair to become an excellent corn market', but in 1868 it was said that only ‘the tradition of a market lingers about the place on Friday afternoons'. Friday is still market day in Whittlesey, but the town is too close to Peterborough for the market to be of much importance.