The Francis Frith Collection.
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Waterbeach

Waterbeach photos (10 available)

Old photo of Waterbeach

Waterbeach maps (2 available)

Old map of Waterbeach

Waterbeach books (9 available)

Waterbeach memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Cambridgeshire below.

Cambridgeshire memories

Playing in the corn fields

I lived in the cottage next to the Chapel, and played with Wendy, we used to cycle to Upware and Wicken fen. At one point we would sit on the haystacks after the farmers had finished them. I would go horse riding in the corn cut fields, wonderful thing to do.

One good memory was when it snowed, Mrs Dowdswell used to pour water on the playground so we could all slide on it. Not allowed to do that sort of thing for the children today, Health & safety and all that!  The village used to have a few shops, which sold more or less anything you wanted, and two pubs. We had lots of places to play, cadnam, down ...read more here
A memory of Swaffham Prior contributed by Mary Whiting

sweet shop

Cambridge, Petty Cury 1909

my g.g.g. grandparents the Nixons had a sweet shop at 26 Petty Cury in the 1850s to early 1880s. Anybody ant news or pics?
A memory of Cambridge contributed by sylvia finch

Marshall's Airport

Cambridge, the Airport 1938

I lived at 14 The Homing, Meadowlands, Cambridge which was close to the airport. I was 8 years old in 1955. Often on sunny weekends, my Mum would takes us on a walk over to the airport.

It was a quiet relaxed place in those days. There was no kind of airport security, and you could stroll through the gate and sit down on benches to watch the odd Tiger Moth taxi over to the runway and take off. The pilots would fly over and wave.

I remember watching a Venom jet fighter being started up and all the sudden noise compared to the previous peace and quiet. Occasionally we would walk down by the taxi way, and watch ...read more here
A memory of Cambridge contributed by Chris Birkbeck

My sister.

Cambridge, King's Parade 1921

The lady on the left by the railings of King's College is my older sister then aged 22. We lived in Cambridge until 1922 and I was a pupil at Cambridge High School during the First World War. I am now 93.
A memory of Cambridge contributed by M Helyer

Extracts From Waterbeach & Cambridgeshire books

Waterbeach, the River Cam, Clayhithe c1955

The Clayhithe ferry ceased operating in 1875 when a company was formed to replace it with an iron bridge to be maintained by tolls. The Cam Sailing Boat and Motor Boat clubs now use the old moorings.
An extract from from"Cambridgeshire Living Memories".

Waterbeach, Bottisham Locks, the River Cam c1955

Here we see manually-operated lock gates in the River Cam at Waterbeach, north of Cambridge. These days the lock is electrically operated.
An extract from from"Cambridgeshire Photographic Memories".

Waterbeach, High Street c1955

In the 1960s two large housing estates were laid out on the east and west of the main street, and in 1972 a Village Society was formed to oppose the continued growth. The nearby airfield was used in World War II for bombers and then for training, with the 39 Regiment of Royal Engineers stationed here from 1966 onwards.
An extract from from"Cambridgeshire Living Memories".

Waterbeach, the Bridge Hotel, Clayhithe c1960

Originally called the House of Lords, this public house was enlarged by the Bridge Company when the ferry closed. It was renamed the Clayhithe Ferry in the 1880s, and by 1916 had become a hotel. Steamboats bringing visitors to the Feast stopped here in the 1890s.
An extract from from"Cambridgeshire Living Memories".

Waterbeach, Greenside c1960

The Green was the traditional site of the Feast, which featured a procession led by a brass band. This lapsed during the Second World War, and it was not until 1971 that a new headmaster revived the idea. The modern Feast is held in mid June, and from 1981 onwards has again featured local brass bands.
An extract from from"Cambridgeshire Living Memories".