Welcome to Barham and Woolley

The tiny church in the village of Barham, Huntingdonshire

Bercheham (11th century); Bercham, Bergham, Berwham, Berewam, Bereuham, Beruham (13th century); Barram, Barrham (16th century) and Barham and Woolley (Modern).

Ulvelai (11th century); Wulueleia, Wolfleg, Wlfleg, Wolle (13th century) Wolley (16th century) and Woolley (Modern).

Barham and Woolley are combined in one civil parish which rises from the low lying clay land around Woolley to the small village of Barham nearly 200 feet above sea level

The village of Barham

The parish church at Barham dates from the 12th century. Within the modern porch is a late Norman doorway. Round pillars with carved capitals support the north arcade which is of similar age, but the aisle beyond is modern. A chancel arch which has been depressed by the stress of six centuries lead to the Early English chancel. This contains a 17th century altar table. A 14th century coffin lid, a font which has been in use since the 16th century, and a Jacobean parish chest should be noticed.

The hamlet of Woolley

The late Georgian Manor House, some cottages and a farm or two, comprise the scattered hamlet of Woolley. It is of interest that this parish once had a Russian prince as its rector, he came here in 1618. After 25 years he was dispossessed by the Puritans but returned in the year of the Restoration.. The parish registers record the birth of eight of his children. He died in London in 1666.

Barham and Woolley is one of the parishes of the District of Huntingdonshire, whose administrative centre is Huntingdon, the other principle towns being St Ives home of the Chapel on the Bridge, St Neots the largest town in the County of Cambridgeshire, the Roman town of Godmanchester and Ramsey site of the former Abbey.