Welcome to Buckden

and the hamlets of Stirtloe and Hardwick

The Gatehouse of the former Bishop's Palace known as Buckden Towers in Buckden, Huntingdonshire

Bugedene (11th century); Bugendena, Buggeden, Bukeden (13th century.); Bokeden (15th century); Bugden (until late 18th century) and Buckden (Modern

Buckden was the property of the Bishops of Lincoln at the time of the Domesday Survey, and here, at a quite early date, they had a palace, for the manor was in those days, almost in the centre of their diocese, which included Hertfordshire on the south, Oxfordshire on the south-west, Leicestershire on the north-west, and reached the Humber on the north. Here Bishop Grosstete died in 1252, but the palace was practically re-built by Bishops Rotherham (1472 – 1480) and Russell (1480 – 1494). A great red brick tower and a gatehouse alone remain, known as Buckden Towers, but a house was built in the grounds, and was, in 1910, the property and residence of Sir Arthur Marshall and is now in use by a Roman Catholic community who have built the Church of St Hugh of Linclon in modern style in the grounds which matches remarkably well with the medieval brick tower and gatehouse.

The village of Buckden today is a pleasant village and much quieter since it has been by-passed from the main A1, the Great North Road, to which the village probably owes its existence.

In addition to the former Bishop's Palace, Buckden Towers, there are two historic coaching inns, a fine Manor House and an interesting parish church in the village and a number of shops serving the local community.

Buckden 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.