The Town of Godmanchester
Godmanchester is a small, attractive riverside town about 20 miles from Cambridge, Peterborough and Bedford. It is separated from its larger neighbour, Huntingdon, by the river Great Ouse. It is well served by major roads to north, south, east and west (A1, A14), and a good rail service from Huntingdon to London and Peterborough. Stansted airport is 40 miles away via the A14/M11.
History
Godmanchester has been continuously occupied for more than 3000 years. The Roman town of Durovigutum grew up around the Claudian fortress in the late first century, on the crossroads of the Via Devana, which ran from Colchester to Chester, and Ermine Street, which linked London to Lincoln. As the Empire fell the town became Saxon and then Danish, now called Godmund’s caster (the Roman fort of Godmund) or Gumcester. It quickly became a thriving small town. The 13th-century charter and the parish church both bear witness to its medieval importance.
The Current Situation
There has been significant population growth in the last 50 years. The current population is 6000 but this is likely to increase in both the short and medium terms. The town has changed from a small rural settlement to a commuter suburb, with many of its citizens working in the City of London or in high-tech industries centred around Cambridge and Huntingdon. There is now a clear distinction between the old town, which is a conservation area with many early 16th Century timber frame, Georgian and Victorian houses, and areas of new housing and small business parks which have grown up around its periphery.
Despite recent growth, Godmanchester retains a picturesque village character with open spaces and riverside walks, which makes it popular with both day visitors and those taking caravan holidays and boating holidays on the river. It has good medical, educational and community services. Everyday shopping can be done within the town while Huntingdon provides a hospital with an A&E department, a wider variety of shops and supermarkets, hotels, and recreation and leisure facilities.
Although the Gumcestrians are broadly based socially, many, particularly those new to the area, are professional people. There is very little poverty and the population age structure appears to mirror the national norm. Ethnic diversity is small but increasing slowly.
There are strong links between the parish and the Town Council:
The Future
There are plans for further building on small sites around the edge of the town, but, as yet, there is no indication that the town will be involved in any of the large scale developments being planned by the present Government in the London to Cambridge corridor. There is an urgent need to improve the A14 road, which runs along the outskirts of the town, and public transport in general, between Godmanchester and Cambridge. The options are currently the subject of consultation.
