Cambridgeshire

Last updated

Cambridgeshire
Guildhall, Cathedral Square, Peterborough (cropped).jpg
Ely Cathedral, West Entrance - geograph.org.uk - 2837574.jpg
Market Square, Cambridge - geograph.org.uk - 3490535.jpg
Cambridgeshire UK locator map 2010.svg
Ceremonial Cambridgeshire within England
Cambridgeshire - British Isles.svg
Historic Cambridgeshire in the British Isles
Coordinates: 52°20′N0°0′W / 52.333°N -0.000°E / 52.333; -0.000
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region East of England
Established1 April 1974
Established by Local Government Act 1972
Preceded by Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely
Huntingdon and Peterborough
Origin Ancient
Time zone UTC+0 (GMT)
  Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
UK Parliament List of MPs
Police Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Ceremonial county
Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence [1]
High Sheriff Dr Bharatkumar N Khetani (2023-24)
Area3,390 km2 (1,310 sq mi)
  Rank 15th of 48
Population 
(2022) [2]
906,814
  Rank 26th of 48
Density268/km2 (690/sq mi)
Ethnicity
94.6% White
2.6% S.Asian

Cambridgeshire has a maritime temperate climate which is broadly similar to the rest of the United Kingdom, though it is drier than the UK average due to its low altitude and easterly location, the prevailing southwesterly winds having already deposited moisture on higher ground further west. Average winter temperatures are cooler than the English average, due to Cambridgeshire's inland location and relative nearness to continental Europe, which results in the moderating maritime influence being less strong. Snowfall is slightly more common than in western areas, due to the relative winter coolness and easterly winds bringing occasional snow from the North Sea. In summer temperatures are average or slightly above, due to less cloud cover. It reaches 25 °C (77 °F) on around ten days each year, and is comparable to parts of Kent and East Anglia.

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)15.7
(60.3)
18.8
(65.8)
23.9
(75.0)
27.9
(82.2)
31.1
(88.0)
35.0
(95.0)
39.9
(103.8)
36.9
(98.4)
33.9
(93.0)
29.0
(84.2)
21.1
(70.0)
16.0
(60.8)
39.9
(103.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)7.8
(46.0)
8.6
(47.5)
11.5
(52.7)
14.6
(58.3)
18.0
(64.4)
20.8
(69.4)
23.3
(73.9)
22.9
(73.2)
19.9
(67.8)
15.3
(59.5)
10.9
(51.6)
8.1
(46.6)
15.1
(59.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)4.8
(40.6)
5.2
(41.4)
7.3
(45.1)
9.7
(49.5)
12.8
(55.0)
15.6
(60.1)
17.9
(64.2)
17.7
(63.9)
15.0
(59.0)
11.4
(52.5)
7.5
(45.5)
5.0
(41.0)
10.8
(51.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)1.7
(35.1)
1.7
(35.1)
3.1
(37.6)
4.7
(40.5)
7.5
(45.5)
10.5
(50.9)
12.6
(54.7)
12.5
(54.5)
10.2
(50.4)
7.4
(45.3)
4.2
(39.6)
1.9
(35.4)
6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F)−16.1
(3.0)
−17.2
(1.0)
−11.7
(10.9)
−6.1
(21.0)
−4.4
(24.1)
−0.6
(30.9)
2.2
(36.0)
3.3
(37.9)
−2.2
(28.0)
−6.5
(20.3)
−13.3
(8.1)
−15.6
(3.9)
−17.2
(1.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)47.2
(1.86)
35.9
(1.41)
32.2
(1.27)
36.2
(1.43)
43.9
(1.73)
52.3
(2.06)
53.2
(2.09)
57.6
(2.27)
49.3
(1.94)
56.5
(2.22)
54.4
(2.14)
49.8
(1.96)
568.4
(22.38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)10.78.98.17.97.48.78.48.78.19.510.510.3107.3
Source: ECA&D [20]
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)15.4
(59.7)
18.3
(64.9)
23.9
(75.0)
26.9
(80.4)
29.5
(85.1)
33.5
(92.3)
39.9
(103.8)
36.1
(97.0)
32.0
(89.6)
29.3
(84.7)
18.3
(64.9)
16.1
(61.0)
39.9
(103.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)7.7
(45.9)
8.3
(46.9)
11.0
(51.8)
14.1
(57.4)
17.4
(63.3)
20.4
(68.7)
23.1
(73.6)
22.9
(73.2)
19.6
(67.3)
15.1
(59.2)
10.7
(51.3)
8.0
(46.4)
14.9
(58.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)4.8
(40.6)
5.0
(41.0)
7.0
(44.6)
9.4
(48.9)
12.4
(54.3)
15.4
(59.7)
17.8
(64.0)
17.7
(63.9)
15.0
(59.0)
11.5
(52.7)
7.6
(45.7)
5.1
(41.2)
10.7
(51.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)1.9
(35.4)
1.8
(35.2)
3.1
(37.6)
4.6
(40.3)
7.4
(45.3)
10.5
(50.9)
12.6
(54.7)
12.6
(54.7)
10.5
(50.9)
7.9
(46.2)
4.5
(40.1)
2.2
(36.0)
6.7
(44.1)
Record low °C (°F)−16.0
(3.2)
−15.3
(4.5)
−9.4
(15.1)
−5.9
(21.4)
−1.8
(28.8)
0.0
(32.0)
4.8
(40.6)
3.3
(37.9)
−0.6
(30.9)
−5.4
(22.3)
−8.9
(16.0)
−12.5
(9.5)
−16.0
(3.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)48.6
(1.91)
35.7
(1.41)
32.9
(1.30)
37.6
(1.48)
43.2
(1.70)
49.1
(1.93)
48.3
(1.90)
55.9
(2.20)
47.6
(1.87)
58.7
(2.31)
52.6
(2.07)
49.2
(1.94)
559.4
(22.02)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)10.48.78.18.07.38.78.49.08.09.610.410.5107.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 57.277.8118.4157.2182.7182.5190.0181.3144.0110.367.653.71,522.7
Source 1: Met Office [21]
Source 2: Starlings Roost Weather [22] [23]
  1. Weather station is located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the Cambridge city centre.
  2. Weather station is located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the Cambridge city centre.

Culture

Sports

Various forms of football have been popular in Cambridgeshire since medieval times at least. In 1579 one match played at Chesterton between townspeople and University of Cambridge students ended in a violent brawl that led the Vice-Chancellor to issue a decree forbidding them to play "footeball" outside of college grounds. [24] During the nineteenth century, several formulations of the laws of football, known as the Cambridge rules, were created by students at the university. One of these codes, dating from 1863, had a significant influence on the creation of the original laws of the Football Association. [25]

Cambridgeshire is also the birthplace of bandy, [26] now an IOC accepted sport. [27] According to documents from 1813, Bury Fen Bandy Club was undefeated for 100 years. A member of the club, Charles Goodman Tebbutt, wrote down the first official rules in 1882. [26] Tebbutt was instrumental in spreading the sport to many countries. [28] Great Britain Bandy Association is based in Cambridgeshire. [29]

Fen skating is a traditional form of skating in the Fenland. The National Ice Skating Association was set up in Cambridge in 1879, they took the top Fen skaters to the world speedskating championships where James Smart (skater) became world champion. [30]

On 6–7 June 2015, the inaugural Tour of Cambridgeshire cycle race took place on closed roads across the county. The event was an official UCI qualification event, and consisted of a Time Trial on the 6th, and a Gran Fondo event on the 7th. The Gran Fondo event was open to the public, and over 6000 riders took part in the 128 km (80 mi) race. [31]

The River Cam is the main river flowing through Cambridge, parts of the River Nene and River Great Ouse lie within the county. In 2021 the latter was used as the course for The Boat Race. The River Cam serves as the course for the university Lent Bumps and May Bumps and the non-college rowing organised by Cambridgeshire Rowing Association.

There is only one racecourse in Cambridgeshire, located at Huntingdon.

Contemporary art

Cambridge is home to the Kettle's Yard gallery and the artist-run Aid and Abet project space. Nine miles west of Cambridge next to the village of Bourn is Wysing Arts Centre. [32] Wisbech has been home to the Wisbech Gallery, South Brink since 2023. Cambridge Open Studios is the region's large arts organisation with over 500 members. Every year, more than 370 artists open their doors to visitors during four weekends in July. [33]

Literature

The annual Fenland Poet Laureate awards were instigated for poets in the North of the county in 2012 at Wisbech & Fenland Museum. [34]

Theatre

The county was visited by travelling companies of comedians in the Georgian period. These came from different companies. The Lincoln Circuit included, at various times, Wisbech and Whittlesey. The Wisbech Georgian theatre still survives as an operating theatre now known as The Angles Theatre. In Cambridge the ADC Theatre is the venue for the Footlights.

Media

The county is covered by BBC East and ITV Anglia. Local radio includes BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Greatest Hits Radio East, Heart East, Smooth East Midlands (only covering Peterborough), and Star Radio. The community radio stations are Black Cat Radio in St Neots; Cam FM and Cambridge 105 in Cambridge; Huntingdon Community Radio; and Peterborough Community Radio and Salaam Radio in Peterborough.

Places of interest

Key
AP Icon.svg Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
UKAL icon.svg Accessible open space
Themepark uk icon.png Amusement/Theme Park
CL icon.svg Castle
Country parks.svg Country Park
EH icon.svg English Heritage
Forestry Commission
HR icon.svg Heritage railway
HH icon.svg Historic House
AP Icon.svg Places of Worship
Museum icon.svg
Museum icon (red).svg
Museum (free/not free)
NTE icon.svg National Trust
Drama-icon.svg Theatre
Zoo icon.jpg Zoo

Notable people from Cambridgeshire

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
  2. includes hunting and forestry
  3. includes energy and construction
  4. includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

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East Anglia is an area in the East of England, often defined as including the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles, a people whose name originated in Anglia, in what is now Northern Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntingdonshire</span> Historic county and district of Cambridgeshire, England

Huntingdonshire is a local government district in Cambridgeshire, England, which was historically a county in its own right. It borders Peterborough to the north, Fenland to the north-east, East Cambridgeshire to the east, South Cambridgeshire to the south-east, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford to the south-west, and North Northamptonshire to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fens</span> Natural region on the east coast of England

The Fens or Fenlands in eastern England are a naturally marshy region supporting a rich ecology and numerous species. Most of the fens were drained centuries ago, resulting in a flat, dry, low-lying agricultural region supported by a system of drainage channels and man-made rivers and automated pumping stations. There have been unintended consequences to this reclamation, as the land level has continued to sink and the dykes have been built higher to protect it from flooding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisbech</span> Town and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England

Wisbech is a market town, inland port and civil parish in the Fenland district in Cambridgeshire, England. In 2011 it had a population of 31,573. The town lies in the far north-east of Cambridgeshire, bordering Norfolk and only 5 miles (8 km) south of Lincolnshire. The tidal River Nene running through the town is spanned by two road bridges. Wisbech is in the Isle of Ely and has been described as "the Capital of The Fens".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenland District</span> Non-metropolitan district in Cambridgeshire, England

Fenland is a local government district in Cambridgeshire, England. It was historically part of the Isle of Ely. The district covers around 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) of mostly agricultural land in the extremely flat Fens. The council is based in Fenland Hall, in March. Other towns include Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech, the largest of the four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whittlesey</span> Historic market town in Cambridgeshire, England

Whittlesey is a market town and civil parish in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire, England. Whittlesey is 6 miles (10 km) east of Peterborough. The population of the parish was 17,667 at the 2021 Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chatteris</span> Human settlement in England

Chatteris is a market town and civil parish in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire, England, situated in the Fens between Huntingdon, March and Ely. The town is in the North East Cambridgeshire parliamentary constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cambridgeshire Constabulary</span> English territorial police force

Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the local territorial police force that covers the county of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough unitary authority. It provides law enforcement and security for an area of 1,311 square miles (3,400 km2) and population of 856,000 people, in a predominantly rural county. The force of Cambridgeshire includes the cities of Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough, the market towns of Chatteris, Huntingdon, March, Ramsey, St Ives, St Neots, Whittlesey, and town and Port of Wisbech. Its emblem is a crowned Brunswick star containing the heraldic badge of Cambridgeshire County Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Cambridgeshire</span>

The English county of Cambridgeshire has a long history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil parishes in Cambridgeshire</span>

A civil parish is a country subdivision, forming the lowest unit of local government in England. There are 264 civil parishes in the ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire, most of the county being parished; Cambridge is completely unparished; Fenland, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire are entirely parished. At the 2001 census, there were 497,820 people living in the parishes, accounting for 70.2 per cent of the county's population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farcet</span> Human settlement in England

Farcet (/ˈfæsət/) is a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England. Farcet lies approximately 2 miles (3 km) south of Peterborough city centre, between Yaxley and the Peterborough suburb of Old Fletton. Farcet is situated within Huntingdonshire which is a non-metropolitan district of Cambridgeshire as well as being a historic county of England.

Holme is a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England. Holme lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of Peterborough, near Conington and Yaxley. Holme is situated within Huntingdonshire which is a non-metropolitan district of Cambridgeshire as well as being a historic county of England. The parish contains the lowest point in Great Britain, 2.75 metres (9.0 ft) below sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cambridgeshire County Council</span> The elected administrative body governing Cambridgeshire, England

Cambridgeshire County Council is the county council for non-metropolitan county of Cambridgeshire, England. The non-metropolitan county is smaller than the ceremonial county, which additionally includes the City of Peterborough. The county council consists of 61 councillors, representing 59 electoral divisions. The council is based at New Shire Hall in Alconbury Weald, near Huntingdon. It is part of the East of England Local Government Association and a constituent member of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Earith is a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England. Lying approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of Huntingdon, Earith is situated within Huntingdonshire which is a non-metropolitan district of Cambridgeshire as well as being a historic county of England. At Earith, two artificial diversion channels of the River Great Ouse, the Old Bedford River and the New Bedford River, leave the river on a course to Denver Sluice near Downham Market, where they rejoin the Great Ouse in its tidal part. At the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,677, reducing to 1,606 at the 2011 Census.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outwell</span> Human settlement in England

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roddon</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Wisbech</span> Inland port in Cambridgeshire, England

Port of Wisbech is an inland port on the River Nene in Wisbech, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. It is mainly used for cargo and industrial purposes, with the southern part of the port housing a number of berths for yachts. Fenland District Council is the harbour authority for most of the River Nene; as well as operating the port and harbour, it provides a Port Health service to commercial ships, leisure craft and fishing vessels. The port runs a fortnightly service from Riga, Latvia importing from the Baltic.

References

  1. "Lord Lieutenant". Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. "Mid-2022 population estimates by Lieutenancy areas (as at 1997) for England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  3. "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2022". Office for National Statistics . 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. "Cambridgeshire"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 5 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 97–99.
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  21. "Cambridgeniab 1991–2020 averages". Station, District and regional averages 1981–2010. Met Office. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  22. "Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  23. "Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  24. Association, The Football. "Sorry. Something's wrong with the pitch. - Cambridgeshire FA". www.cambridgeshirefa.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  25. 1 2 BBC. "A handy Bandy guide..." Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  26. "Federation of International Bandy-Olympic". Internationalbandy.com. 12 August 2004. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
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  28. "Members - Federation of International Bandy". www.worldbandy.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  29. "Fen Skating Scrapbook". www.ousewashes.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
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Bibliography