
Cranfield
Cranfield
Cranfield is a town in Bedfordshire, England. Located between Milton Keynes and Bedford.
The town is home to Cranfield University and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.
The name Cranfield is derived from the Old English cranbēd meaning ‘crane-bed’, i.e. land that is suitable for growing reeds or osiers (willow trees).
Cranfield was first mentioned in 942 as Crenefelt and later in the Domesday Book as Cranfeld. By 1086 it had become a small village of eight households.
The parish church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 13th century, although there is evidence of an earlier Saxon church on the site.
In 1290 Cranfield was granted a market charter by King Edward I. This gave the town the right to hold a weekly market, which has continued to the present day.
Created: 2 October 2022 Edited: 29 November 2023
Cranfield
Local History around Cranfield
There are some historic monuments around including:
Moated site and fishponds 200m north-west of Up EndMedieval village and moated sites at Thrupp EndSite of St Martin's Chapel, Ekeney; 680m south east of Petsoe Manor FarmMoated site immediately south of Manor FarmWood Farm moatMotte castle 200m south-east of Wavendon ManorA moated site, three fishponds, two trackways and field systems at Moat FarmUpend Wood moated site, outer enclosure and fishpond, StagsdenMoated site at Old Moat FarmMoat Farm moated enclosure and associated settlement earthworksAll Saints Church, SegenhoeRingwork at The Round House, Brogborough Park FarmMoated site at Ivy HallMoated site 410m south east of MaukinsMalting Spinney Medieval moat, associated outer enclosure and cultivation earthworks, RidgmontMoated site at Astwood Road, 200m east of Boxhedge Farm.