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 EndMotte castle 200m south-east of Wavendon ManorMoated site at Astwood Road, 200m east of Boxhedge FarmMoated site at Ivy HallMoat Farm moated enclosure and associated settlement earthworksA moated site, three fishponds, two trackways and field systems at Moat FarmSite of St Martin's Chapel, Ekeney; 680m south east of Petsoe Manor FarmAll Saints Church, SegenhoeMoated site 410m south east of MaukinsUpend Wood moated site, outer enclosure and fishpond, StagsdenMoated site at Old Moat FarmMalting Spinney Medieval moat, associated outer enclosure and cultivation earthworks, RidgmontRingwork at The Round House, Brogborough Park FarmMoated site immediately south of Manor FarmWood Farm moat.
