Description
Cottenham,/b>, a village and a parish in Cambridgeshire. The village stands 2 miles S of the Old West river, 2 1/4 SW from Oakington station on the G.E.R., and 6 1/4 N of Cambridge, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Cambridge. It is the place where the monks of the Abbot of Croyland, in the early part of the 12th century, established courses of lectures which resulted in a regular system of academical education at Cambridge, and it gives the title of Baron and Earl to the family of Pepys. The parish comprises 7224 acres ; population, 2517. The manor belonged in the beginning of the 12th century, to Geoffry, abbot of Croyland. The land was long famous for pasture, and for the produce of a fine cream cheese, called the Cottenham cheese. It is now chiefly famous for its fruit, of which an immense quantity is produced. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Ely; net yearly value, £561 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Ely. The church is a building of stone and rubble in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, and consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with a lofty tower. There are two Baptist and one Wesleyan chapel. Archbishop Tenison and Lord Chancellor Cottenham were natives. The charities produce about £420 a year.