Sawtry: Abbey, Churches and Nature

Sawtry brings together several themes for a trip: the history of an important abbey foundation, traces of former parish churches, and nature at Aversley Wood. There are also local walking routes and a medieval village designated as a Scheduled Monument. When planning, first consider whether you are most interested in historic buildings and settlement history, or in the landscape and wildlife. This priority can also give your search for a holiday rental a clear focus.

Abbey History and Church Architecture

Sawtry Abbey is the only Cistercian monastery in Cambridgeshire. It was founded in 1147 by monks from Warden Abbey in Bedfordshire. The year of its foundation and the monks’ origins bring Sawtry’s abbey history into focus: it begins with a clearly dated event and a connection to another abbey. For travellers interested in medieval history, this offers a concise introduction to the cultural history of the place.

All Saints Church is the only surviving one of Sawtry’s three original parish churches. In 1880, it was rebuilt using stones from two former churches in Sawtry. The church’s architecture therefore tells the story of several predecessors: two former churches provided the building material, while All Saints remained the only survivor of the three original parish churches.

The two church-related landmarks highlight different historical periods. The year 1147 marks the foundation of the abbey, while 1880 marks the rebuilding of the church. If you enjoy exploring different layers of history, Sawtry offers both a clearly dated beginning for the abbey and a building history linked to two earlier churches.

Another point of interest is Sawtry moat and shrunken medieval village, designated as a Scheduled Monument. The name refers to the moat and the shrunken medieval village. This named historic site adds settlement history to the abbey and church themes.

Aversley Wood and Sawtry’s Nature

Aversley Wood is home to over 37 bird species, at least 12 butterfly species and a colony of great crested newts. Its wildlife includes different groups of animals, from birds and butterflies to the great crested newt colony. For nature lovers, this provides a focus alongside the churches and historic sites.

The woodland’s history also stretches far back: the oldest parts of Aversley Wood are thought to date back to the Ice Age. This adds a long landscape history to the information about its wildlife. If you choose Sawtry primarily for its nature, you can take an interest in both the diversity of species and the age of the oldest parts of the wood.

Walks and Travel Planning

Local paths in Sawtry follow old routes once used by agricultural workers and pass through areas rich in wildlife and plant life. The walking route near Greenfields includes a fishing lake. Local walks therefore offer a mix of historic routes, landscapes with wildlife and plant life, and a lake.

When choosing your accommodation, you can weigh up your interests: are abbey history, church architecture and settlement history your main priorities, or would you rather spend more time exploring Aversley Wood and going for walks? This question can give your search for a holiday rental in Sawtry a personal direction without requiring you to focus on just one of these themes. If you plan to travel by bus to Huntingdon, Peterborough or further afield, check the latest services and timetables in advance.

Discover more destinations: Littleport, Stow Cum Quy, Pidley, Brampton, Soham, Duxford, Little Stukeley, Willingham.

View the broader travel guide: Cambridgeshire.