East Barnwell - History of the land at Barnwell Road/Newmarket Road junction
You can read the full history in the PDF HERE
From mammoth bones and Saxon burials to medieval fairs, Marshall’s first aerodrome, and the creation of East Barnwell’s community, the land at Barnwell Road/Newmarket Road has a long and fascinating story.
This history explores the development site at the junction of Barnwell Road and Newmarket Road, uncovering stories that span thousands of years. Archaeological finds reveal traces of prehistoric hunters, Roman roads, and Saxon Christian burials. In the medieval period, the area lay within Fen Ditton parish, with open fields, a pool known as Leadenwell, and connections to the great Stourbridge Fair. Later maps show fields called Roaden Piece, Turnpike Close, and Four Acre Close, linked to local families such as the Curtises and Burleighs.
By the 19th century, farms like Whitehill and Elfreda shaped the land, alongside coprolite digging, malting, and railway expansion. In 1918, Elfreda House was renamed Aviation Hall when David Marshall and his family began experimenting with aircraft here, leading to the creation of Marshall’s first aerodrome in 1929. By the mid-20th century, East Barnwell emerged as a planned estate within Abbey Ward, with shops, schools, and a strong community identity.
This history helps uncover names, places, and stories directly connected to the current development site, ensuring that as the area changes again in 2025, its deep roots remain remembered.
You can read the full history in the PDF HERE