Fen Ditton

Infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption= Thatched cottages on the outskirts of Fen Ditton, from across the River Cam
official_name= Fen Ditton
country= England
region= East of England
os_grid_reference= TL485602
latitude= 52.22
longitude= 0.17
post_town= CAMBRIDGE
postcode_area= CB
postcode_district= CB25 8
dial_code= 01223
shire_county= Cambridgeshire
shire_district= South Cambridgeshire
population= 747 (2001 Census)
hide_services= Yes
website= http://www.fenditton.org/

Fen Ditton is a village on the northeast edge of Cambridge in Cambridgeshire, England. The parish covers an area of convert|5.99|km2|0

Fen Ditton lies on the east bank of the River Cam, on the road from Cambridge to Clayhithe, and close to junction 34 of the A14. The nearest railway station is Cambridge, however Waterbeach station is just north of the village.

History

The site has been occupied since at least neolithic times, and stone tools have been found on the meadows between the village and the river.

The name was first recorded in around 950 as "Dittone", meaning "the village by the ditch", derived from the Fleam Dyke, the prehistoric ditch that passed through the village from the river to Stow-cum-Quy and can still be seen just to the east of the village. The name was later changed to its present name to distinguish it from Wood Ditton.

The church of St Mary The Virgin was built in the twelfth century and survives to this day. ["The Valuation of Norwich", ed. W. E. Lunt (Oxford, 1926) p.528] Fen Ditton is often associated with The Bumps, the annual rowing races held on the river alongside the village. This association can be seen in the church's weather vane, which takes the form of a rowing eight, and a service for rowers is held there each year.

Nearby villages

* Horningsea
* Clayhithe
* Waterbeach

References

External links

* [http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C48E50ED-754C-42AB-8809-57706DC65697/0/FenDitton.pdf 2001 Census summary (PDF)]