| Great Wilbraham | |
|---|---|
 Carved wooden village sign | |
  Great Wilbraham Location withinCambridgeshire | |
| Population | 639 [1] 654 {2011 Census}[2] |
| OS grid reference | TL549577 |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CAMBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | CB21 |
| Dialling code | 01223 |
| |
Great Wilbraham is a small village situated in a rural area some seven miles (11 km) to the east ofCambridge, between the edge of an area of low-lying drainedfens to the west and north, and higher ground beyond theA11 to the east.
The administrative authorities areCambridgeshire County Council,South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Great Wilbraham Parish Council.
The parish of Great Wilbraham has been occupied for thousands of years; aNeolithic camp was excavated in the west of the parish in 1976, and a Bronze Age barrow, where up to eight burials were discovered in 1852, lies alongside theFleam Dyke in the southern corner of the parish. A possible Roman dwelling was also located in woodlands.[3]
The medieval history of Great Wilbraham is tied up with that of neighbouringLittle Wilbraham, and they were first distinguished in the 13th century when it was also known as King's Wilbraham. Listed asWilburgeham in the 10th century, andWiborgham in theDomesday Book, the name "Wilbraham" means "Homestead of a woman called Wilburh".[4]
A church was built in Wilbraham in around 970 by a monk fromRamsey Abbey. The present church, dedicated toSaint Nicholas, dates from the 12th century, and the font and the nave's north wall survive from that period. Extended over the following 200 years, the west tower dates from around 1400. A short spire was added but had gone by the late 18th century.[3]
The village has been home to nonconformity since the 17th century, and there has been a strong Baptist presence since then. A Baptist chapel survives at the north end of Angle End.[3]
Great Wilbraham is mostly residential in nature. Employment within the village is mostly agricultural but there are also a number of small businesses. Many of the working residents commute intoCambridge or other nearby towns such asNewmarket.
The village has a variety of house types, mostlyVictorian or older, with post-war infill development, and a small number of modest-scale modern estates. No significant expansion is anticipated in the near future. A number of attractive period houses surround the large village green, which adjoins the churchyard. There is aPost Office/general store and a village hall/social club.
Great Wilbraham retains one public house, the Carpenter's Arms, which has been open since at least 1767. Former pubs were The (Sedan) Chair, recorded from 1765, and the 19th century King's Head and White Swan, both of which closed in the late 1960s.[3]
The Voluntarily Aided ChurchPrimary School enjoys an excellent reputation with approximately 100 pupils between the ages of 5 and 11. Within the village there are two pre-school groups, one attached to the school. Children of secondary age mostly attend theVillage College in the nearby village ofBottisham.
There is a strong sporting tradition within the village, with cricket andfootball teams making use of the green.Darts andindoor bowls are also played in the Social Club. Money is raised by an annual Sports Day which includes many stalls and events such as coconut shies, pony rides, running races and even cake competitions.
