Welcome to Thriplow and Heathfield – two villages in one big parish set in open farmland, 8 miles south of Cambridge.
In Thriplow, houses both new and old lie along a loose figure-of-eight of lanes, and nearly every one overlooks a green space. The oldest cottage dates from 1687. The village has all the things you would want: school, playgroup, church, pub, shop (where you can drop in for a coffee and chat) cricket field and pavilion, play park, village hall and a village green with a working smithy.
The church dates from Norman times, with a recent unobtrusive extension for whole community purposes and has a stunning collection of individual tapestry kneelers, designed and stitched by villagers.
Footpaths take you through fields, woods and orchid meadows; in Spring, the whole village is awash with daffodils. The surrounding farmland is mainly agricultural with some pastures for sheep and cattle.
Thriplow is linked by road to the more modern Heathfield village just off the A505 and by a cycle and pedestrian Greenway. Heathfield residents can enjoy a free grandstand view of vintage and modern aircraft in the Duxford Imperial War Museum’s Air Shows. On other days, residents in the two villages are given free entrance to this world-class tourist attraction.
But villages are much more than a collection of buildings. We have a strong sense of community and working together. Our pub (the award-winning The Green Man) is owned by the community and we also run our well-stocked Village Shop. Children from miles around choose to come to Thriplow (C of E Aided) Primary School and the adaptable modern Village Hall hosts all kinds of events, clubs and private parties for the area. Residents of Thriplow and Heathfield can hire all or part of it at discounted and very reasonable rates. Thriplow Parish Council consists of members from both villages and meets every other month.
There are many clubs including cricket, karate, aerobics, Pilates, dance, drama, local history, gardening, to name but a few, together with local facilities for fishing, tennis and horse-riding, offering plenty of leisure-time choice for all ages.
A strong community also faces outwards. Practically every household is involved in Thriplow’s annual Daffodil Weekend which attracts thousands of visitors. We are proud of the enormous amount of money we have raised for many charities and for our local needs, and also of winning a prestigious Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary groups.
The village is friendly. We look out for each other and offer support where needed.
Now that’s real community spirit!