Exploring the hidden history of Abbey House

One of the (many) benefits of living at Cambridge Riverside is having so much history right on our doorstep and, previously, several of us have enjoyed delving into the fascinating history of Midsummer Common, including how the enclosure system has shaped our local environment. Last weekend, a group of Riversiders decided to broaden their horizons and explore another piece of our city’s past with a visit to Abbey House and the Cellarer’s Chequer on Beche Road.

Riversiders touring Abbey House and the Cellarer's Chequer

A glimpse into Barnwell Priory’s past

Abbey House is built on the site of what was once Barnwell Priory, an Augustinian institution that was dissolved in 1539 during the English Reformation. Today, Abbey House stands as one of the oldest inhabited homes in the city, and it carries with it centuries of history—and perhaps even a few ghosts!

While the priory itself is long gone, its remnants still live on in Abbey House’s structure, from the walls to the cellar, and even in the surrounding gardens.

The Cellarer’s Chequer: a link to the past

One of the key features of the tour was the chance to visit the Cellarer’s Chequer. This fascinating space was where the cellarer of the priory once conducted their business, overseeing the provisioning of food and drink for the monks. The cellarer played a vital role in the everyday life of the priory, ensuring that the community had the supplies it needed to function.

The Cellarer’s Chequer and the church of St Andrew-the-Less are now the only two surviving structures from the original Barnwell Priory. Walking through these spaces, it’s easy to imagine the bustling life of the priory, with monks and workers busy with their daily tasks.

As Riversiders, we’re fortunate to live in a city where the past is never far away, where every street and building has a story to tell. And with so much left to discover, who knows where our next local adventure will take us?