Welcome to Kimbolton and Stonely

The High Street, looking towards Kimbolton Castle, at Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire

Chenebalton (11th century); Chenebolton (12th century); Kenebalton (12th-13th century); Kenebaulton (13th century); Kembauton (14th century); Kymbalton (14th-17th century); Kymbolton, Kimoltoun, Guimolton, Quybolton (16th century) and Kimbolton (Modern).

Kimbolton, before the Conquest, was the property of Earl Harold. King William I gave it to William de Warren; but a little later he conferred it upon William de Mandeville. From the Mandevilles it passed by heir-ship through the families of Bohun and Stafford to Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, who was beheaded by King Henry VIII, and his estates forfeited. Kimbolton was thereupon given to Sir Richard Wingfield who had married, as his first wife, the widow of the previous Duke. Sir James Wingfield, fourth in descent from Sir Richard, sold Kimbolton to Sir Henry Montagu, who was created Earl of Manchester in 1626, and whose successor, the Duke of Manchester, was the owner in 1910.

Kimbolton may be the smallest 'town' in the District of Huntingdonshire but it's by far the prettiest, being situated in a wooded valley on the River Till or Kim. The picturesque Market Place, dominated by the Castle Gatehouse, is bordered with interesting 17th and 18th century houses, at the end of which is the stately church. Close by, down a back lane, is a Moravian church.

Here is Kimbolton Castle, a large 18th century building now converted into a school. Kimbolton Castle, once the seat of the Duke of Manchester, was a stronghold in very early times. It became the place of retirement of Queen Katherine of Aragon after her divorce, and here she died on January 8th 1536. Henry 1st Earl of Manchester, made considerable alterations to the house, but it was almost entirely re-built by Charles 4th Earl and 1st Duke of Manchester. In the early 20th century it was occupied by Lord Charles Montagu uncle of the Duke.

Stanlegh, Staynley (13th century); Stonle (13th-16th century); Stoneley (16th-17th century) and Stonely (Modern).

At Stonely, a nearby hamlet, are some scanty remains of an Augustinian Priory.

Kimbolton and Stonely are one of the parishes of the District of Huntingdonshire, whose administrative centre is Huntingdon, the other principle towns being St Ives home of the Chapel on the Bridge, St Neots the largest town in the County of Cambridgeshire, the Roman town of Godmanchester and Ramsey site of the former Abbey.