Clifton, Bedfordshire

History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation

HERITAGE RATING:

HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS: 14th century All Saints church

All Saints Church, Clifton
(c) Bikeboy

Clifton is a small village near Biggleswade, on the west bank of the River Ivel.

The first recorded mention of Clifton comes from AD 944. The village was also mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was recorded as having two mills. William de Caron held land here as a tenant of the Bishop of Lincoln. The manor passed through the Caron family and eventually ended up with the Braybrooke family from 1340.

The parish church of All Saints dates mainly to the 14th and 15th centuries, though, like many churches, it was heavily restored in the Victorian period. There is an alabaster tomb to Sir Michael and Lady Fysher, and nearby are brasses to John, son of Sir Michael, (1528), and his wife.

Parts of a medieval screen survive, with paintings of saints. These are now set on the north and south walls under the tower. At the south-east corner of the nave is a small crypt, and over the porch is a canopied niche containing a statue of the Good Shepherd.

The first school in the village was a 'Straw Plait School', where children as young as 4 years old were taught to plait straw.

About Clifton
Address: Clifton, Bedfordshire, England
Attraction Type: Village
Location: Just north of the A507/A600 junction
Location map
OS: TL165389
Photo Credit: Photo is (c) Bikeboy, republished with gratitude under a Creative Commons license

POPULAR POSTS

HERITAGE

Heritage We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.