Tilbrook, ENG - Postcode - PE28 0JT
Postcode PE28 0JT serves Tilbrook in the Cambridgeshire district of England. It is part of the PE28 outward code area. Use the map below for the exact location.
More postcodes in Cambridgeshire | Browse PE28 area | All postcodes in Tilbrook
Location Information
| City/Location/Ward | Tilbrook |
|---|---|
| County/District/Region | Cambridgeshire |
| States or Province or Territories | England |
| States or Province or Territories Abbrieviation | ENG |
| Postcode | PE28 0JT |
GPS Coordinate
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 52.311 |
| Longitude | -0.4182 |
Nearby Postcodes
| Location | Postcode |
|---|---|
| Cambridge | CB1 0AH |
| Cambridge | CB1 0AN |
| Cambridge | CB1 0AU |
| Cambridge | CB1 0AZ |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BB |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BE |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BG |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BQ |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BR |
| Cambridge | CB1 0BX |
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Maps & Location
Tilbrook is located in Cambridgeshire
About Tilbrook
Introduction & Geography
Perry is a civil parish in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, England, closely associated with the historic settlements of East Perry and West Perry and the landscape surrounding Grafham Water. It lies in the western part of Huntingdonshire, southwest of Huntingdon and within reach of St Neots, Buckden and several smaller rural villages. Although Perry is a relatively small parish, it occupies a distinctive position in the local landscape because of its connection with one of Cambridgeshire's best-known reservoirs.
The parish's identity reflects the relationship between traditional rural settlements and twentieth-century landscape change. East Perry and West Perry developed as separate communities, but the construction of Grafham Water altered the surrounding countryside and strengthened the connection between the settlements. Today, the name Perry is used for the civil parish encompassing this historic area.
Perry is surrounded by agricultural land, hedgerows, small wooded areas and gently rolling countryside. The landscape is characteristic of western Huntingdonshire, where farming has shaped settlement patterns for centuries. Fields and rural roads connect Perry with neighbouring communities, while the reservoir adds a broad expanse of water and associated habitats to the local environment.
The most prominent geographical feature is Grafham Water, situated immediately beside the Perry settlements. The reservoir was developed to provide a reliable water supply and has since become a major destination for outdoor recreation. Its presence distinguishes Perry from many other small parishes in Cambridgeshire. The shoreline, woodland and open-water views provide opportunities for walking, cycling, sailing, fishing and wildlife observation.
Perry is also conveniently located for road travel. The surrounding road network connects it with Huntingdon, St Neots, Kimbolton and other settlements in western Cambridgeshire. The A14 is accessible from the area and provides connections towards Cambridge, Kettering and the wider regional transport network. Huntingdon railway station offers further connections for journeys to London and other destinations.
The parish remains largely rural in character. Its settlements contain historic cottages, traditional houses and buildings associated with agriculture and estate life. Newer residential development and facilities connected with the reservoir have added modern elements without completely removing the area's historical character.
Perry's location is particularly appealing to people who appreciate countryside living. The surrounding villages provide a sense of historical continuity, while Grafham Water offers an extensive recreational landscape close to home. Residents can enjoy the quiet character of rural Huntingdonshire while travelling to larger towns for shopping, employment, education and other services.
The area also benefits from its proximity to several historically important places. Huntingdon has long served as an administrative and commercial centre, while St Neots developed as a market town beside the River Great Ouse. Buckden is known for its historic palace complex, and Kimbolton is famous for its castle and association with Catherine of Aragon.
Perry therefore combines a small-parish identity with a wider geographical importance. Its history, rural environment and relationship with Grafham Water make it an interesting part of the Cambridgeshire countryside.
History & Formation
Perry's history is closely connected with the separate development of East Perry and West Perry. Before the modern civil parish was established, the western settlement belonged to Great Staughton parish, while the eastern settlement was part of Grafham parish. The settlements developed in the same general countryside but were divided by historical parish boundaries and different local administrative arrangements.
The oldest written evidence for West Perry appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the settlement was recorded as Pirie. The manor was held by Eustace the Sheriff after the Norman Conquest; before 1066, it had belonged to a man named Alwin Devil. The record describes a small agricultural estate with meadow, woodland and land for ploughing. Six households were listed, suggesting a modest settlement whose livelihood depended primarily on farming.
The Domesday entry provides a valuable glimpse of Perry's early economy. At this time, settlements were often organised around manors, and the local population worked land belonging to a lord or religious institution. Crops, livestock, woodland products and meadowland were essential to rural life. Perry remained part of this agricultural world for centuries.
The surrounding landscape was not always as open as it is today. Historical records indicate that woodland once occupied more of the area. Over time, woodland was cleared, fields were reorganised and land was increasingly devoted to arable farming and grazing. The enclosure of agricultural land during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries helped create the field patterns that characterise much of the countryside around Perry.
The eastern part of the area was historically associated with Grafham and was often described as Grafham with East Perry. Records from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries describe a mixed agricultural landscape of arable land and grassland. Diddington Brook, also known locally as Grafham Brook, formed parts of the parish boundary before being dammed to create the reservoir.
A significant change occurred during the twentieth century when the two settlements became increasingly connected through residential growth and the development of Grafham Water. The reservoir was created by damming Diddington Brook during the 1960s. It flooded substantial areas of the former landscape and altered historic routes and boundaries. East Perry's relationship with Grafham was changed by the water, while West Perry developed as the main settlement on the southern shore.
The modern civil parish of Perry was formed in the 1980s, bringing the area together under its own parish administration. The creation of the parish reflected the changing settlement pattern and the need for a local authority structure suited to the modern community.
Perry's history is therefore not simply the story of one village growing over time. It is the story of two historic settlements whose identities were reshaped by modern housing, changing parish boundaries and the construction of a major reservoir.
Popular & Notable Places
Grafham Water is the outstanding attraction associated with Perry. This large reservoir was developed to supply water to the region, but it has also become an important destination for recreation and tourism. The water, wooded shoreline and surrounding countryside attract walkers, cyclists, sailors, anglers and people interested in wildlife.
The reservoir provides a striking contrast with the area's older agricultural landscape. Before its construction, the land was dominated by fields, farms, roads and small settlements. Today, the broad water surface forms a central feature of the local scenery and helps define Perry's modern identity.
Walking and cycling are among the most popular activities around Grafham Water. Visitors can follow paths and routes beside the reservoir, enjoying views across the water and through areas of woodland and grassland. The landscape supports a range of birds and other wildlife, making it appealing to nature enthusiasts as well as sports visitors.
Water sports are another important part of the area's recreational life. Sailing and fishing are associated with the reservoir, while organised facilities provide opportunities for people to learn and participate in outdoor activities. These facilities bring visitors to Perry from neighbouring towns and villages.
Gaynes Hall is one of the area's most significant historic properties. The country house stands on the south side of the settlement and dates mainly from around 1800. Designed by George Byfield for Sir James Duberly, it is a substantial building with formal elevations and a courtyard arrangement. It is listed at Grade II*, recognising its architectural and historic importance. The estate has passed through several hands and later became associated with institutional use at the site of HMP Littlehey.
The former estate buildings provide evidence of the importance of country houses in the history of rural England. Such properties were not merely residences: they were centres of landownership, agricultural management and local employment. The stables and coach-house buildings associated with Gaynes Hall reflect the importance of horses and carriage transport before motor vehicles became widespread.
The Wheatsheaf is a traditional public house associated with village life. Pubs have historically played an important role in rural communities, providing places for residents to meet, exchange news and socialise. It remains part of Perry's local identity alongside the facilities serving visitors to Grafham Water.
The village's community shop and post-office services have also been important. Local shops help residents obtain everyday goods without travelling to larger towns and provide a useful meeting point within a small settlement.
Perry also has a Baptist church, reflecting the history of nonconformist religious life in the area. A nineteenth-century Baptist chapel once stood near the boundary between the old East and West Perry settlements. The chapel was demolished in the late 1970s after structural problems developed, during a period when new houses were also being built near the reservoir. The history of the chapel illustrates how community facilities had to adapt to the changing shape of the village.
The local watersports centre, café and other visitor facilities add a modern dimension to the parish. Together, they support the recreational economy surrounding Grafham Water and provide services for both residents and tourists.
Nearby Places & Postcodes
Perry's principal postcode district is PE28, and its post town is Huntingdon. The parish lies in western Huntingdonshire, close to several historic settlements.
West Perry – PE28: West Perry is the western historic settlement within the parish and is closely associated with Gaynes Hall and the facilities on the southern shore of Grafham Water.
East Perry – PE28: East Perry is the eastern historic settlement. It was formerly part of Grafham parish, and the construction of the reservoir transformed the landscape around it.
Grafham – PE28: Grafham lies on the northern side of Grafham Water and gave the reservoir its name. The village is known for its historic All Saints Church and rural setting.
Ellington – PE28: Ellington lies northeast of Perry and is notable for its medieval church, historic houses and proximity to Grafham Water.
Great Staughton – PE19: Great Staughton lies southwest of Perry. West Perry was historically part of its parish, making the village important to Perry's administrative and religious history.
Little Staughton – PE19: This neighbouring village lies west of the Perry area and retains a rural character associated with farming and historic village life.
Huntingdon – PE29: Huntingdon is the nearest major town, providing shopping, education, healthcare, railway services and administrative facilities.
St Neots – PE19: St Neots is another important nearby town, offering commercial services and transport connections.
Buckden – PE19: Buckden is known for Buckden Towers, a historic residence associated with the Bishops of Lincoln.
Kimbolton – PE28: Kimbolton is famous for Kimbolton Castle and its connection with Catherine of Aragon.
Spaldwick – PE28: Spaldwick is a historic village northeast of the area, close to the A14 and the surrounding agricultural countryside.
These neighbouring settlements provide access to a wide range of services while preserving the rural character of western Huntingdonshire.
Conclusion
Perry is a distinctive Cambridgeshire parish whose development reflects the relationship between historic rural settlements and modern landscape change. Its origins are rooted in the separate histories of East Perry and West Perry, communities that developed within different parishes before becoming part of a single modern civil parish.
The Domesday record of West Perry as Pirie shows that the area was already an established agricultural settlement in the eleventh century. For many centuries, farming, woodland management and rural landownership shaped life here. Historic properties such as Gaynes Hall preserve part of that heritage.
The construction of Grafham Water during the 1960s brought the most dramatic change. It transformed the countryside, altered the relationship between the historic settlements and created a major recreational destination. Today, the reservoir is central to Perry's identity, supporting walking, cycling, sailing, fishing and wildlife observation.
Despite these changes, Perry retains its connections with the surrounding villages and the agricultural landscape of Huntingdonshire. Its combination of historic estates, traditional community facilities and modern outdoor recreation makes it an interesting example of how rural settlements adapt while retaining links to their past.