Bar Hill


Bar Hill is a purpose-built village with a population of 4,000 about 4 miles northwest of Cambridge, England on the A14 road.
The Prime Meridian passes just to the west of Bar Hill.

History


Planning for the village began in the late 1950s to alleviate the housing shortage in South Cambridgeshire, and the first residents arrived in 1967.
The village grew rapidly and by 1975 there was a population of 1,673 in its 599 homes, though it was only 40% of its intended size. Expansion continued in the 1980s and in 1989 the final house of the original plan was completed, 23 years after building had begun and 15 years after its planned completion. The population was at that time over 5000.
Its name originated from the fact that it was built along an old Roman Road that had a Toll Bar/gate which was used in the local area as the farm's name, Bar Farm. The farm house still remains next to the village school. The toll gate was also located roughly near this building. The village was built on or around one of the many hills in the area, hence the name "Bar Hill". It is accessible on the B1050 road, off A14 exit 29.

2014 Flood

On 8 August 2014 the village came to national prominence when over 100mm of rain fell in a period of approximately 30 minutes causing many parts of the village to become flooded.

Village life

The village has a shopping mall, library, primary school, multi-denominational church and a pub called The Fox. A skate park was built in the village but has largely been demolished. There is also a championship 18 hole golf course and hotel. The village also has two fields which are used to host sporting events and council events such as the annual village fête.
It has a cycle path to Dry Drayton, known as The Drift. There is also a footpath that leads to the small village of Lolworth.
Bar Hill was originally contained within a ring road when it was first developed, but with the expansion and development of the area, it began to spill out. For example the "Gleneagles" development overlooking the golf course.
In 2017, Bar Hill was one of many areas that benefitted by the A14 road Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme which was completed in 2020.