The coming of the railway to Longstanton would have had a fundamental impact of the village. In an era when people did not have cars the railway would have meant that villagers could regularly travel outside the village; without walking or taking a bike. Today we take travelling for granted but in those days it must have been amazing! LDHS is grateful to everyone who can help us to record the history of this branch line. In its heyday Longstanton Station was the centre for commercial activity for Longstanton and all the neighbouring villages. Growers could now sell their fruit and flowers as far away as London and the northern markets. After the agricultural depression of the 19th Century perhaps the railway helped reverse the agrarian decline in this locality.
Sited next to the stations, on the St Ives – Cambridge Branch Line, can be found a Victorian pub built to serve the needs of the workers and customers of the railway. On Station Road, Longstanton the Old Railway Tavern still exists and is now a house.
From the information we receive we will try and create various PDF’s on this and many other subjects. If you would like to contribute information or suggest any relevant links – please do contact us. All contributions large or small are most gratefully received. Perhaps the Cambridgeshire Collection contains newspapers that reported on the coming of the railway? Anybody may research information at the Cambridgeshire Collection or record office. If you would like to give it a go but need some advice to get started please do contact us.
