Ramsey Heritage Partnership

Conserving our local history and heritage in Ramsey for future generations

Ramsey is a small market town in the Cambridgeshire Fens that grew up around its beautiful Abbey, once one of the most important monastic institutions in England. By the 12th century, there were 80 monks in a prospering town with a weekly market and annual three-day fair, but the Dissolution in 1539 saw Ramsey’s fortunes change until the Fens were drained in the 17th and 18th centuries revealing rich agricultural land, a draw for many including the Fellowes family, whose ancestor Lord De Ramsey still lives on his estate. The town also has strong associations with the Cromwells, notably the Lord Protector’s uncle who remained steadfastly loyal to the Crown. His summer residence was at the Abbey, and he is buried along with many other Cromwells at the parish church of St Thomas a Becket. The centre of Ramsey was designated a Conservation Area in 1975 and 60 properties are included on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. There are also two scheduled ancient monuments – Ramsey Abbey and Booth’s Hill.

The Ramsey Heritage Partnership is a charity (number: 119152) formed to represent, promote and protect the historical sites and places of special interest in Ramsey by raising public awareness of the local heritage, providing learning opportunities for visitors, and supporting and publicising local history research. For a current list of trustees, see the following link.

The partnership includes:

Ramsey Rural MuseumRamsey Mortuary Chapels
Ramsey Walled GardenThe Abbey Gatehouse
The 1940s CampAbbey House
Booths HillLady Chapel
Ramsey Freemasons HallSt Thomas a Becket Church
The Old Fire StationWarboys Archaeology Project
The Great Fen

The partnership is a membership organisation offering the following benefits:

  • Regular newsletter
  • Discounts on entrance fees / ticket prices at special events.

Funds are used to support the valuable work of the heritage sites particularly to:

  • Organise heritage events
  • Run educational events for children
  • Conserve our local history and heritage for future generations.

If you would like to become an individual / family / group / corporate member of the Ramsey Heritage Partnership, please complete the form available through the following link:

For more information, please contact: ramsey.heritage@gmail.com.