Hinchingbrooke House

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Hinchingbrooke House
Hinchingbrooke House

Hinchingbrooke House in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was built around an 11th century nunnery. After the reformation it passed into the hands of the Cromwell family, and subsequently, became the home of the Earls of Sandwich, including John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, reputedly the "inventor" of the modern sandwich.

It was originally given to Thomas Cromwell along with Ramsey Abbey as a reward for overseeing the dissolution of the monasteries.

In 1970, it became part of Hinchingbrooke School, housing the 6th form. Hinchingbrooke School was formerly Huntingdon Grammar School which, on the site of what is now the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, was attended by Oliver Cromwell and Samuel Pepys. The school now has around 1800 pupils and sports college status.

Once a convent, Hinchingbrooke House is said to be haunted. The bridge over the Alconbury Brook named Nun's bridge is said to be haunted also by one of the nuns which once lived at the old convent that is now Hinchingbrooke House. It's said she is often accompanied by another ghost which resembles the appearance of a nurse. The myth goes that the nun had a lover, a monk that caused them to be murdered. In 1965 a married couple reported seeing the ghosts on the bridge, and again when they returned home the same night. Students attending the 6th form and also teachers have reported hearing voices of young children. In 2005 builders renovating the house refused to work during the night after apparent sightings of the Monk.

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