Biggin Manor
Just off the B1368, at the southern end of Barkway, sits a collection of farm buildings known these days as Biggin Farm. An old description of it is as the ancient moated manor of Biggin.
Its known history goes back to Norman times. It was acquired by King’s College, Cambridge, in 1500. The college had only been formed in the 1440s, so this was an early addition to its property portfolio. With their purchase, the college came into the possession of even more ancient information. The history went back to 1225, when the property was apparently known as Biggin Hospital, and administered by St Mary’s Priory of Anstey. The use of the word hospital in medieval times does not indicate usage as we would now understand it. Other words carrying the same derivation, such as hospitality and hospice, would more accurately describe its use.
King’s College have a significant archive of material pertaining to Biggin Manor. Estate maps of the early 1800s show the land area to cover three parishes, including Barkway. It straddles the road. They also show ownership of the important Biggin Bridge over the River Quin. Also, the name King’s Buildings in Barkway almost certainly refers to original college ownership.
Biggin was a fully fledged manor; some manorial court rolls exist in the archive. At some point in the 1800s, the manor was merged with Anstey Manor.
The college retained ownership up until 1927, when it was put up for auction and sold off in its totality.
In 1733, the Wadesmill Turnpike Trust was established. This essentially established road toll systems to raise funds for road maintenance. Gates were erected at Wadesmill and at Barkway. A toll house, for the convenience of a collector, was built beside the Barkway gate.
The bridge at Biggin is referred to as Biggin Causeway in Trust minute books.
The sale in 1927 also included four houses on the roadside near the river. They are described as farm labourers’ cottages. There is still a footpath from them directly heading for the farmyard.
Pre-Reformation, in the 1500s, there were established routes with stopping points for London to Walsingham pilgrim walkers. One route exits London to Waltham Cross, and Ware to Barkway, and then to Royston. This route deviates off the A10, Ermine Street, to come through Barkway. It is likely that Biggin Hospital was a valued refuge — and worth the few extra miles.