Facts and places of interest in Sharnbrook

Interesting Facts about Sharnbrook

• Sharnbrook has been selected by the Department of Archaeology at Cambridge University to take part in their research programme investigating the Saxon and Mediaeval development of villages and hamlets across the country.

• Sharnbrook probably takes its name from Saxon with 'Sharnbrook' meaning 'dung brook'.

• St Peters Church is the oldest surviving building in the village.

• The old stone houses in Sharnbrook were originally small farm cottages, with individual strips of land behind them.

Places of Interest in and around Sharnbrook

Mill Theatre

Mill Theatre was established in 1943, to entertain troops stationed in the locality, the theatre has gone from strength to strength. Outgrowing the Village Hall to move to the Ritz Theatre in Rushden and eventually acquiring the current location at Stoke Mills, Sharnbrook. The last 25 years has seen the conversion of the mill from a flour mill to a 200 seat theatre which recently featured in an Anglia TV programme on unique and interesting buildings.

Paula Radcliffe Sharnbrook Community Sports Centre

The sports centre was originally for the school but it has grown and now serves the local community of rural north Bedfordshire.

There is a Fitness Studio equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym workstations, an Air Conditioned Aerobics Studio, and Multi Function Sports Hall, along with well appointed Members and Team Changing Rooms.

There is also five-a-side football, badminton, basketball and volleyball within the Sports Hall; various fitness classes and martial arts within the Aerobics Studio; meetings within the Function Room; plus the Sports Centre also has a Floodlit Hard Court Area for tennis, netball and football training. There is also the opportunity to relax in one of our Saunas after a workout.

Bromham Mill and Gallery - 4 miles away

There was a mill on the site of Bromham Mill since before the Domesday survey in 1086. For centuries, the enormous wheel was turned only by the water of the River Great Ouse. In the 1920's a steam engine was installed to provide extra power but by then, Water Mill technology had become obsolete. It has since been renovated and visitors can once again watch flour milling at close quarters.

The Mill is set in seven acres of water meadows, rich in bird and plant life. The river and mill provide an ideal setting for a picnic. The enormous 26 arch Bromham Bridge spans the river alongside the Mill. The site is ideal as a starting point for walks into the surrounding parkland and further afield, via a system of waymarked circular routes.

Santa Pod Raceway - 6 miles away in Podington, near Wellingborough

Santa Pod is the best known drag racing track outside America, attracting the best drivers and race teams in European Drag Racing.