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Napoleonic prisoner of war site to open to public

Harriet Heywood
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Painter unknown Painting of the Norman Cross prisoner of war camp shows a large fenced-off square area divided into four squares. There are watch towers on the north and south edges of the square with people visible in three of the smaller squares, with the remaining smaller square green coloured with what look like gardensPainter unknown
Prisoners at the site would have been transported from the ports of Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Wisbech and Boston to Yaxley, Stanground or Peterborough, then marched to the camp

People will soon be able to visit what is believed to be the world's first purpose-built prisoner of war camp dating from the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

The Norman Cross Camp just south of Peterborough housed about 7,000 French prisoners and inspired the world's largest collection of prisoner craftwork.

The historic site, which dates back to 1796, was bought by the Peterborough-based Nene Park Trust who want to introduce visitors to the site in September.

Historian Paul Chamberlain, said it could provide a better understanding of a "lost town" that had a significant impact on the region more than 200 years ago.

Historic England Archive Ariel view of a green field surrounded by hedges. Beneath the ground lies the remains of the Norman Cross Camp Historic England Archive
There is no public access to the site, but Nene Park Trust has been developing plans to enable visits while ensuring the land is farmed sympathetically to preserve the archaeological remains

The Norman Cross Camp operated from 1797 to 1814 and functioned as a self-contained town with barracks, offices, a hospital, school, market place and banking.

It was far from the sea, making it difficult for escapees to return to France, and was away from potential invasion areas, in a fertile part of the country.

It closed in August 1814 and two years later the buildings were demolished, and the site sold.

The land, which sits off the A1(M) at junction 16 for Yaxley and south Peterborough, was used for arable crops and grazing and is primarily under pasture, but the site still contains the earthworks and buried remains of the camp.

Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery A Mechanical Model of a French Palace made by prisoners of war at the Norman Cross Depot. Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
Prisoners created items from bone and straw to sell at the camp market and more than 800 of these are at Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery

Napoleonic era author and historian, Mr Chamberlain, said: "Norman Cross Prison Depot is unique in that it is an historic site that continues to tell its story, involving communities, both local and national.

"This acquisition will enable more of the story to be told for future generations and provide us with a better understanding of a lost town that had a significant impact on the region over 200 years ago."

Luton Culture Trust A painting shows straw plait merchants trading with prisoners of war at Norman Cross Prison Depot. The figures are mostly wearing hats. A girl in the foreground carries a basket, while a men next to her appears to be haggling.Luton Culture Trust
The acquisition of the site (depicted when it was in use) fulfilled the ambition of long-term resident, Derek Lopez, who died before seeing his vision completed. It was bought by Nene Park Trust with grants from Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund

About 1,770 French, Dutch and German prisoners who died during their time at the camp have been memorialised at a nearby Norman Cross Eagle Monument.

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said it represented a "poignant chapter in our shared European story".

"The remarkable stories of those held in what was the first purpose-built prisoner of war camp should be remembered now and in the future," she added.

Matthew Bradbury, chief executive of Nene Park Trust, said the charity was delighted to take on the ownership to "share its green space and unique stories for generations to come".

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