Preserving the First Purpose-Built Camp for Prisoners of War

• The Norman Cross camp is the world's first purpose-built facility for prisoners of war, constructed in the 18th century.
• The camp operated as a self-sufficient town with a hospital, school, and market where prisoners produced goods.
• Nene Park Trust purchased the camp for £200,000, planning to open it to visitors and preserve its history.

This was reported by The Independent, The Guardian.

Significance of the Norman Cross POW Camp

The Norman Cross prisoner of war camp, located in Cambridgeshire, was the first purpose-built camp for prisoners of war in the world. It was established during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars when thousands of soldiers from various countries were captured.

History and Architecture of the Camp

Norman Cross, situated on the Great North Road, was built within four months using 500 workers. At its peak from 1797 to 1814, the camp housed around 7,000 predominantly French prisoners, including soldiers and sailors.

The camp functioned as a self-sufficient town, which included barracks, offices, a hospital, a school, and a market. The prisoners had the opportunity to manufacture and sell various products, including toys and ship models.

Acquisition of the Norman Cross Camp

Recently, Nene Park Trust acquired the camp for £200,000, funded by Historic England, along with £50,000 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This agreement was reached after years of negotiations to preserve this historic site.

Future Plans

Although the camp is currently almost invisible in the fields used for agriculture, there are plans to open it to visitors. This will allow people to learn more about its history and significance.

Researchers and historians believe that preserving this site will help tell the important stories of the past related to prisoners of war.

The Minister for Heritage, Baroness Wyckoff, noted that the importance of this monument should be remembered now and in the future.

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