History
In early Anglo-Saxon and Viking times, Reach was an important economic centre. Goods were loaded at its common hythe (wharf) for transport into the fen waterway system from at least 1100. Reach was a significant producer of clunch, a chalky stone; a new wood has been planted on the old clunch pits, where chalky cliffs are visible from early quarrying. Reach's use as a port continued until about 200 years ago.
In medieval times Reach was a hamlet sitting on the border of the parishes of Burwell and Swaffham Prior and it wasn't until 1961 that it became a separate civil parish. The parish covers an area of 1,044 acres (422 ha). For ecclesiastical purposes it is part of the parish of 'Burwell with Reach'.
Reach Lode, a Roman canal, still exists, and remains navigable. The village church, originally Holy Trinity School Church and latterly called St Etheldreda's, was built in 1860, on the site of the former chapel of St John. The ruined perpendicular arch of the old chapel is visible behind the new church.
On village signs the name of the village is spelled Reche.
Read more about this topic: Reach, Cambridgeshire
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—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)