Chapel Of Hospital Of St John The Baptist

The Chapel of the Hospital of St John the Baptist is a significant building located in Duxford. Founded by William de Colville, who died in 1230, the chapel dates back to the 13th century but was rebuilt in the early 14th century and restored by the Ministry of Works between 1947 and 1954. It is constructed of flint and pebble rubble, with limestone and clunch dressings. The west gable wall has been rebuilt in red brick, and the east window has been blocked with 20th-century fixed lights. The roof, which was red plain tiled, was replaced in 1985.

The chapel is single-storeyed and consists of five bays, featuring an undivided chancel and nave. On the north elevation, there is an entrance on the right with a quarter-round moulding leading to a two-centred arched doorway. There are two similar doorways on the south elevation. The north side also has four single trefoiled-light windows, each with chamfered square arches and pointed inner arches, supported by shafted jambs with moulded caps and bases. The east gable wall is reinforced with diagonal buttresses of two stages, which include panelled corbels and a cross finial. The roofs feature restored collar-rafter trusses with collar braces.

Historically, the hospital was suppressed around 1548 and was used as a barn for some time. The chapel is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is cared for by Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.