Barton was a flourishing village even in Saxon times, for it is mentioned three times in the Domesday Book. In modern times, the village is part of the Lordsbridge Team, with Team Vicar Fr Michael Matthews taking special responsibility for Barton and the neighbouring villages of Haslingfield, Harlton, Great and Little Eversden.
These parishes have chosen to identify themselves as the 'Mare Way Group' (as in Mary's Way). This name recognises the Medieval Pilgrims' Way between Canterbury, St Albans, Ely and Walsingham in North Norfolk, which links four of our villages and from which the fifth can be overseen when travelling on it. This ancient trackway starts on Barrington Hill, near the site of our Easter dawn gathering, close to the Chapel of Our Lady of the White Hill. The route then follows the ridge until the Bourn Brook, marking our border with Kingston and Toft. When walking along it, the cobwebs are blown away and you can see across Hertfordshire and the Fens for great distances. The trackway and the naming of our benefice give a sense of travel by a pilgrim people.
Further historical information is available on the GENUKI website, including the location of archived parish registers.
