Wadesmill became the location for the first ever turnpike in 1663. On the old north road, Ermine Street, was built a gate across the road where travellers had to pay to use the road. The money was used for the upkeep of the road.

In the eighteenth century one visitor to Wadesmill was Thomas Clarkson. In 1785 he had written an essay with the title ‘anne liceat invitas in servititu dare’ or ‘is it lawful to make men slaves against their will’. He was travelling to London to get the essay published when he stopped at Wadesmill. He had been out walking and was in a disconsolate mood when he was seized with the feeling that, if the essay was true, then ‘it was time that some person should see these calamities to their end’. That person was to be himself.

On that spot at Wadesmill a monument to Clarkson was erected in 1879. The inscription reads ’On this spot where stands this monument in the month of June 1785 Thomas Clarkson resolved to devote his life to bringing about the abolition of the slave trade.’

The Feathers Inn

The haunting sound of a violin can be heard drifting through the Feathers Inn. The inn originates from the sixteenth century and was built on the main coach route from London to Cambridge. In 1615 it was known as The Prince’s Arms and at one time had stabling for over a hundred horses. One day a London bound coach swung into the inn yard and accidentally ran over and killed a young girl who was playing her violin at the time. It is her spirit that now plays the violin in the Feathers.

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