Discover St Ives: River, Culture and Trails

St Ives combines riverside scenery, history and varied trails with lively market activity. The old river port area includes broad market streets, a quay and a medieval town bridge with a chapel in its centre. Those planning a trip can choose between cultural discoveries, waterside nature experiences and active days on footpaths or cycle routes.

Culture and Markets in St Ives

A distinctive landmark is The Bridge, a Grade I listed building. At the Norris Museum, the permanent exhibition contains artefacts dating from 160 million years ago to the present day. Visitors can also view Herbert Norris' study there. Interactive activities and games complement the exhibition and give families a way to make their museum visit more varied.

The markets are also part of St Ives' character. The farmers' market takes place at Market Hill on the first and third Saturday of each month. In addition, markets are held at Market Hill on Mondays and Fridays. You can take these different dates into account when planning your trip if market visits are to have a fixed place in your stay.

The Chapel of St Ledger has a cast-iron balcony overlooking the river. St Ledger's Chapel was formerly used as a private residence, toll house and inn, and was restored to its original condition in the 1930s. St Ives therefore also offers visitors interesting historical details that differ from the museum and market experiences.

Nature, River and Trails

Holt Island Nature Reserve contains remnants of former basket willow plantations as well as stands of Phragmites reeds mixed with sedges. A circular boardwalk there is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs in all weather conditions. This makes it easy to include in a day's plans for families with younger children or travellers who value reliable path conditions.

The Thicket is a 500-metre-long woodland strip of ash and field maple with native woodland animals and plants. A public footpath and a permitted route run across the site. There is also a surfaced path suitable for wheelchair users. A six-mile circular route leads from St Ives town centre via the Thicket Path to Houghton and back through Hemingford Grey.

Those who would like to experience St Ives from the water can consider trips with St Ives Electric Riverboats on the River Great Ouse. The “St Ives and the Hemingfords walk” follows the river to St Ives and ends opposite All Saints' Parish Church. A cycle path is also available for cyclists and pedestrians, and it is asphalted along its entire length. A wide cycle path connects St Ives with the north of Cambridge.

Which accommodation suits your trip plans?

When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday house, you can first decide which experiences should shape your stay. For a culturally focused trip, the museum, historic buildings and market dates provide clear points of reference. Those who prefer outdoor activities can compare river trips, the circular route, Holt Island Nature Reserve and the paths at The Thicket. The interactive offerings at the museum and the pushchair-friendly circular boardwalk also create different options for days with children.

You can find more destinations for planning your trip here: Huntingdon, Whittlesey, Holme, Buckden, Willingham, Elton, Hinxton and Stilton.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cambridgeshire.