Discover Whittlesey

Whittlesey brings together an easily discernible architectural history, an open market house, a historic walking tour and festivals with varied programmes. It also has a museum with an extensive collection and a nature reserve with birdwatching hides. You can tailor your trip to specific interests: architecture and local history, a walk, wildlife watching or an event date each offer a different focus.

Architectural history in specific buildings

The Church of St Mary is a parish church whose building history can be read in its individual features. The nave and aisles date predominantly from the 14th century. The north arcade and chancel arch date back to the 13th century. The west tower dates from the 15th century, as does the chancel extension. For architecture enthusiasts, the appeal lies in the combination of these different building phases.

The Buttercross, an open, square market house dating from the late 17th century, stands in the market square. Its design differs from that of the parish church: here, the focus is on a market house, while St Mary brings together several dated features from different centuries. Whittlesey thus offers two specific, clearly distinct starting points for exploring its buildings.

Museum, walking tour and wildlife watching

Whittlesey Museum houses a collection of more than 9,000 objects. It is in the town centre, just a short walk from Whittlesea railway station, and is served by several bus routes. This means you can take both the collection and the museum’s location and transport links into account when planning your trip.

The Whittlesey Heritage Walk is a circular route through the historic Fenland town, with a long and a short option. Choosing between the two options helps you fit the length of the walk around your day’s plans. Check the route details before setting off.

At Kings Dyke Nature Reserve, birdwatching hides provide a specific starting point for watching birds. If this nature-focused activity suits your travel interests, you can plan your visit accordingly. Facilities and visiting arrangements may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Festivals with their own programmes

Whittlesey Festival is free and takes place on the second Sunday in September. The programme includes a parade, stage entertainment and an exhibition of classic vehicles. Since it began, the festival has been held every year apart from three years when it was cancelled during the pandemic. If you are travelling in a particular year, check the event dates in advance.

The Straw Bear Festival usually features a procession with dance groups through Whittlesey on Saturday, ending with a finale in the market square. The bear is usually burned on Sunday. The two days give the festival its own schedule; the repeated qualification “usually” is important when planning your visit.

Choose a holiday rental to suit the reason for your trip

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what your trip will focus on. If a festival is the main reason for your visit, its date will shape your plans; for a stay centred on the museum, buildings or walking tour, you will have different priorities. Birdwatching offers another distinct reason to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Brinkley, Fulbourn, Chatteris, St Neots, Longstanton, Old Hurst, Comberton, Buckden

Go to the main travel overview: Cambridgeshire.