Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you purchase or book through my link, at no extra cost to you.

---

St Ives is a quaint little town in Cambridgeshire, about 5 miles (8 km) east of Huntingdon and 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Cambridge. The guided busway connects St Ives directly to Cambridge, which makes travelling between them surprisingly easy.

It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down a bit — river views, old buildings, little shops, and plenty of spots to stop for tea (or something stronger).

In this article, I’ve summarised some of the best things to do in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

How to get to St Ives, Cambridgeshire

The easiest way to get to St Ives, both from Huntingdon or Cambridge, is by bus. Travel takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes and lets you enjoy the local countryside as you go. You can see plenty of wildlife and even spot alpacas at some point, if you’re lucky.

Interesting fact: The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is the longest guided busway in the world. Because it runs on its own tracks for much of the route, it can bypass traffic, which makes it one of the most reliable ways to travel.

The nearest train station is in Huntingdon (about 10 miles / 16 km away), and you can get there in about 30 minutes.

Are there two St Ives in the UK?

Yes. One is in Cornwall, and the other is in Cambridgeshire. Be careful during your research, as most websites point to St Ives, Cornwall. And before you ask — that’s the one with the sea.

St Ives in Cambridgeshire can boast a glorious view of the River Great Ouse, though.

Top 3 places to stay in St Ives, Cambridgeshire

The Golden Lion Hotel

This pet-friendly, three-star hotel is in the heart of St Ives. It offers a range of rooms, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.

Dolphin Hotel Cambridge

The Dolphin Hotel is a luxury 3-star hotel by the river, a few minutes from the town centre. Rooms are en-suite and some have river views or a balcony. It’s pet friendly and has a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi.

Slepe Hall Hotel

Slepe Hall Hotel is an elegant 4-star hotel a short walk from the town centre. A good option if you want something quieter. It’s pet friendly and offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar.

Top 3 places to eat in St Ives, Cambridgeshire

St Ives is abundant in restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafés — and many have a spectacular view over the river.

There are plenty of places to eat and some also offer delivery. Here are my 3 favourite picks:

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell is one of many hidden gems in St Ives. Besides its great location, the pub has also an interesting menu.

Welcome Chinese Restaurant

Fancy Chinese tonight? Welcome Chinese Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in the town according to TripAdvisor. It’s highly recommended and serves up great food.

The River Terrace

The River Terrace is one of my favourite restaurants in St Ives. It’s got a great location with stunning river views, a cosy atmosphere, and delicious food.

13 things to do in St Ives, Cambridgeshire

Cambridge Guided Busway

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (or “The Busway”) connects Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives. It’s the longest guided busway in the world, overtaking the O-Bahn Busway in Adelaide, South Australia.

A guided bus is a bus capable of being steered by external means using physical or remote guidance. In Cambridgeshire, a physical guidance system is used — you can spot the kerb guide wheel on the side of every guided bus. Guided buses use a dedicated track that excludes other traffic, so they’re almost always on time, even during rush hour.

It’s worth going on a ride not only because it’s the fastest way to get from St Ives to Cambridge, but also because you can see landscapes you wouldn’t see from the car.

St Ives Bridge

One of the most well-known attractions in town is St Ives Bridge. It was built in the 15th century to replace an earlier crossing over the River Great Ouse. It’s one of four bridges in the country to keep a chapel, and one of two that also incorporates a crypt.

You can get a key from either the town hall or the Norris Museum.

The Norris Museum

The Norris Museum is one of the most popular attractions in St Ives. This small, independent museum houses almost 33,000 historic artefacts, plus interactive displays and information boards for children.

Dinosaur fossils, a mammoth tusk, Roman pottery, Bronze Age tools, and spearheads are some of the most interesting items you can find there. You’ll also find Huntingdonshire-specific paintings, textiles, and furniture.

Visiting the museum can be a great activity, especially during foul weather.

Historic monuments and statues

There are three monuments worth seeing.

The Statue of Oliver Cromwell is the first. It wasn’t built in Huntingdon (his birthplace) because fundraising there didn’t come through — so they organised it in St Ives, where Cromwell lived for a couple of years. It worked, and the statue was unveiled later.

A few metres away is the St Ives World War Memorial — a stone cross of sacrifice with names from the First and Second World Wars engraved in black lettering. It’s easy to spot when you come into town from the Park & Ride.

A short walk away, you’ll find Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Memorial on the small roundabout on The Broadway. It was constructed in 1897 to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 2012, a plaque was added to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

Go shopping

St Ives has an abundance of small shops, many of them independent. You’ll find everything from antiques to fashion, books to bric-à-brac.

Don’t leave St Ives without visiting Hyperion Auctions if you like antiques. And if you’re into vintage clothing, check out the Vintage Market (open Saturday and Sunday).

There are also well-known chains like Mountain Warehouse, Fat Face, and Boots. The town has three supermarkets: Waitrose by the bus station, and Morrisons and Aldi further out.

Market days: Monday and Friday mornings are the best time to visit for shopping — the town centre fills with market stalls selling everything from fruit and veg to clothes. Street markets have existed in the district for 700 years. They’ve been happening in St Ives since 1312 (and since 1205 in Huntingdon).

On the first and third Saturday of every month, there’s a farmer’s market. There are also food and drink festivals and continental markets throughout the year.

Wander around the town

St Ives offers a good mix of local shops, familiar chains, bars, coffee lounges and other amenities.

If you’re short on time, just do a slow loop along The Quay and Wellington Street. You can’t miss the colourful buildings and the bridge.

Walk in and around St Ives

Going for a walk is one of the best activities to do as a family. If you’re more of a cyclist, the town has a network of paths too.

Historic town centre, the River Great Ouse, narrow alleyways and parks… there’s a wide range of walks in and around town.
If you’ve got time, it’s worth looking up a couple of routes before you go so you can choose what suits your energy.

A good nature walk: the Thicket Path starts by the Holt Island footbridge and travels through Berman Park and the Thicket to Houghton. If you’re lucky, you might spot wildlife like foxes, squirrels, or green woodpeckers.

Nobles Field (opposite Berman Park) is also a lovely place to walk the dog or sit by the river and watch the sunset.

Look around the village of Houghton

One of the most successful flour mills in the region was Houghton Mill, now owned by the National Trust. The building you can see today was built around the 1600s and extended 200 years later. After it was decommissioned in the 1930s, it was bought by local residents and later handed over to the National Trust.

A visit takes about 1.5 hours: an hour on a tour, then a 30-minute live milling experience and a chance to see the grain-to-flour process.

You can also walk by the river or take the footpath into the meadow — a nice place for a picnic.

And yes: don’t forget your camera. Houghton is picturesque. There’s also a slightly random hidden gem: alpacas. Check out Houghton Hall Alpacas if you want to see them.

St Ives Golf Club

St Ives Golf Club is on the outskirts of town, about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the centre. It’s a lovely setting for an afternoon of golf, with views of the Cambridgeshire countryside. The venue is also used for weddings and private functions.

Holt Island Nature Reserve

Holt Island Nature Reserve is one of the hidden gems of the area. This serene island used to be a thriving osier bed. It was abandoned just after the Second World War, which led to it becoming a habitat for foxes and birds like kingfishers and reed warblers.

Tip: the footbridge is a brilliant spot for photos.

Holt Island is open on weekends and bank holidays between April and the end of September. You can also request a key from the Norris Museum and One Leisure if you want to visit at another time.

Boat cruises on the Great Ouse

Want something a bit more memorable? Take a cruise on the river.

Between Easter and late autumn, the Electric River Boat Company offers several trips. You can choose a chauffeured or self-drive cruise (the self-drive option is especially fun if you’re feeling adventurous).

You might spot wildlife like herons, sparrowhawks, and grass snakes. If you’re lucky, you may even see seals.

Fen Drayton Lakes

Fen Drayton Lakes is an RSPB nature reserve and bird sanctuary nearby. It’s a complex of twelve waters made up of lakes, lagoons, and ponds. The reserve was created on a former gravel excavation site by allowing unused pits to flood naturally.

There are 10 miles of walking trails, plus footpaths along the river. It’s a perfect place for an afternoon with your family or a dog walk.

St Ives Lakes Fishery

One of my favourite places in St Ives is St Ives Lakes Fishery. It’s a natural bird reserve and a beautiful spot for evening walks and sunsets over the lagoon. The fishery is south of St Ives, near the Park & Ride.

Things to do in St Ives, Cambridgeshire — final thoughts

St Ives is small enough to feel easy, but varied enough that you won’t get bored. You can make it a simple “we needed fresh air” afternoon, or turn it into a slow weekend with good food, a museum stop, and a long walk by the water.

What I like most about it is that you don’t have to plan hard. The river is always there. The town centre is walkable. And there are plenty of places where you can just sit for a bit and let your brain quieten down — which, honestly, is sometimes the whole point of leaving the house.

If you’re deciding what to do based on energy:

• Low energy: do a slow loop along The Quay, find a cosy café, take a few photos, go home.
• Medium energy (2–3 hours): museum + bridge + lunch by the river.
• Full day: add Holt Island, Fen Drayton Lakes, or Houghton, then finish with dinner in town.

And most importantly, remember you don’t have to see all 13 things. One good walk and one good meal still counts as a day well spent.