Thanks to the Guided Busway, it’s never been easier to explore Cambridgeshire’s quaint riverside gem. Katie Kasperson finds out what the town has to offer this summer
As the weather warms and the sunlight extends well into the evenings, day trips and local excursions become vastly more appealing (to me, at least!). So, this summer, we will be heading to central Cambridgeshire’s St Ives (not to be confused with the one in Cornwall), a market town known for its rich history, idyllic charm and eclectic collection of shops and eateries.
Just rewards
If your visit is imminent, be sure to pick up a St Ives Shop, Drink and Dine loyalty card from participating businesses and receive one stamp for every £5 you spend. Collect ten stamps and you qualify for entry into a prize draw! This town-wide scheme runs until 31 May.
A bit of background
In line with the rest of Cambridgeshire, St Ives is steeped in history. Once called Slepe, meaning ‘muddy’, the settlement has been traced back to the fifth or sixth century, when it served as a key point on trade routes.
Named after a bishop called Saint Ivo, the merchant town held connections to Ramsey Abbey, the Benedictine monastery responsible for building the iconic St Ives Bridge – which you can view on foot from the quayside or via boat (cars aren’t permitted to cross).
First constructed in wood, the original structure was replaced with stone in the 1400s, and a chapel (since restored and Grade I listed) was added to its eastern pier. One of only four remaining bridges like it in England, the site is still used for public worship on rare occasions.
This year, the bridge chapel celebrates its 600th birthday! Make sure to head to the Norris Museum for a series of exhibitions, lectures and other events, all centred around this impressive anniversary. Transport aficionados should also look out for From Boom to Beeching: A History of Huntingdonshire’s Railways, which runs from 25 April through to 4 July.
Outdoor explorers
If you love a scenic stroll, then St Ives is the perfect place. Hugged on all sides by the River Great Ouse, its Holt Island Nature Reserve offers flora and fauna, from voles, badgers and bats to otters, warblers and butterflies. Before the 70s, the island looked quite different: made up primarily of osier beds, willow was harvested here for basket weaving. It welcomes nature lovers on weekends and bank holidays, with a raised boardwalk to ensure it’s accessible to all.
Nearby, enjoy a walk through The Thicket or across Wilhorn Meadow, just south of St Ives Bridge. Further downstream, find the RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes Nature Reserve. If you’re less mobile or simply spent from exploring, opt for a boat cruise instead – a relaxing means of soaking in the sights.
Things to do
Holt Island Nature Reserve holtisland.org
Norris Museum norrismuseum.org.uk
St Ives Corn Exchange thecornexchange.org.uk
St Ives Electric Riverboat Co electricriverboat.co.uk
St Ives Golf Club stivesgolfclub.co.uk
Eat, drink, stop and shop
St Ives has a surprisingly varied food scene. Enjoy a meal with a view along the River Great Ouse, or stop in at one of several pubs for some traditional English fayre – washed down with a pint. There’s a cuisine to suit all tastes, from Indian, Italian and Chinese to Turkish and Caribbean.
Meanwhile, a farmer’s market takes place at Sheep Market on the first and third Saturday of each month, perfect for sourcing some delicious produce from local farmers, growers and small businesses.
Fancy a drink? Browse for a beverage in one of the town’s wine shops, or sip on a cocktail (or mocktail!) at a local bar. As for beer, put Booze in the Pews, the St Ives Parish Church’s annual charity fest, on your radar for October 2026.
If shopping is your bag, St Ives is home to vintage retailers, antique auctions and contemporary boutiques alike. The town hosts an antiques fair six times per year in Burgess Hall. Dates for 2026 include 24-25 May, 30-31 August and 21-22 November. Come ready to nab some hidden treasures!
Shopping and wellness
Adorn adorn-shop.co.uk
Citrus Rooms citrusrooms.com
Cloud Nine Gems cloudninegems.net
Janet Church Interiors janetchurchinteriors.co.uk
St Ives Wellness stiveswellness.uk
Perfect pit stops
The Snug Micro Pub snugstives.co.uk
The Taproom thetaproom.co.uk
The Teller’s Table thetellerstable.co.uk
The Whisky Cafe thewhiskycafe.co.uk
The Oliver Cromwell theolivercromwellpub.co.uk
Events and outings
If you’re looking for something a little livelier, the St Ives Carnival and Music Festival should be right up your street. Free to all and family-friendly, the two-day event (11 and 12 July this year) offers games, fair rides, food and musical entertainment.
The St Ives Corn Exchange provides year-round entertainment; catch a concert, quiz night, silent disco, stand-up comedy or popular film (the Screen St Ives series includes recent Oscar winners Hamnet and One Battle After Another).
Meanwhile, keen golfers, both experienced and beginner, can visit St Ives Golf Club – which recently celebrated its centenary – any day of the week (take a virtual course tour and pre-book a game online). The 18-hole course spans across 230 acres, proving a solid way to get some exercise while basking in East Anglia’s bucolic beauty.