Pictures of St Ives

a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire

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About St Ives

This attractive market town has one of the most highly picturesque river bridges in the country. The bridge dates to the 15th century and is famous for the chapel in its centre bay, it is one of only four medieval bridge chapel's surviving in England.

St.Ives was originally called Slepe, but changed its name after a priory dedicated to St.Ivo was founded in 1050. The town grew up on the River Great Ouse, and the lie of the river is such that one of the best ways to enjoy the town is from a pleasure boat which gives you glimpses of old timber-frame buildings, dreamy spires and beautiful tree-lined water-meadows. It is a tranquil scene, little changed since the Great Ouse used to freeze in the latter part of the 19th century when the ice was joyously used by Victorian skaters.

The town has a wider than average square, this is dominated by a huge statue of Oliver Cromwell who had a farm nearby. For decades Market Hill has hosted one of the largest markets in the county attracting folk from miles around. It still does, and although the market no longer sells livestock it does have a rich range of merchandise brought in by numerous traders from all around the country. Together with a excellent range of small shops, the regular Monday market at St.Ives plays an important part in the town's economy.

History buffs can learn if the heritage and history of St.Ives in the Norris Museum, from here you can also purchase a guide book pointing out the towns attractions, most colourful parts and the wealth historic listed buildings to be sifted out on a saunter around the town's wide and narrow streets.

St.Ives mainly acts as an inland resort town and visitors will find plenty of cafe's, pubs and restaurants. For those wishing to stay for a few days to explore the beautiful surrounding fenland where cattle graze on fertile pastures, there are excellent hotels both in and outside of St.Ives.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near St Ives

Houghton Mill	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Cambridge American Military Cemetery & Memorial	(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Denny Abbey	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
University Botanic Gardens	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Wimpole Hall	(12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Anglesey Abbey	(14.4 miles, 23.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Oliver Cromwell's House	(14.6 miles, 23.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Ely Cathedral	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Wandlebury Country Park	(15.6 miles, 25.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Wandlebury Ring	(15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre	(17.9 miles, 28.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Imperial War Museum Duxford	(18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Peterborough Cathedral	(18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Newmarket Racecourse	(19.1 miles, 30.7 km, direction E)	Pictures
Ferry Meadows Country Park	(19.5 miles, 31.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in St Ives
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Recommended towns near St Ives

Cambridge, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SE)
Cambridge has an abundance of magnificent buildings, and these together with riverside walks, wonderful museums and quaint old streets, quickly draw the visitor under the spell of this historic and charming City
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Grantchester, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction SE)
The village of Grantchester, is a picturesque village along the river Cam, often enjoyed by tourists and students who travel to...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Fen Ditton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction SE)
This pleasant village can be found in the spacious countryside within easy driving distance from Cambridge.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Trumpington, in the county of Cambridgeshire (13.0 miles, 20.8 km, direction SE)
Beautifully situated in a wonderful area, yet close to the M11 is Trumpington.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ely, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction E)
The early life of Ely began with a monastry and town situated on an island in the midst of a vast expanse of marshland in the middle of the Fens.
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Wicken, in the county of Cambridgeshire (15.5 miles, 25.0 km, direction E)
The open countryside surrounding Wicken is rich and varied, windmills can be seen along with pretty cottages, ancient farmhouses and historic churches.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Whittlesey, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction N)
Whittlesey is an old area of Cambridge, it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bythorn, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sandy, a Historic Market Town in the county of Bedfordshire (16.6 miles, 26.8 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

March, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction N)
A curiosity of the town is the tradition of the March, March march. This is when a group of Cambridge students gather in the town to walk back to Cambridge stopping at all convenient inns to quench their thirst!
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Peterborough, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction NW)
The magic of Peterborough lies in the richness of its beautiful Cathedral. It is a glorious historical treasure house, it is unique and quite beyond compare.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Willington, a Picturesque Village in the county of Bedfordshire (18.6 miles, 29.9 km, direction SW)
Willington lies on the south east outskirts of Bedford, it is most notable for its Dovecote, an oblong structure with nesting...
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Welney, in the county of Norfolk (18.9 miles, 30.4 km, direction NE)
For many decades now, Welney has been famous for it's Wild Fowl Refuge overlooking the Flood Planes of the Wash.
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Ashwell, in the county of Hertfordshire (20.1 miles, 32.4 km, direction S)
Ashwell embodies some of the finest domestic architecture in England, here in this well preserved village, at a glance you get a pleasurable insight as to what England was like in the 16th and 17th-centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Old Warden, a Picturesque Village in the county of Bedfordshire (20.8 miles, 33.5 km, direction SW)
Old Warden is a sleepy Bedfordshire village with pretty honey-coloured thatched cottages and a wealth of other interesting buildings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Cambridgeshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Huntingdon Station	(5.6 miles, 8.9 km, direction W)
A1(M) Junction 14	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 14	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SE)
St. Neots Station	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SW)
Cambridge Airport	(13.3 miles, 21.3 km, direction SE)
London Stansted Airport	(33.4 miles, 53.7 km, direction SE)
St Ives to London	(56.7 miles, 91.2 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in St Ives

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from St Ives center
OLIVERS LODGE HOTEL	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Old Ferry Boat	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction SE)
Sleep Inn Cambridge	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction SE)
The George Hotel	(5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction W)
Menzies Cambridge Hotel And Golf Course	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SE)
The Cambridge Belfry - A QHotel	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction S)
Nt Services Alconbury (Night Owl Ltd)	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)
Hotel Felix	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SE)
Redwings Lodge	(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NW)
Arundel House Hotel	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction SE)
All hotels in St Ives