Explore St Ives

St Ives was first known as Slepe, where, in the 7th century, the river could be crossed at a ford. The original village grew up as a staging point for travellers and as an agricultural settlement.

Pilgrims to St Ivo’s priory attracted traders and in 1110 King Henry I granted a charter for an annual Easter fair, three years after the first wooden bridge was built across the House. In 1202 a charter for a second fair, in August, was granted by King John, followed by the establishment of a market in front of the priory gates in 1290.

At the height of its prosperity during the 13th century, the Easter fair at St Ives was among the greatest in England. By the end of the 14th century, this had been replaced by a weekly market, held on Mondays, which still takes place to this day. In the 1420s the Ramsey monks built the present bridge, a noble work of six arches and made of Barnack stone.

The Chapel of St Leger, one of only four surviving bridge chapels in England, was dedicated in 1426. In 1631, Oliver Cromwell moved from Huntingdon to take up the tenancy of a smallholding in St Ives.

The centre of St Ives still retains its character and was designated as a Conservation Area in 1972. It has 190 properties listed as being of special architectural or historic interest. You can explore the history of the town on foot with either a guided or a self-guided tour.

Why not visit the Norris Museum? This museum of Huntingdonshire tells the story of this historic area, from the age of the dinosaurs to the present day. Come along and enjoy the St Ives Carnival or soak up the atmosphere at the Michaelmas Fair. There’s lots of events to choose from in the area.