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Huntingdonshire Holiday Cottages
Huntingdonshire is a district in Cambridgeshire which includes the towns of Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Ramsey and Godmanchester. Originally known as Huntingdon, the boundaries were changed in 1974 and it was eventually renamed Huntingdonshire. See below for Huntingdonshire cottages and self catering accommodation.
The landscape varies between meadows, furrow landscapes and flat agricultural land such as that of the Fens. The River Great Ouse is the district's focal point, along which lie ancient market towns such as Huntingdon and St Ives. Visitors will also find a collection of stone villages and hamlets, whose thatched roofs and timbered facades exhibit strong Norman and Medieval influences.
The Nene Valley to the North features villages such as Elton, Wansford and Hilton. The latter is home to a 17th century maze - one of only eight of its kind left in England. The region has an important cultural heritage and was the birth place of political leader, Oliver Cromwell. The 17th century diarist and politician Samuel Pepys
also schooled in Huntingdon, residing near to Brampton.
The wide open spaces of Huntingdonshire are crisscrossed by a large number of paths and trails, which are popular with both walkers and cyclists. They allow visitors to appreciate the countryside and pass by a number of important places of interest including the famous town of Stilton and a number of other historical villages. See below for further information or visit the link for a wider selection of Huntingdonshire self catering holiday cottages.
Huntingdonshire self catering attractions and amenities
This section provides more details about the most notable visitor attractions and places of interest in the district of Huntingdonshire. We have included entry prices and opening times where possible as well as links and locational information.
Outdoor Activities
A number of paths and bridleways meander through the Huntingdonshire district, including the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk and the Ouse Valley Way - the latter is broken down into shorter walks of between 4 and 13 miles and passes the old market towns of Godmanchester, St Ives and St Neots. There's are also a network 14, signposted cycle routes - bikes can be hired from a number of shops such as
Grafham Cycling. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is one of the major visitor attractions in the district and consists of 400 acres of lakes and woodland. It is home to a rich array of wildlife and also features a watersports area for sailing, fishing and water-skiing enthusiasts. See the
website for more details.
Food and drink
The Brampton Mill Restaurant located in Huntingdon, overlooks the river and provides an attractive setting for diners and drinkers alike. As well as a fine wine list, the Mill serves traditional English fair which occasionally shows signs of modern international influences. The Cambridge Belfry in Cambourne is also noteworthy and features a varied, modern a la carte menu, that uses local, in-season produce. The Exhibition in Godmanchester is a traditional pub that features a class interior consisting of flagstone flooring - it serves a small collection of ales and prides itself in wholesome pub food. Other good watering holes include the Anglo Saxon,
Old Ferry Boat Inn (St Ives). Built over 100 years ago, it has a thatched roof and is one of England's oldest inns.
History and Culture
The Cromwell Museum celebrates the life and work of Huntingdon's most famous son, Oliver Cromwell. It exhibits related documents, objects and portraits and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4pm. (High Season) Entry is free. Cromwell's statue can be seen in the market square of the nearby St Ives. Other attractions include Kimbolton Castle and Buckden Towers which were used to imprison Katherine of Aragon, and the War Museum in Huntingdon. The latter showcases everyday objects from the late 30s and early 40s including ration books and bus tickets - admission is free and it's open throughout the year.