St Neots
Dragon boat racing, coarse fishing, marinas bobbing with boats, large colonies of cormorants, this busy market town on the River Ouse is full of surprises. Its days of battles and priories are gone, but the impressive 15th Century church, the Cathedral of Huntingdonshire, still stands sentinel over the market square.
Call by the old police station and you’ll find more evidence - the St Neots Museum is full of well-interpreted displays about the trades and old ways which gave the place such purpose. With plenty of tee-off opportunities, flumes to shoot down, riverside walks to follow and dragonflies to chase, you too have every reason to stop off and enjoy what Cambridgeshire’s largest town is very happy to share.
Top Tip
Meander through the Market Square, one of the largest and most ancient of its kind, where a market has been held every Thursday since its foundation in the 12th Century.
Shopping time
Thursday is market day, but it’s fun to indulge in a spot of al fresco dining on the Market Square any day of the week. Tuck into a traditional all-day breakfast or nibble at something from the noodle bar as you watch St Neots go about its business.
Back on the shopping trail, high street names are interspersed with traditional family-run retailers, some notching up a hundred years of personal service.
The regular farmers’ markets are a great place to get local produce and the special market events bring added continental flavour.
Things to do
Give the kids a taste of the Victorian school room at the St Neots Museum, or head out of town to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve for fresh air and wilder experiences. A site of special scientific interest, there’s brilliant birdwatching to be had, or check out the watersports zone for activities with a bit more splash. The Ouse Valley Way offers relaxing walking or cycling alongside the river banks.