Godmanchester to Holywell

The path out of Godmanchester is a little bit confusing as it heads to, and then through, the Godmanchester Nature Reserve but becomes clearer as it follows the river along Hemingford Meadow.

The route heads through Houghton Mill which has become a popular spot to paddle and swim.

Concerns over water quality have led a local group to take matters into their own hands and they have started carrying out their own testing.

The route then carries alongside Houghton Meadows and the Great Ouse into St Ives, but not before passing Holt Island which is worth a detour. It’s also a chance to learn about the history of the island and the philantropist who made a valuable donation to the town.

St Ives is an example of a place that grew in prosperity thanks to trade links despite its vulnerability to flooding. Sitting on a bench at the sleepy quayside, it’s vauguely possible to imagine the town in its hayday, with goods being transferred from boat to cart and then crossing the bridge south towards London. But what did it feel like?

There are some clues. The chapel on the bridge was built in the 15th Century for giving thanks for safe passage. Over time, the need for this reduced and the chapel became a pub to service the port workers’ need for beer. It was also probably a bawdy house.

The 3 km walk from St Ives to Holywell takes a more direct route than the river, passing lakes and lagoons on both sides of the path. The walk goes up hill towards the church at Holywell, where there is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a holy well.

The Old Ferry Boat is a good option for an overnight stay as well as refreshments.

Audio downloads

This is the Way

What does it take to get the Ouse Valley Way in good shape? Graham Campbell tells us about the fantastic work of the Great Ouse Valley Trust in improving the Huntingdonshire stretch and their ambitious plans for the future.

Citizen Science

Let's join Lucas Tatek who regularly tests the river checking for harmful bacteria at a popular paddling place.
find a citizen science group
Environment Agency

The missing mill detectives

On a stretch of river that was a powerhouse of watermilling, Keith Grimwade and Bridget Flannagan have done a deep dive into the history and landscape to find the missing mills.
Book details

A lasting legacy

When avid collector Herbert Norris died in 1931, he left his collection of Huntingdonshire artifacts to St Ives. Richard Carter takes us on a guided tour and shows us how people today are learning about Huntingdonshire.
Norris Museum

Public transport

The routes between Godmanchester and Holywell involve several buses. The easiest approach is to catch the ‘B’ bus between Huntingdon and St Ives which covers most of the distance. Stagecoach

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