Huntingdon Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Huntingdon

    There is evidence of a settlement in the Huntingdon area from as far back as the seventh century. By the end of the 13th century, the town had 16 parish churches and was a considerable size. The area fell into decline in the 14th and 15th centuries, with half of the town's dwellings ending up empty. A significant date in the town's history is 1628, when Oliver Cromwell was ele...Read morected MP. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Huntingdon became an important coaching centre and many coaching inns opened up during this time. Some of these can still be found today. Read less

  • 2. Now in Huntingdon

    Many Georgian buildings can still be found in the heart of this market town, which sits on the River Ouse. Huntingdon has a pedestrianised centre, plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and an interesting history, which can be explored through the many museums in the region.

  • 3. Events in Huntingdon

    Racing events take place at the intimate racing venue of Huntingdon Racecourse for nine months of the year. Shakespeare plays are performed every year in the medieval courtyard of the George Hotel, a former coaching inn. Football mascots from all over the country take part in the annual mascot race held at Huntingdon Racecourse. From May to October, the Kids Car Boot sale takes...Read more place in Huntingdon, giving parents a chance to buy and sell second-hand children's items. The Secret Garden Party is a festival of the arts that takes place over four days in July and includes music, artwork and other performances. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Huntingdon

    The Cromwell Museum tells the story of the life of Oliver Cromwell, with many artefacts on display, including the sword worn at his "coronation". The museum is in the building of Cromwell's former school. Among the historical buildings to see in Huntingdon are Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse, which is the remains of a Benedictine monastery, and Houghton Mill, a large timber watermill on...Read more the River Ouse with hands-on displays. Huntingdon Antiques and Collectables has a collection of artefacts from the last 200 years and the Blacked Out Britain Museum. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Huntingdon

    A good place to watch the boats go by on the River Ouse is at the town's Riverside Park. The site also has a hay meadow containing a variety of flora and fauna and a formal park with fenced-in children's play area Hinchingbrooke Country Park is a great place for picnics, barbecues, walks, fishing, mountain-biking and organised events. The open grassland, meadows, woodlands and ...Read morelakes cover 180 acres. Boat trips are available on the River Ouse, or visitors can hire a boat or enjoy time on a cruising restaurant. Read less

  • 6. Business in Huntingdon

    The traditional street market is a big part of life in the town and takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The farmers' market is held every other Friday and special Saturday farmers' markets are held three times a year. The busy town centre has a mix of shops, from high street names to independent stores. The two main shopping precincts are Chequers Court and St Benedict's C...Read moreourt, but there are also many shops to be found in the smaller side streets. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Huntingdon

    Road links to Huntingdon are good. The A14 links the town with the A1 to the North and London in the South. The A14 also links the area with Cambridge, Suffolk and Norfolk. It provides an alternative route to London, the South East and the South Coast via the M11 and M25, and it also links to the Midlands and the West. Huntingdon train station is on the Brampton Road and is on ...Read morethe main route from London to Edinburgh. Trains to Peterborough run every 30 minutes. Airports Luton, Stansted and Birmingham are all within a 90-minute drive from Huntingdon. Huntingdon's bus station is on the ring road and accessed from Princes Street. There are regular bus services to Cambridge, Peterborough, St Ives and St Neots. A number of long distance coaches stop in the town centre. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment in Huntingdon

    The Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre at Hinchingbrooke House hosts exhibitions, concerts and theatrical productions. Cineworld is the town's cinema showing all the latest blockbusters. The Lord Protector pub is a venue offering live music

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Huntingdon

    The site of the Cromwell Museum has a long and varied history. The building was once part of the large Hospital of St John the Baptist, founded in the late 12th Century as an almshouse and travellers' hostel. It became a part of the Huntingdon Grammar School in 1565, attended by Oliver Cromwell. Hinchingbrooke House is a Tudor house built around the 13th century. This was once ...Read morethe Cromwell family home. Read less

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Huntingdon

    As well as Oliver Cromwell, famous people from Huntingdon include diarist Samuel Pepys, legendary highwayman Dick Turpin and famous landscape gardener Capability Brown.

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