Towns and Villages
Find out a little more about each of our towns and villages in the district.
Huntingdonshire's landscape is punctuated by the towers and spires of ancient churches, which are centrepieces of lovely villages. Their histories stretch back through the centuries with Early English, Perpendicular, medieval and Norman styles all represented. Each church and village has its own special charm for you to discover. Here are a few suggestions to whet your appetite. Godmanchester was, in Roman times, a major settlement. It became one of England's first boroughs in 1212. Today, a stroll through its historic streets will reveal a wide variety of architecture. The millpond is spanned by the Chinese Bridge and framed by willows.
In the north around the gentle Nene Valley, the villages are reminiscent of the Cotswolds, in miniature. The lovely mellow stone cottages of Alwalton, Elton and Wansford and their churches are well worth exploring. Hilton is home to a 17th century maze, one of only eight such turf mazes still surviving in England.
Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey, Holywell, Houghton and Wyton are picture postcard thatched villages around the River Great Ouse. Hemingford Abbots' medieval church has a beautiful riverside location. Neighbouring Hemingford Grey church also has a riverside setting and an unusual truncated spire. The spring in the churchyard at Holywell is the origin of the village's name and the church spire is built from the stones removed from Ramsey Abbey. Wyton's church is medieval and built mostly of brown cobbles.
In the west of Huntingdonshire, the gently rolling landscape is broken by a series of fine church spires. Alconbury, Bythorn, Easton, Ellington, Great Gidding, Keyston, Kimbolton and Spaldwick churches are all architectural wonders set in lovely villages. Huntingdon, Godmanchester, Ramsey, St Ives and St Neots also have churches with interesting histories. Until the time of the Black Death, Huntingdon had 16 churches. Today, only two of this original 16 remain. St Mary's Church in Godmanchester has 15th century choir stalls. St Thomas à Becket Church in Ramsey was originally built as a hospital for the Abbey. The spire of All Saints' Church in St Ives had to be rebuilt after it was hit by a bomber in World War I and St Neots' Parish Church has fine carvings of animals, birds and angels.
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