St Ives

Named after St Ivo, St Ives weaves alongside the Great River Ouse and is a delightful river town. 

St Ives' history is embedded in its markets and fairs which used to draw crowds from all over Europe.  Originally an Anglo Saxon settlement called Slepe - a slipway to a ford - a charter was granted in 1110 by Henry I to hold an Easter Fair on an open stretch of land between Ramsey and Slepe.   All trades were represented at the Fair and over the years, due to its popularity, it was decided that these stalls should become permanent shops and a town grew on the fair site.  By the 16th century both the original fair site and the village, Slepe, had merged with shops and wharves spreading along the river banks and St Ives as we know it today, was created.   Even today the town's Bank Holiday markets are particularly lively affairs and the Michaelmas fair fills the town centre for 3 days. 

St Ives was also the home of Oliver Cromwell for five years and his statue stands in the town centre.