St Neots

St. Neots is a picturesque market town and the largest town in Cambridgeshire.  Stretching along the Great River Ouse, St Neots is named after the Cornish Saint whose remains were interred here and dates back to the founding of a Saxon Priory, built on the outskirts of Eynesbury in 974AD.  Originally a bustling market town, charters were granted by Henry I to hold fairs and markets.  

The 17th century stone bridge that linked the Riverside with the Market Square was heavily fortified during the Civil Wars as the river formed the western Parliamentary boundary.  This was the site of a battle between the Royalists and Roundheads, an event often re-enacted.

Despite the loss of its Priory, which was destroyed during the dissolution of the Monastries, St. Neots still retains several historic features.  The main Church has a 130 feet high tower that defines the landscape of the town and was built in the 15th Century Perpendicular style.   The buildings around the Market Square, which has held a market every thursday since the 12th century, date from the 18th century and you can follow the Town Trail to view many of these historic buildings. 
 
Its place along the Great North Road resulted in many staging posts and inns being built and the White Horse in Eaton Socon, circa 13th century, is mentioned by Charles Dickens in 'Nicholas Nickleby'.

The full history of the town is incorporated within St Neots Museum and well worth a visit.

St Neots has a number of attractive parks and common land areas.  Riverside Park is a place of natural beauty where you can play, fish, picnic or listen to one of the concerts.  The free car park is also an ideal starting point for the Town Trail, the Ouse Valley Way, and other walks.  Another place is Priory Park where you can walk in the woods. 

St Neots holds a number of annual events including a weekend Folk Festival in May and a carnival in August.  The Local Regatta is another event which attracts visitors from a wide area.