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St Ives has something for everyone. The town has a long history, but its present-day facilities are second to none.

Visitors come here to enjoy the markets, the old buildings and the river. The town's assets include the St Ivo Leisure Centre and the Norris Museum, while the 15th-century bridge with its midstream chapel is a unique ancient monument. The town’s connection with Oliver Cromwell, who once lived here, is still remembered by a statue of him in the market place.

St Ives has superb communications. It lies close to the dual-carriageway A14, which links with the M11, A1(M) and M6 for fast direct routes to London, the Midlands and the North. Stansted airport and Harwich International ferry port are both within a 90 minute drive. Frequent bus services connect with Cambridge and Huntingdon, both of which have main-line railway stations.

For something more leisurely you can travel to St Ives by boat, along the well-serviced waterways of the Fens and the Great Ouse. The importance of the area for boat users will be recognised in 2007, when the Inland Waterways Association’s annual Festival is to be held at St Ives – this prestigious event will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The town’s history and the attractive countryside that surrounds it bring thousands of visitors here every year. The local area is widely accessible for walking and cycling, with a network of footpaths and several nearby nature reserves. Within twenty miles you will find the university city of Cambridge, Ely Cathedral and Peterborough – where you can combine seeing the cathedral with a visit to the Queensgate Shopping Centre, one of the biggest in East Anglia.

St Ives is a forward-looking place to live and work. Its industrial and business estates benefit from the proximity of Cambridge - it's only a few years ago that the world's first pocket calculator was made here in St Ives by Sir Clive Sinclair. Tourism and leisure provide many employment opportunities and the area's historic links with the Royal Air Force are maintained by the presence just outside the town of the headquarters of Logistics Command. Shops range from outlets of national chains to small, specialist businesses that attract shoppers from long distances. There is a range of pubs, clubs and ethnic restaurants that few towns of this size can match, drawing people from all over the area to enjoy the night life.

St Ives people may work hard but they play hard as well. The town's year is punctuated by regular events, including the Carnival and the Music and Arts Festival in the summer, the Beer Festival and the Heritage Open Days in September, and the centuries-old Michaelmas Fair in October. The Monday Market is a weekly treat, with especially big markets on Bank Holiday Mondays, when people come from miles around to look for bargains. On the first and third Saturday of each month a Farmers’ Market gives you the chance to buy fresh local produce. A wide range of sports clubs and special interest societies cater for all tastes and the community spirit of St Ives is reflected in the town's churches, voluntary organisations and youth groups.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Text and photographs by Bob Burn-Murdoch, Curator of the Norris Museum.