WOW! DAY

The WOW! DAY on 20 July 2025 is to promote the Great Ouse Valley Way long-distance footpath through Cambridgeshire from St Neots to Earith.

Our section runs from Houghton along the Thicket Path, through the town to Meadow Lane and on to Holywell and Earith. We want to encourage residents to discover the path, explore it in both long, short and circular walks in both directions and win a T-shirt!

St Ives is one of 9 hubs of information through the valley, located in the Norris Museum and below is information on all supporting activities here on the day.

So, grab a map and enjoy your walk!

ST IVES NORRIS MUSEUM HUB
LOCATION: The Broadway, St Ives, Cambs PE27 5BX
info@norrismuseum.org.uk
01480 497314
Facilities: Toilet
Refreshments, seating, hot drinks, cakes

WHAT’S ON!
The Community Room in The Norris
Display panels depicting the Old Riverport heritage of the town, courtesy of the Town Team.

The Bandstand on The Waits
This is literally on the Ouse Valley Way, alongside the Norris Museum and on Sunday 20th July there will be a free concert organised by FESt (Festival Events St Ives) from 2.30 – 4 pm featuring local performer Reggae Ray.

Facilities: Seating provided, but it is quickly used up. You are welcome to bring your own. Toilet in The Methodist Church opposite.
Refreshments: Hot drinks are served in the Church – donations appreciated.

Discounted Boat Trips
4pm and 5 pm from The Quay, alongside the town bridge, courtesy of the St Ives Electric Riverboat Company. 07906 257308

The Thicket Path Walk
This stretch of the Ouse Valley Way from St Ives to Houghton (approx 3.2 km) runs close to the river to start with and soon enters an area of ancient woodland extending up a steep bank. The path itself is level and continues past flood meadows, one of which is a Wildlife Trust site and worth a close look. Two guided walks are offered – at 10.30am and 2.30pm – led by Keith Grimwade, on behalf of the Friends of Norris Museum. Please contact Keith at kgwalks@btinternet.com to confirm you are coming, and at which time. The walk starts at the Norris Museum.
Facilities: Bench seats

Holt Island Nature Reserve Walk
The white footbridge to this delightful wet-woodland habitat with a reedbed is adjacent to the Ouse Valley Way and can be seen from All Saints Churchyard. The island is circumnavigated on a raised boardwalk and Trustees from the Friends group will be on hand to lead you round, or you can pick up a self-guided tour map. Find out more about the island reserve at www.holtisland.org
Facilities: Bench seats on the boardwalk and picnic tables. No toilet.

The St Ives Town Walk
The Ouse Valley Way runs through the town but why not pick up the historic walk map and make a fascinating detour?

The Ouse Valley Way Information Board
The board for this section of the Ouse Valley Way is situated on the green just outside the Norris Museum. It shows two circular walks starting from there:

The St Ives-Houghton-Hemingfords Circular Walk of 6 miles follows the Thicket Path to Houghton, crosses the river at the lock and returns through the Hemingford villages. Map available. Note: as you arrive back at the town bridge, there will be a fun ‘challenge’ presented to you at the Chapel, to enable you to cross – hint: the Town Team are celebrating the fact that there used to be a toll on the bridge, and hence ‘Toll Games Day’!

The Brownshill Staunch Circular Walk hugs the river on the south bank, crosses the river at the staunch and follows the OVW back to St Ives via the Old Ferryboat inn at Holywell, a round trip of 11 miles. The scenery is stunning. Map available.