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Address

Church Street, St Ives, Cambs.  PE27 5BY

The entrance to the Holt Island Nature Reserve can by found at the end of Church Street, next to All Saints' Parish Church. Here you will find a small white bridge, which gives access to both the Nature Reserve and to the St Ives Sea Scouts.


 

Public Transport

St Ives is served by buses from many places including Cambridge, Peterborough and Huntingdon. St Ives bus station and the Park and Ride are a short walk from Holt Island. For further information about buses see the Bus Timetable.

Car Parking

Parking spaces near Holt Island are very limited. There is no allocated disabled parking provision. There are several pay and display car parks within a few minutes’ walk of Holt Island – this map (St Ives Town Centre Car Parks) shows their location. Free parking is available at the One Leisure car park, Westwood Road, which is a short walk from Holt Island.

Accessibility and facilities

Holt Island has a raised boardwalk, which makes it accessible to prams, wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The picture below shows a motorised wheelchair user managing the tight turns over the bridge and on the boardwalk. There is plenty of seating, some with picnic tables. The Holt cabin, with bench seating, a nature table, books and children's activity sheets and displays is open during normal opening hours. The nearest toilets are located in the Norris Museum or in the town centre.

Wheelchair User

Our thanks to the family for letting us use this photo

Opening Times

The island is open from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between April and October.

If you wish to visit the island at any other time, the key is available from One Leisure St Ives or the Norris Museum – you will need to pay a returnable deposit of £20.

In 2023 the Nature Reserve will open on Saturday 1st April and close on the last weekend in October.

Directions to the island can be downloaded in the Information Leaflet

Holt Island welcomes visitors of all ages, individuals and family groups. More formal organised visits such as educational school trips, youth groups and U3A are all very welcome. The Friends of Holt Island committee have much experience to offer and are happy to provide advice and help so that groups get the most out of their visit.

For more help planning school and youth group visits: please see our Education Pack.