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The island’s history

Seventy years ago the island was a thriving commercial osier bed, providing work for many residents of St Ives. Men traditionally carried out the practical management of the willow beds, the harvesting of the crop and making the baskets. Women were employed during the first two weeks of May to strip the willow to create white willow.

The island was visually very different. It was remarkably flat and you could see from The Waits across to the water meadows. The willow trees were planted in neat, tidy rows and interspersed with fruit trees that provided easy snacks for the workers!

Barges moored alongside the island to transport the prepared willow to workshops where they were made into baskets, notably large post office baskets. The “ridge and furrow” appearance developed because of the osier bed. The ridges formed as alluvium was brought down by the river by the winter flooding, while the furrows were maintained for drainage. These ridges and furrows can still be seen today near the entrance to the site where we have planted new osiers.

 

Video by courtesy of Xcopter Aerial Media

Originally the island was used for producing willow for basket making. Osier beds took up much of the island and willow wands were cut and transported across the river to be worked on by employees of Harrison's. Willow was cut between November and March, then soaked in troughs in the river before being taken to a warehouse and woven into baskets. Reed for thatching was also harvested from the island.

The Harrison family grew willow and wove baskets in the town for over 200 years and had an open air workshop at Filbert's Walk, where some of their workers lived. The houses were pulled down many years ago since they were subject to flooding. In the early 20th century, with the importing of cheaper willow, Harrisons ceased trading.

In 1913 an outdoor swimming pool was opened on the island and proved popular. It was closed down in 1949 because the town's medical officer declared the river water feeding the pool was contaminated. Today it is used as a small marina by the Sea Scouts, who occupy the western part of the island.

The 'Ingle' part of the island's name commemorates George Wright Wright Ingle, who gave the island to St Ives Town Council in 1934. George's adopted father had a real rags to riches upbringing, his mother found by travellers in labour by the roadside. They took her to the workhouse, where she died after giving birth. The baby boy was named Wright Ingle after two attendants, Wright and Ingle, gave permission for their names to be used. Wright Ingle returned to St Ives and bought property, having made his fortune in London. Aged 60 yrs, he still had no heir and decided to adopt a son. He made an arrangement with the local miller to adopt his son, christened George Wright. The adopted son became George Wright Wright Ingle.

Originally plans were for the island to be made into a riverside park. Locked up for many years, ownership passed to Huntingdon District Council in 1974.

 

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 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. 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.

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 2019 the Nature Reserve will open on Saturday 6th 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

We are happy to supply these activity sheets to encourage visiting children to think about the island and its environment (click on an image to download as a PDF)
.

TWO NEW ACTIVITY SHEETS FOR JUNE 2022

Eye Spy June 2021   Butterfly Hunt

 

Spring Scavenger Hunt Summer Scavenger Hunt Autumn Scavenger Hunt
     
Colour Strip page 001 small  Trees & ShrubsI Spy for Younger Children

 

Wet Woodland What Do You Know About Holt Island?

 

 

Become a Friend of Holt Island

We have a Friends of Holt Island group to help look after the island. We are a voluntary group dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Holt Island Nature Reserve, The Thicket and Wilhorn Meadow, organising social activities, and fundraising events open to both members and non-members.

We continue to develop ways in which to improve the visitor experience, develop links with schools, youth groups and the community. We would love to welcome you as a member of the Friends.

Yearly membership costs just £10 per household (£5 for an individual), or £150 for lifetime membership (£75 for an individual).

See our Membership Leaflet for more information and to apply for membership. Thank you for your support!

 A FORM MAY BE DOWNLOADED AS A PDF BY CLICKING ON THE FORM REQUIRED

membership front 2020 membership reverse 2020

 

 Standing Order Form

The Islander

Friends of Holt Island receive copies of The Islander newsletter, which has information on all the latest news and events at the island, Wilhorn Meadow and the Thicket. The latest issue is available to download:

Issue 45, Summer 2022

theislander 45

 

A comprehensive Education Pack produced specifically for children aged 4 to 11. The full pack can be downloaded as a PDF (116 pages) by clicking on the image below.

Holt Island Education Pack
Or if you would like a copy of one of the 11 sections instead of the complete document then CLICK on any of the links below to download that section as a PDF.

 

Introduction Winter Warmers
Changing landscapes River Detectives
Where are we? The Countryside Code
Spring has Sprung 10  Risk Assessments
Summer Surprises 11  About the Friends Group
Autumn Antics  

 

A guide to help you plan your visit:

  • Before your visit a Risk Assessment should be made; for comprehensive help and details see guidance notes in section 10.

  • The Island is normally closed Monday to Friday and keys need to be obtained from the Norris Museum (The Broadway PE27 5BX) or One Leisure Sports Centre (Westward Road, PE27 6WU) requiring a £20 refundable deposit.

  • Please be aware that there are no toilet, electric or drinking water facilities on Holt Island.

    The Holt, a purpose built cabin, provides an ideal base and educational centre, where information displays, books, leaflets and activity sheets are available for visiting groups.

  • To help identification of the diverse Fauna and Flora of the island “Spotter Guide” booklets can be made available on request.

  • Unfortunately under certain circumstances, for example inclement weather visits may have to be postponed.

  • To arrange your visit please Contact Us.