The town has been praised for having lots of amenities all within easy reach
Locals living in a Cambridgeshire market town have said they “wouldn’t want to live anywhere else”. St Neots, in Huntingdonshire has been praised for having plenty for people to do, as well as having a welcoming market square.
As part of our Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we spoke to some St Neots residents and visitors about what it is like there.
Pauline Mccarthy who has lived in St Neots for around 45 years, said that “having lived here a long time, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
She said that she loves the Riverside Park because of “the nice wide open space”. She continued: “You’ve got a lot of walking groups that go there, and obviously in the summer, there’s the bands that play.”
“There are loads of activities for older people here”, she added.
Some of the town’s attractions include the St Neots Museum, which is all about the history of the busy market town. It also has original 20th-century gaol cells. During the summer months, the Riverside Miniature Railway operates in Riverside Park. This not-for-profit railway provides a unique way to spend time in the town.
For those who haven’t visited St Neots, Patrick O’Riaelly, recommends a few things to see. He continued: “There is a folk club that is amazing, and The Priory Centre has wonderful concerts there. It’s got a life to it, and you’ve got places like the United Reform Church that’s got a history to it, providing services as well as coffee and things like that.”
David Horry moved to St Neots over two years ago. He said: “It is a lovely town compared to what we were used to because we were out in the country, and when we wanted to do something, we had to get in the car, and now we don’t.
“It’s perfect. Everything is all here together. There’s a lovely market – it’d rather be a big market, but it’s winter.”
Another woman, Elizabeth Orford, who is 81-years-old said that she comes to the market on the high street every Thursday to explore and spend time with family.
She said St Neots is “a very friendly place, which makes a change”. She added: “The town has got lots of variety of shops, not chains but individual shops that I enjoy.”
Another lady who wished to remain anonymous but has lived in St Neots for over 20 years said: “There’s a beautiful park, and they’ve done a nice job to the market square” but she emphasised that the town needs more shops to attract people.