Littleport is a large village in the heart of the Cambridgeshire fens, nestling next to the Great River Ouse. Set in a chequered landscape of farmers' fields, it is a place of special charm, known throughout East Anglia for its magnificent sunrises and sunsets in spring and autumn, and prized by anglers and ramblers for its serenity. The cathedral city of Ely is just four miles away and Cambridge, with its ancient colleges and willow-lined river, is only 20 miles.
Below you will find more information regarding Littleport and the amenities around the area.
Furthermore, the local authorities have a plan for expansion in the area over the coming years including more housing and schools. For further information, please click here.
Littleport Today
Like many rural communities, Littleport has been affected by the decline in farming. But it is still a very vibrant place, now beginning to grow, thanks to the influence of neighbours like Cambridge, a European centre of high-tech innovation. ACRE, an organisation set up to support village life throughout Cambridgeshire, is based in Littleport, and the village is home to The Littleport Society, one of the biggest local history societies in Britain. It has 1219 members and works to preserve all that is best about the area.
Leisure Facilities
The village has its own sports and fitness centre, with two big halls catering for indoor football, badminton, aerobics, gymnastics and martial arts. There is also a fitness suite, and a floodlit all-weather court for tennis and football, as well as 36 acres of playing fields.
Horse-riding, cycling and angling are popular pursuits, and there are lots of places for a leisurely stroll - there are two town trails, one following the route taken by the Littleport Rioters in 1816 and the other hugging the river near the spot where the Oxford-Cambridge Boat race ended in the 1940s. The river itself has 100 metres of moorings with space for nearly 50 boats, and there is a public picnic site there too.
Other Amenities
Littleport has an active parish council, the headquarters of which is The Barn, this also provides local tourist information and rooms for community meetings.
There is a village hall that can be hired for events, The Littleport Ex-Servicemens Royal British Legion, and a youth and community centre with an IT suite.
Roads, Trains and Buses
The relaxed pace of life in Littleport makes it seem off the beaten track, but it has excellent transport links. The village's railway station is on the main line from King's Lynn to London, and there are half-hourly commuter services, with journey time to King's Cross of about an hour and a quarter.
The town is also close to the A10, with links to the A11, A14 and M11. It has regular bus services to Ely and Cambridge. London Stansted is also very convenient, an hour by road or rail..
Education
Good schools are important and Littleport has two primary schools, one of which also provides facilities for community education. The City of Ely Community College at Ely is the local secondary school, and there are two others within striking distance, at Witchford (6 miles) and Soham (10 miles). There are also two co-educational independent schools close by - the King's School at Ely, which provides day and boarding places and has an affiliated junior school for nursery, pre-prep and prep children; and Wisbech Grammar School, which offers day places. Littleport has a number of parent-toddler groups and pre-school playgroups, as well as a toy library.
Shopping
None of the shops in the village are big, but there is an excellent range and many are friendly, family-run concerns.
There is a large Anglia Co-op supermarket on Wisbech Road which is open from 7am to 10pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends. On the main street there is a Co-op convenience store along with a post office, bank, newsagent, butcher, baker, chemist, hardware store, electrical dealer, and hairdresser. There is a shop for fishing tackle and another for cycles, as well as a garage that also sells petrol. The town centre can be a bit sleepy on Wednesday afternoons - the tradition of early closing is observed. It has a big car park, where parking is free. None of the shops in the village are big, but there is an excellent range and many are friendly, family-run concerns.
Health
Littleport has its own medical centre, St George’s, staffed by a team of GPs, and there is a dental surgery and optician in the village. It also has a holistic medicine clinic, staffed by nine practitioners, who offer everything from aromatherapy and chiropody to hypnotherapy, physiotherapy and reflexology. The nearest general hospital, the Princess of Wales, is just a few miles away at Ely.
Eating Out
For those who enjoy dining out, the village has a good range of restaurants and pubs. There are three restaurants and a number of takeaways, offering kebabs, pizza, Chinese, and Indian meals, as well as two traditional fish and chip shops. Littleport also has several cafes, and three pubs, all of which serve food.
Churches
One of Littleport's loveliest landmarks is St George's parish church, which dates back to the 15th century. The town also has a Methodist church, an Evangelical Church and a Salvation Army Citadel, and is home to the Vine Fellowship. The nearest Roman Catholic church is in Ely.
Library
Not many small towns or villages can boast a public library nowadays but Littleport can. Located in the former village hall, it opens four days a week, including Saturdays, It has internet connection and a learning centre too, which offers courses in computer skills.
Annual Events
One of the highlights of the year in the Cambridgeshire calendar is the Littleport Show, which draws visitors from outside the county as well as thousands nearer home. The show is famous for its displays of heavy horses, and other features include show jumping, sports, lots of stalls, food and a licensed bar.
At Christmas a Street Fayre is held, where you can enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and late shop opening.
Ely, Cambridge & Newmarket
Just a few minutes' drive from Littleport is the ancient cathedral city of Ely, which has a host of amenities and attractions.
The cathedral itself dates back to Saxon times and is one of the finest in Britain, with its own Stained Glass Museum. Oliver Cromwell was once an Ely resident and his family home has been turned into a museum. The city, also on the river Great Ouse, has a sports centre and swimming pool, a cinema, art gallery, plenty of shops, a weekly market, and some fine restaurants, such as The Old Fire Engine House, home to the city's fire station a century ago.
Cambridge, with its famous punts and beautiful colleges, is just half an hour's drive away from Littleport, and Newmarket, the horse-racing capital of the UK, is even closer.
Attractions Nearby
Lovers of wildlife will find plenty to enjoy in the area. Wicken Fen, a vast area of restored wetland run by the National Trust, is nearby, and at Welney, eight miles away just off the A1101, there is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, where during the winter months visitors can see a unique floodlit spectacle - thousands of swans gliding onto the lake in the evening. The Norfolk coast, with its beaches, creeks and seal sanctuaries, is just 40 minutes' drive away.