Holt Island Nature Reserve
Holt Island Nature Reserve, Church Street, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6DG
Two areas of the Island have been replanted with osier (willow) to reintroduce the traditional craft of cultivating and working with willow.
Holt Island was formally used to grow willow for Harrison's local basket making workshop, a firm that employed many local people.
There will be a basket making demonstration throughout the day, and in our interpretation centre there will be a historic visual display and a collection of heritage original Harrison baskets and tools.
Holt Island Nature Reserve, Church Street, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6DG
The Island has a circular boardwalk which is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, but can be bumpy. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome. There is very limited parking near the Island and it is not dedicated to Blue Badge holders. The public car park is a short walk away. This is an open air event.
The circular boardwalk has seating and picnic tables with lovely views across the River Great Ouse towards the historic medieval bridge and chapel and Hemingford Meadow. The area is owned and managed by Huntingdon District Council, with support from Friends of Holt Island Nature Reserve.