Bluntisham & Colne, Cambridgeshire Area Guide
Living in Bluntisham and Colne
Surrounded by open countryside yet within easy reach of St Ives, Huntingdon and Cambridge, the neighbouring villages of Bluntisham and Colne offer an attractive balance between rural Cambridgeshire living and everyday convenience.
any residents, St Ives functions as the nearest larger centre, while Huntingdon provides the most convenient mainline railway station for London.
BluntishamLiving in Bluntisham
Bluntisham is an established Cambridgeshire village with a population of approximately 1,900 people.
Unlike some smaller villages, it retains a useful collection of everyday amenities.
These include a village pub, local shop and garage, village hall, hairdressers and recreational facilities, alongside active football and cricket clubs.
The village also has its own primary school.
That combination makes Bluntisham particularly appealing to families who want a genuine village environment without becoming completely dependent on travelling elsewhere for everyday needs.
A Brief History of Bluntisham
Bluntisham has a history stretching back well over a thousand years.
The village is recorded before the Norman Conquest and later appears in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as part of the Abbey of Ely's land.
Remarkably, Bluntisham was the only manor within the historic Soke of Somersham recorded in Domesday as having both a church and priest.
The manor had previously been associated with the Danish Earl Toli before returning to the rule of Edward the Elder following Toli's death in 921.
During the late 10th century it passed into the hands of the religious community at Ely.
Agriculture subsequently played a major role in village life.
The surrounding soils proved particularly suitable for farming and fruit growing, and the relationship between the village and the countryside remains evident today.
St Mary's Church, Bluntisham
One of Bluntisham's most important landmarks is St Mary's Church on Rectory Road.
The church is Grade I listed.
Its surviving fabric includes a 14th-century chancel and chapel, a late 14th-century west tower and a predominantly 15th-century nave and aisles.
Its stone tower and spire make it one of the most recognisable buildings within the village.
For a future website image representing Bluntisham specifically, St Mary's Church would be the landmark I would use.
Bluntisham's Historic Character
Parts of Bluntisham retain an attractive mixture of traditional Cambridgeshire architecture.
Historic properties include cottages, substantial former farmhouses and individual village homes.
The village's appearance has evolved considerably.
A major storm in 1741 destroyed houses, barns, windmills and an alehouse, while a series of fires during the 19th century also altered the village streetscape.
Before those fires, many Bluntisham houses were traditionally thatched and whitewashed.
Today the resulting mixture of historic and later architecture gives the village a varied character rather than a uniform appearance.
The Old Day School
Another interesting historic building is Bluntisham's Old Day School.
The school opened in 1843, although education within the village can be traced considerably further back.
Historic England records that St Mary's Church may have been used as a classroom from the early 18th century, while land was left by Reverend Samuel Saywell to support education for poorer children in the parish.
The Old Day School is now protected as a listed building and provides another reminder of the village's long-established community.
Property in Bluntisham
Bluntisham has a varied village property market.
Buyers can find:
Period cottages
Traditional village houses
Semi-detached family homes
Detached properties
Bungalows
Modern developments
Individual houses
Larger homes with substantial gardens
New-build property
The breadth of the market means Bluntisham can attract everyone from first-time buyers and young families to downsizers and buyers searching for a larger village home.
Current asking prices illustrate that range particularly well.
At the time of writing, homes being marketed in Bluntisham range from established family property through to high-quality new-build detached homes approaching or exceeding £800,000.
This makes a single village-wide average less useful than analysing the individual property.
Character Property in Bluntisham
The strongest period properties in Bluntisham can command a significant premium.
Buyers are often attracted by:
Historic architecture
Larger plots
Mature gardens
Outbuildings
Individual layouts
Countryside views
Central village positions
These properties require a very different marketing approach from a modern three-bedroom semi-detached home.
For sellers, understanding which features create scarcity within the local market is particularly important.
Family Housing in Bluntisham
Much of Bluntisham's housing market is particularly well suited to families.
Three and four-bedroom houses form an important part of the market, with properties ranging from established semi-detached homes to larger detached houses.
The presence of a primary school, playing fields and local amenities adds to that appeal.
Families can also reach St Ives relatively easily for additional shopping, leisure and secondary education options.
New Homes in Bluntisham
Although Bluntisham remains fundamentally an established village, new homes occasionally add to the local market.
Current listings include individually designed new-build homes rather than simply large-scale suburban estates.
For buyers, these can provide an interesting combination:
modern specification within an established Cambridgeshire village.
Larger community
Broader housing choice
Choose Colne if you prioritise:
Smaller village
Rural atmosphere
Quieter setting
Individual homes
Countryside
Lower-density environment
Neither is inherently better.
For many buyers, the individual property will ultimately determine the choice.
Shops and Everyday Amenities
Bluntisham provides the majority of the immediate everyday facilities.
The village currently offers amenities including a local shop/garage, pub, village hall, hairdressers and recreational facilities.
For a broader choice, residents typically travel to:
St Ives – supermarkets, independent shops, restaurants, cafés, leisure facilities and professional services.
Somersham – additional village shopping and services.
Huntingdon – major supermarkets, retail, railway station, hospital and professional services.
Cambridge – extensive shopping, employment, universities, healthcare and cultural facilities.
Colne residents are naturally more dependent on nearby villages and towns for everyday shopping.
Pubs and Eating Out
Village pubs form an important part of rural community life around this part of Cambridgeshire.
Bluntisham retains its own pub, while the wider area around Somersham, Earith, Needingworth and St Ives provides considerably more choice.
St Ives is particularly useful for restaurants and cafés.
Its riverside centre provides everything from traditional pubs and coffee shops to independent restaurants and bars.
This means residents can enjoy a rural home without being far from a much broader evening and weekend offering.
Sport and Recreation in Bluntisham
Bluntisham has an active sporting community.
Local facilities and organisations include:
Football
Junior football
Cricket
Playing fields
Village hall activities
Local gym
The village has both junior and senior cricket and football activity, helping provide a genuine community sports environment rather than residents having to travel elsewhere for everything.
St Ives provides additional leisure facilities only a few miles away.
Walking Around Bluntisham and Colne
The countryside around the two villages is particularly well suited to walking.
Expect a mixture of:
Agricultural fields
Quiet lanes
Public footpaths
Fenland landscapes
Waterways
Nature reserves
Long-distance walking routes
One of the area's greatest advantages is its proximity to RSPB Ouse Fen.
RSPB Ouse Fen
Immediately east of the villages lies one of Cambridgeshire's most ambitious nature-restoration projects.
RSPB Ouse Fen is being transformed from a working sand-and-gravel quarry into an enormous wetland nature reserve.
When complete, the reserve is planned to extend to approximately 700 hectares, including around 460 hectares of reedbed – the largest reedbed in the UK.
Wildlife already recorded there includes:
Marsh harriers
Bitterns
Bearded tits
Otters
Barn owls
Great crested grebes
Wading birds
Ducks and swans
For anyone who enjoys wildlife, photography or walking, this is an exceptional asset to have nearby.
Walking from Bluntisham to Ouse Fen
The RSPB specifically provides a circular walking route linking Bluntisham with Ouse Fen.
That is an important lifestyle feature for the village.
Rather than needing to drive somewhere simply to go for a countryside walk, residents can access a nationally significant nature landscape from the wider village area.
The reserve also connects with the surrounding public-rights-of-way network.
Ouse Valley Way
The Ouse Valley Way passes through the Ouse Fen reserve.
The wider long-distance route follows the River Great Ouse through Cambridgeshire, passing places including:
St Neots
Huntingdon
St Ives
Earith
Ely
For more serious walkers, this opens up considerably longer routes through the wider Great Ouse landscape.
Cycling
The relatively flat landscape makes the Bluntisham and Colne area well suited to recreational cycling.
Potential routes connect the villages with:
Somersham
Earith
Needingworth
St Ives
Holywell
Pidley
Warboys
The Ouse Valley
Residents can also access the wider cycle network around St Ives and the Guided Busway.
The maintenance track beside the Guided Busway provides a popular walking and cycling corridor towards Cambridge, although users should always observe current safety restrictions and temporary closures.
Schools in Bluntisham and ColnePrimary Schools
Bluntisham has its own primary-age education within the village.
This is one of its strongest advantages for families.
The village's school has historically played an important role within the community, with organised education in Bluntisham stretching back centuries.
For families considering either Bluntisham or Colne, school admissions should always be checked against the exact property address using Cambridgeshire County Council's current catchment information.
Catchment boundaries and admission arrangements can change and should never be assumed purely from the village name.
Secondary Schools
Secondary-age pupils from this part of Huntingdonshire may attend schools in the surrounding area, with options influenced by catchment and admissions arrangements.
Historically, Bluntisham has been associated with secondary provision towards Ramsey, while other families may consider schools around St Ives and Huntingdon depending on eligibility and admissions.
Because catchments can change, parents should check the current Cambridgeshire County Council school map before making a property decision.
This is preferable to relying on older estate-agent particulars or historic school information.
TransportTravelling by Car
Bluntisham and Colne are particularly well positioned for residents who need access to both St Ives and Huntingdon.
Indicatively:
St Ives – approximately 5–7 miles
Huntingdon – approximately 10–12 miles
Cambridge – approximately 18–22 miles
Peterborough – approximately 25–30 miles
Journey times depend considerably on traffic and the precise starting point.
St Ives provides access to the A1307/A14 corridor, while Huntingdon provides direct connections with both the A14 and A1.
For Cambridge commuters, the combination of road access and the Guided Busway is particularly important.
Bus Services
Bluntisham and the surrounding villages are connected by rural bus services towards St Ives and Huntingdon.
The wider public-transport network provides onward connections from St Ives towards Cambridge and from Huntingdon towards Peterborough.
Because rural bus routes and frequencies can change, anyone planning to depend on a particular service for employment or education should check the latest timetable before moving.
The Cambridgeshire transport network currently shows connections from the St Ives/Huntingdon network towards Bluntisham, Earith, Colne, Somersham, Pidley and Warboys.
The Guided Busway
One of the area's most important transport advantages is proximity to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.
Residents can travel to St Ives Park & Ride, where routes continue towards Cambridge.
Current Busway information shows services from St Ives Park & Ride running as frequently as every ten minutes towards Cambridge, with approximately 1,000 parking spaces available at the site.
This can be particularly useful for commuters working around:
Cambridge city centre
Cambridge North
Science Park
Addenbrooke's
University sites
Other employment areas along the corridor
For buyers who only need to travel into Cambridge several days each week, this can make Bluntisham and Colne realistic alternatives to considerably more expensive Cambridge-facing villages.
Huntingdon Railway Station
For mainline rail travel, Huntingdon is generally the most useful station.
From Huntingdon, direct services run south towards London and north towards Peterborough.
This makes the villages viable for some hybrid London commuters.
A typical routine might involve driving to Huntingdon station and continuing by rail.
For households where one person works in Cambridge and another travels towards London, the location can be particularly interesting because residents have access to both the Guided Busway and Huntingdon station.
St Ives
St Ives plays an important role in everyday life for Bluntisham and Colne residents.
The town provides:
Supermarkets
Independent shops
Restaurants
Cafés
Pubs
Leisure facilities
Healthcare
Professional services
Riverside walks
Markets
Guided Busway
Park & Ride
The ability to reach a well-served market town within a relatively short drive is one of the reasons these villages can work well for families.
o the city.
Healthcare
Routine healthcare is available in surrounding communities, with a wider choice in St Ives and Huntingdon.
For major hospital services, Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon is one of the principal local hospitals.
Cambridge also provides Addenbrooke's Hospital and extensive specialist healthcare.
Buyers with specific healthcare requirements should always check current GP catchment and registration arrangements.
Nearby Villages
Bluntisham and Colne sit within an attractive cluster of Huntingdonshire villages.
Somersham
A larger village with a strong range of everyday facilities and further family housing.
Earith
Located close to the River Great Ouse and Ouse Fen, with a distinctive Fen-edge setting.
Needingworth
An established village close to St Ives and the Great Ouse.
Holywell
A particularly attractive historic riverside village immediately outside St Ives.
Pidley
A smaller rural village west of Somersham.
Warboys
A substantially larger village further north with additional facilities and housing.
Together, these create a broad search area for buyers looking around north-east Huntingdonshire.
Bluntisham or St Ives?
This will be a natural comparison for many buyers.
Choose St Ives if your priorities include:
More shops
Restaurants
Cafés
Direct Guided Busway access
Larger leisure facilities
Town-centre lifestyle
Choose Bluntisham if you prioritise:
Village environment
More rural setting
Countryside
Local primary school
Potentially more property for the budget
Easier access to Ouse Fen
Colne takes the rural proposition even further.
Bluntisham or Somersham?
Both villages provide good access to the wider Huntingdonshire countryside.
Somersham is larger and provides a broader selection of shops and services.
Bluntisham is closer to St Ives and has particularly strong access towards Ouse Fen and the Great Ouse landscape.
For many buyers, the decision will come down to the individual house and commuting requirements.
Is Bluntisham a Good Place to Live?
For buyers wanting an established village with useful amenities and access to countryside, Bluntisham has a great deal to offer.
It provides:
Primary school
Shop
Pub
Sports clubs
Village hall
Countryside
Ouse Fen nearby
St Ives within easy reach
Access towards Huntingdon station
Guided Busway connections via St Ives
Its property market is also varied enough to accommodate several stages of life.
Is Colne a Good Place to Live?
Colne will appeal to a slightly different buyer.
It is particularly well suited to those prioritising:
Small-village character
Peace
Countryside
Larger individual properties
Traditional homes
Rural outlooks
The trade-off is that residents are more dependent on travelling to surrounding villages and towns for everyday amenities.
For buyers comfortable with that, Colne provides an attractive rural alternative while remaining within reach of St Ives and Huntingdon.
Things to Do Around Bluntisham and ColneExplore St Mary's Church
Discover one of Bluntisham's most important historic landmarks.
Walk to Ouse Fen
Follow the local circular walking route into one of Cambridgeshire's most exciting developing nature reserves.
Explore the Ouse Valley Way
Walk sections of the long-distance route through the Great Ouse landscape.
Discover Bluntisham's History
The Bluntisham Heritage Project contains an extensive archive of historic photographs, maps and stories documenting village life.
Cycle the Local Villages
Explore quiet routes towards Somersham, Earith, Needingworth and St Ives.
Visit St Ives
Enjoy the riverside, independent shops, restaurants and historic town centre.
Explore Hinchingbrooke Country Park
Head towards Huntingdon for lakes, woodland and open grassland.
Visit RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes
Another excellent wetland landscape lies beyond St Ives, providing further walking and wildlife opportunities.
Buying Property in Bluntisham or Colne
If you're considering buying a house in Bluntisham or Colne, look beyond the asking price.
Important considerations include:
Exact village
School catchment
Distance from St Ives
Commute to Huntingdon station
Bus connections
Plot size
Parking
Garden orientation
Property age
Listed-building status
Conservation-area considerations
Drainage
Flood and surface-water risk
Broadband
Rural road access
Nearby development
Public footpaths
For older properties, surveys should also consider traditional construction materials, roofing and any historic alterations.
Flood Risk and Drainage
The wider area lies close to the Great Ouse and the edge of the Fenland landscape.
That makes flood and drainage information an important part of the buying process.
This does not mean that every property in Bluntisham or Colne is at significant flood risk.
Risk can vary dramatically between individual roads and properties.
Buyers should therefore check:
Environment Agency mapping
Surface-water information
Property searches
Drainage arrangements
Insurance availability
for the specific home rather than making assumptions about the village as a whole.
Selling Property in Bluntisham and Colne
Properties in these villages can attract buyers from a surprisingly wide area.
The audience may include:
Existing local residents
St Ives families
Huntingdon commuters
Cambridge hybrid workers
London hybrid commuters
Downsizers
Buyers moving out of larger towns
Buyers searching specifically for character property
That means the marketing needs to do more than list the number of bedrooms.
A period cottage in Colne should sell the character, setting and village lifestyle.
A family home in Bluntisham should communicate the school, amenities and connectivity.
A substantial detached house overlooking countryside should showcase the plot, outlook and surrounding landscape.
At Lennon James Property, we believe the marketing should make buyers understand not only what the property is, but why they should want to live there.
Professional photography, cinematic video, drone imagery where appropriate, detailed descriptions, social-media marketing and targeted digital distribution allow the complete story to be told.
Frequently asked Questions about Bluntisham and Colne.
What types of houses are available in Colne?
Colne offers cottages, bungalows, established family homes and larger detached properties, including individual houses with substantial plots.
Does Bluntisham have a primary school?
Yes. Bluntisham has primary-age education within the village.
Which secondary school serves Bluntisham?
School arrangements should be checked against the exact address using Cambridgeshire County Council's current catchment map because catchments and admissions policies can change.
Does Bluntisham have shops?
Yes. Bluntisham has useful everyday amenities including a local shop/garage alongside other village services.
Does Bluntisham have a pub?
Yes. The village retains a pub as part of its local amenities.
Does Colne have many amenities?
Colne is smaller and has fewer everyday facilities, so residents generally use Bluntisham, Somersham, St Ives and Huntingdon for a wider range of services.
How far is Bluntisham from St Ives?
It is approximately five miles, depending on the precise starting point and route.
How far is Bluntisham from Huntingdon?
It is roughly ten miles, depending on route.
Does Bluntisham have a railway station?
No. Huntingdon is generally the most useful nearby mainline station.
Can you commute from Bluntisham to Cambridge?
Yes. Residents can drive towards Cambridge or use St Ives Park & Ride and the Guided Busway. Current Busway services from St Ives run frequently towards Cambridge.
Can you commute from Bluntisham to London?
For hybrid commuters, Huntingdon station provides direct rail connections towards London.
Are there good walks around Bluntisham?
Yes. The surrounding countryside and Ouse Fen provide excellent walking, including an RSPB circular route specifically linking Bluntisham with the reserve.
What is Ouse Fen?
Ouse Fen is a major RSPB wetland restoration project near Earith. Once complete, the reserve is planned to cover approximately 700 hectares and contain the UK's largest reedbed.
Is Bluntisham good for families?
The combination of primary schooling, recreation, sports clubs, village amenities and proximity to St Ives makes it particularly practical for families.
Is Colne good for families?
It can be, particularly for families prioritising countryside and space, although everyday amenities and schooling require more travel than in Bluntisham.
Is Bluntisham cheaper than St Ives?
Individual property values vary, but buyers can often find different property and plot-size options in Bluntisham compared with the more urban St Ives market. Current comparable sales should always be assessed before making assumptions about value.
Are there expensive houses in Bluntisham and Colne?
Yes. Both villages contain substantial individual homes, with current asking prices in the upper hundreds of thousands for some of the largest or newest properties.
Should I check flood risk when buying in Bluntisham or Colne?
Yes. As with many locations close to the Great Ouse and Fenland, buyers should investigate flood and surface-water information for the individual property.
What is Bluntisham famous for?
Bluntisham is notable for its long history, Grade I-listed St Mary's Church, historic village buildings and proximity to the Great Ouse and Ouse Fen.
What villages are near Bluntisham and Colne?
Nearby settlements include Somersham, Earith, Needingworth, Holywell, Pidley and Warboys, with St Ives providing the nearest larger town.