The Norris Museum

The Norris Museum in St Ives is the county museum of Huntingdonshire, the historic county in the east of England that is now part of Cambridgeshire. It stands beside the River Great Ouse on The Broadway, in the heart of an attractive market town. Entry is free, and the collections cover the story of the area across many millions of years, from prehistoric traces to more recent history.

How did the museum begin?

The museum was built around the collection of Herbert Norris, a St Ives local historian and antiquarian. Norris spent years gathering objects connected with Huntingdonshire, and when he died in 1931 he left them to the town. The museum opened in 1933 to house and share those collections. It still carries the name of its benefactor, and one display recreates his study.

What is there to see?

The museum describes itself as the Museum of Huntingdonshire, with objects, pictures and archives relating to every part of the county and every period of its past. Items highlighted by visitor guides include:

• a woolly mammoth tusk, a reminder of the Ice Age in the Ouse valley,
• carved Roman figures,
• Anglo-Saxon jewellery,
• a 1563 edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses,
• a recreation of Herbert Norris's study.

The museum library is a draw in its own right. It holds a large body of historic photographs, manuscripts, old newspapers, prints, drawings and watercolours, a valuable resource for anyone researching the towns and villages of the region.

Is there art as well?

Yes. According to Art UK, the gallery is strongest in watercolours, especially local landscapes, including work by painters associated with the Ouse valley. If you enjoy the English countryside, it is a pleasant way to see the area through the eyes of earlier artists before heading out for a walk along the water.

Who is it for?

The museum is not large, but it is full of local history, which makes it a good one-hour stop while exploring St Ives. It suits fans of archaeology, regional history, old photographs and local lore, and families with children who will enjoy the mammoth tusk. Because admission is free, you can drop in on the spur of the moment.

Planning your visit

The museum sits by the river, close to the main sights of the town, so it combines easily with a stroll along the waterfront, the historic bridge and the market streets. Sources differ a little on opening hours. The museum's own listing gives Monday to Saturday during the day, while Sunday opening appears to be limited to the summer season. If you plan to visit on a Sunday, check the museum's website first. Some guides mention a voluntary donation towards the museum's upkeep.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Norris Museum free? Yes, admission is free, although donations are welcome. Some events may carry a charge.

Who was Herbert Norris? A local historian and antiquarian from St Ives who bequeathed his collection of Huntingdonshire artefacts to the town. He died in 1931.

When did the museum open? In 1933, to house Norris's collections.

How long does a visit take? The museum is compact, so about an hour is usually enough to see the displays at a relaxed pace.

What are the highlights? The mammoth tusk, Roman figures, Anglo-Saxon jewellery, the 1563 edition of Ovid, and watercolours of the Ouse valley.