The parish of Holywell-cum-Needingworth lies on the north bank of the River Ouse near the old boundary between Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire. To the east, the Greenwich Meridian passes through a corner of the parish.

The village of Holywell itself developed by the river as a traditional ring village which takes its name from the ancient spring which can still be seen in the churchyard. This was surmounted by a stone canopy in 1845 and was originally credited with healing properties. Each year in June there is a well dressing to celebrate the Church Patronal Festival.

As river traffic declined, the prosperity of Holywell as a trading centre diminished and the hamlet of Needingworth began to develop alongside the road which linked St Ives with Ely. Needingworth steadily developed until it became the larger of the two settlements.

Between Holywell and Needingworth, there was an old post windmill, and part of this road is still called Mill Way. The stones which may be seen both outside Mill Bungalow and in Holywell are still owned by the Parish.

The village sign was erected in September 1996 to mark the 75th anniversary of Needingworth WI. Funds were raised by the WI who commissioned the sign. It now belongs to the parish council.

The sign was made by Richard Bateman of Warboys, and depicts various facets of village life:

  • The annual dressing of the Holy Well
  • The Lock-Up
  • A Mill Stone
  • Cornfields and orchard representing the agricultural links of the parish.

Looking back on a village, 1875-1975: Holywell cum Needingworth
Focus on Holywell-cum-Needingworth: Images of a Village

Holywell-cum-Needingworth Parish Council
Holywell-cum-Needingworth - HuntsDC
St John the Baptist Church
The Holy Well

Holywell-cum-Needingworth OS Grid Ref: TL 340 722