Introduction
The Huntingdonshire Collection is based at Huntingdon Library and Archives with satellite collections at St Neots and St Ives libraries. The Huntingdonshire Collection contains more than 5,000 books and pamphlets. Historical material relates to the old county of Huntingdonshire while current material covers the District of Huntingdonshire.
Opening times
| Day | Time |
| Monday | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9.30am - 7pm |
| Thursday | 9.30am - 1.30pm |
| Friday | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Huntingdonshire Collection is based on the first floor of Huntingdon Library and Archives.
Our special collections
The Cromwell Collection
The Local Studies Huntingdonshire Collection houses the Cromwell collection, one of the most comprehensive collections of material on Oliver Cromwell and the Civil War outside academic circles.
The Collection includes biographies of Cromwell by 50 different authors, as well as a wealth of material on the English Civil War in general. The collection comprises of the Cromwell Association Library, together with resources from the Library and the Cromwell Museum.
The Pepys Collection and Little Gidding Collection
Within the main collection , there are two smaller special collections. The Pepys Collection relates to Samuel Pepys.
There is also a small collection of material on Nicholas Ferrar and the Community at Little Gidding.
Books and pamphlets
More than 5,000 books and pamphlets including:
- Town and village histories
- Historical trade directories
- Victoria County History for Huntingdonshire
Newspapers
The titles listed below are all on microfilm, there are no original historical newspapers held in these libraries. Visitors are advised to contact us and book in advance to use the microfilm reader/printers to avoid disappointment.
Maps and plans
Ordnance Survey
Huntingdon Library and Archives has OS maps for the whole of Huntingdonshire ranging in scales from 1:500 to 1:10,000 dating from 1886. In addition, St Ives and St Neots libraries each hold Ordnance Survey maps covering its own particular area. Landranger, Pathfinder and Explorer maps, geological and land use maps are also available.
Historical maps
There are over 2000 printed and published maps covering the old county of Huntingdonshire in the Collection, including over 200 antiquarian maps.
Original manuscript maps are held in the Archives. The Dickinson Collection of hand drawn maps and our collection of prints of enclosure and estate maps are also available in the Archives.
A number of printed copies of full colour historical maps of Huntingdonshire are available for purchase at our Cambridgeshire Collection in Cambridge Central Library.
Goad plans
Goad plans of Huntingdon town centre from 1974 onwards are available. St Ives and St Neots libraries also hold Goad plans for their areas.
Photographs and illustrations
Huntingdon Library has a small collection of photographs which are held as part of the larger Archives collections. Many more photographs of Huntingdonshire are held by Huntingdonshire Archives. You can use the online archives catalogue to search these.
St Neots Library has a small collection which is indexed, additional photographs are also held at St Neots Museum.
St Ives Library has a small collection which is indexed, a larger collection is available at the Norris Museum.
Contact us
Huntingdon Library and Archives
Princes Street
Huntingdon
PE29 3PA
Email: localstudies.hunts@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
