Moving to the Hemingfords: What Is It Really Like to Live in Hemingford Grey & Hemingford Abbots?
Sasha Scott
created on 21st September 2026
Picture-postcard cottages, award-winning food, riverside walks, highly regarded local schools and beautiful countryside – all within easy reach of St Ives, Huntingdon and Cambridge. It isn’t difficult to understand the appeal of the Hemingfords.
Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbots sit side by side on the River Great Ouse in Huntingdonshire. Although they’re two distinct villages, they’re so closely connected that anyone considering moving to one will almost certainly find themselves exploring the other too.
Together, they offer one of the area’s most attractive combinations of countryside, history, community and connectivity.
So, what is it really like to live in the Hemingfords?
Two villages, two slightly different characters
One of the joys of the Hemingfords is that you don’t necessarily have to choose between convenience and quintessential village life.
Hemingford Grey is the larger of the two and offers a broad mixture of homes, from period cottages and substantial individual houses to more modern family properties and bungalows.
Hemingford Abbots is smaller and particularly well known for its historic character. Much of the village sits within a Conservation Area, with thatched cottages and historic buildings helping to create the quintessential English village atmosphere for which it is known.
The spire of the Grade I listed St Margaret of Antioch Church is a familiar landmark across the surrounding landscape, while attractive homes, mature gardens and riverside meadows add to the village’s considerable charm.
Despite their rural feel, neither village is isolated. Hemingford Abbots sits only a few miles from Huntingdon and St Ives, with the A14 nearby providing connections towards Cambridge and the wider road network.
What do homes cost in the Hemingfords?
Unsurprisingly given their location and desirability, homes in the Hemingfords tend to command a premium.
According to recent Rightmove sold-price data, properties in Hemingford Grey had an overall average sold price of around £457,000 over the previous year.
There is considerable variation depending on the property, with everything from smaller terraced and semi-detached homes to large detached houses, period cottages and exceptional riverside properties.
Hemingford Abbots is even more difficult to summarise with a single figure because far fewer properties change hands. Recent headline averages have been unusually high, but have been heavily influenced by a very small number of high-value transactions.
That illustrates an important point about village property statistics: an average doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Homes in Hemingford Abbots can range from smaller cottages and terraces through to substantial period houses and exceptional properties worth well into seven figures. Buyers interested in either Hemingford are therefore better served by looking at comparable individual homes rather than relying solely on a village-wide average.
Riverside living and the Great Ouse
The River Great Ouse is an important part of life in the Hemingfords.
Footpaths, meadows and river views create wonderful opportunities for walking, running, cycling and simply enjoying the countryside. The villages are particularly beautiful when approached on foot, when their churches, historic homes and riverside setting come into view across the meadows.
There are some lovely walking routes between Hemingford Grey, Hemingford Abbots and neighbouring Houghton, making it perfectly possible to build a weekend around a riverside walk followed by lunch at one of the area’s pubs.
For anyone who loves being on or around the water, the wider Great Ouse also provides opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
As with any riverside location, however, prospective buyers should investigate the flood risk associated with the specific property they’re considering rather than assuming that risk is the same throughout the villages.
A village with almost 900 years of stories
One of Hemingford Grey’s most fascinating landmarks is The Manor.
Built in around 1130 and situated beside the Great Ouse, it is one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses.
Its more recent history has a wonderful literary connection, too. Author Lucy Boston bought The Manor in 1939, restored the Norman house and used it as the inspiration for Green Knowe in her celebrated series of children’s books.
Today, visitors can explore the house by appointment and discover its beautiful gardens, which are particularly renowned for their old roses and irises.
It’s a remarkable piece of history sitting right in the heart of village life – and another example of the depth of character that makes the Hemingfords feel so different from a modern development or larger town.
Schools and family life
For families, education is another important part of the Hemingfords’ appeal.
Hemingford Grey Primary School, on St Ives Road, caters for children aged 4–11 and was rated Good following its latest Ofsted inspection in May 2024.
The Ofsted report described pupils as enjoying attending the school, feeling safe and well cared for, and benefiting from a broad and ambitious curriculum.
For secondary education, both Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbots are within the catchment area for St Ivo Academy in nearby St Ives.
St Ivo is a large 11–18 secondary school with its own sixth form and has served St Ives and its surrounding communities since the 1950s. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2024, rated the school Good overall and Good in every assessed area – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.
For families considering a move to the Hemingfords, having a Good-rated village primary school alongside access to an established secondary school and sixth form in nearby St Ives can be a significant attraction.
School admissions and catchment arrangements can change, so we’d always recommend checking the latest information directly with Cambridgeshire County Council and the individual school if education is an important part of your move.
Beyond school, the villages also have a strong community infrastructure.
The Hemingford Pavilion and Peace Memorial Field serves both Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbots and supports a variety of sports and community activities.
Hemingford Abbots also has its own village hall and playing field, while clubs, societies, churches and community events provide plenty of opportunities to get involved locally.
The Cock – a village pub with a national reputation
Having a good local pub is one thing. Having one that people travel from considerably further afield to visit is another.
The Cock in Hemingford Grey is an award-winning country pub and restaurant close to the River Great Ouse and has become something of a destination in its own right.
Serving modern British food with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, The Cock has been named National Dining Pub of the Year on two occasions and has collected numerous other accolades over the years. It was also named Pub of the Year by The Good Pub Guide in both 2013 and 2019.
The traditional pub and restaurant occupy separate spaces, helping it retain the feel of a genuine village local while also offering destination dining. There’s also an attractive garden for warmer days.
It’s one of those amenities that adds something special to village life: you can walk beside the Great Ouse, wander back through the village and finish with excellent food or a drink at an award-winning pub.
Over in Hemingford Abbots, the historic Axe & Compass offers another traditional village pub, giving residents of the two villages some enviable choices close to home.
Everyday amenities
Part of the attraction here is that the Hemingfords still feel like genuine villages rather than suburbs that happen to have countryside around them.
That naturally means you won’t find the same range of shops and services on the doorstep as you would in a larger town.
However, St Ives and Huntingdon are both only a short journey away, providing supermarkets, independent shops, cafés, restaurants, leisure facilities and other everyday services.
St Ives in particular adds another layer to the lifestyle on offer, with its historic town centre, riverside setting, markets, restaurants and leisure facilities.
It creates an appealing balance: peaceful village life at home without having to travel far for the things you need.
Getting around
For commuters, the Hemingfords occupy a particularly useful position.
The A14 is easily accessible, putting Cambridge and the wider regional road network within reach, while Huntingdon railway station provides mainline services towards London King’s Cross and Peterborough.
St Ives is also close by, giving residents access to the Guided Busway towards Cambridge and Cambridge North.
There are local bus services through the area, although service patterns and frequencies can change. In practical terms, many households here are likely to find having a car useful, particularly for commuting and accessing wider amenities.
For hybrid and home workers, however, the combination of rural surroundings and relatively easy access to Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives can be particularly appealing.
What about renting in the Hemingfords?
Rental property within the two villages tends to be much more limited than in larger nearby towns.
For wider context, average private rent across Huntingdonshire was £1,049 per month in June 2026, compared with £1,281 across the East of England.
However, the Hemingfords shouldn’t be assumed to mirror that average. Limited supply, desirable village locations and the type and size of properties available can all influence rents significantly.
If you’re hoping to rent specifically in Hemingford Grey or Hemingford Abbots, being prepared to act when the right home becomes available can therefore be important.
Who might the Hemingfords suit?
The Hemingfords could be particularly appealing if you’re looking for:
A genuine village rather than a larger town
Beautiful walks and countryside from your doorstep
A riverside setting
Historic and character property
A strong community atmosphere
Good local education options
An outstanding food and pub scene for villages of their size
Easy access to St Ives and Huntingdon
Connections towards Cambridge and London
A quieter lifestyle without being completely remote
They can also be an interesting option for people moving out of Cambridge who want a more rural environment while maintaining links with the city.
Hemingford Grey or Hemingford Abbots?
This might ultimately come down to the property rather than the postcode.
Hemingford Grey generally offers a broader range of homes and a slightly larger village environment. It’s home to the primary school, The Manor and The Cock, and sits particularly conveniently for St Ives.
Hemingford Abbots is smaller, exceptionally picturesque and particularly rich in period architecture, with its Conservation Area, thatched cottages, church and riverside meadows creating a very distinctive atmosphere.
But perhaps the best thing about choosing either is that you don’t really have to choose between the lifestyles.
The two communities sit alongside one another and share many facilities, walks and aspects of village life. A riverside walk from one into the other can quickly become part of everyday life.
So whichever side you choose, you’ll soon get to enjoy the best of both Hemingfords.
Thinking of moving to the Hemingfords?
Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbots offer something increasingly difficult to find: villages that feel genuinely rural, historic and full of character while remaining remarkably well placed for modern life.
You have the River Great Ouse and beautiful countryside on your doorstep, fascinating history, character homes, an award-winning gastropub, a strong community and excellent access to nearby St Ives and Huntingdon.
For families, the combination of Hemingford Grey Primary School and the St Ivo Academy catchment adds another compelling reason to consider the area.
Whether you’re searching for a chocolate-box cottage, a family home, something overlooking the countryside or a substantial period property, the Hemingfords offer a lifestyle that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
If you’re considering buying, selling, renting or letting in Hemingford Grey, Hemingford Abbots or the surrounding Huntingdonshire villages, our local Ellis Winters team would be delighted to help.
Contact us for friendly local advice or a free, no-obligation sales or rental valuation.
£750,000 – Freehold
4 Bedroom Detached House For Sale – High Street, Hemingford Abbots, PE28 9AA
Sasha is a marketing specialist with 20 years experience. Her career has spanned marketing, counselling, and even funeral care - giving her a uniquely people-centred approach to every brief she takes on. She thrives in roles where she can use the written word and where empathy and clarity matter. Outside of work, she fosters animals (including a skunk and a sphynx!) and volunteers with local charities.
