A storied hotel where history meets heartfelt hospitality
In the heart of charming St Ives, the Golden Lion stands proud, a coaching inn turned contemporary haven. Its historic walls now house stylish rooms, a cosy bar, and hearty fare that nods to British tradition while embracing the modern traveller. Its Georgian façade hides a space where centuries of stories linger beneath the beams. It’s warm, welcoming, and quietly full of character, just the kind of place that makes you want to linger with a pint and watch the town go by.
Take a walk with us, back in time
The Golden Lion in St Ives stands proudly in the heart of this charming Cambridgeshire market town, it has welcomed guests since the 18th century, when stagecoaches clattered into town and weary travellers found solace by its fireside. Back then, it wasn’t just a hotel, it was a lifeline. A place for rest, hearty food, a warming drink, and a good old chat with strangers who’d soon become friends.
With its handsome Georgian façade and delightful proportions, the Golden Lion quickly became a focal point of town life. Carriages rolled into its courtyard with letters, parcels and gossip from across the country. You can almost hear the clink of stirrups and the rustle of cloaks as visitors swept in from the cold, greeted by a smiling innkeeper and the promise of comfort and good cheer.
The town of St Ives grew around it, markets bustled, the river sparkled with trade, and all the while the Golden Lion stood steady, a quiet observer of passing centuries. It adapted as times changed, gaslight, then electricity, motorcars replacing horses, phones ringing where once there was the tap of a quill. Yet it kept its soul, a place of warmth, charm, and connection. Today, it is simply enchanting. With beautifully updated rooms, a lively bar and food that sings with seasonal fare, the Golden Lion continues to offer the very best of old and new. You feel its history in the beams and floorboards, in the stories that seem to linger in the air.
A true English inn, gracious, welcoming, and completely unforgettable.
St Ives & Cambridgeshire
Nestled on the River Great Ouse, St Ives in Cambridgeshire is a historic market town of charming bridges, timbered inns, and gentle countryside. Once a bustling river port, it now invites leisurely exploration, where heritage meets pastoral calm.
