Holywell Ponds is a serene and scenic spot perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking a quiet escape. The spring-fed ponds have a long history as part of the village’s water system and now form an important habitat for a variety of wildfowl and aquatic plants.
Tucked in Peterborough’s leafy Longthorpe suburb, Holywell Ponds encompass a cluster of eight medieval fish ponds, once part of the historic Thorpe Hall estate, designed to supply freshwater fish to its inhabitants. These ponds are fed by a natural spring emerging from a charming 18th-century grotto, adding both mystery and ecological vitality to the site.
Set within approximately 3.5 hectares of semi-natural grassland, woodland, and swamp, the ponds were officially designated a County Wildlife Site in 1992 and support wildlife such as smooth newts and common frogs. In recent years, volunteers—organised as the Friends of Holywell—have implemented a wildflower meadow and improved access, breathing new life into this historic and ecological gem.