Littleport is a large village in the East Cambridgeshire district of Cambridgeshire, England. It sits on the eastern edge of the Fens, about six miles north of the city of Ely. Surrounded by wide open farmland, big skies, and the slow-moving waters of the River Great Ouse, Littleport has the classic Fenland landscape—flat, peaceful, and full of wildlife. Its location makes it ideal for those who want rural living with easy access by road or rail to Ely, Cambridge, and even London.
Littleport has a long and fascinating history. The village dates back to at least the Saxon period, and its name likely comes from its position as a “little port” on the river. One of the most notable events in its story is the Littleport Riots of 1816, an uprising by local labourers struggling with poverty after the Napoleonic Wars. The event left a lasting mark and is still remembered today through local history displays and guided walks. Over the centuries, Littleport has grown from a small riverside settlement into a thriving community shaped by agriculture, trade, and Fenland drainage.
Today, the village blends old and new. You’ll find a traditional High Street with local shops, cafés, and pubs, as well as modern housing developments and community facilities. The parish church, St George’s, stands proudly at the heart of the village and is known for its striking architecture. Littleport also has a strong sense of community, with annual events, sports clubs, and local groups bringing people together. Surrounded by countryside and with riverside walks close by, it’s a place that mixes history, nature, and village life into a friendly, down-to-earth setting.
Walk along the River Great Ouse – peaceful riverside paths with wildlife spotting and great Fenland views.
Visit St George’s Church – explore the village’s historic parish church with its beautiful architecture.
Littleport Leisure Centre – gym, sports hall, fitness classes, and community activities.
Explore the Littleport Heritage Centre – learn about the village’s past, including the 1816 Littleport Riots.
Enjoy local pubs and cafés – friendly spots for food, drinks, and meeting locals.
Wildlife watching on the Fens – ideal for birdwatching, photography, and enjoying wide-open landscapes.
Play areas & parks – good for families, with green spaces for kids to run around.
Take a trip to nearby Ely – just minutes away for shopping, the cathedral, and riverside eateries.
Cycling and walking routes – flat Fenland paths perfect for long, easy rides or strolls.
Supermarkets & Shops:
There is a supermarket run by The Co-operative Group (on Main Street) which serves as a key food-store for residents.
There’s also a store operated by Central England Co-operative on Wisbech Road.
In the village centre you’ll also find a variety of convenience shops, bakeries/butchers (for basics and local produce), and small independent retailers.
For a wider range of shopping — e.g. larger supermarkets, more varied shops, boutiques — the nearby city Ely is just a short drive away and offers many more options.
Local Schools & Education:
Littleport offers schooling for various ages within the village:
Primary education: Littleport Community Primary School and Millfield Primary School are the two main primary schools.
Secondary education: Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy (sometimes also called “Vista Academy / Littleport”) provides secondary schooling locally.
For families, this means that children can attend school from early years through to secondary without needing to commute far — a common plus for residents.
Restaurants, Cafés & Pubs:
Littleport has a number of local places to eat, drink or hang out:
Pubs such as The Crown Inn and The Plough And Harrow are among the traditional pubs in the village centre.
For takeaway, quick meals or casual dining there are several options — for example small take-away shops, kebab houses, fish & chips and local take-away restaurants.
There are also cafés or smaller food spots where residents can grab coffee or a light meal.
That said — while Littleport has this core selection — for a larger variety of restaurants, “dining out” options or more diverse cuisine, many residents look to nearby Ely.
Sports, Leisure & Community Facilities:
Littleport is fairly well served when it comes to staying active or joining community groups:
The main facility is Littleport Leisure Centre (on Camel Road) — it provides a gym, sports halls, studios for fitness and exercise classes, and hosts many clubs and activities (badminton, netball, table tennis, dance, roller-skating, etc.).
The Leisure Centre also supports family- and children-friendly programmes (holiday activities, youth clubs) and offers indoor and outdoor sports / social opportunities. l
For community and social life beyond sport: there are spaces such as a village hall, a youth & community centre, and a club for ex-servicemen — often used for local clubs, gatherings, events or private hire.
Green spaces, riverfront strolls along the River Great Ouse, and nearby open Fen-land mean there are outdoor- and nature-oriented amenities too.
Train Services - Littleport has its own railway station: Littleport railway station, on the “Fen line”. The station offers direct trains to Cambridge and onwards — the journey to Cambridge takes around 25–30 minutes, for about 20 miles / 32 km.
Bus Services - The main bus connection is via Stagecoach East (and also a subsidised service by A2B Bus & Coach / Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority). The main routes are “9” and “X9”.
These buses link Littleport with nearby places such as Cambridge and Ely — useful for work, shopping, or further travel.
Walk & cycle - Littleport sits in the fairly flat landscape of the fens, so walking or cycling locally is quite manageable. There is a network of public footpaths & rights-of-way around and within the parish.
There are many cycle routes around Littleport — both short local loops and longer rides exploring the surrounding countryside.
If you like walking, there are local walking/hiking routes accessible right from the village.
Littleport offers a good mix of homes, from older village cottages to modern new-builds. You’ll find terraces, semis, family houses and bungalows, many with spacious plots and easy access to local amenities. With its peaceful setting and strong transport links, the village has property options to suit a range of buyers.
Locals enjoy Littleport for its welcoming, community-minded atmosphere, where people know their neighbours and village events bring everyone together. Residents appreciate the blend of rural peace and practical convenience, with shops, schools, parks, and leisure facilities all close by. The surrounding Fenland landscape is another favourite feature, offering big skies, riverside walks, and plenty of space for cycling or outdoor activities. Many also value the strong transport links, especially the direct train to Ely and Cambridge, which make commuting easy while still allowing them to live in a quieter, more relaxed setting. Altogether, Littleport is loved for its friendly spirit, open spaces, and balanced way of life.
