Things to do in Cambridgeshire
Things to do in Cambridgeshire
Days out in Cambridgeshire
Places to visit in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire, situated in East Anglia, is rich in heritage and natural history. There are ancient cities, towns and villages with quiet charm and beauty to explore. Cambridgeshire's countryside offers fresh green uplands, contrasting with the lowlands and broad horizons of the Fens. The County contains many sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves.
This university town of Cambridge is a jewel in the crown of English architecture. Situated on the banks of the River Cam, surrounded by a Green Belt of water meadows, streams and pools, Cambridge will draw you back many times. First time visitors will benefit by taking a guided tour of the city.
The countryside of South Cambridgeshire is rural and varied, with rolling chalk hills covered with beech woods to flat, fertile fenland. Discover picturesque villages such as Granchester, home of the poet Rupert Brooke, who lived in the Old Rectory. Attractions in South Cambridgeshire include Anglesey Abbey and the Imperial War Museum Duxford. The area offers cycle ways and walks and local rivers are famous for coarse and game fishing.
St. Neots is an ancient market town which is now the largest town in Cambridgeshire. Nearby Paxton Pitts Nature Reserve is home to the second largest breeding cormorant colony in England.
Oliver Cromwell's House in Ely, whose magnificent Cathedral stands like a landmark towering above the fens, is well worth a visit. Ely lies on the banks of the Great River Ouse, where the crew of Cambridge University practise for the famous boat race between Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
Take a trip on a traditional river launch along the picturesque waterfront, or ride the Fens Cycle Way, which starts at Ely. Ely Museum is worth visiting to learn more about the area. Visit Wicken Fen, Britain's oldest nature reserve to see a huge range of wildlife. Four miles east of Ely is Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum, home of the 1924 five cylinder Mirlees - the museum explains the history of Fen drainage.
Huntingdon is the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell who was a pupil at the Old Grammar School (now the Cromwell Museum), as was Samuel Pepys. Explore the area's historic towns and villages, such as Hemingford Grey and visit the oldest continuously inhabited house in England. Hemingford Grey Manor, which was the home of Lucy Boston, author of the Green Knowe books for children.
The ancient market town of St. Ives stands on the banks of the River Great Ouse, spanned by a six arch 15th century bridge with the tiny chapel of St. Ledger in the centre, one of four medieval bridge chapels surviving in England.
Cambridgeshire Tourist Information can be found in the Minster Precincts of Peterborough Cathedral. In 1536 Peterborough's Norman cathedral became the burial place of Henry VIII's first wife, Katharine of Aragon. Near by is the 3,000 year old Flag Fen Bronze Age Settlement, one of Europe's most important archaeological sites from that period.
Wisbech is an elegant Georgian town, surrounded by orchards and bulb fields. Visit the Wisbech and Fenland Museum, Peckover House and lovers of real ale should take the opportunity to visit Elgoods Brewery, to sample its traditional ale.
Days out in Cambridgeshire
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Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill
Anglesey Abbey estate is 96 acres of garden and parkland, a country house in the Jacobean style and an Eighteenth century watermill. -
Elton Hall
Elton Hall stands in the midst of unspoilt landscaped parkland, on a site where there has been a house since the Norman Conquest. -
Ely Cathedral
The Cathedral was completed in 1189 and now stands as a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture -
Ely Museum
Ely Museum, in the Old Bishop's Gaol, is a bright and friendly local history museum. Displays include original prison cells. -
Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey
Discover farming through the ages and learn about the rural history of Cambridgeshire. Visit the English Heritage Grade 1 Abbey, still featuring superb Norman interiors. -
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum was founded in 1816 by the bequest of the VIIth Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion to the University of Cambridge. -
Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre
At Flag Fen archaeologists have discovered the preserved remains of a huge timber monument to our ancestors. -
Hamerton Zoo Park
The Zoo Park was opened as a conservation sanctuary in 1990. It is set in 15 acres of parkland providing a safe home for a fascinating array of beautiful creatures from around the world. -
Hemingford Grey Manor
Most of the Norman house remains virtually intact in spite of various changes over nine centuries. The house and garden are the setting for the Green Knowe books, written by Lucy Boston. -
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
At Hinchingbrooke Country Park there are 170 acres of open grasslands, meadows, woodlands and lakes with a wealth of wildlife everywhere. -
Houghton Mill
An impressive 17th century water mill in working order on the River Ouse in the village of Houghton. -
Huntingdon Racecourse
Huntingdon Racecourse is an intimate racing venue with an atmosphere all of its own, it was voted Best Small Racecourse in the South Midlands and East Anglia by the Racegoers Club. -
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Duxford is a world-renowned heritage complex, over fifty working historic aircraft are based here. There is also a Land Warfare Hall and an American Air Museum. -
Linton Zoo
Lots to See, Learn and Enjoy!Linton Zoo is proud to be part of the inter-zoo breeding programme for endangered species. Your visit is important to support this important work. -
Museum of Cambridge
Visit Cambridge's only social history museum! Housed in the former 17th century White Horse Inn, this family friendly, interactive museum brings history to life. -
Nene Valley Railway
The Nene Valley Railway has only been operating since 1977 but the line once formed part of an important cross-country route from East Anglia to the Midlands. -
Peckover House and Garden
Set in the attractive market town of Wisbech, Peckover House is a lovely Georgian brick town house with a charming two acre Victorian walled garden. -
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral is a superb example of Romanesque architecture. The West front built in the early 13th century is unique in Christendom. -
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
Peterborough Museum houses a collection of some 227,000 objects covering the history of the Peterborough area, including archaeology, social history, art, geology, natural history, costume and militaria. -
Prebendal Manor House
The Prebendal Manor is a 1,200 year old medieval centre on the north eastern edge of Northamptonshire, near Oundle, Stamford and Peterborough. -
Raptor Foundation
The Raptor Foundation is a bird of prey sanctuary and hospital. It is a unique and exciting place for children and adults alike to meet and learn about owls, falcons, hawks and buzzards. -
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
Experience a unique fragment of the wilderness which once covered much of East Anglia, Wicken Fen is the oldest nature reserve in the country, celebrating its centenary in 1999. -
Wimpole Hall, Garden and Park
Wimpole Hall, set in rolling parkland and woodland, is part of the 2,500 acre Wimpole Estate. The Hall is a magnificent country house, mainly eighteenth century in style. -
Wimpole Home Farm
Wimpole Home Farm, part of the Wimpole Estate, is still a working farm and is East Anglia's largest rare breeds centre.
Places to Visit in Cambridgeshire
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Brampton
The Cambridgeshire village of Brampton is situated one mile south west of Huntingdon. It is best known as the base of RAF Brampton, an air force support command and home to the JARIC Intelligence Centre. -
Cambridge
The City of Cambridge is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Britain. Situated in the quiet east of England, amid the rural countryside of Cambridgeshire. The residents, students of the University and visitors, have the best of all worlds. -
Catworth
Catworth is a charming small village in Cambridgeshire, just off the A14 between Kettering and Huntingdon. It is 28 miles west of Cambridge. -
Chesterton
The small town and parish of Chesterton is almost overshadowed by its better-known neighbour, Cambridge, which is just 1¼ miles to the south west. -
Ely
Lying 15 miles north of Cambridge, Ely is today a small city of ancient narrow streets, some interesting old buildings, a busy shopping area and an attractive park which rolls down to the river, but Ely's crowning glory is the magnificent Cathedral. -
Ely
Lying 15 miles north of Cambridge, Ely is today a small city of ancient narrow streets, some interesting old buildings, a busy shopping area and an attractive park which rolls down to the river, but Ely's crowning glory is the magnificent Cathedral. -
Great Staughton
Great Staughton is divided into three distinct parts. The Highway straddles the B645 and is chiefly noted for the famous sundial, dating from 1637, and the White Hart, a 17th Century coaching inn. -
Great Stukeley
The charming small village of Great Stukeley is two miles north west of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. -
Hilton
Hilton is an extensive village featuring one of England's largest village greens. This boasts the grass maze cut in 1660 by William Sparrow. -
Huntingdon
Huntingdon has been a market town from time immemorial. It is situated beside The Great River Ouse. In 1205 it was given the royal seal by King John -
March
March, once an island surrounded by marshes is now a pleasant market town ideal for spending a relaxing day.St. Wendreda's Church to the south of the town is renowned for its spectacular double hammer-beam roof. -
Peterborough
The busy city of Peterborough, whose name is derived from its Norman Cathedral St. Peter, lies in the northern corner of Cambridgeshire, on the north bank of the River Nene on the edge of the Fens. -
Spaldwick
Spaldwick is a pleasant village 3½ miles to the West of the A1/A14 junction at the Brampton Hut. The village lies in a valley that was created by the Ellington brook. -
Whittlesey
On the western edge of the Fens, Whittlesey has a character of its own. The town centre is an interesting maze of streets, with a variety of well preserved architecture spanning several centuries. -
Wisbech
Wisbech is prosperous Georgian town. The North Brink, Crescent and Museum Square are amongst the finest examples of Georgian Street architecture in the country.