Cambridgeshire Travel Tips

Help other visitors to Cambridgeshire - email us your own travel tips

Cambridge

Better parking than Oxford, easier to get around on foot with being flatter & less crowded. The street stalls are wonderful, there are punts, they have a craft market offering all sorts (wonderful for Xmas shopping) & the students really do cycle everywhere! The quintessential university town! Cathy … graduate

Go to Cambridge in the autumn. Uk nights in late oct and early nov tend to be foggy and low lying cambridge (surrounded by water) picks it up better than most places. The city is wonderfully atmospheric when the fog descends and perfectly safe to walk around in...nick - visitor

Cambridge Town Details

Ely

Ely Cathedral is one of those buildings that take your breath away. The fact that it dominates the skyline for miles around is impressive enough but inside.....absolutely spectaclar and if you time your visit correctly sit in a pugh and listen to evensong...an incredible experience - Nick..a charmed visitor

Apart from visiting the Cathedral and after you’ve explored the shops, walk down the fairly steep hill from the square, until you come to the canal, on the left hand side near the fascinating antique shop spread out on several floors you will see the prettiest Georgian house that serves the best cream tea ever… perhaps it’s the setting on the canal or the many ducks and geese wandering about or maybe the narrow boats, but it’s a secret worth sharing just a little way along the canal you can buy duck food, and as soon as you start there are dozens all around you - Sharon

Ely Town Details

Horseheath

Horseheath is an historic village, just 12 miles from the city of Cambridge. The delightful church of All Saints dates back 600 years, with many secret treasures. Or maybe Linton Zoo and Gardens is more for you, home to Giant Tortoises, Tarantulas, Lions, Tigers and Owls, set in 18 acres with a children’s Play Area just waiting to be enjoyed. Or for the lovers of history Anglesey Abbey will not disappoint, this imposing Jacobean style country house was built in 1600 on the site of an Augustinian Priory. Once inside there are many treasures including a rare collection of artwork and a large collection of clocks, outside is just as impressive with a working Water Mill and attractive gardens. Or there is always Saffron Walden Museum that has exhibits from the Ice Age, through to Norman and Medieval times, add the two skeletons set under glass in the floor makes for an interesting visit, set in a meadow containing the ruins of a 12th Century castle. Or how about a visit to Chilford Hall Vineyard, where a guided tour of the Winery explains the journey of the grape, the ‘Vineyard Trail’ shows the different vines and travels close to the ‘Icknield Way‘.

Horseheath Town Details

Melbourn

A visit to Royston Cave is an interesting interlude where the stunning wall carvings are thought to date back to Medieval times. Or why not have a go on skis or snowboards at Bassingbourne Snow Sports Centre, where the slopes are floodlit, and the chance to have professional lessons are always a possibility. Perhaps the grace and beauty of Wimpole Hall is more for you, the majestic 18th Century House sits in a wooded park gives a true insight into life above and below stairs. - Sharon

Melbourn Town Details

Oundle

The ancient market town of Oundle can be found about 12 mile to the south west of Peterborough. It lies in the central English county of Northamptonshire and is easily accessed via the A605 trunk road. The town nestles in a curve in the River Nene, which consequently almost borders it on three sides. Oundle's history is still very much in evidence due to the survival of many beautiful, historic buildings. Of these buildings, the oldest is the Talbot Hotel. It was originally a timber building, which was rebuilt from stone taken from nearby Fotheringay Castle. This makes for a very picturesque inn but also ensures a further sense of history for the Talbot hotel. Mary Queen of Scots was held at Fotheringay Castle prior to her execution. The staircase that she descended on her way to meet her earthly end was also taken to the Talbot Hotel and today visitors can descend that same staircase. There are marks evident in the stair rail, which are said to have been made by the rings Mary was wearing as she gripped the rail tight on her descent. The Ship Inn is another beautiful old stone building, being originally a 14th century coaching inn. Oundle annually hosts the Oundle International Festival, which is both a music festival and a pipe organ school

Oundle Town Details