Beyond Cambridge

Beyond Cambridge

The surrounding area of Cambridgeshire offers a wonderful range of things to see and do.

Breathe in a land of lazy waterways, rolling countryside, majestic cathedrals, magnificent stately homes, bustling market towns and quaint villages. Discover a whole new shopping experience in quirky stores and exquisite boutiques tucked away along cobbled streets. Climb grand sweeping staircases in the homes of the aristocracy. Relax as you chug along in a leisure boat, watching the wildlife or get a bit closer to nature at our wonderful nature reserves.

Or if you are feeling energetic how about joining one of the many walking tours on offer in Cambridge and the surrounding areas, or hop on two wheels and follow our many cycle routes. You can ride through the fens, through our wonderful parks and tiny villages and call into our picturesque pubs for a refreshing drink and some fine home cooked food.

You might prefer to soak up some culture in one or two of the many galleries and museums. Our local museums offer an insight into the area’s history and a taste of bygone days.

Come and explore you won’t be disappointed!

South Cambridgeshire

Set in 350 square miles of fantastic cycling and walking countryside, the district of South Cambridgeshire offers the perfect opportunity to relax and explore. With its historic monuments, houses and museums set in the tranquil and rural landscape of rolling chalk hills covered with beech woods and flat fertile land, South Cambridgeshire provides a great location for everyone from the lively and adventurous to those who want to unwind and get away from it all.

Visit website

Discover Newmarket

Discover Newmarket offer’s an exciting range of options that accommodate all budgets and requirements, from a public tour of The National Stud to a luxury bespoke tour with private access to leading trainers and studs followed by hospitality at Newmarket Racecourses. The options are endless! Visitors are offered a great opportunity to go behind the scenes at racing’s headquarters and to see the equine stars at work.

Visit website

Discover Ramsey

Ramsey is a quintessential English market town full of heritage and historic buildings, nestling in the stunning open countryside of seemingly never-ending skies. Not only that, but its main street covers a secret which unlocks the key to the history of the town! You can visit over a dozen heritage attractions, enjoy the great outdoors or simply come to wander, take tea or a pub lunch and browse in our independent shops.

Visit website

Ely

Ely is steeped in history and is principally renowned for Ely Cathedral, a magnificent building with its unique Octagon Tower which dominates the landscape for miles around. Ely’s riverside is a favourite spot for visitors wishing to relax, take a boat trip, browse through shops and galleries, enjoy afternoon tea or simply watch the activity on the river.   The River Great Ouse is a natural magnet for visitors to Ely and the long riverside frontage is a great place to watch the world – and a host of aquatic birds – go by.

Visit website

West Suffolk

West Suffolk sits at the very heart of the East of England. With a rich variety of natural landscape and many rare wildlife species, the area is renowned for its excellent quality of life, market towns, picture-book villages and many tourist attractions. In its villages, West Suffolk’s distinct historical character comes to the fore, offering a slice of authentic county life.

Visit website

St. Ives

St Ives is a gem of a town just half an hour from Cambridge. With a beautiful historic riverside setting, a market and riverport tradition and a lively and bustling nature, this a memorable place to visit. The heart of the town is the old riverport area with wide market streets, a quayside and the iconic mediaeval town bridge with a Chapel in the middle. A wander round the alleyways will reveal interesting shops and buildings, and an electric riverboat trip will show you wonderful unspoilt water meadow river scenery. You are assured of a warm welcome in St Ives.

St. Neots

St Neots is a charming riverside town with a friendly and vibrant character. Although the largest and fastest growing town in Cambridgeshire (located 18 miles west of Cambridge), St Neots still retains its rich heritage and charm, with plenty to offer the visitor.

Visit website

Saffron Walden

Saffron Walden is a picturesque, medieval town, in north-west Essex. It has a rich heritage of old buildings reflecting its wealth as a rural market town. There are many interesting historic buildings in the town. At the heart lies St Mary’s Church, the largest parish church in Essex. Fine examples of elaborate moulded plasterwork (pargetting), can be seen on the Old Sun Inn and the houses in Castle Street & Bridge Street.

Visit website

Huntingdon

Huntingdon grew up around a river crossing on the Great Ouse. Today, the Riverside Park is a perfect area to watch boats pass by. In Norman times, the town had sixteen churches but fell into decline at around the time of the Black Death. In the 18th century, Huntingdon prospered again as an important staging post for travellers on the Great North Road. The historic core is still intact, with many fine Georgian buildings to be seen.

Visit website

Wisbech and the Fens

Wisbech, the Capital of the Fens is the perfect place for a day out or a break to get away from it all. There is plenty of accommodation choice, from historic town centre hotels to attractive B&B’s in rural settings and charming self catering cottages. Wisbech is renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture, a legacy from an era when the town was a booming trade centre.

Visit website

icon

Did you know?

A staggering 121 affiliates of the University of Cambridge have been awarded the Nobel Prize since 1904