Top 7 Things To Do In Cambridgeshire
For most people, Cambridgeshire equals Cambridge, but there’s a lot of things to do in Cambridgeshire outside the university city.
If you’re into history, the cathedrals, old university buildings and country houses take you back to medieval times in the county, while the IWM Duxford gives an insight into the 20th-century history of the area. Looking for natural attractions? The fenlands are a brilliant place to get out into nature and explore East Anglia’s unique ecosystem.
Take a look at our top 7 things to do in Cambridgeshire to get an idea of some of the best things this county has to offer.
Cambridge
University city with so much to offer
One of the United Kingdom’s oldest university cities, Cambridge is a historic city with so much to explore – you could easily spend a week here and not see everything.
A good place to start is at Cambridge University where you can discover the most famous sights such as the marvellous Chapel at King’s College, the Bridge of Sighs and historic libraries and quadrangles.
Going punting on the calm waters of the River Cam is a quintessentially English tradition and you can choose between steering yourself or letting an experienced punter take over. After this, a visit to one of Cambridge’s many pubs is a good way to wind down. The Eagle is one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge and dates back to the 14th century.
Looking for more? Visit the peaceful Botanic Garden or the world-renowned Fitzwilliam Museum with large collections of art and artefacts from antiquity to the modern day. Finally, pay your respects to the Americans who died during World War II at the Cambridge American Cemetery.
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Ely
Huge cathedral and a historic trail
Ever fancied a trip to the Isle of Eels? Take a trip to Ely and that’s where you’ll end up. Ely isn’t an island any more – and it hasn’t been for a long time – but eels are still important to the city. The Eel Trail will take you through Ely’s medieval monastic quarter and down to the waterfront, and teach you why eels are so important here.
Ely Cathedral is the main attraction in the city and it’s enormous. It dates back to the 12th century with a unique octagon tower that can be seen for 10 miles when it’s lit up.
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Peterborough Cathedral
Medieval cathedral
The 12th-century cathedral in Peterborough was one of the most important churches in medieval Europe and is the burial place of two queens. Take a tour of the former Benedictine Monastery to see the resting place of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife, hear how it has been damaged and restored over the centuries, and see the medieval painted wood ceiling.
If you’ve got a head for heights, take a tour of the tower to see the stained glass windows from above and have views over the city.
There are lots of exhibitions and events throughout the year here. The cathedral is usually open from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 12pm to 3pm.
Wandlebury Country Park
Natural and historical site
If you like your nature mixed in with a bit of history, head out to Wandlebury Country Park. On the Gog Magog Hills (worth visiting for the name alone), the site has miles of walks through the woodlands and meadows.
See the Highland cattle grazing, go birdwatching and let the kids play in the den building area or on the wide fields. The remains of an Iron Age hill fort are visible here too and you can walk around the ditch, which is five metres deep in some places.
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Wicken Fen
Cambridgeshire’s unique fenland ecosystem
East Anglia is famous for its fenlands and Wicken Fen is one of the four surviving wild fens in the area; most of it is now managed by the National Trust.
Take a boat ride through the peaceful waterways or get on your bike and explore on two wheels. You’ll see the herds of Konik ponies and Highland cattle that help preserve the fen’s ecosystem, as well as many wetland birds and rare species of plants and dragonflies.
If you want to take a walk, the Boardwalk and Woodland Walk in Sedge Fen are wheelchair- and pushchair-accessible and make an easy stroll through the high grasses and woods here.
Read about lakes to explore in Cambridgeshire
Anglesey Abbey
17th-century house and gardens
Start exploring your trip to the Anglesey Abbey estate in the 17th-century Jacobean-style country house, where you can see the extensive art collection in the Library Wing and Tapestry Hall and imagine having a meal in the cathedral-like dining room.
Beyond that, in the 114-acre gardens, there are shady tree-lined avenues, a formal garden, a dahlia garden and sculptures dotted around. Lord Fairhaven, the owner of the estate for part of the 20th century, made a garden for all seasons, so there’s something to see all year round. The Lode Mill, a historic watermill, is worth a look too.
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Imperial War Museum, Duxford
Europe’s largest air museum
Did you know that Cambridgeshire was a key location for the RAF during World Wars I and II? The IWM Duxford was built on the site of the airfield here and the place is one big museum.
The largest air museum in Europe, it has giant hangers, a huge collection of aircraft from the wars and lots of personal stories from the people who served here. See the airfield where Spitfires first flew and learn more about the Battle of Britain in one of the hangars that was used during the Battle.
If you’re into flying, there’s an opportunity to take to the skies in one of the vintage aircraft for a short trip or a longer sightseeing flight over London.
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Want to spend more time in Cambridgeshire? Check out our guide to the best walks in Cambridgeshire and get ready to explore on foot.