The Old Gym

From walks along the river to exploring East Anglia's antiques shops, trips to The Old Gym put you within reach of a great range of activities, attractions and days out. A good a place to start as any is the pretty market town and inland port of Wisbech (15 minutes' drive), where you can visit the National Trust-run Peckover House and Gardens, catch up on the latest movies at the town's independent cinema or join a brewery tour at Elgood & Sons. The town is also close to rural activities like Fens Falconry (20 minutes), where you can get up close and personal with various indigenous and exotic birds of prey. For a change of scenery, head south along the A134 and within 25 minutes or so you'll be deep in Thetford Forest, where there are lots of great walks, bike trails as well as a Go Ape high-ropes course. Also to the south is Ely (30 minutes), where you can visit a truly magnificent cathedral or see the Tudor-era house where Oliver Cromwell once lived. Looking to leave the car behind for the day? At Downham Market station (five minutes) you can catch regular train services to destinations including King's Lynn, Ely and Cambridge.