Cambridgeshire’s picturesque university town, Cambridge, is the county’s biggest draw, attracting millions of visitors every year. This captivating town often overshadows the other wonderful destinations found in this attractive county. Once a wild marshland, Cambridgeshire is now home to seemingly endless agricultural fields. Explore grand traditional homes, stroll down beguiling cobbled streets and discover the county’s exceptional nature reserves.
With its academic atmosphere, perfectly landscaped lawns and its mix of medieval and early modern architecture, Cambridge is rightfully the foremost attraction in the county. Go for a walk along The Backs, a stretch of the River Cam that winds past some of the town’s most striking college buildings. Most of the colleges can be visited and some feature exhibitions that are open to the public. Walk in the footsteps of the university’s legendary scholars like physicist Stephen Hawking, naturalist Charles Darwin and writer Virginia Woolf.
Be sure to visit Ely, a pretty market town that makes for a pleasant daytrip from Cambridge. This otherwise sleepy town is famous for Ely Cathedral, a grand medieval building defined by a unique Gothic octagon. After admiring this spectacular cathedral, take a look inside the adjoining Stained Glass Museum or enjoy a walk along the town’s lovely riverside path.
Don’t miss the well-preserved Georgian architecture found in Wisbech. See the original manuscript of Charles Dickens’ classic Great Expectations at Wisbech & Fenland Museum, or sample award-winning beers at the traditional Elgoods Brewery.
Save time to check out the Imperial War Museum Duxford, one of the world’s most popular aviation museums. Set on a former Royal Air Force (RAF) base, the museum encompasses several larger hangars, which house more than 200 aircraft. See some of the world’s finest British, American and Canadian aircraft and experience the thrill of flying in flight simulators. In addition to historic aircraft, the museum includes exhibitions of modern planes and explores current warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Reach Cambridge by driving north from London or by taking the train or bus from the capital. Cambridge is the county’s public transportation hub, offering good connections to destinations throughout the rest of Cambridgeshire.