Places to Go Around Cambridgeshire
*Collaborative post
There’s a lot to like about Cambridgeshire. With acres of rolling fenland, medieval market-towns with stunning cathedrals, and one of the world’s most prestigious universities, it’s proven a consistent lure for tourists for decades – and this is helped by its excellent transport links.
Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the county’s hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems. They’re all accessible if you’re travelling by train to Cambridge, making them ideal for those making a day-trip from the city.
Nene Valley Railway
While Nene Valley itself is in neighbouring Northamptonshire, you can board a train in the cathedral city of Peterborough and take a trip via the scenic North Western line which once ran all the way to London. There are several picturesque little villages along the way, making this a great way to see a cross section of country life in a single day.
Imperial War Museum
It’s amazing just how much thought and ingenuity has gone into the art and science of war over the years. But really it’s unsurprising, given the price of failure! At the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, you’ll find a whole slew of fighter and bomber planes, which were active during the Second World War. Included are the iconic spitfires, and more recent contraptions like the SR-71 Blackbird. Perfect for fans of military history!
The River
Of course, Cambridge is so-named after the bridge over the river Cam. You can see a great deal of the city itself from the water, and the best way to move across the water is on a punting trip. You’ll need a good sense of rhythm to make punting look really effortless, and practice makes perfect. But if that sounds like hard work, then you can always hire an experienced guide to take you along. They’ll be able to show you all of the landmarks you’ll want to see, including the famous colleges and the Bridge of Sighs.
Shepreth Wildlife Park
If you fancy seeing some of the world’s most impressive wildlife in a free-roaming park setting, then it’s worth taking a trip to Shepreth. The experience is family-friendly, with animals of all shapes and sizes on display – from tiny insects to enormous tigers, along with scheduled lectures and feeding sessions. It’s perfect for animal-lovers of every age – and if you’ve travelled to the park by train, you’ll even get a special discount.
