Holiday apartment in Cambridgeshire: nature, history and trails

Cambridgeshire showcases natural and cultural sites with unusually clear contours. The Great Fen contains two designated Dark Sky areas which, due to the low level of light pollution, allow a clear, uninterrupted view of the Milky Way. Alongside historic sites and museums, this places a landscape whose night sky is a distinctive feature at the centre of attention.

Nature and trails

The flat terrain and numerous waterways in Cambridgeshire offer attractive routes for exploring on foot. The Great Fen has an extensive network of footpaths and adventure trails, with walks to suit all abilities. These include circular routes at Ramsey Heights, access to the lowest point in Britain and the historic Holme Fen Posts. At Wandlebury Country Park, eight miles of footpaths run through wildflower meadows, woodland, orchards and Iron Age ditches.

History and culture

Wimpole Estate has a 17th-century manor house with Georgian interiors. The parkland comprises an ancient cultivated landscape with diverse flora and fauna, a Gothic Revival folly, a multi-user trail and numerous walking routes. Home Farm at Wimpole is the only working farm of its kind in the National Trust, serves as a model for sustainable agriculture and is home to rare breeds such as Shire horses, pigs, sheep, cattle and goats. The Old Rectory café at Wimpole serves light lunches, homemade cakes and daily specials made with produce from the kitchen garden; it also has a terrace overlooking the gardens.

The origins of Ely Cathedral date back to 673, when St Etheldreda commissioned the construction of an abbey church. The present building of Ely Cathedral dates from 1083. IWM Duxford is located in Duxford on Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield and displays historic aircraft, artefacts and personal accounts. The American Air Museum at IWM Duxford houses the world’s largest publicly displayed collection of military aircraft outside the United States. A guided tour of the site explains the airfield’s aviation history and its important role from the First World War to the present day. Non-public areas such as the Nissen huts, historic concrete shelters and fortified shelters are also accessible.

IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire is accessible by public transport. The nearest railway stations are Whittlesford Parkway, Royston and Cambridge. There are taxi ranks at Royston and Cambridge stations, and bus 7A runs from Whittlesford Parkway from Monday to Saturday.

Denny Abbey was uniquely used in England in succession by three different monastic orders: Benedictine monks, the Knights Templar and finally Franciscan nuns known as the Poor Clares. The Farmland Museum at Denny Abbey displays an extensive collection of agricultural machinery from the Fens, a Fenman’s hut, blacksmith’s and wheelwright’s workshops, and a recreation of a village shop. It also offers family-friendly interactive activity stations about medieval bricks and arches.

Water and cycle routes

Water skiing takes place at A1 South on the A1 Lakes in the Paxton Pits nature reserve; windsurfing and water skiing are possible at A1 North. The wide cycle path along the Guided Busway connects St Ives with the north of Cambridge, as well as Cambridge Rail Station with Trumpington Park and Ride and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The cycle path is paved along its entire length and can be used by pedestrians and cyclists; between St Ives and Milton Road in Cambridge, it is also open to horse riders.

Geographical location

In the wider regional area, the Ouse Valley Way connects St Neots, Huntingdon, Cromwell’s birthplace, St Ives and Earith.

More places

More places in Cambridgeshire: Yaxley, Wisbech, Swaffham Bulbeck, Stow Cum Quy, Sawtry, Melbourn, Huntingdon, Hinxton, Fulbourn, Ely, Eaton Socon, Duxford, Cambridge, Buckden, Boxworth, Cambourne, Horseheath, Stretham, Water Newton, Stilton, Brinkley, Little Wilbraham, Chesterton, Girton, St Ives, St Neots, Willingham, March, Six Mile Bottom, Fen Drayton, Ramsey, Chatteris, Brampton, Stapleford, Linton, Little Stukeley, Papworth Everard, Littleport, Isleham, Soham, Kimbolton, Milton, Croydon, Elton, Longstanton, Old Hurst, Pidley, Holme, Hardwick, Arrington, Whittlesey, Gamlingay, Manea, Comberton, Bar Hill.

For the higher-level travel overview: East of England.