Summary
It is obvious that Cambridge surpasses the surrounding county, as it rightfully should, given its status as home to one of the world’s premier universities, along with the extensive history and cultural richness it exhibits.
Nonetheless, there is a wealth of experiences and attractions to embrace in the rest of Cambridgeshire.
Once difficult to conceive, numerous towns in the eastern part of the county were historically islands engulfed by marshland.
The transformation that occurred in the 17th century is fascinating; extensive areas of land, often below sea level, were drained, leading to a surge in prosperity and industrial development.
Cambridgeshire was also the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell, a pivotal figure who governed England instead of a monarch as the Protector of the Commonwealth during the 1600s, becoming a significant and contentious personality in British history.
Let us delve into the noteworthy destinations to explore in Cambridgeshire:
1. Cambridge
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The University of Cambridge boasts a global reputation for academic excellence, established in 1209, making it the second oldest institution in the English-speaking realm.
The university’s various colleges, including Kings’, Queens’, Trinity, and St Catherine’s, play an indispensable role in any visit to the city, showcasing stunning architecture from diverse periods.
Punting along the “Backs,” where several college buildings gracefully align along the River Cam, is an essential activity.
Another must-see is the impressive Fitzwilliam Museum, featuring a Henry Moore sculpture in its gardens and an extensive collection of paintings from the Dutch, English, Flemish, French, and Italian Schools.
Rubens is particularly well-represented with fourteen of his works on display.
2. Ely
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Imagining what a stunning sight Ely must have presented in the Middle Ages is captivating: a magnificent cathedral standing alone amidst marshes on a solitary chalk hill.
This remarkable structure continues to take one’s breath away, dominating the landscape for what seems like miles.
The architectural design harmoniously combines Romanesque and Gothic styles, renowned for its octagonal tower, which is equally breathtaking both externally and from within.
Oliver Cromwell resided in Ely from 1636 to 1647, and his half-timbered house at St Mary’s Vicarage provides insight into his life in the city, alongside the compelling history of the Fens.
3. Huntingdon
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This charming town possesses a rich history that will captivate any history enthusiast.
Huntingdon received its charter from King John in the early 13th century.
Following the “Historic Trail” through the center reveals the medieval bridge spanning the River Ouse and the coaching inns from the 1700s, when Huntingdon played a vital role in England’s horse-drawn transport system.
The primary draw to Huntingdon is its connection to Oliver Cromwell, who was born in the town in 1599 and later served as its Member of Parliament. Gain insights into this polarizing figure at the Cromwell Museum, which is situated in a medieval schoolhouse once attended by the 17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys.
4. St Ives
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St Ives prospered from medieval times due to the commerce generated by the River Great Ouse and its transport links to London.
At one point in the 1830s, the town boasted 64 pubs.
Experience some remnants of its vibrant past at the weekly markets held on Mondays and Fridays in the town center.
The St Ives Bridge, built in the 1400s, is one of only four bridges in the county featuring a chapel.
In the 1500s, the prior of the dissolved St Ives Abbey was granted residence here.
The Old Riverport beside the bridge is also the embarkation point for guided cruises along the river, allowing visitors to appreciate the charming greenery of the Ouse Valley’s water meadows.
5. March
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The centerpiece of this market town is the Church of St Wendreda.
Specifically, its interior is noteworthy, featuring a 14th-century double hammerbeam roof intricately adorned with carvings of 120 angels.
Located in the Fens to the northeast of the county, March was once an island until the surrounding marshlands were drained, facilitating the town’s growth from the 1600s onward.
The now picturesque River Nene became navigable and was utilized for trading grain and coal, leading to the establishment of its market.
The market continues robustly, taking place in front of the neo-Gothic town hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
6. Wisbech
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Further downstream on the River Nene lies Cambridgeshire’s second-largest town.
Similar to March, Wisbech’s fortunes shifted dramatically following the drainage of the Fens, as it swiftly transitioned into a vital inland port for shipping produce from the newly cultivated farmlands.
The Nene Quay and the North and South Brinks stand as stunning testaments to this era, representing some of Cambridgeshire’s most appealing man-made attractions.
Bordering the Nene are rows of 17th and 18th-century warehouses and tall houses that now exude a stately ambiance, having once been bustling before the advent of railways.
Wisbech & Fenland Museum, located in an elegant townhouse on Museum Square, has been welcoming visitors since 1847.
7. Peterborough
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A thriving city bordering the Fens, Peterborough is recognized for its manufacturing and commercial activities, often overshadowed by tourist hotspots.
However, there is a plethora of discoveries awaiting attentive visitors, complemented by urban shopping and dining experiences.
The cathedral stands out as a prominent landmark, notable for being one of the few remaining early-Gothic churches from the 12th century that has retained much of its original structure.
Aficionados of medieval architecture will find themselves entranced by this masterpiece.
In addition, Bronze Age artifacts are frequently uncovered around Peterborough, and just east of the city center lies Flag Fen, a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age site presented as an informative museum.
8. Ramsey
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Despite its compact nature, the town of Ramsey features 60 listed buildings within its historic area, which is recognized as a conservation zone.
Great Whyte branches off the High Street, with the intriguing aspect being the presence of large dock warehouses at its north end, despite the absence of a visible river.
This stems from the diversion of the High Lode River, which ran beneath Great Whyte in the 1850s, resulting in the street’s distinctive width.
The highly regarded Ramsey Rural Museum provides insight into the early farming endeavors of the reclaimed Fens, and is housed within beautiful farm structures that date back to the 1600s.
9. Duxford
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Located in the southern part of Cambridgeshire, Duxford is renowned for its airfield.
During World War II, RAF Duxford served as a strategic base throughout the Battle of Britain and later for the United States Air Force.
Since the 1970s, it has been transformed into a visitor attraction, now housing an impressive collection of vintage aircraft at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
This facility boasts 200 aircraft and an array of military vehicles contained within seven buildings.
Visitors can stop for lunch at one of the three pubs in the village and subsequently explore St John’s Church, known for its Gothic frescoes and walls adorned with historical graffiti.
10. St Neots
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Many visitors may find themselves arriving in St Neots via an unconventional means—a barge along the River Great Ouse, one of the longest rivers in the UK, flowing across eastern England and ultimately discharging into the North Sea.
The riverbanks may indeed constitute the town’s most picturesque area, featuring a riverside park where one can observe waterborne traffic during the summer months.
A quirky local museum enhances the town’s appeal, located in the former magistrates’ court of St Neots.
This attraction showcases intriguing narratives about the town’s residents, including that of the Eynesbury Giant, who lived in St Neots during the 1800s.
11. Lode
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A charming village situated northwest of Cambridge, Lode features delightful thatched cottages alongside more imposing flat-fronted homes, ideal for scenic walks in the southern Fens.
However, Lode also offers a remarkable historical site: Anglesey Abbey, an exquisite 17th-century Jacobean manor house.
This property is filled with paintings, antique furniture, clocks, and silverware belonging to Lord Fairhaven, all of which were bequeathed to the National Trust.
The landscaped gardens are even more captivating than the manor itself, providing year-round interest due to the snowdrops that bloom in February.
Last but not least, Lode Mill, a watermill dating back to the 1700s, continues to operate and is accessible to the public.
12. Buckden
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One of the most charming aspects of Buckden is that its high street remains a vital part of the community.
Shops, restaurants, and inns are all concentrated in this area, and the George Hotel & Brasserie recalls Buckden’s days as a staging post on the Great North Road, which linked London with Edinburgh.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Buckden’s high street has historically hosted royalty.
Buckden Towers, originally constructed in the 1100s, now features a Tudor design.
Numerous significant figures from medieval and Tudor England, including Edward I, Richard III, and Henry VIII, as well as his wives Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Howard, have resided here.
