Your Guide to 5 Days out in Cambridgeshire

1. Things to do in Ely

First on our list is the historic city of Ely just 14 miles northeast of Cambridge. Getting to Ely from Cambridge could not be easier. It is just a 30-minute drive up the A10 or one short train ride. Whatever transportation method you use, when you arrive, the city is breath-taking. Well, to be honest, it is breath-taking before you arrive… one of the main advantages of how flat Cambridgeshire’s fens are is that Ely’s stunning Cathedral is visible from miles around!

And once you arrive, there is a whole array of interesting things to do. Obviously, no stop to Ely would be complete without a visit to the Cathedral. The Cathedral is regarded as one of the wonders of the Medieval World and still dominates the landscape as it has done for centuries. Inside, the Cathedral is magnificent. No surprise then, that it was a filming location for blockbusters such as The Crown and The King’s Speech. And once you are tired and hungry from exploring the Cathedral’s Towers then pop to the Almonry restaurant just next door for a quick snack or maybe treat yourself to a full Afternoon Tea.

A second incredible stop, especially if you have the kids with you, is Oliver Cromwell’s House. As the name suggests, this was once the Cromwell Family’s home with parts of the building laid out as they would have been when the family were there. You could just explore for yourself or take advantage of the many offers available for families. You could take one of their new family audio tours which have a ‘Horrible History’ theme making it entertaining as well as educational. Or, if you plan to visit at the weekend, then you could try your hand at an Escape Room experience and solve the case of Chadwick, the missing curator (Escape Room experiences must be booked in advance).

And that is just a couple of the many things Ely has to offer. If you fancied a slower pace to your day then you could take a stroll along the river, or even hop on a boat and cruise along on a River Tour. With so many things to do and so easy to get to, Ely makes the ideal place for a day trip out of Cambridge.

2. Imperial War Museum, Duxford

Another day out in Cambridgeshire for the whole family is Duxford’s Imperial War Museum. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in war history or in aviation. It is just a 10-minute drive outside of Cambridge or a short train ride to Whittlesford station.
Duxford museum is housed on a First World War airfield complete with original aircraft hangers. Walk through the very same hangars as the men and women who served at RAF Duxford during both World Wars. Housed in the historic hangars is an impressive collection of aircraft, tanks and artefacts bringing to life 100 years of warfare. You can see star attractions such as a Lancaster Bomber, the huge B-52 Bomber and a vast array of airworthy spitfires.

And if all that still wasn’t enough to entice you into a visit, then Duxford is still a working airfield. So, whilst you explore the static exhibits, historic aircraft will be buzzing around above your head.

Or, if you wanted a truly memorable experience whilst you are in Cambridge, then book tickets to one of Duxford’s famous airshows featuring dozens of air displays as well as activities and shows down on the ground!

3. Audley End House and Garden

Audley End is approximately 13 miles outside of Cambridge and is easily accessed by both train and car. There is ample parking on site or Audley End station is just 1 and ¼ miles away.

Audley End House is one of the finest examples of Jacobean architecture in England. You can stroll through the state rooms above stairs presented as they would have been in the 1820s. Imagine you are living the life of the family in Downton Abbey by playing with the toys in the playroom or even having a try on the piano!

Once you have experienced the highlife then head downstairs to see how the other half live. Experience life in the kitchens, dairy and laundry rooms. If you are lucky, you might even bump into a real life servant who can tell you about their life or show you how to cook 1820s style.
Finally, the gardens were remodelled by the infamous landscaper, Capability Brown. There are acres of parkland (normally featuring a deer or two) where you can uncover the tranquil Elysian Garden and a memorial to the Polish resistance soldiers of the Second World War.

There is loads to see and do for all the family, especially during school holidays when special events are put on for the kids.

4. Wimpole Hall and Farm

What day out could be better than a trip to a real working farm? Time it correctly and you will get to see some new-born lambs or piglets. And even if you do not get to see the tiny new-borns then there is still loads of animals to see, such as massive shire horses, goats and pigs.

The farm is not all that there is to see at Wimpole as it lies in the grounds of the stunning Wimpole Hall. So before you head down to see the cute animals, explore the exquisite furnishings inside the house. Wimpole’s showpiece is the Yellow Drawing Room, a huge space at the heart of the house or the 1720s Chapel decorated with delicate paintings.

And we’ve not even mentioned the gardens yet. Wimpole Hall and Farm is set within acres of sprawling Cambridgeshire countryside packed full of wildlife. Stroll along the paths towards the farm, spotting the artwork hidden amongst the trees along the way. Or head across the Chinese bridge towards the Gothic Folly. And don’t forget to stop in at one of the cafes nestled within the grounds along the way. Wimpole Farm is just a few miles outside of Cambridge city centre. Visit the National Trust website for more details on opening times and what to see.

5. Anglesey Abbey

And last but not least we have Anglesey Abbey just a couple of miles outside Cambridge. There is something for the whole family at Anglesey with over 100 acres of gardens, a historic house and a watermill.

There is lots of family fun on offer at Anglesey Abbey from den building to scavenger hunting inside their Wildlife Discovery area. And, a new play area will soon be ready to open as well. Plus, if you are planning to visit around Easter then there are Easter Egg Hunts on offer too.
Once you have had your fill of wandering the beautiful grounds then step into the elegant Wimpole Hall itself packed full of unique treasures. Or, if you prefer more recent history, then visit the Domestic Wing of the house which has been restored back to the 1960s and see all the hard work that went on to keep a house that size running.

For something a bit different you could head further into the grounds to discover Lode Mill and its more than 300-year history. You can explore all three floors of the mill and take a look at how the machinery works. Unfortunately, as Anglesey Abbey were unable to turn the mill properly during the Covid-19 lockdowns some of the machinery has subsequently deteriorated and so the mill cannot be turned until expensive restoration has taken place.

Conclusion

So there we have it, five fascinating days out in Cambridgeshire, perfect for all the family. As visitor attractions all the sites do put on special events on occasion or change their exhibitions from time to time. So we always recommend checking the websites before you travel. But wherever you choose to visit, we can assure you that you will have a brilliant day out in the Cambridgeshire countryside!