England
Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Travel Guide - Towns and villages

Cambridge Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Cambridge owes its continued popularity as a tourist destination primarily to the presence of the university which bears the city's name. The wonderful medieval architecture of the early colleges that make up the university provide a delightful glimpse of life long ago, and the history that is bound up in those colleges makes for fascinating exploring. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England,

Elsworth Elsworth, Cambridgeshire Elsworth is a large village of thatched cottages and farmhouses grouped around a brook. Above the brook is a beautiful 14th century church, with fine interior furnishings including carved linenfold stalls decorated with poppy heads. Elsworth, Cambridgeshire, England,

Ely Ely, Cambridgeshire Ely is a peaceful small town, filled with beautiful Georgian buildings, but its crowning glory is the magnificent medieval cathedral. Ely began life as an island, effectively isolated by the surrounding fens. Its name means Isle of Eels, for the eels which swam in the waters surrounding it. So abundant were the eels that they were used as currency in the past. Imagine paying your rent in eels! Ely, Cambridgeshire, England,

Grantchester Grantchester, Cambridgeshire Grantchester is gradually being overtaken by the expanding boundaries of Cambridge, but the village retains enough of its original charm and character to provide an enjoyable visit. Thatched cottages share pride of place with Rupert Brooke's vicarage. The poet was a resident at the vicarage while he attended King's College, Cambridge. Grantchester, Cambridgeshire, England,

Huntingdon Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire The town of Huntingdon is most famous as the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell. But the history the town goes back long before Cromwell's era. There are indications of a Roman villa at Huntingdon, and we know that a Saxon town existed here as early as 650 AD. Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England,

Kimbolton Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire Kimbolton is a large village with an attractive High Street, but most people visit to see Kimbolton Castle. The site was settled at least as far back as the Roman era, and at the time of the Norman invasion the manor was held by King Harold himself. After the Conquest a castle was built at Kimbolton, under the control of the powerful de Bohun family. The De Bohuns were also responsible for funding the rebuilding of the parish church in the 13th century. Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, England,

Peterborough Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Most visitors come to Peterborough to see the 12th century cathedral, though modern Peterborough has become something of a shopping destination also. The cathedral is something of an aquired taste, though the architecture is superb beyond doubt, the design of the west front is startling, to put it kindly. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England,

St Ives St Ives, Cambridgeshire Do not confuse this St Ives with the popular Cornish resort of the same name! The town of St. Ives began life as "Slepe", which means "muddy" in Anglo-Saxon! That says all that needs to be said about the town's location on the edge of the Great Fen. St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England,

St. Neot's St. Neot's, Cambridgeshire The town of St. Neot's is built around the River Great Ouse, and it is the river that draws visitors and residents alike to pleasant Riverside Park, with its lovely scenery, waterside walks, boating, and fishing opportunities. St. Neot's, Cambridgeshire, England,

Thorney Thorney, Cambridgeshire Thorney is the most northerly of the islands springing up from the fenlands of Cambridgeshire. As with many other fenland islands, Thorney was the site of a 7th century monastic settlement. That early monastery was destroyed by the Danes. Here also Hereward the Wake made one of his last stands against William the Conqueror and his Norman invaders. Thorney, Cambridgeshire, England,

Wisbech Wisbech, Cambridgeshire Wisbech has the air of a self-satisfied Georgian market town. Before this area of fenland was reclaimed in the 17th century the region was about as inhospitable and as unsuitable for agriculture as you could find in England. Yet the rich soil beneath the watery fens provided a great boost to the fruit and flower growing industries, and Wisbech grew in size and importance. Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England,