Planning the perfect day trip from Cambridge UK? Having lived in Cambridgeshire for a year, I’ve curated this insider’s guide to the 15 best destinations within a 2-hour drive. From the royal gardens at Sandringham and the ‘loveliest castle in the world’ at Leeds, to the hidden thatched-roof villages only locals know, here is how to explore the very best of the English countryside.
Assuming you have already explored Cambridge on foot, I want to share my carefully curated list of day trips from Cambridge UK. During my time living in Cambridgeshire, I had the luxury of time to venture beyond Cambridge’s university walls and discover the hidden gems of the English countryside. I believe a perfect day trip should be stress-free and under a 2-hour drive, so I’ve focused this guide on the spectacular castles, cathedrals, and ‘hidden’ villages that made my time in England truly unforgettable.
1. Leeds Castle
Beautiful view of the bridge across the lake leading to the Leeds Castle entrance.
See my photos from Leeds Castle
My absolute favorite day trip from Cambridge is Leeds Castle, nestled deep in the Kent countryside. While many call it the ‘loveliest castle in the world,’ to me, it is a living timeline of England’s soul. I’ve walked through the same halls that once belonged to six of England’s medieval queens and stood where Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon stayed. It isn’t just a monument; it is the most stunning example of a Norman stronghold turned royal palace that I have ever encountered.
Driving on the M11 motorway, it would take you a little over a 1.5-hour drive to reach Leeds Castle. Once you get into the Kent countryside, the drive becomes beautiful. Checkout the Leeds Castle website for details on planning your visit.
Amazing Castles in UK
2. Audley End House
View of the front of Audley End House and the River Cam passing through the property.
See my photos from Audley End House
As we continue exploring beautiful day trips from Cambridge UK, we come to Audley End House which is one of my favorite manor houses in England. The people working there put on a play everyday, pretending that their masters are coming unexpectedly from London and they need to get everything ready. Audley End House was once one of the largest and most opulent houses in Jacobean England.
The best way to reach this beautiful property is by using a rental car, since Audley End House is located in the Essex countryside. Check out the Audley End House website for planning your trip details here.
3. Burghley House & Stamford
Beautiful view of the south side of Burghley House, seen from the lawn in front of the house.
See my photos from Burghley House
Located 10 minutes away from the stone and timber town of Stamford, Burghley House is an impressive palace. Planning to see both Burghley House and Stamford creates one of the best day trips from Cambridge UK.
Stamford has 17th and 18th-century stone buildings, older timber-framed buildings and medieval churches. Because of its many stone buildings and quaint setting, Stamford is a frequent filming location.
Beautiful view of Albert Bridge over River Welland in Stamford.
See my photos from Stamford
Located about 1 hour drive from Cambridge (via A14 and A1), Stamford is easily accessible and beautiful to visit.
4. Ely
The East half of Ely Cathedral seen from the south from Black Hill.
See my photos from Ely
Ely is the easiest of day trips from Cambridge UK by taking the A10 motorway. Located well under 1 hour driving from Cambridge, Ely boasts one of the largest and oldest cathedrals in England. In addition, Ely has the family home of Oliver Cromwell which is a great place to visit with your family. During our self-guided Ely walking tour, we enjoyed strolling around the Ely Cathedral through the Jubilee Gardens to the River Cam. Ely is quiet and beautiful especially during the spring.
5. Imperial War Museum Duxford
The “Sally B” B52 bomber which played the role of The Memphis Belle in Hollywood movies.
See my photos from Duxford
I love the Imperial War Museum in Duxford! This museum houses every imaginable aircraft, from old World War I biplanes to super-modern spy planes and even an actual test Concorde. If you are interested in the history of the World War 2 museums in London and their impact on England, Duxford should be at the very top of your list. Located only about a 15-minute drive from Cambridge, IWM Duxford makes for an incredibly easy and powerful trip.
6. Sandringham
The Sandringham Estate is the summer retreat of the Royal Family.
See my photos from Sandringham
Sandringham is the royal residence in Norfolk. This beautiful stately home is mostly known as the place where King George VI made the famous radio proclamation after England declared war to Germany in World War 2. You can actually see the actual room where King George made the BBC Radio speech addressing the entire nation. This historic event was the subject of the famous King’s Speech movie. While a bit further, visiting Sandringham is one of my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK.
7. Holkham Hall
Rear view of Holkham Hall, a stunning example of Palladian architecture.
See my photos from Holkham Hall
Located near Sandringham, on the Norfolk coast of England, Holkham Hall is another strong entry on my list of day trips from Cambridge UK. Lavishly decorated, Holkham Hall is a beautiful English manor house and worthy tourist destination.
8. Norfolk Coast
Colorful boats anchored on The Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea.
See my photos from Norfolk Coastal Villages
A little bit North of Sandringham we find the Norfolk Coast. The beaches on the Norfolk Coast of England while beautiful to visit, are not particularly inviting. However, the villages that dot the Norfolk Coast are lovely to visit. Tiny villages like Cley-next-the-Sea and Wells-next-the-Sea together with the larger Hunstanton make for a great Cambridge day trip. This “out of the way” area will give you a different taste of England, one much more peaceful and local.
9. Anglesey Abbey
Beautiful view of Anglesey Abbey and its famous surrounding gardens.
See my photos from Anglesey Abbey
Located only 15 minutes drive from Cambridge, Anglesey Abbey is the easiest place to visit from Cambridge UK. The beautiful grounds, including a small birch tree forest and an old mill, will give you a great picture of the English past. Our kids enjoyed seeing grain being ground up and flour being made at the old water powered mill. Being in such easy driving distance, Anglesey Abbey comes high on my list of day trips from Cambridge UK.
Anglesey Abbey First Impressions
10. Quaint Villages
Older thatched roof house in the picturesque village of Houghton.
See my photos from Houghton
One of my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK is to visit three villages in the Cambridgeshire countryside. These places are largely known only to locals, but they are lovely to visit. My favorite walk through the Cambridgeshire countryside is to start with a self-guided Houghton walking tour where I visit the old Houghton Mill then cross both arms of River Ouse into the tiny Hemingford Abbots and Hemingford Grey villages.
A beautiful large thatched roof house on High Street in Hemingford Abbots.
See my photos from Cambridgeshire Villages
Walking through the large meadow towards the Hemingfords is peaceful and quiet. The local church in Hemingford Abbots is one of my favorite country church in England as it is very quaint. As an interesting mostly unknown fact, the Manor House in Hemingford Grey was completed in 1160 and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in England.
11. Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral seen from the south side.
See my photos from Peterborough
Peterborough is another city out of the tourist path, but very close to Cambridge. Known primarily for the 12th century large Cathedral, Peterborough has a pretty old town centered around the 17th century Guildhall building. Peterborough Cathedral is largely known as the burial place of the famous Catherine of Aragon (English queen and Henry VIII’s wife).
12. Wimpole Hall
Beautiful front view of Wimpole House on the Wimpole Estate.
See my photos from Wimpole Hall
Currently owned by the niece of the famous British author Ruyard Kipling, Wimpole Hall is a beautiful property to visit when you are in Cambridge. Located very close to Cambridge, in the Cambridgeshire countryside, Wimpole Hall has beautiful gardens and well maintained grounds.
13. Bury St Edmund
Beautiful view of St Edmundsbury Cathedral from the Abbey Gardens.
See my photos from Bury St Edmunds
This old market town, located less than one hour from Cambridge UK, has a beautiful park and abbey. The town is associated with Magna Carta. In 1214 the barons of England are believed to have met in the Bury St Edmund Abbey Church and sworn to force King John to accept the Charter of Liberties, the document which influenced the creation of the Magna Carta.
14. Norwich
Norwich Cathedral is a beautiful historical place to visit in the heart of the city.
See my photos from Norwich
The city is the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom, including cobbled streets and half-timbered houses and the old Norwich Castle. Located about 1.5 hours by car or train from Cambridge, Norwich makes for a great day trip from Cambridge UK. Its large cathedral and many historical attractions make Norwich very interesting to visit.
15. Bedford
Beautiful view of the Bedford Town Bridge and The Embankment at dusk.
See my photos from Bedford
Bedford is largely known as the town of John Bunyan, the famous Christian writer of “The Pilgrim’s Progress”. Bunyan is known to have written this 17th century masterpiece while imprisoned in Bedford. Our family enjoyed walking by River Ouse especially at sunset as the stone bridge and water reflections made for a nice evening stroll.
Plan your Day Trips from Cambridge UK
Stay in Cambridge. Find a budget hotel in Cambridge and explore this beautiful area for longer.
Rent a Car. The best way to explore the Cambridgeshire countryside is by hiring a budget car. Use the Cambridge Train Station as the point to pick up your rental car. Hertz and Europcar are located nearby.
Is it Worth Taking Day Trips from Cambridge UK?
Having spent a full year living in this beautiful corner of England, my answer is a resounding yes. While Cambridge itself is captivating, the real soul of the country is found in the golden stone of the Cotswold-style villages and the quiet halls of its great manor houses.
If you only have time for a few, I highly recommend prioritizing Leeds Castle for its sheer beauty and IWM Duxford for a powerful piece of history. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a quiet escape into the countryside, these day trips from Cambridge UK will show you an England that most tourists never get to see.
Where will you head first? Let me know in the comments below!
