Holidays in Cambridgeshire

All places to stay in Cambridgeshire

Why Cambridgeshire works for days out

Cambridgeshire suits a relaxed pace. It has open fenland, a run of National Trust properties, and a handful of small, specialist museums. You can build a day around a single big estate or string together two or three smaller stops. Cambridge is the obvious base if you like having cafés and museums close by, but there are 278 places to stay on BritStays across the county. You can just as easily pick somewhere quieter and drive in.

The standout attractions by type

Family days. If your children have energy to burn, the water parks are the clear pick. Fenland Aqua Park and Peterborough Wake Park are both built around getting wet and being active, so pack towels and a change of clothes. Check booking requirements, age limits and seasonal opening before you set off. For something calmer but still hands-on, The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge tends to go down well with curious older children and nostalgic parents alike.

Rainy days. Cambridgeshire's indoor options lean towards local history. Here are a few worth considering:

The Centre for Computing History, Cambridge: a good wet-weather anchor for a city day.
Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery: a broader collection if you want art alongside history.
Whittlesey Museum: small and local, ideal for an hour or so.
RAF Witchford Display of Memorabilia: a focused stop for anyone interested in wartime aviation.

Outdoors. Wicken Fen is the place to see the fenland landscape properly, so bring sturdy footwear and binoculars if you have them. The Wimpole Estate offers plenty of room to roam. Houghton Mill pairs a historic building with a riverside setting that suits a gentle walk.

Heritage. For grand houses and historic buildings, Wimpole Hall is the headline name. Peckover House & Gardens appeals if you enjoy period interiors and a garden to wander afterwards. Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse (National Trust) is a smaller, atmospheric stop that slots easily into a longer day. Farm Hall is also listed among the county's stately homes, so check access arrangements before you plan a visit around it.

Grouping attractions into a sensible day

The easiest way to plan is by theme, then check travel times on a map before you commit. Fenland roads can take longer than you expect. Some combinations that make sense:

A Cambridge day: The Centre for Computing History in the morning, with lunch and a wander around the city afterwards.
A big-estate day: Wimpole Hall and the wider Wimpole Estate can easily fill most of a day on their own. Don't try to squeeze in too much else.
A fenland day: Wicken Fen for a morning walk, then the RAF Witchford Display of Memorabilia or Whittlesey Museum if the route works for you.
A heritage-and-history day: Peckover House & Gardens alongside Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse (National Trust) or Houghton Mill, depending on where you're staying.
An active family day: Peterborough Wake Park or Fenland Aqua Park, followed by Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery as a dry, quieter wind-down.

As a rule, one large site plus one small one is plenty. National Trust properties reward an unhurried visit, and you'll enjoy them more without one eye on the clock.

Where to eat

The following places all hold a 5-star food hygiene rating. Look up their locations when you plan your route.

The Alma: a pub for a proper sit-down meal at the end of the day.
Salento: a tea room, good for a mid-afternoon break.
Ada's Kitchen: a bakery, handy for picking up picnic supplies before a day at Wicken Fen or the Wimpole Estate.
Dulcis and Poke Stop: both ice cream and creamery stops, a useful bribe after a long walk.

Turning it into a short break

Three days covers a good spread without rushing. One option looks like this:

Day one: Cambridge and The Centre for Computing History.
Day two: Wimpole Hall and the estate.
Day three: Fenland, with Wicken Fen and a small museum.

If you have children, swap one of these for a water park day and keep a museum in reserve for bad weather. With 278 places to stay on BritStays, it's worth choosing your base around the days you care most about. Pick somewhere central for city-focused trips, or nearer the fens if walking is the priority.

Practical tips before you go

Check opening days and booking requirements for every attraction before you travel, especially the water parks and smaller volunteer-run museums. If you're a National Trust member, bring your card, since several of the county's key sites are Trust properties. Keep a waterproof layer in the car, as fenland weather can turn quickly and there's little shelter on open paths. Finally, plan driving times between stops with a map rather than guesswork.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best rainy day attractions in Cambridgeshire?

Good indoor options include The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, Whittlesey Museum and the RAF Witchford Display of Memorabilia.

Are there water parks in Cambridgeshire for families?

Yes. Fenland Aqua Park and Peterborough Wake Park are both water parks in Cambridgeshire. Check age limits, booking and seasonal opening before you go.

Which National Trust places can I visit in Cambridgeshire?

National Trust places in the area include Wicken Fen, the Wimpole Estate, Peckover House & Gardens, Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse and Houghton Mill.

Where can I go for an outdoor walk in Cambridgeshire?

Wicken Fen is ideal for exploring the fenland landscape. The Wimpole Estate and Houghton Mill also suit a gentle day outdoors.

Where can I eat on a day out in Cambridgeshire?

Places with a 5-star food hygiene rating include The Alma (a pub), Salento (a tea room), Ada's Kitchen (a bakery), and Dulcis and Poke Stop (ice cream and creameries).

How many places to stay are there in Cambridgeshire on BritStays?

There are 278 places to stay on BritStays in Cambridgeshire, so you can choose a base in Cambridge or somewhere quieter.