Five Unforgettable Day Trips from Cambridge: Explore Aviation, Racing, and History
While Cambridge itself is a destination worthy of at least a night or two to soak up its abundant charms, extending your stay offers the perfect opportunity to use the city as a springboard for diverse nearby attractions. If your UK itinerary allows, consider venturing out on these five captivating day trips, each offering unique experiences just a short journey from Cambridge.
IWM Duxford: A Journey Through Aviation History
Located just 15 kilometers south of Cambridge, IWM Duxford is a preserved wartime airfield that forms part of the London-based Imperial War Museum. Aviation enthusiasts will be enthralled by this historic site, which opened during World War I as one of the earliest Royal Air Force stations. Many of its buildings remain largely unchanged since the 1940s, housing vintage aircraft that visitors can explore up close. Climb into the cockpit of a legendary Spitfire, wander through the fuselage of an Avro Lancaster, and delve into the stories of the men and women who served here through engaging exhibits and interactive family-friendly displays.
Duxford's pilots played crucial roles in missions like D-Day, and the airfield comes alive during annual themed air festivals, such as the Battle of Britain Air Show scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2026. Open daily, Duxford is accessible by public transport, including buses or a train-bus combination, making it an easy and educational outing.
Newmarket: The Heart of British Horseracing
Just a 20-minute train ride east of Cambridge, Newmarket is renowned as the home of British horseracing. Whether you're keen to place a bet or get up close with thoroughbred stallions, this Suffolk town offers year-round excitement. Race days at Newmarket's two courses draw crowds from April to November, with highlights like the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on May 2-3, 2026. The annual July festival adds a touch of glamour, with fashionable attendees enjoying champagne and races.
Beyond the track, guided tours showcase equine attractions such as the gallops, trainers' yards, and the National Stud. The National Horseracing Museum, set in a 17th-century palace built for King Charles II, provides deeper insights. Summer also brings open-air concerts, with headliners like Craig David, Madness, and Basement Jaxx scheduled for 2026.
Anglesey Abbey: A Stately Escape
If you have your own transport, Anglesey Abbey is a perfect stop en route to or from Newmarket. Alternatively, the Tiger 5 bus connects Cambridge to this 47-hectare National Trust estate in the village of Lode. Originally a medieval monastic priory, the grounds were dramatically transformed in the early 20th century by Lord Fairhaven, a wealthy American-born art collector and racehorse breeder. The Jacobean-style country house and gardens are lavishly furnished, featuring classical sculptures, roses, and dahlias that captivate visitors.
Adding to its charm is an 18th-century watermill with traditional machinery, along with woodlands, a play area, bookshop, cafe, and restaurant on the estate, making it a serene and picturesque day trip.
Grantchester: Idyllic Riverside Charm
Fans of the long-running TV drama Grantchester will recognize this village, located 4 kilometers south of Cambridge by the bucolic meadows of the River Cam. The show is filmed locally, showcasing the village church, thatched cottages, and the old vicarage once owned by politician-turned-novelist Jeffrey Archer. Reach Grantchester by boat from Cambridge, with punts, canoes, and kayaks available for hire, or take a scenic walk through the meadows.
Upon arrival, don't miss the Orchard Tea Garden for refreshments like tea and homemade scones. This historic spot has hosted literary icons such as Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf, as well as intellectuals like Bertrand Russell and John Maynard Keynes, adding a touch of cultural heritage to your visit.
Ely: A Cathedral City of Screen and History
A mere 15-minute train ride north of Cambridge, Ely is a small city famed for its magnificent medieval cathedral. Often doubling as Westminster Abbey in productions like The Crown, where it hosted the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, this octagonal-towered landmark has also appeared in films such as The King's Speech and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Dating back to the 11th century, the cathedral rises prominently above the flat Fens landscape, earning it the nickname "Ship of the Fens."
Nearby, Oliver Cromwell's House serves as a museum, tourist information hub, and gift store in a half-timbered former abode. Ely also boasts quaint pubs and tearooms along the River Ouse, making it a delightfully formed destination for history buffs and leisure seekers alike.
Fact File: For trip planning in Cambridgeshire and eastern England, visit visiteastofengland.com. For broader UK travel information, see visitbritain.com.
