Bypass Viewpoint

The Bypass Viewpoint near Ely is one of those stops you wouldn't plan a day around, but you'd be daft to miss if you're in the area. It's basically a pull-off on the A10 where you get a proper view of the Cambridgeshire landscape rolling out in front of you - flat as it gets, with wide skies and the sort of light that makes photography worth doing. The vantage point gives you sight lines across the Fens, and on clear days you can actually spot the cathedral spire back in Ely town itself. It takes about five minutes to enjoy it properly, though walkers often use it as a checkpoint on longer rambles through the area. Free to stop, no facilities, and no time restrictions. The real appeal here is that it breaks up a drive nicely and reminds you why this corner of England, despite its flatness, has its own kind of beauty. If you're staying at Hatters Meadows or Heatherbield Lodge - both excellent caravan sites just a couple of miles away - it's the sort of thing to knock off between breakfast and lunch. Families with young kids won't get hours of entertainment from it, but older children who actually look at landscapes rather than their phones will appreciate the scale of the view. Go mid-morning or late afternoon for the light. Rain diminishes it considerably, so pick a decent day.