Stretham Ferry Marina

The Ouse stretches flat and wide at Stretham, and the marina sits right on it - a proper working waterway rather than some polished leisure resort. You'll find narrowboats moored up, the occasional barge pottering past, and enough of that slow-water quiet to make you forget Cambridge is just a few miles away. It's the kind of place where you can actually watch the Fens do what they do best: absolutely nothing particularly fast.

The marina itself is functional rather than fancy. There's a boat launch, moorings, and if you're into canal life at all, it's worth a wander. The tow path runs alongside, which makes for an easy walk without much gradient - proper flat, like everywhere round here. Not the sort of spot you'd set aside three hours for, but a solid half-hour detour if you're cycling or driving between Cambridge and the wider Fen country.

Families with kids will find it a bit quieter than the honeypot attractions, which is either a bonus or a drawback depending on what you're after. Walkers and boaters obviously get the most from it. The real draw is the landscape rather than any single activity - just the openness of the Cambridgeshire levels, the reedy banks, and that genuine sense of working water.

If you're camping at Chittering Park just down the road, it makes an easy morning stop. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching. There's usually something with wings about. Access appears free, though facilities aren't extensive.