Cambridge

Punting past King's College Chapel isn't the only way to experience Cambridge. Beyond the dreaming spires and tourist-packed streets lies a proper slice of countryside that most visitors never see. The rolling Cambridgeshire landscape around the city offers a refreshingly different perspective on this famous university town.

Archaeological treasures dot the area like breadcrumbs from history. Dunmowes Manor and Mutlow Hill reveal layers of the past that predate the colleges by centuries. Less dramatic but equally fascinating, Abington Pottery stands as a reminder of the region's industrial heritage, while the galleries at Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn showcase local artistic talent away from the crowds.

Nature takes centre stage once you venture beyond the M11. Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve provides brilliant birdwatching opportunities, especially during migration seasons. The various woodlands - Ten Acre Plantation, Poppy Hill Plantation, and Sluice Wood among them - offer proper walking territory with well-marked paths. Babraham Pocket Park might sound modest, but it punches above its weight for wildlife spotting.

Pampisford high point and Signal Hill reward the effort with cracking views across the fens. On clear days, you can see for miles across this famously flat landscape, understanding exactly why Cambridge became such an important medieval settlement.

Getting here is dead simple. The A11 runs straight from London, while the M11 provides quick access from the north and south. Cambridge railway station connects directly to London King's Cross in under an hour.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both the city and countryside. You avoid the eye-watering Cambridge hotel prices while having the fens and forests on your doorstep. The glamping options at Fen Meadows and Lodeside offer comfort after days spent cycling the quiet country lanes or walking the ancient tracks that crisscross this corner of England.