Cambridge

Twenty miles north of the university spires, this corner of Cambridgeshire feels properly rural. Villages dot the flat fenland landscape like scattered stepping stones, each with its own parish church and quiet cricket ground. The postcode covers a sprawling area where narrow lanes wind between fields of sugar beet and potatoes, punctuated by the occasional copse.

Cottenham stands out as the main settlement here, complete with its own gallery and sports centre. All Saints Church dominates the village centre with its imposing tower, while the Recreation Ground hosts local football matches most weekends. It's a place where you'll still find proper village life - the sort where everyone knows the postman's name.

History buffs should seek out the Site of Bullocks Haste Romano-British settlement, though frankly there's not much to see beyond field boundaries these days. More rewarding is a walk through Fen Reeves Community Woodland or Landbeach Woods, where you can escape the endless flat horizons for a bit.

Haddenham offers a different flavour, with its Steam Rally museum drawing enthusiasts from across East Anglia. The village cemetery has been transformed into an unexpected nature reserve - not as morbid as it sounds. RAF Mepal Memorial pays tribute to the area's wartime aviation history, when these fields echoed with the drone of Lancaster bombers.

Getting here means driving mostly - the A14 provides the main link to Cambridge proper. Staying at one of the local glamping sites like Fen Meadows makes perfect sense if you want to explore the Fens without the city crowds. You're close enough for day trips to Cambridge yet far enough away to appreciate the big skies and endless farmland that define this quietly beautiful corner of England.