Day Trips from Cambridge, UK

Cambridge, UK is a bustling city known for its prestigious university and historic architecture. However, just a short distance away lie numerous charming villages, scenic countryside, and intriguing attractions waiting to be explored.

If you are based in Cambridge and looking for places to visit in Cambridge or nearby either through train or car, then this is the post which presents some ideas you could explore for doing day trips from Cambridge UK.

London

London, the bustling capital city of the United Kingdom, is a vibrant metropolis that seamlessly blends centuries-old history with modern innovation. From iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to world-class museums and theaters, London offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors and residents alike.

Distance: Approximately 100 km

Travel Time: About 50 minutes to 1 hour by train

Main Attractions: British Museum, Houses of Parliament, West End theatres

Best Time to Visit: Year-round

How to reach from Cambridge ? – There are direct trains from Cambridge stations that go to London Kings cross and Liverpool street station. You can also reach through car but it is not recommended to go to London through car due to heavy traffic within London city and also one has to pay extra congestion charge to drive in touristy zones of London.

Scenic Spots: Hyde Park, Thames River, Buckingham Palace

 

Thetford

Distance : Approximately 60 km.

How to reach from Cambridge ? – Thetford is reachable through train or car. It takes roughly 45 minutes from both.

Main Attractions: Thetford forest.

Activities to do : Mountain biking, picnic or walking in Thetford forest

Best Time to Visit: Summer

Bonus Tip : If you are going by train, you will have to order a cab to Thetford Forest. If you plan to hire bike in Thetford forest, you will need some form of photo-proof ID and also it’s better to book online in advance.

Norfolk coast

Distance : Approximately 100km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – Depends on where you want to go along the coast. Norwich is easily accessible through train but the beaches are a bit far from Norwich so you will need to catch a bus/cab from Norwich.

Main Attractions: Norfolk coast beaches. Beaches like Winterton-on-sea, Gorleston-on-Sea Beach, Horsey Beach, Hunstanton Beach are famous and most visited by tourists.

Activities to do : Picnic, hiking along the coast, swimming in the beaches.

Best Time to Visit: Summer

Brighton

Distance : Approximately 200km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – Brighton is easily accessible through train from Cambridge station.

Main Attractions: Brighton Pier, Brighton Beach and Seven Sisters hike.

Activities to do : Hiking or Relaxing at the Brighton beach.

Best Time to Visit: Summer

Ely

Distance : Approximately 30km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – Easily reachable through train.

Main Attractions: Ely Cathedral, Ely Eeel Festival

Activities to do : It’s second smallest city in England, it is compact enough to explore on foot.

There’s a good tea room called Peacock in Ely if you fancy tearooms.

Best Time to Visit: Anytime of the year.

Bury St Edmunds

Distance : Approximately 50km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – Reachable through train.

Main Attractions: The town is best known for Bury St Edmunds Abbey and St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Activities to do : Relax in the stunning Abbey Gardens in the heart of Bury St Edmunds

Best Time to Visit: Summer

Fen Drayton & St. Ives

Distance : Approximately 25km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – You can reach by bike. Other options are drive/cab and bus.

Main Attractions: Fen Drayton lakes, St.Ives Bridge

Activities to do : It’s famous for Sunday Markets. Other than that, one can relax along 

Best Time to Visit: Summer, Spring, Fall.

Imperial War Museum Duxford

Distance : Approximately 15km

How to reach from Cambridge ? – You can reach by bike. Other options are drive/cab.

Best Time to Visit: All Time throughout the year.

Exploring the day trip options from Cambridge, UK, offers an incredible blend of history, nature, and culture, all within a short distance from this iconic university town. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exploration, or a bit of both, these day trips provide the perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

FAQ About Best Day Trips from Cambridge, United Kingdom

What are the best day trips from Cambridge?

It depends on what you want to do in day trips. In this article we’ve listed things that’s easily doable from Cambridge.