What to do and see in Cambridgeshire, England: The Best Historic Sites

March 18, 2022 Diedre Savory

Discover the best top things to do in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom including The Manor, American Air Museum, Island Hall, Peterhouse Cambridge, Emmanuel College, Corpus Christi College, Girton College, Christ's College, Ely Cathedral, Gonville and Caius College.
Restaurants in Cambridgeshire

1. The Manor

The Manor, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PE18 9AL England +44 1480 463134 http://www.greenknowe.co.uk/index.html
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 102 reviews

The Manor

This is a historic house and is different site altogether from Hemingford Grey House (a residential conference center).

Reviewed By vall110 - Stoke Ash, United Kingdom

Visited the house as part of a WI trip. Diana was very welcoming, even picking up 3 of our ladies who had mobility problems to take them to the house, as direct access by car or coach is not possible. She is a superb hostess, who told us of the history of this house, which is about 950 years old - older than the Magna Carta! An informative tour of the house and the chance to view some amazing quilts made by Lucy Boston, author of many children's books. The house has Norman, Tudor and Georgian features and we had the opportunity to sit and listen to the very 78 record that was played to RAF men during WW2 and in the same room. The gardens are beautiful and set right next to the beautiful Great Ouse. What a wonderful way to spend a few hours - highly recommended!

2. American Air Museum

Duxford England +44 1223 497255 http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 462 reviews

American Air Museum

This museum dedicated to the US 8th and 9th Army Air Force houses a large collection of American combat aircraft.

Reviewed By sawbograham - Sawbridgeworth, United Kingdom

Great aircraft in here and at all angles. Our little grand daughter loved weaving in and out of the planes. We really enjoyed our day and trip there

3. Island Hall

Godmanchester PE29 2BA. England +44 1480 459676 http://www.islandhall.com
Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 42 reviews

Island Hall

4. Peterhouse Cambridge

Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RD England +44 1223 338200 http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
53%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Peterhouse Cambridge

Founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, this is the oldest college in Cambridge, and with under 400 students, one of the smallest.

Reviewed By TERRAvelista - London, United Kingdom

We came across Peterhouse purely by chance as we heading to Fitzwilliam museum, located right near Peterhouse and which I would highly recommend you to visit due to the huge variety of gorgeous items you find here. Peterhouse was free to visit and as we accessed the grounds we were impressed with the gorgeous old buildings, dating back to 1284 and looking just impressive - you are just about to imagine some knights popping out of some corner in their Medieval attire!!! The security staff was very nice and welcoming, just so refreshing compared to the very rude entry staff at King's college (just because they are so busy due to their central location). You have to visit this quieter part of Cambridge, even if you are on a day visit, the way we were.

5. Emmanuel College

St. Andrews Street, Cambridge CB2 3AP England +44 1223 334800 [email protected] http://www.emma.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
63%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Emmanuel College

Part of the University of Cambridge, this college was founded by Sir Walter Mildmay in 1584 on the site of a former priory of the Dominican Order, known as the Black Friars or Preachers.

Reviewed By 978JohnB - Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Besides visiting for the wonderful architecture and the history of the college, Emmanuel has some wonderful trees in its gardens, these are worth a visit in themselves. Each garden has magnificent trees, to the left of the chapel there is a tunnel which leads under Emmanuel Sreet to a court with yet more. A very useful tree map can be downloaded from the Emmanuel site but I reccomend you also take a tree recognition book.

6. Corpus Christi College

Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RH England +44 1223 338000 http://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
42%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 92 reviews

Corpus Christi College

Founded in 1352 by the townspeople of old Cambridge, this is one of the older and more central Colleges of Cambridge University.

Reviewed By TERRAvelista - London, United Kingdom

Corpus Christi college is another college free to visit on this road where several other colleges are located (St John's and King's both charging around 10 GBP to visit the grounds including the chapels), although you are allowed only in the chapel area: - the grounds are small and everything is very well kept with old buildings in Gothic style - you have a sign at the entrance for the Chapel and what a pity you cannot go deeper to visit more here.

7. Girton College

Girton Corner Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LH England +44 1223 338999 http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
71%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Girton College

Opened in 1873 by two leaders of the feminist movement, Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon, to establish a women's college in Cambridge.

Reviewed By Nicholas030601

I travlled there last year with my son who had applied to read Economics there as they have an excellent department and DOS. After spending a few days in cambridge centre it was a welcome relief to get out of the hussle and bussle of the city centre into beautiful grounds and architiecture. It has an amazing formal hall and chapel and the accomadation was very modern and clean. The porters were welcoming and friendly and Im so glad that my son will be studying there rather than some of the smaller colleges in town

8. Christ's College

St Andrew's Street, Cambridge CB2 3BV England +44 1223 334900 http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Christ's College

It is said that Poet John Milton sat and wrote poetry under a tree on the grounds of this College, whose famous alumni include General Jan Smuts, John Milton, Charles Darwin and CP Snow.

Reviewed By abdulm96 - Chicago, United States

Now I wrote about King's college being costly, this college was FREE. So if you don't want to pay, you can go visit this one and still get a touch of history and walking around, explore... It was a nice walk in a sunny day, the location is great and one can appreciate the architecture. Don't forget to add this activity to your list. Also, if you go just before lunchtime there aren't that many people there or around 4 pm. Enjoy walking!

9. Ely Cathedral

The College, Ely CB7 4DL England +44 1353 667735 [email protected] http://www.elycathedral.org/
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,825 reviews

Ely Cathedral

With its unique 14th century octagonal lantern tower, Ely Cathedral is counted among the wonders of the medieval world. Much of the Cathedral is over 900 years old and it offers a rich architectural and historical experience, including the sumptuous 13th century Quire and beautiful 14th century Lady Chapel, the largest in the UK.

Reviewed By jonsmum91

Ely Cathedral is a sublime experience. You can be adventurous and climb the roof and see the octagon, you can marvel at the colours and devotional aspects of the stained glass museum, or just be amazed by vaulted ceilings and the purity of the Lady Chapel. Check the website and go to evensong to gain an appreciation of the purity of the human voice and the tradition of sacred music.

10. Gonville and Caius College

Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TA England +44 1223 332400 http://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Gonville and Caius College

Commonly referred to as Caius (pronounced Keys,) this college offers graduate and undergraduate studies to approximately 800 students every year, and is part of the University of Cambridge.

Reviewed By kittyginger - Salisbury, United Kingdom

Every time we visit Cambridge it seems to be only King's College that is regularly open and that is because its magnificent chapel is so popular. We were passing Gonville and Caius and a student told us about a lunchtime recital in the auditorium. It seemed an opportunity too good to miss. The two musicians played the piano and clarinet and there were pieces by Mozart and Weber, as well as compositions by three of the students. We felt privileged to be able to listen to such talent - and to be allowed inside the college. We had a look in the chapel before leaving, a beautiful building among so many other beautiful buildings. Perhaps someone can explain why the colleges are so rarely open to the public? I am not expecting to see accommodation or other private areas, just the chapels.

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