The very best places to stay in
Cambridgeshire
There’s something deliciously unhurried about Cambridgeshire. Perhaps it’s the slow rhythm of the punts on the River Cam, the sweep of its endless skies, or the way light pools on the honey-stone buildings at dusk. Beyond the scholarly grandeur of Cambridge itself, the county opens up into vast, bucolic landscapes — lazy rivers, sleepy market towns, and meadows that hum with life in summer.
Venture beyond the city’s dreaming spires and you’ll find a patchwork of small delights. Ely, with its majestic cathedral rising from the Fens; St Ives, with its 15thC bridge chapel; Grantchester, where the tea gardens spill down to the riverbank. Out in the countryside, there are big skies and a huge sense of peace — perfect for walks, bike rides and farm-shop grazing. Cambridgeshire is gentle, but never dull; ancient, but full of great independent shops and eateries. See our top Kip tips for the region, below.
Our handpicked hideaways here include a romantic lakeside cabin and a restored train carriage with an alfresco bath in a woodland, both great value.
Featured stays in
Cambridgeshire
Curate your Cambridgeshire stay
Kip tips
BEST ACTIVITY.
Punt the Cam at sunrise. Skip the crowds and take to the river early. Mist rising, spires glowing, ducks half-asleep — it’s Cambridge at its dreamiest.
MUST VISIT.
Wicken Fen– England’s oldest nature reserve, full of dragonflies, reed beds, and birdsong.
ARCHITECTURE.
- Most splendid has to be Ely Cathedral. This vast Gothic beauty seems to float above the landscape. Climb the Octagon Tower for 360° views of meadows and waterways.
- For understated beauty, head to Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge. A house turned gallery that feels like stepping inside an artist’s daydream. Sculptures, pebbles, and paintings, all perfectly placed.
FOODIE TREAT.
Tucked into a modest row on Mill Road in Cambridge, Vanderlyle is a tiny, low-lit restaurant serves a constantly changing plant-led tasting menu sourced entirely from local growers and foragers. Expect plates that look like modern art but taste like the English countryside on its best day — beetroot glossed to perfection, fennel that crunches like morning frost, herbs picked at dawn.
WITH KIDS.
The double whammy of the Cambridge Science Centre and Polar Museum make a perfect day out. Hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, and a touch of Arctic magic keep curious minds busy for hours. Kids can build simple machines, learn about climate science and imagine life as a polar explorer.
SECRET KIP TIP.
Go wild swimming at Byron’s Pool. Named for the poet himself, this secluded river spot near Cambridge is perfect for a summer dip.
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Why book a Cambridgeshire holiday with
Kip Hideaways?
We endlessly research and curate the very best places to stay across the UK: all gorgeous and great value. Beautiful, unique style is a must for us but it’s the thoughtful detail and owners who really care that make our hideaways so special.
Our design-led hideaways include cabins with hot tubs, dog-friendly cottages, romantic treehouses and family-friendly houses.
