Best Scenic Drives Around Huntingdon and Peterborough in Cambridgeshire: Keep Your Car Ready
Cambridgeshire offers some of the most picturesque drives in the UK, from rolling countryside to historic villages. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure or a leisurely day trip, there’s a route for everyone. Before you set off, make sure your car is ready for the journey. Here are some of the best scenic drives and local attractions, plus tips to keep your vehicle in top condition.
1. Peterborough to Deeping St Nicholas via Langtoft and Market Deeping
This journey offers a perfect introduction to the serene and beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. Starting in Peterborough, with its iconic cathedral, then heading through the quiet village of Langtoft, known for its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere. Travel down the country roads, stopping in Market Deeping for a stroll through its bustling market square. This scenic route winds through picturesque fields and charming cottages until you reach the rural haven of Deeping St Nicholas.
Local Interest:
- Peterborough Cathedral: An iconic landmark rich in history – peterborough-cathedral.org.uk
- Market Deeping’s Craft and Farmers Market: Offering local produce and crafts, perfect for picking up something unique – facebook.com/MarketDeepingMarket
- The Deepings Raft Race: An annual event that adds some fun to the local calendar – deepingsraftrace.co.uk
Car Care Tip: Ensure your tyres are in good condition, with proper tread depth and inflation for the mix of village and countryside roads.
2. History and Scenery from Barnack to Wittering and Oundle
Explore the history and charm of Cambridgeshire with this route. Starting in Barnack, famous for its ancient limestone quarry. Pass through the rural beauty of Wittering on your way to the historic town of Oundle. Oundle is steeped in history, with beautiful stone architecture and plenty of places to explore.
Local Interest:
- Oundle Farmers Market: Explore the fresh produce and local crafts that make Oundle’s market unique.
- Barnwell Country Park: Enjoy riverside walks, lakes, and plenty of spots for picnics. Offers family-friendly activities like fishing and bird watching – northnorthants.gov.uk/barnwell-country-park
Car Care Tip: Check your engine oil and coolant levels to prevent overheating, especially on longer drives.
3. Exploring the Fens – Whittlesey, Thorney to Crowland.
Take a leisurely drive through the heart of The Fens, this route takes you from Whittlesey and through the historic village of Thorney. These expansive flatlands are known for their unique beauty, with vast skies and open landscapes. Thorney offers quiet rural charm. Next, to Crowland, home to the historic Crowland Abbey. Crowland is rich in history, and the town itself is a peaceful spot to stop for a snack or explore the ancient Abbey ruins.
Local Interest:
- Crowland Abbey: is a fascinating historical site, crowlandabbey.org.uk and the legend of Croyland Bridge: heritagesouthholland.co.uk/article/croyland-crowland-trinity-bridge adds a layer of mystery to your visit.
- Thorney Heritage Museum: Learn about the history of the local area and its agricultural significance – thorney-museum.org.uk
Car Care Tip: Test your brakes before heading out. With village roads and tighter turns, having responsive brakes is essential.
4. St Neots to Eaton Socon, Papworth Everard, and Cambourne
Take a riverside route starting in St Neots, boasting a rich medieval heritage and offers a vibrant mix of activities. A bustling town with plenty of riverside charm, Riverside Park in St Neots is a beautiful spot for a picnic or a stroll along the River Great Ouse. A diverse range of dining options, explore unique shops, markets, and outdoor adventures.
Drive through Eaton Socon, which became part of St Neots in 1965, a picturesque village with one of the main historical attractions, visit Bushmead Priory, where visitors can explore the atmospheric remains of this 12th-century Augustinian house. Founded in 1195, Bushmead Priory retains its medieval stained glass and original wall paintings, offering a unique glimpse into its rich monastic past.
Travel onward to Papworth Everard, known for its heritage linked to medical advancements, particularly through the famous Papworth Hospital, which moved to its new location in Cambridge close to Addenbrookes Hospital, Papworth Everard village offers a blend of traditional charm. Bring this journey to an end in the modern village of Cambourne.
Local Interest:
- Riverside Park: St Neots offers green spaces for family picnics, with scenic walking paths along the river – huntingdonshire.gov.uk/leisure/parks-nature-reserves-and-green-spaces/riverside-park-st-neots
- Bushmead Priory: Is a unique example of an Augustinian priory – english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bushmead-priory
- Papworth Everard: Known for its historical ties to medicine, as the village housed the world-famous Papworth Hospital – royalpapworth.nhs.uk
- Cambourne: Hosting community events and has nature reserves for an afternoon escape – cambourne.info
Car Care Tip: Make sure your air conditioning is working, especially if you’re driving on warm days.
5. Alwalton to Yaxley and Stilton
From Alwalton to Yaxley and the historic village of Stilton, this route takes you through small, peaceful villages with plenty of history. Well known in the area is Norman Cross, which was the first purpose-built prisoner of war camp, established in 1797 to house prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars and situated between the villages of Folksworth, Stilton and Yaxley. Alwarton is a conservation area, overlooking the southern bank of the River Nene and the East of England Arena lies to the south. Stilton is famously associated with the iconic cheese, making it a must-stop for food lovers.
Local Interest:
- East of England Arena: All-purpose entertainment and events venue – facebook.com/EastofEnglandArena
- The Yaxley Festival: Offers an annual outdoor event featuring live music, food stalls, and fun for all ages – yaxleyfestival.info
- Stilton Cheese: The village is globally known for Stilton cheese and even known for cheese rolling along a course on the High Street – stilton.org/about-stilton/history/stilton-cheese
Car Care Tip: Ensure your battery is in good condition, especially if your vehicle hasn’t been used for a long drive recently.
Exploring Local Attractions
Historical Sites and Folklore:
- Peterborough Cathedral: Known for its stunning architecture, it’s a must-see landmark with guided tours available – peterborough-cathedral.org.uk
- Peterborough Museum: Discover collections that span over 150 million years, showcasing Peterborough’s rich history, natural environment, and vibrant cultural heritage.at Priestgate, Peterborough – peterboroughmuseum.org.uk
- Ramsey Abbey: Explore the ruins of this historical site in Ramsey, Huntingdon, with legends of medieval monks adding intrigue – ramseyabbey.co.uk
- Flag Fen Archaeology park: Step back in time and trace the footsteps of ancient ancestors in a reconstructed prehistoric landscape in Peterborough. Discover remarkable treasures from over 3,000 years ago, offering a unique glimpse into early civilisation – flagfen.org.uk
- St Neots Museum: The museum showcases the rich history of St Neots, a bustling market town along the River Ouse, covering eras from prehistoric times to the present. Visitors can also explore original early 20th-century gaol cells where prisoners were once held – stneotsmuseum.org.uk
Family-Friendly Activities:
- Ferry Meadows: A perfect spot for family picnics, walks, and boating, located in Nene Park, Peterborough – nenepark.org.uk/ferry-meadows
- Sacrewell Farm: Thornaugh, Near Wansford, this working farm offers animal encounters and a fantastic day out for families – sacrewell.org.uk
- Johnsons of Old Hurst: Home to over 100 captivating animals, including African lions, crocodiles, and charming sloth bears. The zoo offers a range of family-friendly activities, such as scenic woodland walks, a sandpit, and an engaging playground, making it an ideal destination for a day out with loved ones at Old Hurst, Huntingdon – johnsonsofoldhurst.co.uk
- The Raptor Foundation: For over 30 years, The Raptor Foundation has been a registered charity dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and captive birds of prey in Woodhurst, Huntingdon. Visitors can enjoy experience days, guest accommodations, educational courses, and more, all supporting the foundation’s mission to care for these incredible birds – raptorfoundation.org.uk
- Showcase Cinema: At Boongate, Peterborough – showcasecinemas.co.uk/cinemas/x06jo-showcase-cinema-de-lux-peterborough
Markets and Events:
- St. Ives Farmers Market: Explore local produce at this lively market held on weekends – stivestowncouncil.gov.uk/Farmers_Market_24381.aspx
- The Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival: This quirky festival celebrates ancient traditions with music, dancing, and straw-costumed performers – strawbear.org.uk
Outdoor Festivals and Green Spaces:
- Hinchingbrooke Country Park: Offers wide open spaces, woodland walks, and ponds in Huntingdon – huntingdonshire.gov.uk/hinchingbrookecountrypark
- Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in Little Paxton, nestled between St Neots and Huntingdon, offers a rich blend of habitats, including serene lakes, meadows, reedbeds, woodlands, and riverside views. This mosaic of ecosystems makes it a haven for diverse wildlife and an ideal spot for nature lovers to explore – paxton-pits.org.uk
- Peterborough Heritage Festival: Dive into the city’s rich history with re-enactments and heritage displays – visitpeterborough.com/whats-on/heritage-open-days
- Ferry Meadows: A fantastic spot for a family day out, located just under three miles from Peterborough city centre in Nene Park. With diverse landscapes, it’s one of the largest and most popular country parks in the region, attracting thousands of visitors year-round – nenepark.org.uk/ferry-meadows
Key Car Checks Before Your Scenic Drive
- Tyres: Ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread for handling all types of road conditions.
- Brakes: Check that your brakes are responsive, especially on winding village roads.
- Fluids: Top up engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid to avoid mechanical issues on longer trips.
- Battery: Make sure your battery is fully charged and functioning well, especially after periods of low use.
- Windscreen Wipers: Clear visibility is essential for countryside drives, so ensure your wipers are in good condition.
Day Trips and Weekends Away
- Rutland Water: Near to Oakham just outside Cambridgeshire, this reservoir from the River Nene and River Welland providing water to the East Midlands offers beautiful walks, cycling, and sailing – anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water
- All Aboard Boating: Escape reality and captain your own boat along the beautiful River Great Ouse in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Enjoy a day on the water with friends, family, or colleagues as you explore this scenic river – allaboardboathire.co.uk
- The Norfolk Coast: Take a weekend getaway to explore the scenic beaches and coastal villages of Norfolk, just a short drive from Peterborough – visitnorfolk.co.uk/see-do/coast
- Aerospace Experience: A comprehensive range of both fixed-base and full-motion flight simulators, providing aviation enthusiasts with immersive experiences located in Peterborough – aerospace-experience.uk
By incorporating these scenic routes, historical sites, and local attractions, you can enjoy the beauty of Cambridgeshire while keeping your car roadworthy. For expert servicing and pre-trip car checks, visit Bartlett Automotive and ensure your vehicle is in top shape for your next adventure.
