East England history and heritage itinerary

Distance:
156 miles (250 km)
Airport:
London Stansted/London Heathrow/ London Gatwick/Birmingham International Airport

Plan your route: VisitBritain Journey Planner

For a lesson in English history, this glorious 4-day tour starts in the historic university city of Cambridge then heading out to explore much of the East of England. The tour takes in museums, cathedrals and churches - enjoy the route at your own pace or keep to the 4-day itinerary.

Dag 1: Cambridge

Alle locaties van dag 1 bevinden zich op loopafstand van elkaar.

Anglesey Abbey Gardens

Credit: Dongyi Liu

The name Cambridge instantly summons breathtaking images – the Backs carpeted with spring flowers, punting on the River Cam and of course the calm of the historic college buildings. We beginnen bij de 13e eeuwse Anglesey Abbey met zijn schitterende tuinen en zijn beroemde Fairhaven-verzameling schilderijen en meubilair.

Must see & do:

Fitzwilliam Museum | Anglesey Abbey Gardens and Lode Mill

Cambridge and Country Folk Museum

From the Anglesey Abbey head to the Cambridge and Country Folk Museum, a part timber-framed 17th century inn, retaining many original fittings. Established as a museum of Cambridgeshire life in 1936, it has wonderful displays depicting Victorian homes, waterway and town planning, clothing, crafts and trade memorabilia.

Must see & do:

Wimpole Hall

King's College Chapel

Credit: James

After the Country Folk Museum head to the King's College Chapel. The chapel, founded by Henry VI in 1441, has a breathtaking fan-vault ceiling, magnificent ornate stained-glass windows, a carved-oak screen presented to the college by Henry VIII and Rubens' masterpiece, the Adoration of the Magi.

Must see & do:

The Kings College Chapel

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey

Op dit landgoed wordt het boerenbedrijf als sinds de Middeleeuwen uitgeoefend. "Hier vindt u een interactief museum, waar u veel te weten komt over de landbouw en veeteelt rond Cambridge."  Explore the remains of the 12th century Benedictine Abbey, which provides an excellent example of Normandy architecture.

Must see & do:

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey

Cambridge All Saints' Church

Credit: Br Lawrence Lew, O.P.

The spire of this fine church, opposite the gates of Jesus College, is a prominent Cambridge landmark, while the interior represents a milestone of the Gothic Revival. Hier ziet u weelderige wandschilderingen en gebrandschilderde vensters van William Morris en andere prerafaëlieten.

Day 2: Ely - Bedford

Cambridge - Ely: 16½ miles (26.6 km)
Ely - Bedford: 45½ miles (73.2 km)
Totals for the day: 62 miles (99.8 km)

Ely Cathedral

From Cambridge enjoy the country roads on your travels to Ely Cathedral, where you will witness one of the most amazing engineering feats of the Middle Ages – the Octagon Tower. Neem vooral de tijd voor een rondleiding in zowel de Octagon Tower als de West Towers.

Must see & do:

Ely Cathedral | Stained Glass Museum | Isleham Priory Church | Wicken Fen | Sulgrave Manor

Bromham Mill (Bedford)

Your next stop is the Bromham Mill and Gallery in Bedford, a 17th century restored watermill on the banks of the River Great Ouse. Tijdens een interessante rondleiding keert u terug naar de tijd dat deze molen de regio van meel voorzag.

Bedford Museum

At the Bedford Museum embark on a fascinating journey through the human and natural history of North Bedfordshire, pausing briefly to glimpse at wonders from more distant lands. Go back in time and visit the delightful rural room sets, explore the Old School Museum and numerous other treasures to be found.

Must see & do:

Bedford Museum | Wild Britain | Bodyflight Bedford

Bedford Castle

Founded by Ralf de Tallebosc, Bedford Castle is an 11th century earthwork fortress and moat located in the Bedford town centre. A major facelift of Bedford Castle Mound was completed in May 2004, gaining the castle recognition by the judges of 2005’s Heritage in Britain Award.

Must see & do:

Bedford Castle | Cecil Higgins Art Gallery

Day 3: Bedford - Huntingdon - Buckden - Peterborough

Bedford - Huntingdon: 25 miles (39.7 km)
Huntingdon - Buckden: 8 miles (12.5 km)
Buckden - Peterborough: 21½ miles (34.4 km)
Totals for the day: 54½ miles (86.6 km)

Houghton House (Bedford)

Dit landhuis met een schitterende architectuur werd tussen 1615 en 1621 als familieresidentie gebouwd. "De overblijfselen vormen een belangrijke plaatselijke bezienswaardigheid, die goed in deze tocht past."

Must see & do:

Houghton House

Huntingdon centre

Credit: sean_hickin

From Bedford travel on to Huntingdon, situated on the banks of the River Ouse. The centre of Huntingdon is now mainly traffic-free, making it a pleasant environment for pedestrians to wander through, admiring some of the 150 properties listed as being of special architectural or historical interest.

Must see & do:

Grafham Water | Houghton Mill

Blacked-Out Britain War Museum (Huntingdon)

Although probably Britain's smallest war museum, the Blacked-Out Britain War Museum is packed with artefacts portaying life between 1939 and 1945. From evacuation and rationing to bus tickets and bombs, it's all here. Hier krijgt u een goed beeld van het leven destijds.

Must see & do:

Cromwell Museum

Buckden Towers

Credit: Peter Ashton

Formerly known as Buckden Palace, Buckden Towers was built in the 1200s and served as home and resting place for the Bishops of Lincoln. Many of the original buildings are still in tact, including the Great Tower, Inner Gatehouse, part of the battlement wall and the Outer Gate.

Peterborough Cathedral

Uw laatste bestemming op dag 3 is de kathedraal van Peterborough. The remarkeable Norman cathedral, with an early English west front, features a perpendicular retrochoir, a 13th century painted nave ceiling and the tomb of Catherine of Aragon. Vroeger bevond zich hier ook het graf van Mary Queen of Scots.

Must see & do:

Peterborough Cathedral | Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery | Activity World | Romans Return to Flag Fen | Nene Valley Railway

Day 4: Peterborough - King's Lynn

Peterborough - King's Lynn: 39½ miles (63.6 km)
Totals for day: 39½ miles (63.6 km)

Castle Rising Castle (King's Lynn)

Credit: bluemoose

From Peterborough, the final part of your tour takes you to King's Lynn and the magnificent Castle Rising Castle. De bouw van dit prachtige Normandische bouwwerk begon rond 1140. The rectangular keep, one of the largest, was built by William D'Albini to celebrate his marriage and it stretches over 12 acres of land.

Must see & do:

Castle Rising Castle | Sandringham | Tales of the Old Gaol House | Caithness Crystal Visitor Centre | Guildhall of St George | Eau Brink Cacti