3 easy and beautiful day trips from Cambridge

What are the easiest day trips from Cambridge?

I spent about a month in Cambridge and wanted to see a bit more of the area, so I looked for the easiest day trips I could find.

Grantchester, Ely, and Norwich were my top three day trips from Cambridge.

Each one gives you a different experience and each has some unique things that you won’t find elsewhere.

Easy day trips from Cambridge

Grantchester: the countryside just outside Cambridge

Grantchester is probably the easiest day trip from Cambridge.

You basically walk past the suburbs of the city and find yourself in the English countryside.

This pretty village of Grantchester is calm, quiet, and peaceful.

The way there is a big part of the experience in this day trip, as you walk through the green meadow along the river.

How to get to Grantchester from Cambridge

The scenic route from Cambridge to Grantchester takes you away from the city and into the countryside, with plenty of open space along the River Cam.

It takes under an hour to get from Cambridge city centre to Grantchester, or more if you make stops on the way. I made many stops to take photos of the beautiful nature.

There are different ways to walk to Grantchester, here’s the route I took which was the most scenic one I found.

You can also cycle there. Hire a bike in Cambridge or join this group of cyclists (bike hire included) for a more social day trip.

What to do in Grantchester

Once you arrive in Grantchester, start at the Orchard Tea Garden that Grantchester is famous for.

The Orchard has been serving visitors for generations and is one of the best-known places in Grantchester.

When I arrived there on a sunny day, I saw plenty of people sitting outside with tea and scones and it looked like an old painting…

After leaving the orchard, take a walk around the village to see the church and the old cottages. It’s all very pretty.

Grantchester has some traditional pubs where you can have lunch or drinks. You can also get a take away for a picnic in the meadows on the way back to Cambridge.

Why take a day trip to Grantchester?

It’s so calm and beautiful! both the village and the way there
You don’t need to plan much, it’s pretty straightforward and there’s no FOMO.
You can easily spend half a day in Grantchester.

Ely: A small city with a spectacular cathedral

Ely is also one of the easiest day trips from Cambridge with a mix of history, architecture, and a little bit of countryside.

This small city sits in the Cambridgeshire Fens and is best known for its spectacular cathedral.

Ely is compact enough to explore in a day. It’s a city that feels like a large village. It’s charming and well worth the trip.

How to get to Ely from Cambridge

Take a train from Cambridge to Ely. It takes about 20 minutes.

There are frequent trains by different operators.

You can also take a combined Cambridge and Ely day trip from London.

What to do in Ely

Read the full one-day Ely guide here

The obvious place to start is Ely Cathedral.

The cathedral is enormous, it dominates the city skyline and is impossible to miss.

Even if you’re not usually someone who visits churches and cathedrals when travelling, this one is worth seeing for the impressive art and architecture inside, particularly the famous Octagon and lantern tower.

You can take a guided tour of the cathedral, or use the audio guide (included with your entry ticket). I did both.

I also loved the Stained Glass Museum inside the cathedral. It’s a fantastic stained glass collection from different time periods, including modern day.

After visiting the cathedral, take some time to explore the high street and the markets.

Ely is small and walkable, so you can see a lot without rushing.

I like the indie shops on the high street and was surprised at the size of the Ely Markets.

There’s a different market each day. I went on a Saturday for the Craft, Food and Vintage Market.

It’s a good place to stop for lunch, coffee, or drinks.

There are a couple of small museums in Ely city centre worth visiting:

Ely Museum tells the history of the city.
Oliver Cromwell’s House tells the history of Cromwell and the English Civil War with an audio guide.

For a quieter part of the day, head towards the River Great Ouse. The riverside is a pleasant place for a walk, with boats, open views and a relaxed atmosphere.

Why take a day trip to Ely?

Tour the famous cathedral
Browse the high street and the markets
Chill by the river
Visit Ely’s unique museums (if you only choose one, I’d go for the Stained Glass Museum)

Norwich: a fascinating historic city

Norwich deserves its place on this selection of easy day trips from Cambridge, especially if you’re looking for a day trip with more to see and do.

It is farther from Cambridge than Grantchester or Ely, but still close enough to visit for a day if you start early.

If you have more time, it’s a good idea to stay overnight in Norwich and make the most of your trip.

How to get to Norwich from Cambridge

Take a train from Cambridge Norwich. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on the fastest train.

Book the train as early as you can, because prices go up closer to the date of travel.

What to do in Norwich

Read the full Norwich weekend guide here

Norwich has a fascinating mix of medieval history, independent shops, markets, charming little streets, and unique museums.

Start with Norwich Cathedral, one of the city’s most impressive landmarks.

From there, explore the historic centre and make your way towards Norwich Castle.

You’ll notice that history is a big part of what makes Norwich worth visiting.

You can take an underground tour to see the hidden medieval street beneath the city. It’s an interesting and unusual activity to add to your day trip, and it only takes an hour, so you’ll still have plenty of time to see more of Norwich.

I enjoyed wandering around Norwich Lanes. These are the small, authentic streets with small indie shops and cafés.

Norwich Market was also fun to browse. It’s lively and colourful.

I found some great museums in Norwich that you can visit on a day trip.

I especially liked the historic house called Strangers’ Hall with furnished period rooms.

The Museum of Norwich was also interesting to visit, with a very friendly introduction to the local culture.

If you’re staying longer in Norfolk you can use the Norfolk Museums Pass.

Why take a day trip to Norwich?

Great for history buffs, especially the castle, museums, and underground tour
The lively market and indie shops in the Lanes
The impressive cathedral

How to choose day trips from Cambridge

The three destinations are quite different, so the best choice depends on what kind of day you’re looking for.

Choose Grantchester if you want something easy and relaxing, very close to the city. It’s perfect for a countryside walk, a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea, and a break from sightseeing.

Choose Ely if you love history and architecture. The cathedral is fascinating for architecture buffs. The compact city centre and riverside make it easy to explore.

Choose Norwich if you want a full day in a lively English city about the same size as Cambridge, with more to see (with a focus on history) and more places to eat and shop.

Have you taken these or other day trips from Cambridge? Share your experience in the comments below.

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