A historic university city where architectural beauty, green spaces, and the River Cam create an ideal base for exploration on foot.
Cambridge is one of England’s most distinctive cities, well suited to walking holidays that combine historic streets, riverside paths, and open green spaces. From the cobbled lanes and grand colleges of the city centre to meadows and commons along the River Cam, walking in Cambridge offers a balance of cultural discovery and easy-going routes. The city sits on the Fen Rivers Way, a long-distance trail linking Cambridge with Ely and King’s Lynn via the Cam, the Great Ouse, and the Ouse Washes.
Beyond the city centre, the landscape opens out into a slower style of outdoor adventures shaped by waterways, low-lying countryside, and expansive skies. Longer routes follow the Cam past Grantchester and Fen Ditton, while flat, well-marked paths lead toward villages, nature reserves, and fenland landscapes. Shorter walks remain close to the city, including the Cambridge Backs, Midsummer Common, and Jesus Green, all offering classic riverside scenery.
With a wide range of places to stay — from boutique hotels and guesthouses to self-catering apartments — Cambridge works well for short breaks and longer self-guided trips. The city’s flat terrain and extensive network of cycle paths also make it especially suitable for relaxed cycling holidays, linking the city with nearby villages, nature reserves, and countryside routes.
