In some of the UK's other counties the charming, albeit tiny, city of Ely, with its impressive cathedral, Georgian terraces and medieval heart, would be the main attraction. Or even pretty Peterborough, Cambridgeshire’s largest market town with an almost intact Norman cathedral. But it’s difficult to dethrone Cambridge in this part of the country, with its gracious, honey-coloured architecture and history of peace, beauty and learning. So on our list of the best places to stay in Cambridgeshire you will find a large percentage of hotels in Cambridge, along with a handful in Ely, but we have also included some wonderful pubs-with-rooms in smaller villages, and a couple of impressive country house conversions.
Some visitors to Cambridgeshire have no intention of travelling beyond the historic college buildings, the Fitzwilliam Museum, or cobbled streets of Cambridge, and the town certainly has a full-schedule’s worth of attraction on offer, from art museums and galleries to incredible libraries and churches. But while you're in the area it would be a shame to miss out on a visit to the Duxford Air Museum — they have a prototype Concorde — or Oliver Cromwell’s house in Ely.
Outside of the larger towns, Cambridgeshire’s flat, part-reclaimed Fens are an incredible landscape to explore on foot, or by bike. If that’s the sort of thing that appeals to you, consider our recommendations for the best places to stay in Cambridgeshire’s hamlets and villages. We’ve found some friendly old pubs-with-rooms, with hearty menus perfect for walkers and cyclists!