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!

The Best Places to Stay in Cambridgeshire

For a Refined Stay

• The University Arms is right in the middle of Cambridge, next to Parker’s Piece and Downing College. It’s been converted from an elegant 18th century building, with a grand, pale stone carriageway. The hotel has almost 200 rooms and suites, all of them decorated in Cambridge blue and white, with large bathrooms and leafy views. Expect desks and books, and a wood-panelled gourmet restaurant which mirrors many university dining halls.
• If you dream of staying on the banks of the Cam, The Graduate, Cambridge is our Gurus' recommendation for you. This is an eclectically stylish choice, with plenty of Cambridge references, including sawn-in-half punts turned bookshelves in many of the rooms, an impressive collection of literature, and a huge DNA installation. The Garden House restaurant offers a seasonal menu in a charming setting, the lobby bar feels glamorous, and the swimming pool and spa have huge windows overlooking the river.

For a Country House Hotel

• The Old Hall is an historic, Jacobean manor house turned luxurious country hotel. The rooms are a good range of sizes, from simple singles, to rather grand suites with four-poster beds and free-standing baths. There are some nice antiques, alongside some very nice more recently handcrafted furniture, and our favourite rooms have views over the mature gardens. There’s a lovely terrace too and the Orangery Restaurant serves fine dining British cuisine.

For a Romantic Mini-Break

• The Clayton Hotel is a large and elegant hotel close to Cambridge Station. The contemporary design has been softened inside, with plenty of Cambridge blue, wood panelling, and plush fabrics, but this is a new building, with all the bells and whistles to prove it, including a gym. There are 155 rooms and suites, a chic bar and restaurant, a comfortable lounge and a roof terrace too.
• Poets House is a 21 room hotel converted from a row of three Georgian townhouses in central Ely, just opposite the cathedral. The location is excellent, and the hotel brings a certain bling to Ely, a boutique hotel vibe that this lovely little city was missing. Expect deep copper baths, in room (and butlers who will draw them for you), lots of surfaces that reflect, and fancy toiletries. It’s definitely the sort of place that needs a cocktail bar — and Poets House’s cocktail bar really hums! Plus there's an elegant restaurant.
• Cambridge’s Hotel Du Vin has been transformed from an old university building, retaining many of the original architectural quirks, but adding a bistro, bar and cinema suite to the library the building already had. There are just 37 rooms and suites — the suites are all one of a kinds — some with private terraces or balconies. Some of the rooms would suit families, and kids under two years old stay for free.

For Central Cambridge

• The Gonville Hotel is a spacious, 84 room hotel close to Parker’s Piece and the University Museum of Zoology. It offers a uniformity of contemporary style, with clean lines, sleek furnishings and plenty of mirrors, both in the rooms and in the fine-dining restaurant and chic bar. Plus there's a garden and bikes to hire if you want to explore like a local!
• Centrally located in Cambridge, The Varsity Hotel & Spa has 48 rooms and suites, a fantastic roof terrace, a private cinema and a spa and gym. The decor is an eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary pieces, and all of the rooms are well arranged with plenty of light. The spa and restaurant are in a separate building.

For Exploring Cambridgeshire

• The Old Bridge is a chic hotel on the outskirts of the pretty market town of Huntingdon, which is just a short dash from Cambridge. This is a simple, but stylish, 24 room hotel, with decor that ranges from the traditional to the contemporary. If you want a four-poster bed, or free-standing bath, you just have to say. A great base for exploring the region.
• The Lodge Duxford is perfectly located for visits to the very excellent Duxford Air Museum, but this chic choice makes a great base for exploring the whole region. Its 17 rooms and suites are arranged in the main house, in a converted stable block, and in the Loft. Each is unique, but all of them have cool, original art, and smart modern bathrooms. There’s a restaurant and a cafe, and a hip cocktail bar.

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Black Bull Inn is a thatched village pub in Balsham, which is convenient for Newmarket, as well as Cambridge. The restaurant is an award-winner, with fancy gastropub cuisine, and a menu that changes with the seasons. The pub and restaurant are downstairs, their exposed beams and brick walls complemented with lots of leather furniture, while upstairs the rooms have a contemporary rustic look with pale-coloured wood and just the right amount of tartan.
• The Crown and Punchbowl is a local village pub-with-rooms, just three miles from Cambridge, in pretty Horningsea. The pub itself has wood panelled walls, woodburning stoves, and Tudor beams, but its nine rooms are decorated with a Scandinavian colour scheme and contemporary furniture. The hearty cuisine and great selection of local ales makes this a cosy stay, and a popular one with walkers.
• The White Hart is a totally charming, 17th century inn in Ufford, a pretty village just outside Stamford. It has 12 rooms, some decorated in contemporary style, and some more traditional. The pub has a lovely garden and a courtyard, and serves classic British pub food. Quaint and rustic, this is an affordable pick.
• The Three Hills is a pretty village pub-with-rooms in Barlow, which is close to Duxford. The exterior is long, low and traditional, but inside the cosiness has been updated with a more contemporary feel, where exposed brick and open fireplaces still feature, but there’s a pale neutral colour scheme and a lounge that feels like a living room. A welcoming choice for families, and folk travelling with their pets, with great food and a peaceful location.
• Ely’s The Royal Standard is an historic pub in the centre of town. The pub and its restaurant are popular with locals, and known for good local ales, a classic pub menu, and an eclectic wine list. Upstairs there are five rooms, all individually decorated, mixing their original features with a contemporary collection of furnishings and colours. Good value too.

Best B&Bs

• 5 Chapel Street is a three bedroom B&B converted from a pretty, Georgian terraced house in Chesterton. The rooms still have a traditional feel, with polished parquet flooring, sash windows, and a collection of antiques. As well as providing useful advice about Cambridge, the owners have a small fleet of Dutch bikes to lend to guests. They also offer a warm welcome and home-made breakfast.

For Great Value

• The White Hart is a restaurant with rooms in Fulbourn, which is just a few miles outside of Cambridge. It has ten rooms, all simply and comfortably decorated with country chic style. The bar and restaurant are lively, with a friendly atmosphere.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Cambridgeshire?

• London Stansted Airport, being just half an hour away by rail, or car from Cambridge is the best bet. London City Airport is next closest, at about 35 minutes away from Cambridge by train, or two hours away via train from Kings Cross. If you’re coming to Cambridgeshire by train there are routes out of London Liverpool Street Station, Euston, and Kings Cross.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Reasons to visit Cambridgeshire include both indoor and outdoor attractions, so the best time of year to visit depends on what you want to see. Cambridge itself has the colleges, plus museums and galleries, so there are indoor elements, but there’s also the ‘Backs’, and punting on the Cam. You may also want to consider the university calendar. If you’re hoping to see some sunshine, spring and summer will be the best time to plan your visit, but Cambridgeshire gets rain throughout the year, so whenever you’re visiting it’s worth packing your waterproof gear.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Refine your search to the best places to stay in Cambridge or Ely
• Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for; consider our Gurus recommendations for the best pubs-with-rooms in Cambridgeshire
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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