Meldreth makes for the perfect day out because it has so many of the things I think make a really lovely English village. You’ve got an old mill, a chalk stream, a beautiful medieval church, thatched cottages, and a traditional pub right at the heart of it all.
Just beyond the village, you’ve got some beautiful countryside to walk through, including one of my favourite places in the whole Cam Valley: Melwood.
Meldreth station also serves neighbouring Melbourn, so I’d definitely recommend making time for both villages. Here’s how I’d recommend spending a day out in this lovely Cambridgeshire village.
How to get to Meldreth by train
One of the things I really like about a day out in Meldreth is how easy it is to reach by train. Meldreth station is on the Great Northern route between London King’s Cross and Cambridge, so you can come from either direction without needing to drive. From London King’s Cross, the journey takes around an hour, while Cambridge is only around 20 minutes away.
It’s not just a London or Cambridge day out, either. Meldreth is also easy to reach from Royston, Stevenage and Hitchin, making it a lovely option for a day in the countryside if you live elsewhere along the Great Northern network.
From whichever direction you’re travelling, I’d look at the different fares available to get the most value. Off-Peak tickets can offer better value for a day out, while Railcards can save eligible passengers a third on most fares.
If you’re travelling with friends, GroupSave gives 3-9 adults a third off Off-Peak Standard Class fares, and families can take advantage of Kids for £2, with up to four children aged 5-15 travelling for £2 each on eligible Off-Peak journeys when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
I’d definitely make the most of those options if you’re planning a day out, particularly if you’re travelling as a group or family. It means you can leave the car at home, arrive at Meldreth station and get straight to enjoying the village, the walks, and nature reserve.
Things to do in Meldreth: walks, nature, history
Start at Meldreth station, which serves both Meldreth and Melbourn. I really like that you can come here by train and then have two villages to explore. Meldreth has that lovely traditional village character, while Melbourn gives you more places to stop for food and drink, as well as access to beautiful countryside.
See Meldreth’s thatched cottages and medieval church
One of my favourite walks is the route around the 19 thatched cottages in Meldreth, which also takes you past the beautiful medieval church.
I love this walk because it shows you so much of what makes Meldreth feel like a traditional Cambridgeshire village. You’ve got the lovely old cottages, the church, the stream and all those little details that you might miss if you were simply passing through.
The cottages are particularly pretty, and I think this is the perfect way to get your bearings and see the village properly. If you’re interested in the history and architecture of Meldreth, this would be my choice of walk.
Explore Melwood nature reserve
If you only do one thing in Meldreth, make it Melwood Local Nature Reserve. This is probably my favourite place around Meldreth and Melbourn. It’s a beautiful local nature reserve with a slightly shady woodland walk alongside a chalk stream, and it is just so tranquil.
I love walking alongside the stream. The water is incredibly clear, and you might even see a kingfisher or a water vole. It’s also beautiful at different times of year. In winter, you get snowdrops, then in spring there are daffodils and bluebells. It’s adorable.
For me, this is the place to go if you want to get away from everything for a while. It’s peaceful and really feels like an escape, despite being so close to the villages. There is also a walk between Meldreth and Melbourn that takes you through Melwood, so it’s a lovely way to combine the two villages with some countryside.
Enjoy Bury Lane Farm Shop
Another place I always recommend is Bury Lane Farm Shop. It’s an independent, family-run farm shop with a café, garden centre and play area, and I think it’s brilliant.
One of my favourite things about Bury Lane is the seasonal pick-your-own events. In summer you can pick your own strawberries, in autumn there’s a pumpkin patch, and in spring they have flowers like sunflowers and tulips.
They also have an outdoor, beach-style play area for children in summer, so it’s a particularly good stop if you’re visiting with family.
Where to eat and drink in Meldreth
Refreshments and entertainment at The British Queen
When it comes to food and drink in Meldreth, my recommendation would be The British Queen. It’s a traditional English pub and very much at the heart of the village community. I’ve been there when they’ve had live music, and on one occasion there were even Morris dancers.
There’s also an outdoor pétanque court, which I think tells you quite a lot about the character of the place. It isn’t just somewhere to go for a drink; it’s a real part of village life.
Head into Melbourn for coffee, cake or brunch
If you head towards Melbourn, there are a couple of other places I’d recommend. Melbourn Community Hub is a lovely community café where you can stop for tea, coffee and cake.
There’s also Joy, a new café and wine bar. I actually haven’t been yet because it’s so new, but I’m really looking forward to going. They do brunches during the day and cheese and wine in the evenings, so it sounds like a lovely option if you want to finish the day with something a little different.
My perfect day in Meldreth
If I were showing someone around Meldreth for the first time, I’d start at the station and head into the village, taking time to see the thatched cottages and medieval church.
I’d then walk towards Melbourn and make sure to pass through Melwood; that’s the bit I really wouldn’t miss. Walking beside the clear chalk stream through the shady woodland is just gorgeous.
After that, I’d stop for something to eat and drink, either at The British Queen in Meldreth or at one of the options in Melbourn.
If I were visiting at the right time of year, I’d make a trip to Bury Lane Farm Shop too, particularly to see what they have happening with their seasonal pick-your-own activities.
That, to me, is a great day out in Meldreth: a beautiful village, a lovely walk, somewhere good to eat and drink, and plenty of time to enjoy the countryside.
Meldreth is traditional, friendly and full of little details that make a village feel special. And with Melbourn right next door, there’s more than enough here to keep you busy for a day.
About the author: Sarah Grove is Project Officer at Cam Valley Community Rail Partnership and a resident passionate about the area and its communities. Through her work with local people, businesses and organisations, she has developed an expert knowledge of the Cam Valley and the places that make it special.
