I recently spent the day exploring Huntingdon and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, and once you read about my time there, you’ll be ready to hop on a train and discover them for yourself. An hour from London, these two riverside towns are packed with history, nature and some seriously underrated views.
If you’re after a peaceful escape from the city or need ideas for things to do in Huntingdon, this might just be your new favourite day out.
Getting to Huntingdon by train
Just over an hour direct from London St Pancras International, getting to Huntingdon is a breeze. And, if you book in advance, you can save money with an advance fare. Grab a window seat, sip a flat white from Pret, and watch as the city melts into fields and big skies. No traffic, no stress, and when you arrive, you’re ready to start exploring.
Once you’re off the train, it’s an easy 20-minute walk to one of the area’s best natural spaces. Pack comfy shoes and a picnic blanket, you’re going to want them.
Things to do Huntingdon
First stop: Hinchingbrooke Country Park. It’s 150 acres of open space, lakes, and woodland that smells like pine needles and fresh earth. If you time it right, you’ll hear woodpeckers tapping above your head or spot deer disappearing into the trees.
It’s Green Flag Award-winning, which means it’s super well looked-after, but still wild enough to feel like you’re discovering it for yourself. There’s also a great little café where I grabbed a bacon sandwich that was both crispy and perfectly squishy, eaten on a bench overlooking the lake.
Free things to do in Huntingdon
Next, I made my way into Huntingdon town centre, about a 25-minute walk through leafy residential streets (with the odd thatched cottage thrown in for good measure). If exploring on foot doesn't work for you, you can add a Plus Bus ticket to your Great Northern train ticket, which offers unlimited bus travel on participating services around Huntingdon town.
Having recently visited Oliver Cromwell’s House in Ely, I was excited to now be exploring the place where he was born. Huntingdon’s Cromwell Museum is a must, especially if you’re into history - or want to learn more about the man who literally cancelled Christmas.
The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon is completely free, and housed in the former school that Oliver Cromwell attended. Inside, you’ll find everything from 17th-century swords to historic portraits. It’s small but fascinating, and you can get everything you want out of it in under an hour.
Just five minutes away, you’ll find The Old Bridge Hotel, where I had booked a table for lunch.
Huntingdon places to stay: The Old Bridge Hotel
This place is something special. The Old Bridge Hotel looks like a stately home and feels like a boutique retreat. It’s got an award-winning restaurant, a seriously impressive wine list, and does a cracking bank holiday BBQ (with super chilled garden vibes if the weather’s on your side). They also host weddings, wine events and have a business centre - what more could you want?
My lunch in the restaurant was outstanding. The service is friendly and attentive without being overbearing or pretentious, and I loved watching people’s dogs scampering about in the garden. With such an impressive menu, it was a tough choice between the crab on chargrilled sourdough or smoked mackerel pate, but I ended up going for the chicken, pistachio and leek terrine. It was served with a lovage emulsion (which is like a cross between parsley and anise, I had to look it up) and super crunchy sourdough. Sublime.
Then I just had to go for the pan roasted chicken breast with dauphinoise potatoes and mushroom sauce. So decadent and so delicious. All of the food was presented immaculately and I love how seasonal all of the flavours are - you can tell the chefs here really care about their craft.
Seeing hotel guests sipping Pimm’s in the garden and families chatting over thick slices of red velvet cake made me want to stay the whole weekend. If you’re looking for places to stay in Huntingdon, The Old Bridge is the one.
Things to do in Godmanchester
From The Old Bridge, it’s a scenic 10-minute walk into Godmanchester. Soak up views of the river, the bridge that gives the hotel its name, and a historic watermill that looms over the water.
Once in Godmanchester, a charming white bridge appears - the Godmanchester Chinese Bridge. The views from here are stunning and super photogenic: think weeping willows, snoozing ducks and charming cottages.
Once you cross the bridge, you’re on the Queen’s Walk - a peaceful riverside path that followers the River Great Ouse as it snakes around the town. This is the perfect place to sit and relax, kick about a football, or enjoy a long walk on the footpath.
There’s something timeless about Godmanchester. Boats rest sleepily against the riverbanks, red white and blue bunting sways above the centuries-old buildings, and the air is filled with the sound of birdsong. It’s the kind of place you might come for an hour and accidentally stay for an entire weekend.
The Ouse Valley Way and England’s biggest meadow
From Queen’s Walk, you can enjoy a remarkably idyllic and peaceful stroll through Portholme Meadow back into Huntingdon via The Ouse Valley Way. At 106 hectares, Portholme is the largest meadow in England. Grass sways like waves, butterflies dance around your ankles, and every now and then you spot someone walking through with their dog like they’ve just stepped out of a Visit Britain ad.
This was one of my favourite parts of the day: I felt like I was in a movie, and at times it was like I was the only person on earth. The well-maintained Ouse Valley Way footpath leads you to the south edge of Huntingdon town centre, and from there it’s an easy walk back to the railway station.
Is Huntingdon worth visiting?
If you like your weekends full of green space, fresh air, and history, Huntingdon and Godmanchester deliver in spades. This is a quieter day trip than Cambridge, easier to reach than the Cotswolds, and still feels like a bit of a secret. Whether you’re in need of somewhere new to explore or just fancy a day out with the family away from the usual crowds, this is the ideal place to come.
Next time you want to escape the city, consider hopping on a train to the place where Cromwell once studied, meadows stretch for miles, and there are endless scenic walks. Just don’t forget your comfy shoes.