Ely View

The view across the Fens from Ely View, just outside Cambridge, is one of those moments where you suddenly understand why people stuck around in this part of England for centuries. On a clear day you can see Ely Cathedral rising up in the distance, that magnificent octagon tower catching the light in a way that makes the whole flat landscape suddenly make sense. It's a proper vantage point - the kind of place where the curvature of the earth becomes obvious when you're staring out at nothing but fields and sky.

Getting here involves a bit of a walk from the nearest car park, but it's not arduous. The approach takes you through quiet lanes and across farmland, and the effort pays off once you're up there. History buffs will appreciate the Fenland perspective - this is where so much of England's medieval power was concentrated, and standing here you grasp why controlling these lands mattered. Photographers come for the light, especially in late afternoon when the cathedral really glows. Families with younger kids might find the walk a touch tedious and the actual viewpoint lacks facilities, so come prepared.

If you're basing yourselves at one of the Cambridge caravan sites - Cherry Hinton or the Camping and Caravanning Club site are both close by - this makes an easy morning excursion before heading into the city proper. It costs nothing and takes about an hour including the walk. Worth doing once, though don't expect the drama of higher ground elsewhere.