Rev. W. Awdry

The Reverend Wilbert Awdry lived in Huntingdon, and if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Quiet Waters or Waterclose Meadows are both proper lovely - it's worth knowing where this quiet corner of literary history sits. Awdry created Thomas the Tank Engine, the character that's obsessed millions of children since 1945, and his connection to the area is something locals still take pride in.

You won't find a theme park or a museum dedicated to him - this isn't that sort of place. Instead, you're looking at a historical link to one of Britain's most enduring children's characters, and for families with young kids staying in the region, it adds a layer of interest to a Cambridgeshire visit. The appeal here is more about paying respects to where inspiration struck than expecting interactive exhibits or rides.

Huntingdon itself is a market town with genuine character, the sort of place where you can wander the high street, grab a decent coffee, and soak up some East Anglian atmosphere. If you're based at Crystal Lakes Leisure or Waterclose Meadows for a week, this gives you a reason to explore beyond the park boundaries. It's not a full day out - more a 30-minute diversion - but for railway enthusiasts and anyone who grew up with those blue engines, it lands differently. The town's worth the trip anyway; the Awdry connection is just the cherry on top.