Huntingdon

Oliver Cromwell's birthplace has grown beyond its parliamentary past into a proper market town that feels refreshingly unpretentious. The Great Ouse winds lazily through Huntingdon, creating a network of waterways that locals have embraced for everything from boating to quiet walks along towpaths lined with willows.

You'll find the Norris Museum tucked away in the town centre, chronicling the area's evolution from Roman settlement to modern Cambridgeshire hub. The exhibits on local archaeology are surprisingly engaging - particularly the Roman Villa finds that hint at centuries of continuous habitation. Down by the river, the old stone bridge frames views that haven't changed much since Cromwell's day.

The surrounding countryside opens up into classic fenland - flat, fertile, and crossed by dozens of waterways. Holywell Lake and Springhill Lagoon offer decent fishing and birdwatching, though they're working lakes rather than scenic showpieces. Ferry Pond, despite its name, is more puddle than pond these days.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A14 runs right past, and the railway station connects directly to London King's Cross in under an hour. Cambridge is a quick 20-minute drive south.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this slice of Cambridgeshire. You're close enough to nip into town for provisions or a pub lunch, but far enough out to enjoy the peace of the fens. The Huntingdon Boathaven & Caravan Park puts you right on the water, while places like Crystal Lakes Leisure offer a quieter base for walking the network of bridleways that crisscross this gentle landscape.