There’s tons to see and do in Cambridge (see our Visit Cambridge by Train page). But if you fancy venturing a bit further afield, see our pick of destinations that you can get to by train from Cambridge for a short day trip.

From scenic countryside to historic buildings, culture, restaurants and shopping, you’re bound to find something to enjoy.

You can plan your train journey here, and don’t forget if you have a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab) you can get 1/3 off your rail fares.

Day trips from Cambridge in 1 to 2 hours

Leicester

One of the oldest cities in England and once the second richest in Europe, Leicester sits on the River Soar and offers visitors a flourishing art scene, plenty of restaurants and bars and a very famous king.

In 2012, Richard III’s remains were discovered in a car park in Leicester and you can now visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) to learn about his re-discovery or Leicester Cathedral(external link, opens in a new tab), where he is buried.

For those who prefer to look up at the stars, the National Space Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) is home to the UK’s largest full dome planetarium.

Nearest station: Leicester

Watford

A town north west of London, Watford is home to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London(external link, opens in a new tab). The Harry Potter film series were made in Leavesden for over a decade and, as well as walking around Hogwarts Great Hall and Diagon Alley, you can step aboard the original Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4 and marvel at props and costumes that were created especially for the film before being carefully curated for Harry’s fans.

Nearest station: Watford Junction

Ipswich

To fully experience this beautiful Suffolk county town, take a guided walk(external link, opens in a new tab) with a qualified guide or sail down the scenic River Orwell on Orwell Lady(external link, opens in a new tab). Explore Christchurch Mansion(external link, opens in a new tab), a Tudor mansion with a large collection of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable paintings, watch a performance at Jerwood DanceHouse(external link, opens in a new tab) or visit Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park(external link, opens in a new tab), an award-winning wildlife park made famous by the BBC series Jimmy’s Farm.

Ipswich has plenty of places to eat great food, including Suffolk Food Hall(external link, opens in a new tab), supplied by local Suffolk and Essex farmers.

Nearest station: Ipswich

Norwich

The capital of Norfolk has something for everyone: independent cafes, boutique shops, medieval history and, since it is the only city in the UK based in a national park, plenty of gorgeous walks on its doorstep.

Walk through the grounds of Norwich Cathedral(external link, opens in a new tab) to Mousehold Heath(external link, opens in a new tab), 184 acres of woodland and heathland with incredible views of the city’s skyline. Norwich Castle Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), a spacious gallery converted from a Victorian prison, is a veritable treasure trove of artefacts while the Sainsbury Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) has an impressive collection of works by artists including Picasso and Henry Moore. Unusually, visitors are invited to touch some of the art or lie in a hammock to admire a painting by Alberto Giacometti.

Nearest station: Norwich

St Albans

Situated between Cambridge and London, in the heart of the capital’s Green Belt, St Albans is a busy city with plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops and green space. Heartwood Forest(external link, opens in a new tab) is the largest newly planted native forest in the UK, with over half a million saplings, acres of ancient woodland, an arboretum and a community orchard.

Climb 93 steps to the top of the Clock Tower(external link, opens in a new tab), the only medieval belfry in England or visit the Verulamium Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), built on the site of one of the largest Roman cities in the UK and packed full of ancient treasures. St Albans Museum + Gallery(external link, opens in a new tab) is a state-of-the-art gallery with artworks both new and old.

Nearest station: St Albans City

Colchester

Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester was awarded city status in 2022. Its most popular attractions include the Castle Park(external link, opens in a new tab), which has activities ranging from crazy golf to a boating lake and Colchester Castle Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), where you can steer a chariot around the recently uncovered Roman Circus(external link, opens in a new tab).

It’s well worth taking time to walk around Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens(external link, opens in a new tab), a glorious garden with a strong focus on sustainability or visit Firstsite,(external link, opens in a new tab) the contemporary visual arts gallery which encourages everyone to experience art.

Nearest station: Colchester