We are in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK for 2 weeks. We are house sitting here, and taking care of 6 critters: 2 dogs – a 10-year-old Staffordshire Terrier cross (Tia) and a 6-month old Chihuahua (Dobby); 2 cats – one grey (Scampi), one calico (Rug Rat); 1 bearded dragon (Kai); 1 hamster (Little Vamp). Quite a menagerie!
As we did in Melksham, we are taking the opportunity to explore this region. Though we could reasonably go into London for a day (it’s about a 40-minute train ride), it would feel rushed to ensure we didn’t leave the animals for too long. So we’re saving our London explorations for a time when we can be closer and/or have a lot more free time, and focusing on nearby explorations.
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
We walked around one of the lakes in this 170 acre park at the edge of town.
Ramsey
Ramsey is a small village about a 20-minute drive northeast of Huntingdon. The cathedral was behind scaffolding, but the streetscapes were interesting.
Ely
Pronounced eely, like the eels this river town was named after, Ely is known for its cathedral. When we arrived, the grounds were lively with the hubbub of the town’s Apple Festival.
Cambridge
We drove to one of several park and ride areas just outside of the city, and hopped a bus into the town center. We easily found our way to the starting point of our 2-hour Footprints Free Walking Tour. We had plenty of time to stop at Cafe Nero, across from King’s College, for a couple of cappuccinos, which we imbibed while watching the tail end of a 10km run.
Our tour was great–fun and informative. We didn’t know anything about the college system here, but the lack of a Cambridge University on our tour map makes sense now, thanks to the information supplied by our highly educated and entertaining tour guide.
Cambridge is a beautiful city and a lovely place to spend a day wandering through its streets and passages.
Houghton Mill
Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows are maintained under the auspices of the National Trust. The area includes a campground and a cafe, and lots of walking opportunities. We enjoyed a walk through the meadows, and over and aside the waterways.
St. Ives
St. Ives is a lovely little riverside town about 8km east of Huntingdon.
St. Neots
St. Neots is about a 30-minute drive, 22 km, southwest of Huntingdon. It’s a pretty town, with several traditional tea shops. Though it is a riverside town, there are few places on the village side of the river that offer public access to the water. A large green space across the river offers waterside recreation including a skate park, cafe, playground, and walking paths.
TripBits
- Train from Melksham to Huntingdon: 3 1/4 hours, and 3 changes, including a trip across London from Paddington Station to Kings Cross Station, before our final train leg to Huntingdon. £24.40 for two with our Two Together card. Booked 12 weeks ahead.
- Cambridge Park and Ride: We parked at the Madingley Road lot as this was the most logical coming from Huntingdon. It costs £1 to park for the day and £3 each for bus fare. Buses were running every 15 minutes.
Life: Phase Next 
We are Enjoying your adventure. What are you planning for the winter? We’re still up in the air. Gilbert spent a week in CCu an had a stent put in for 80% blockage. We’re sure we’d find insurance, but that seems to be solved now. Now to make some plans.
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Yes, travel insurance is expensive at the best of times as we get older, but having a recent surgery must have made it quite difficult. Glad to hear you have had success–heading back to Mexico this year? We will not be warm this winter, or at least not as warm as we were last year. December and into January in Switzerland in the snow, and then onto Italy. Let us know where you are headed!
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