Chatteris

Day Trips

Wander through the cobbled streets of Chatteris’s old town, pausing to admire the medieval parish church with its intricate stone carvings. Pop into the weekly market near the town hall to sample freshly baked pastries and locally crafted goods. Listen to the bell chimes as you sip your morning coffee in a hidden courtyard.

Visit the Oliver Cromwell statue and small heritage centre to learn about the town’s 17th-century history. Explore the lace museum where delicate bobbin lace is displayed alongside period photographs. Take a leisurely walk along the edge of March Road Fen, peering into reed beds and water channels.

Enjoy a hearty pub dinner at a family-run inn, tucking into traditional beef stew and mashed potatoes. Join friendly locals in the snug for a pint of regional ale and lively storytelling. Cap off the night with a stroll under gas-lit streetlamps, breathing in the fresh fenland air.

Board a narrowboat on the Eight Foot Drain for a tranquil glide through the heart of the Fens. Listen for water rail calls and watch herons stand sentinel on grassy banks. Feel the gentle motion of the boat as you drift past endless marshes.

Disembark at the Fenland Waterways Centre to learn about local drainage and wildlife conservation. Try your hand at pole punting or join a guided stroll through wet meadows alive with wildflowers. Spot rarities such as marsh harriers drifting overhead.

Return to Chatteris by twilight and unwind with a riverside picnic of local cheese, crusty bread, and seasonal fruit. Watch the sun set across the peat-rich fields, painting the sky in shades of gold and rose. Head to a nearby observation hide to glimpse barn owls on the hunt.

Catch a historic tram on the Wisbech & Upwell line, chugging past charming villages and farmland. Feel the gentle whistle pierce the crisp morning air as you pass vintage stations. Chat with the volunteer conductor about the line’s storied past.

Alight at Manea station and explore quaint thatched cottages and the village green. Sample homemade cakes at the station tearoom before cycling along towpaths beside the old railway embankment. Discover hidden fenland sculptures scattered along the trail.

Dine at a riverside pub in Wimblington, enjoying locally caught trout and a glass of crisp white wine. Enjoy live folk music as the evening deepens, tapping toes to the fiddles and acoustic guitar. Take a moonlit walk back to Chatteris, guided by starlight and distant owl calls.

Set off early for Wimpole Estate, arriving to explore the grand National Trust mansion. Wander the opulent state rooms, marveling at ancestral portraits and period furniture. Stroll through the formal gardens, breathing in the scent of roses and lavender.

Enjoy a countryside lunch in the estate café, choosing from seasonal soups and freshly baked quiches. Follow waymarked trails through parkland, spotting deer grazing beneath ancient trees. Visit the working farmyard to see rare breed sheep and award-winning dairy cows.

Pause for afternoon tea by the lake in a Victorian glasshouse, indulging in scones with clotted cream and jam. Return to Chatteris as dusk falls, passing glowing fenland dykes. Reflect on the day’s elegance during a quiet riverside walk.

Arrive just as the wetland reserve opens to catch the dawn chorus of swans arriving on the banks. Join rangers for a guided hide visit, watching thousands of Bewick’s swans wintering on the flood meadows. Feel the soft mist rising from the water as the day begins.

Explore the visitor centre’s interactive exhibits on fenland ecology and migratory routes. Wander along elevated boardwalks through reedbeds, spotting reed buntings and marsh frogs. Enjoy a packed lunch while scanning for bitterns perched motionless in the reeds.

Stay late for a special twilight safari, hearing the haunting boom of bitterns echo across the reserve. Sip hot cocoa in the cabin hide as dusk deepens and water rail calls echo. Return to Chatteris under a canopy of stars, feeling a deep connection to the wetlands.

Drive or catch the train to Ely and admire the soaring towers of Ely Cathedral at first light. Join a morning prayer service or a guided tour to learn about its Norman architecture and unique octagon lantern. Wander through the cloisters, imagining medieval monks at work.

Cross the river to stroll the waterfront, exploring boutique shops housed in converted mill buildings. Enjoy lunch at a riverside café overlooking the Great Ouse, sampling local fishcakes and garden salads. Take a boat trip upriver to admire riverside gardens and historic boathouses.

Share dinner at a candlelit bistro near the cathedral, savoring seasonal dishes made with Fenland produce. Climb the cathedral steps at dusk for a sweeping view over Ely’s rooftops. Return to Chatteris feeling inspired by centuries of craftsmanship.

Rent a bicycle from a local outfitter and set off along quiet country lanes bordered by hedgerows. Stop at hidden vistas to watch skylarks performing aerial songs above the fields. Feel the crisp air on your face as you pedal past stone dykes and grazing sheep.

Pack a picnic to enjoy alongside a slow-moving drain, listening to frogs and dragonflies darting overhead. Continue toward a 17th-century windmill, climbing the steps for a panoramic view of the flat fenland landscape. Drop in at a village shop for homemade pies and local cider.

Return to Chatteris via a scenic bridleway as the sun lowers behind distant poplar trees. Freshen up before heading to a gastropub renowned for its ale-battered fish and hand-cut chips. Toast the day’s adventure with a locally brewed IPA as dusk settles.

Spend a hands-on morning at a family-run farm, feeding lambs and gathering fresh eggs in the barnyard. Chat with the farmer about sustainable cropping on reclaimed fen soils. Learn how peat-rich fields yield vegetables of exceptional flavor.

Visit the farm shop to taste artisan cheeses, chutneys, and breads made from local grains. Join a cooking demonstration on preparing a farm-to-table lunch featuring seasonal produce. Enjoy your creations al fresco beneath a shady oak tree.

Attend a pop-up supper club in a restored barn, sampling dishes that showcase Windmill Hill microgreens and free-range pork. Engage with fellow diners and chat with the chef about sourcing ingredients. Relish the warm glow of lanterns as you finish your final courses.

Begin with a gentle stroll along the River Mede, spotting kingfishers flashing by. Grab a breakfast bap filled with bacon and local sausages at a waterfront café. Pause to watch anglers casting lines into the clear water.

Embark on an ale trail, stopping at three historic pubs nestled between waterways. Sample real ales brewed in nearby microbreweries, comparing floral hops and malty notes. Chat with landlords about brewing traditions passed down through generations.

Settle in at a riverside inn for a hearty evening meal of steak and ale pie. Enjoy live acoustic music as the last embers of daylight fade over the water. Raise a final glass to friendship and the region’s rich brewing heritage.

Return to Chatteris market to hunt for last-minute souvenirs—handcrafted honey, woven baskets, and fenland prints. Share stories with local vendors over steaming mugs of tea. Capture one more photo of the iconic Market Square fountain.

Participate in a fenland crafts workshop, learning to weave rushes into decorative mats or baskets. Discover the artistry behind traditional materials that shaped local homes for centuries. Display your handiwork alongside community creations.

Conclude your journey with a celebratory feast at a family restaurant, savoring roast pheasant and root vegetable gratin. Enjoy a farewell performance of folk dance and music in the community hall. Reflect on ten immersive days as the crowds disperse and the hall lights dim.