Lincolnshire, Cambridge, Yorkshire

[Lozzer]

Hi all, The Mrs and I have a 8/9 day 700ish mile road trip planned middle of July, staying for 3 days at each location, Lincolnshire is a date with "Just Jane" the Lancaster Bomber and Yorkshire we are staying central around Whitby/York/Pickering but Cambridge is a new one to us, we made a brief visit a few years ago and paid a visit to Duxford which we'll probably do again, any other recommendations for anything else around that area?, avoiding Kahns Big Smoke if possible, failing that, it's 85miles from Cambridge to the Diddly Squat Farm Shop
Thanks

 

[Nayf]

Cambridge is worth a wander - Midsummer’s House is very fine dining, but hard to park near. https://midsummerhouse.co.uk/
Parking is terrible generally, I tend to stump up for Lionyard and the city is very busy, but there are some great independent shops and art galleries, and obscure museums. Let’s just say a Cambiocorsa box gets a workout... but it is worthwhile. Stix and Sushi does good, well, sushi. Can reccomemend the hotate and the goats cheese wrapped in ham stick, among many other things. Browns is also worth a visit.

Stamford is well worth a visit, a bit like a mini-Cambridge and like wandering into a BBC costume drama. Some of the restaurants are a little overrated, however...


Oundle is a miniature version of Stamford. There’s a lovely artisan tea/coffee place called BrewBabu that’s worth afternoon tea after a wander around Stamford.
Rutland Water’s good for a bit of stretching the legs, and the Sunken Church is always a good sight.

Magazine Heaven in Rushden is worth a little diversion from Oundle.
There are some great driving roads around there but I imagine going gung ho isn’t the one with the lady with you, but I can provide a map.

If you see a slight shabby silver 147 GTA say hello

 

[Nayf]

Yorkshire: Blakey Ridge is one of the greatest roads in the country for views, just try not to trip over magazine photoshoots. Blakey Inn in the middle of the hillside does good honest fare.

 

[Lozzer]

Cambridge is worth a wander - Midsummer’s House is very fine dining, but hard to park near. https://midsummerhouse.co.uk/
Parking is terrible generally, I tend to stump up for Lionyard and the city is very busy, but there are some great independent shops and art galleries, and obscure museums. Let’s just say a Cambiocorsa box gets a workout... but it is worthwhile. Stix and Sushi does good, well, sushi. Can reccomemend the hotate and the goats cheese wrapped in ham stick, among many other things. Browns is also worth a visit.

Stamford is well worth a visit, a bit like a mini-Cambridge and like wandering into a BBC costume drama. Some of the restaurants are a little overrated, however...


Oundle is a miniature version of Stamford. There’s a lovely artisan tea/coffee place called BrewBabu that’s worth afternoon tea after a wander around Stamford.
Rutland Water’s good for a bit of stretching the legs, and the Sunken Church is always a good sight.

Magazine Heaven in Rushden is worth a little diversion from Oundle.
There are some great driving roads around there but I imagine going gung ho isn’t the one with the lady with you, but I can provide a map.

If you see a slight shabby silver 147 GTA say hello

Thanks Nayf, plenty to look into there, a map of driving roads would be most appreciated, she's worse than i am! Not every Mrs doesn't want you to sort the exhaust on the car incase it might make it quieter lol.
Thanks again.

 

[Lozzer]

Yorkshire: Blakey Ridge is one of the greatest roads in the country for roads, just try not to trip over magazine photoshoots. Blakey Inn in the middle of the hillside does good honest fare.

I'll put that on the list.
Thanks

 

[schell70]

As you will be going to East Kikby for the Lanc - try and drop in to The Bluebell Inn as this was a favourite watering hole of the crews and still has lots of their signatures on the ceiling.

https://www.bluebell-inn.com/

Lincolnshire Wolds has some good driving roads and even a vineyard!

 

[Gazcw]

I would never drive in Cambridge anymore. It was bad enough 10+ years ago and is more anti car now than ever before. Park and ride is a much simpler solution. And yes I hate saying that.

 

[doodlebug]

I would never drive in Cambridge anymore. It was bad enough 10+ years ago and is more anti car now than ever before. Park and ride is a much simpler solution. And yes I hate saying that.

Really?

I live just up the road from Cambridge and I always drive in preference to taking the park and ride. It's usually only bad at peak times but the council is doing its best to make it even more car unfriendly with 20mph zones popping up all over the place.

The same council in its wisdom decided to charge for car parking at the park and ride in addition to the £3 per person for going into town on the loser cruiser. For the missus and me, it worked out more expensive than 3 hours parking at Lion Yard. Unsurprisingly, the park and ride numbers plummeted and the council subsequently removed the car park charge but it's still cheaper for me to drive in because I know where to park where it's cheaper than Lion Yard.

 

[Doctor Houx]

Ely is just a few miles from Cambridge and is one of the smallest places designated as a Ciy.

It has free parking, a beautiful marina beside the river and the “Ship of the Fens’. This is what the Cathedral is called and it is huge and stunning. This place is very worthy of a day trip.

 

[D Walker]

Yorkshire: Blakey Ridge is one of the greatest roads in the country for views, just try not to trip over magazine photoshoots. Blakey Inn in the middle of the hillside does good honest fare.

Blakey inn......Do you mean the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge...

Indeed if you turn off the ridge, there are some great roads. Grosmont is worth a visit if you can time your visit to include the steam train.

 

[Sam McGoo]

Echo the above really.
We love Stamford for a night away. Lovely place. We stay at the George of Stamford Hotel, lovely old building, nice food.
Ely - very nice, like a tiny Cambridge. Cathedral is impressive. We don't stay there as we're only 20 mins away away, so regularly go there for the market and river etc.
The Poets house is a popular hotel and restaurant or for something more quirky the Old Fire Engine House has very good reviews for food. Both next to the Cathedral.
Loads of more relaxed eateries in town or by the river.

CAMBRIDGE - You have to go punting on the river. You can do it yourself, or hire a private guided one. The best way to see and learn about all the old college buildings along the river. Very impressive. Loads of nice food and drink everywhere, just Google what you fancy.

If your coming down the A1 from York and your not in a rush or do want to have a look at Stamford, Get off the A1 at Grantham and head to Melton Mowbray on the A607. Its not challenging, but it is a nice drive. Stop there and pick up a famous Pork Pie. Then head down the A606 down past Oakham (another nice old town) and stop at Rutland water to have a walk/ boat trip and eat your Pie.
Continue down the 606 to Stamford and either have a look or stay for the night. Your back on the A1 then to continue on with your journey.
Any of the little roads off the main roads round there can be fun and there is lots of pretty villages.

 

[soprano]

Like Doodlebug says, driving into Cambridge really isn't the issue it is made out to be, apart from during rush hour. Parking is readily available but is expensive (probably £20 ish per day).

A few other ideas for Cambridge eateries -

Navadhanya - higher end Indian restaurant
Mercado - bit pricey but excellent tapas on Green Street
Restaurant 22 - fantastic food, fine dining (but not starred), significantly cheaper than Midsummer House, but you will need to book well in advance

Good places for a pre dinner drink -

Cambridge Wine Merchants on Bridge St
Rooftop terrace at the Varsity Hotel (if the weather is nice, not ideal if it's lashing down!)

Best hotels -

University Arms Hotel
Tamburlaine
Varsity Hotel

Things to do -

A walk in Grantchester Meadows with tea at the Orchard Tea Rooms
Punting - you can do this to Grantchester from the Mill Pond as well as the usual tourist route along the backs from Magdalene Bridge.
American Cemetery at Madingley is worth a visit, they have a good new visitor centre
As above, Ely Cathedral is worth a visit

 

[Gazcw]

Really?

I live just up the road from Cambridge and I always drive in preference to taking the park and ride. It's usually only bad at peak times but the council is doing its best to make it even more car unfriendly with 20mph zones popping up all over the place.

The same council in its wisdom decided to charge for car parking at the park and ride in addition to the £3 per person for going into town on the loser cruiser. For the missus and me, it worked out more expensive than 3 hours parking at Lion Yard. Unsurprisingly, the park and ride numbers plummeted and the council subsequently removed the car park charge but it's still cheaper for me to drive in because I know where to park where it's cheaper than Lion Yard.

Yeah that's what I meant. Really car unfriendly especially when you need it for work/tools etc.
To be fair not been in ages so did not know about additional p&r charges

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Last time I stopped off in Cambridge it was about this time of year.
2019 I think.
Stayed in Jesus College. Very reasonable rates and the rooms are
equivalent to a four star hotel in West Court.
Breakfast is included and is also good and plentiful.
Depending on numbers staying, you eat in West Court Dining Room
around large tables of about twenty with waiter service.
Parking is free, within the college grounds.
The staff are all incredibly helpful and the college itself
is fairly typical in that its a quiet environment.
Conducive to study, I suppose
I had my nephew with me and although he has absolutely no
fear, food wise. For convenience we eat in the Cambridge Brew
House on both nights, which is just around the corner.
Good food. Great selection of beers on tap.
Including a tasty tipple that was around 10% abv.
In hindsight, I'm glad I only had one pint of this.
Cambridge was thronged with whatever the tourist
coaches had decanted the previous night.
I'd imagine it'd be more pleasant this year.
Just checked the college website and there are
some access restrictions mentioned, however
I'd call first in case the website hasn't kept up
with events. But they are accepting bookings.

 

[Nibby]

Regarding Cambridge a place I like is just out of town called The Bridge Hotel which is between Waterbeach and Horningsea, in the week when a little less busy having a meal in the garden by the river is bliss.

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Sam is pretty spot on with is recommendations, to add more to Stamford if you just want a pub lunch I recommend the "Toby Norris" it's about opposite Marks and Sparks just a few metres on on, ask a local or you could walk by it, very friendly always seem to get chatting to someone in there, and take a look at the upstairs rooms they are amazing with the old beams. The loo' s are up there. Also Burleigh House and grounds are fabulous.
Friday is market day with stalls along the roads, worth a visit but get there early has car parks can be full. We park at the Cattle market car park, turn down by the George Hotel and it's on your right, pay and display.
Ely,
Cromwell's house is there, now a museum, it's very close to The old Fire Engine restaurant, you will need to book the Fire Engine. Down towards the river is The Barn full of antiques and bric a brack, just by that is Peacocks tea room if you like tea it's the place to go. Also Peregrine Falcons have nested at the Cathedral this year the first time in decades and I believe are raising some chicks.
Cambridge
Definitely park and ride, parking is free and the bus tickets cheap. There's at least three to choose from but Trumpington Road is I think the best, just of the the M11 junction 13 from memory but check, yes take a punt ride along the backs of the college's best way to see the them, the Botanical gardens are very close to the centre, there is a bus stop outside them from the above park and ride, it's a nice place to stroll around.
You mentioned Duxford, if you are into old planes and have the time carry on down the A1 then onto the B658 at Biggleswade to Old Warden to the Shuttleworth collection wonderful collection and nice gardens to wander around too.
With all of the above check opening times and covid restrictions.

 

[MarkMas]

Lincoln is nice.
Good markets in Newark - antiques on Mon & Thu; general on Wed, Fri & Sat.
Newark Air Museum.
Excellent discount clothes shopping (if that's your thing) at Boundary Mill, Grantham.
Beverly (just north of the Humber bridge) is a nice town with two impressive churches and good shops. (Beverly Arms Hotel is pretty good.)
Beverly-Malton-Wetwang-Pickering is a nice drive. https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/driving-in-yorkshire.29164/