GRANTCHESTER VILLAGE & MEADOWS
Grantchester is your quintessential English village with beautiful scenery and a rich history. The village was made famous by our namesake, Rupert Brooke, a celebrated wartime poet, inspired music by Pink Floyd and is the setting for James Runchie's Grantchester Mysteries, now a TV adaptation starring Robson Green, simply named Grantchester.
After a stroll through the village you will find the water meadows. Grantchester Meadows is the perfect place for a picnic, spotting the Red Poll cows grazing or if you are daring enough, some wild swimming - Grantchester Meadows were named in Countryfile Magazine's top ten places in Britain for a swim with nature!
If you would rather leave the swimming to the ducks, we highly recommend taking a punt. You can take a punt with Scudamores from Cambridge along the River Cam to Grantchester, disembark and join us for lunch. The punt ride is usually around 1 hour and 15 minutes and you can book a one-way journey or a return. If you choose to take a stroll back to the city to work off your lunch this will take around 45 minutes with plenty to see along the way.
THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
We are a 14 minute drive from the centre of Cambridge or a scenic 45 minute walk by the river, through the water meadows and up into the village.
There are many, many things to do and see in the city and we will share a few of our favourites with you.
Browse the bustling Cambridge market! Home to many small, local traders from bakers, to makers, to florists and you can even get you bicycle fixed!
Take a visit to Cambridge University's Wren Library where you can view an original manuscript of Winnie the Pooh, by AA Milne - gifted by the Author who studied at Trinity College.
WIMPOLE ESTATE
The National Trust's Wimpole Estate is a 14 minute drive from The Rupert Brooke. The estate offers a great day out for everyone, especially for families or those interested in conservation, farming and history.
For families be sure to visit Home Farm, one of the UK's largest rare breed centres! Say hello to long horn cattle and the gentle giant, Shire horses, and mingle with the mischievous Bagot goats. There may even be a piglet or two! Beyond the farm there are acres of unspoilt parkland where the kids can become professional Butterfly Spotters!
After a day exploring the Wimpole, join us to top off your day with some great food. We are a short drive away with car-parking.
WANDLEBURY
COUNTRY PARK
Wandlebury Country Park and the Gog Magog Hills are a 17 minute drive from The Rupert Brooke, to the south of Cambridge. There are over 8 miles of footpaths around the park and hills, taking you through wildflower meadows, orchards, woodlands and iron-age ditches. On a clear day, there is a viewing spot where you can see Ely Cathedral, 17 miles away!
For families with kids there are lots of things to do! Say hello to the parks herd of Highland cattle, enjoy some Saffron Walden Ice Cream from Tilly's Traveling Tea Room, and head off on the Wandlebury Explorers Nature Trail.
SAFFRON WALDEN
The medieval market town of Saffron Walden is a 25 minute drive from The Rupert Brooke. The streets are lined with history and wonky, timber framed houses, painted in Suffolk pink, yellows and blues!
The town's market has been held in the square since 1141, winning best small outdoor market in 2018 no held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. There is plenty to explore in the town, from The Fry Art Gallery, to exploring the many mazes, to wandering around the beautiful Bridge End Gardens - if you decide to visit the gardens be sure to pop in for a drink next door at our sister pub, The Eight Bells.
Close by you will also find the stunning Audley End mansion and estate - the miniature railway is always a hit with the little ones!
