Vine Farm, a 17th century farmhouse, is located in the quiet village of Stapleford just four miles from the centre of the historic city of Cambridge close to Addenbrookes Hospital, Granta Park, Duxford Imperial War Museum and the Genome Campus at Hinxton.
Stapleford is easily accessible to the M11, A 14 and A11 and offers a train service to London Liverpool Street (1 hr 15 mins) and Cambridge (5 mins). There is a regular bus service to Cambridge, Duxford and the nearby market town of Saffron Walden. It has a Spar shop and two pubs offering food, with Chinese and Thai restaurants in the neighbouring village of Great Shelford.
The university city of Cambridge is rich in history with its famous colleges and buildings dating back to 1284. It is well known for its museums – the Sedgwick Museum for its local archaeological finds to the fine paintings and sculptures at the Fitzwilliam. There is also a wonderful collection of plants to be seen at the Botanic Gardens. Take a punt on the river Cam, along the Backs and under the Bridge of Sighs or to Rupert Brooke’s Grantchester for tea. Round off a day with evensong at Kings College Chapel.
East Anglia is abundant with stately homes including Anglesey Abbey, Wimpole Hall and farm, Audley End House, Ickworth, and further afield, Sandringham and Woburn Abbey with its Safari Park.
The world famous Imperial War Museum at Duxford is 10 minutes away and makes a fascinating day out. Racing at Newmarket (10 miles) and the National Stud provide an opportunity to see some of the world’s best race horses and foals. A visit to the National Horseracing Museum will provide an insight into the British horseracing industry.
Explore Ely, the capital of the Fens with its cathedral dating back to the 13th century, the stained glass museum and Lady Chapel. Take a walk through the cathedral grounds then down to the beautiful riverside for afternoon tea.
Within a few minutes drive of Stapleford are the Nature Reserves of Wandlebury Country Park and the Gog Magog Trust and the Roman Road, with their variety of wildlife and interesting countryside walks.
Cambridge is also a good centre from which to visit the surrounding fenland, characterised by its vast, flat areas of artificially drained land and stunning skyscapes. Visit Peterborough, with its beautiful Norman cathedral and Flag Fen, an important Bronze Age archaeological site. Or the small market town of Wisbech which shows some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the county, the National Trust property of Peckover House.
Directions:
From North – take exit 11 off M11 – first exit from roundabout onto A1309 towards Cambridge. At traffic lights turn right onto Addenbrooke’s Road. At traffic lights turn right onto A1301 and follow this road for approximately 2 miles then over railway bridge – turn left by Spar shop into Church Street. Vine Farm is the last house on right before a bend to left where road splits. Turn right down a tarmac drive before white iron gate.
From South – take exit 10 (at Duxford) – 3rd exit from roundabout onto A505. At roundabout (McDonalds) take first exit to left onto A1301 for 3.1 miles. Rose pub on right – take next turning on right at Spar shop, into Church Street. Vine Farm is the last house on right before bend to left where road splits. Turn right down a tarmac drive before white iron gate.
Park outside one of the three green-doored garages. The door to the B&B is the red one on your left.