For top-quality accommodation in Cambridge, choose Autumn House in Cambridge: a great place to…
Ancient Shepherds

“Popular village free house on Cambridge fringes”
FEN DITTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Our View
Originally three cottages in the 16th-century, the Ancient Order of Shepherds used to meet here to discuss ovine matters over a pint or three. Today's customers in the bars, dining room or beer garden are more likely to talk about whether to order seafood linguine; fish and chips; game (in season); a beef or halloumi burger; or maybe Niçoise salad. Real ales are from Adnams and Greene King. On the nearby River Cam, an eccentric rowing race called ‘The Bumps’ takes place.
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Discover Cambridgeshire
To the west of East Anglia is Cambridgeshire, a county best known as the home to the university that makes up the second half of ‘Oxbridge’ (the other half is Oxford). As well as its globally renowned educational credentials, it also has a rich natural history; much of its area is made up of reclaimed or untouched fens. These are low-lying areas which are marshy and prone to flooding. The lowest point in the UK is at Holme Fen, which is some 9 feet (2.75 metres) below sea level. Some of the fens had been drained before, but it was in the 19th and 20th centuries that wide-spread, successful drainage took place, expanding the amount of arable and inhabitable land available.
Ely Cathedral was built on an island among the swampy fens, but now sits among acres of productive farmland, albeit farmland criss-crossed by miles of flood-preventing watercourses. Oliver Cromwell was born in Ely, and his family home can still be visited. Cambridge itself is a beautiful and historic city, with any number of impressive old buildings, churches and colleges, and plenty of chances to mess about on the River Cam which gave the city its name.
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