The road is home to plenty of interesting spots along its Cambridgeshire stretch, making it a firm contender for the Route 66 title
The A1, Britain’s longest road stretching from London to Edinburgh. Its impressive 410-mile length may seem substantial by UK standards, but it’s merely one-sixth of the iconic Route 66’s whopping 2,400 miles.
The Cambridgeshire stretch of the A1 spans roughly 30 miles, from Eaton Socon near St Neots in the south to Wansford near Peterborough in the north.
Along this route, adventurous drivers can encounter hyenas at a zoo, explore a tower that once imprisoned one of Henry VIII’s wives, or delve into the history of the Nene Valley Railway – Peterborough’s first rail connection.
Discover some of the top spots to pause along the A1, Cambridgeshire’s second answer to Route 66, below.
Little Paxton: Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
Heading north, your first stop is Little Paxton, home to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. This former gravel quarry, now a sprawling 78-hectare site, teems with diverse wildlife, including otters, deer, and dragonflies.
Part of the reserve still houses an operational quarry, which visitors can observe during a guided walk. Despite its name, Little Paxton packs a punch with plenty more to discover beyond its nature reserve once you’ve parked up in the village.
Buckden: Tower that once sheltered Katherine of Aragon
Our second stop is Buckden, home to the historic Buckden Towers. This site played a part in the life of Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Following her divorce from the King, she sought refuge in the Tower of Buckden Palace, spending six days confined within a chamber. She was forcibly moved from there to Kimbolton Castle in May 1534.
In addition to the tower, the site boasts an impressive garden named in honour of the divorced Queen, known as Queen Katherine’s Tudor Knot Garden.
Grafham: Home to the UK’s third-largest reservoir
Nestled between the A1 and A14, Grafham Water features on both of Cambridgeshire’s equivalents to Route 66. This reservoir – the third largest in the UK – is a must-visit, whether you’re seeking tranquil walks with picturesque views or something more adventurous.
The Grafham Water Centre and Grafham Water Sailing Club offer activities such as kayaking, canoeing and sailing. It’s also a popular fishing spot, hosting national and international fly fishing competitions.
Steeple Gidding: Zoo housing bears and cheetahs
The fourth stop is Hamerton Zoo Park, renowned for its ‘bear meadow’ and ‘cheetah country’. Among the zoo’s most recent arrivals are a trio of brown hyenas, the rarest species of hyena, which, according to Hamerton Zoo’s website, cannot be found in any other British zoo.
Boasting a 4.5 rating from 3,346 Google reviews, one visitor remarked: “Wonderful place for children to go. It was exciting to feed zebras by hand and stand amongst the birds as they flew around our heads.
“The tiger was about two metres away from us and the animals calling to each other at various points throughout the day made it feel like you were in a jungle!”.
Elton: A grand Gothic mansion
A house has occupied the site since the 12th century, undergoing numerous expansions and modifications since the Proby family purchased it in the mid-17th century.
The result is an enormous gothic edifice set within a 3,800-acre estate. The garden, complete with an orangery and lily pond, bagged the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Judges’ Choice Award in 2021.
Wansford: Nene Valley Railway
Next up is a treat for railway enthusiasts. Wansford Station served as the headquarters of the Nene Valley Railway, the first rail line to reach Peterborough.
The original station building on platform three, constructed in 1844/5 for the line’s inauguration, showcases intricate stone masonry. It is in the process of being moved brick by brick to another location.
Additionally, a miniature railway operates from Wansford Station, which also houses a ‘study centre’ featuring photographs and artefacts from the railway.
Thornhaugh: An 18th century mill and lambs
Our seventh destination is Sacrewell Farm and Community Centre. Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, an 18th-century mill has been restored and transformed into a ‘centre of milling excellence’.
The farm also houses lambs and kids, with a ‘VIP Lambing Experience’ available from 1st to 27th April.
Stamford: An Elizabethan house built in honour of a Queen
Our final stop is truly impressive. The grand Burghley House, one of the largest surviving 16th-century houses, was constructed to honour Queen Elizabeth I.
This lavish residence features a ‘jewel closet’ and a ‘blue silk bedroom’. A ‘heaven room’, a ‘hell staircase’ and a ‘lower hell staircase’ are adorned with artwork depicting angelic humans and bloody battles.
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