The ‘picture perfect’ Cambridgeshire village home to a world-famous science centre

The village is also full of thatched cottages and timber-framed homes

Cambridgeshire is a county widely associated with science not only in the UK, but the world. It’s home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, which has produced some of the smartest scientific brains such as Professor Stephen Hawking.

While Cambridge is considered the science centre of the county, there is one small village that is also highly-regarded in the science world. This is Hinxton, a small village home to just over 300 people in south Cambridgeshire.

Hinxton is home to the world-famous Wellcome Genome Campus, a leading hub for genomics and biodata research. The centre is famous for its major contributions to the sequencing and analysis of the human genome – the complete set of DNA instructions required to build and maintain the human body.

As well as its scientific significance, Hinxton has more beauty to discover. The “picture-perfect” village features many aspects expected from a village.

This includes timber-framed and thatched cottages, historic brick and flint houses, quiet lanes lined with flourishing trees and also a village green. The famous River Cam also flows through the village, making it a scenic and pretty place to walk through.

A prominent spot in the village is Hinxton Watermill on the River Cam. It’s so old that it’s mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1085 and is noted as being “worth eight shillings”. The current building was constructed in the 17th century, while the adjoining cottage was built in the 18th century.

People can visit the watermill on its open days, giving them an insight into the watermill. They can also experience the beautiful sites that surround it.

The village is home to one pub, known as The Red Lion Inn, which also comes with bed and breakfast accommodation. The award-winning pub has resided in the village since the 16th century.

It provides the “perfect backdrop for enjoying fabulous food and drink, in the company of friends, family and colleagues”, according to the pub website. In the summer months, the pub’s walled gardens are also a pretty place to sit and enjoy a drink.

To enjoy a day out to experience beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside in a place that is well-renowned for science, then Hinxton is the place to visit.