The village is a good place to move to if you want the benefits of quiet village life while still being near the city

The city of Cambridge is a hugely popular place to have a home with it often being named one of the best places to live in Britain. However, the city centre can often be extremely busy and is packed with people so if you are looking for somewhere quieter to live, you might want to try one of the villages surrounding Cambridge.

Fen Ditton is a small village found right on the edge of Cambridge and offers homeowners a relaxing place to escape to after a day in the city. To get into Cambridge, you can either take a bus, a 17-minute drive, or walk along the River Cam.

Thanks to its location on the River Cam, the area used to be important for trade with goods being delivered to the village throughout the medieval period to the 14th century. Fen Ditton was still used for some trade in the 19th century but it stopped when the railway line was opened.

The village is known for being a great place to watch The Bumps, annual rowing races held on the River Cam. A ferry used to run across the river to the Plough pub during the races to allow people to watch the rowers from the pub’s garden.

To this day, the Plough is still always packed while The Bumps are taking place with people enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine while watching the races. The pub also has plenty of bar snacks as well as full meals for those wanting something to eat.

The village has another pub called the King’s Head that was reopened last year. The pub holds regular events including live music nights, pub quizzes, and bingo.

Fen Ditton also has a restaurant called the Ancient Shepherds that was opened by the Michelin star chef, Mark Poynton. The restaurant offers three different set menus and a Sunday lunch and also has a few rooms for those who want to stay in the village.

If you are interested in moving to Fen Ditton, the average price of houses in the village is around £425,396 according to Rightmove. Semi-detached properties sold for around £504,950 and flats cost an average of £247,400.

This detached bungalow with three bedrooms was last sold in November last year for £375,000. This 5-bed detached house sold in July 2025 for £685,000.

Richard Gadd is one of the stars of the show – which sees its final episode go out on the BBC this evening – with a Doune personal trainer to the Hollywood hotshots helping his physical transformation for the show.

As audiences enjoyed the final thrilling action of an acclaimed BBC and HBO drama this week, the show’s main star has hailed the efforts of a Doune-based personal trainer on helping him undergo a physical transformation.

The final episode of the six-part drama ‘Half Man’ went out to audiences in the UK last night, with Scottish actor Richard Gadd playing the main role as Ruben Pallister.

Gadd’s change into the muscle-bound Ruben was part of a dedicated plan from the popular ‘Baby Reindeer’ actor to commit to the role.

The man responsible for helping Gadd build and maintain that physique required for his role is not a Hollywood trainer, but a sports therapist based in the Stirling village.

David Jenkins, who splits his time between film and television sets and his treatment room in Doune, spent seven months helping Gadd prepare for the physically demanding part.

By the end of filming, Gadd had gained 100lbs and was regularly lifting several tonnes of weight during each training session, training up to seven days a week and squeezing workouts in between the bare-chested fight scenes (or ‘taps aff’ takes as they were known on set) and continuing to train even on 16-hour workdays.

The pair trained together for months before filming began and continued throughout production to maintain the physique required for re-shoots and public appearances, from the BAFTAs and press interviews to participating in UNICEF’s Soccer Aid.

As a former prison physical education instructor, Jenkins drew on first-hand experience to help shape the realism of Gadd’s physical transformation.

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“He never cancelled a session,” Jenkins said. “He turned up every single time, even after the longest days on set.

“People see the performance on screen, but they don’t always see the discipline behind it.

“Richard was carrying an enormous workload creatively and physically. He could spend 11 hours on set, another five hours writing and then still turn up ready to train.

“It wasn’t just about adding size. It was about understanding how somebody like Ruben would realistically train, move and carry themselves.

“We’d celebrate with protein-only curries, no naan, no rice, then do it all again the next day.

The collaboration between Jenkins and Gadd reflects a growing but largely unseen part of Scotland’s expanding film and television industry, where productions increasingly rely on specialists to keep actors healthy and schedules on track.

Industry crews routinely work long days, while delays caused by injury or exhaustion can cost productions thousands of pounds per hour.

Jenkins, who previously worked in elite sport, says the demands placed on actors can rival those faced by professional athletes.

“People underestimate what lead actors are dealing with physically and mentally,” he said.

“You might have someone performing emotionally intense scenes while also training hard, sleeping irregularly and working extremely long days.

“The production machine only works if the cast can keep going.”

For the past 15 years, Jenkins has worked across film and TV, with credits including Outlaw King, Outlander and upcoming productions including Blood of My Blood.

During filming for Outlaw King, Jenkins worked closely with Chris Pine, at one point strapping the actor’s injured shoulder between takes to allow him to continue with gruelling battle scenes.

Pine later gifted Jenkins the sword used in the production alongside a handwritten note thanking him for “saving” him during filming.

Jenkins has also worked with undisputed boxing champion Josh Taylor and a host of touring recording artists.

Away from set, Jenkins and Gadd have remained close friends since filming wrapped, with plans to meet up together in the US during the World Cup.

The sports therapist even presented Gadd with a tongue-in-cheek “Best Trainer 2025” trophy created on a 3D printer to mark the end of filming.

Jenkins concluded: “People only see the finished performance. “They don’t see the months of work behind it, the long days and the mental resilience needed just to keep going.

“The TV and film industry demands a huge amount from actors, both physically and mentally. My job is to make sure they are ready for action when the camera rolls.”

‘Half Man’ is available now on the BBC iPlayer.

Undated handout file photo originally issued on 07/12/25 by Hampshire Police of Henry Nowak. Sikh man Vickrum Digwa has been jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Issue date: Monday June 01, 2026.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence Tuesday, less than two weeks after postponing a White House ceremony over his concerns that a similar policy could dull America’s edge on AI technology.

The order establishes a framework for the federal government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced AI systems for up to a month before their public release. The government will be able to work with trusted partners “that will have early access to covered frontier models to promote secure innovation and strengthen the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure,” the order says.

It was not immediately clear to what extent the order differed from the one he declined to sign on May 21.

Trump canceled an Oval Office event with tech industry executives last month because he did not like what he saw in the earlier version of the order’s text. “We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that lead,” Trump told reporters at the time.

That directive was characterized as a voluntary collaboration with participating U.S.-based tech companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) says the works on Station Road near Shepreth railway station will provide safer crossings and improved routes for walking, wheeling and cycling

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CambridgeshireLive readers have been responding to news that a road adjacent to Shepreth railway station will be closed to motor vehicles for approximately three weeks from Monday, 1 June, while enhancement works are carried out.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) confirmed that Station Road will be shut at the Shepreth level crossing. Motorists will be unable to use the crossing to travel to and from Barrington Road during this period.

Access to the station, local businesses and Docwra’s Close will remain available, controlled by temporary traffic lights. Pedestrian routes, including across the level crossing, will remain open. A diversion route will be established for vehicles.

The works form part of the Melbourn Greenway scheme, which seeks to make walking, wheeling and cycling between Melbourn and Cambridge more straightforward and safer. The GCP states that Shepreth will benefit from new, more accessible crossing points, including one outside Shepreth Village Hall.

Additionally, new double yellow lines on Station Road will be introduced to reduce congestion and enhance safety near the level crossing. A new 20mph zone will extend from the Barrons Green / Fowlmere Road junction to Shepreth railway station.

The project also includes raised tables at key junctions on Fowlmere Road to reduce traffic speed and facilitate safer crossings. Further traffic-calming measures on Fowlmere Road will include speed humps, a reduced speed limit, and improved street lighting.

The plans and road closures have prompted strong reactions from readers. One commenter, Danieal wrote: “Another waste of money.”

Rhodabike adds: “Yet another village falling victim to the GCP’s anti-car, congestion-generating arrogance.”

Dagough states: “It is time someone got the GCP under control. They are pursuing a minority anti-car agenda in our villages. They are unelected zealots”

Trumplad says: “If you think this is a problem, wait until they close Long Road for 6 to 13 weeks!”

Freddly quotes: “‘Works also include raised tables…’ – it’s important that these are tall and steep enough to damage a 2026 SUV if taken at speed. The design of modern SUVs makes low, gentle ones ineffective. Making them steep will save lives.”

Nocyclinganywhere replies: “Have you thought about police and ambulance and fire appliances going over them , I don’t think that will will save lives when they have to slow down for them or find alternative routes.”

Whynot2 answers: “And what of the small city cars and small family cars are you personally going to pay for the damage that the cars may obtain from going over one of your tall speed bumps?”

Do you believe that the completed roadworks will benefit everyone in the surrounding areas? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

Finding true and lasting love is a top priority for many of us, but it’s not always easy to achieve. If you’re widowed or dating post divorce, you may not feel motivated to go on countless dates with new people. However, sex and relationship coach Angela Vossen believes there are practical ways to build your confidence.

How to find love 

“The best way to find love is to enjoy life to the fullest, rather than forcing a relationship into your life,” Angela explains. “Stop looking for someone to complete you and start becoming someone you actually enjoy spending time with,” she adds. “Love finds its way to people who are already living, not to those who have put their lives on hold waiting for it to arrive.”

She adds that life-changing love rarely lands on your doorstep; it tends to turn up in the places you haven’t been yet. “Say yes to things that make you slightly uncomfortable. Join the club, attend the event, download the app you’ve been dismissing,” Angela adds. “And when you do meet someone interesting, be curious rather than trying to be impressive. Ask questions you actually want the answers to. Listen as though what they are saying matters, because if there’s real connection there, it does.”

With this in mind, here are 10 essential tips to finding love and building a fulfilling relationship. 

10 tips for finding love

Online dating can be a very effective way of finding a potential romantic partner. Research from 2023 showed that 11.1 million people in the UK use dating sites. This figure is expected to rise to 12 million by 2028. 

Telegraph Dating alone has helped tens of thousands of people start their online dating adventures, resulting in many happy and lasting relationships, not to mention weddings and babies.

4. Actively build connections

Aside from online dating, actively building new connections is a good way to enrich your life. When you don’t micro focus on solely finding love and instead focus on just getting out there and meeting new people, you’ll naturally expand your network and the likelihood of meeting a potential romantic partner. 

Not sure where to start? Try out new hobbies, join clubs, and look at local volunteering events. This will help you naturally expand your social circle and opportunities to meet new people. 

Read more: 

5. Learn from past relationships

Everyone can learn something from past relationships. Whatever note you and your ex ended on, think about what went well and what didn’t. This will help you have a clear idea of what you want from your next romantic partner and the things you might change this time around.

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6. Embrace vulnerability in love

Dating and meeting new people does require a certain amount of vulnerability, so if you’re still feeling guarded after the end of a relationship, you may need more time to work through those difficult feelings. But if you’re ready, consider what you’re comfortable sharing and at what point you might open up more. Sharing all of your vulnerabilities may not be something you do on a first date, but it’s an important way of deepening a relationship and building trust further down the line. 

7. Seek support from friends and family

If you’re open to meeting someone new or have signed up to a dating site, tell your friends and family. Seeking this support and having people to talk about it with will not only give you greater accountability, but it will also help to navigate the ups and downs of dating life with those you trust the most. 

How to build lasting love

If you’ve been dating for a while but are struggling to turn anything into a lasting relationship, it may be time to take stock of what you’re actually looking for. Here are a few pointers to consider: 

8. Understand what loves means to you

Love can mean something slightly different to everyone so it’s a good idea to think about what it looks like for you. Perhaps it’s peaceful companionship and loyalty, or that big romance you’ve always dreamed of. Maybe it’s simply finding someone that makes you feel safe and understood. Write down a few things that immediately spring to mind or chat about it with a trusted friend. You may be surprised at what comes up. 

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Read more: How to know if you love someone

9. Identify what you want in a long-term partner

Likewise, it’s important to think about what you want in a long-term partner. This will help you think more clearly when you start dating and meeting new people. It can also help to avoid falling into old patterns and missing relationship red flags. For instance, perhaps in previous relationships you never felt like a priority and want to find someone that truly values you. Or you really want a partner that enjoys new adventures and embracing life to the fullest. This will keep you laser focused on what you want and the key attributes and values to look out for.

10. Strengthen your communication skills

While some of us are great communicators and can perfectly articulate our feelings, others may need a bit of help. It’s important to communicate effectively from the start of your dating journey, from your first message to a potential match onwards.

When you meet someone new and go on dates, give yourself permission to speak openly. Communicate what you’re looking for and what your values are. This also works both ways so ask the same of your date and actively listen to their answers. 

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If you’re concerned about your communication skills, ask friends and family to give you some feedback. This will help you identify potential blind spots and make you aware of habits you have such as taking days to reply to a text, oversharing when nervous, or shutting down when asked about difficult topics such as divorce.

FAQs

Angela says that you’re probably ready for a committed relationship when you can answer yes to three things. Do I actually like myself? Can I hold space for another person’s needs without abandoning my own? Am I choosing this from desire rather than fear?

“That last one is the most important,” she says. “A lot of people pursue commitment because they are afraid of being alone, of being left behind, of what others will think. That’s a shaky foundation. A relationship entered from fear tends to produce a lot of anxiety and very little joy.”

Another thing Angela advises thinking about is if you can have a difficult conversation without it becoming a catastrophe. “Can you ask for what you need, hear something hard about yourself, sit with discomfort without lashing out or shutting down?” Angela explains that these are the behaviours a committed relationship requires. 

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“Readiness doesn’t mean you’re healed from everything or have no unresolved history. It means you’re self-aware enough to bring those things into a relationship without expecting a partner to fix them.”

Are you wondering if the feelings you have for someone are love or just infatuation? Angela says there are some key ways you can tell the difference. Infatuation, she says, comes with intrusive thoughts, butterflies, someone taking up all the available mental bandwidth in your brain. “That’s real, but it’s also temporary by design. It’s your nervous system doing its job,” she explains. 

“What I’d look for underneath that is something quieter. Do you feel safe with this person? Do you like who you are around them? Can you be mundane together, not just electric? Are you genuinely rooting for their happiness, not just how it interacts with yours?” Love, she explains, in its more durable form is less a feeling and more a decision you keep making. “But the feeling matters,” she adds. “If you’re asking whether it’s love, pay attention to what your body knows before your mind catches up.”

“I understand why people ask this, but it’s the wrong question,” says Angela. “There’s no timeline, and the belief that there is one causes a lot of unnecessary suffering”. She adds that when we’re convinced we should have found it by now, we stop dating from a place of genuine interest and start dating from a place of urgency.

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“That urgency is one of the most effective ways to repel the very thing you’re looking for,” she says. “In the meantime, don’t put the rest of your life on hold. Travel, take the course, move house, change career, do the things that are genuinely yours to do. People who are visibly engaged in their own lives are far more attractive than people who are visibly waiting.”

Angela stresses that the conditions under which love tends to arrive are curiosity, openness, and a life that’s full enough not to need it. “Create those conditions, and love becomes possible.”

Part of the reason that finding real love can seem hard is because we’ve been sold an idea of love as something that happens to us, rather than something we actively participate in and build. “Films end at the beginning with the promise of ‘happy ever after’ but they tend not to show what that happy looks like, how it changes over time, and sell the false idea that if it’s not for ever after, it wasn’t the real deal,” she explains. “Nobody’s making content about the Tuesday evenings when it’s all a bit flat and you choose each other anyway. Or the love that eventually ends not because it wasn’t real or wasn’t valuable but because we’ve now outgrown the version of ourselves that it went with.”

“There’s also the paradox of abundance,” she continues. “Dating apps mean we’re technically exposed to more potential partners than any previous generation, but that volume can create a consumer mindset where everyone is perpetually auditioning and nobody is committing”. She explains that the temptation to keep scrolling in case something better comes along can be corrosive, both to the people we’re meeting and to our own sense of what is enough.

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Finally, it’s important to consider the internal work. “A lot of us carry relational patterns from early life that we’re not even aware of. We recreate familiar dynamics rather than healthy ones, then wonder why we keep ending up in the same place with different people,” she explains. “Finding love often requires understanding ourselves well enough to interrupt those patterns.”

If we’ve inspired you to get out there and meet someone special, you can kick-start your search with Telegraph Dating. With more than 220,000 single people, Telegraph Dating is the perfect place to find romance.

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