Cambridge, Ely & Nene Valley Railway

None given.Description
\n\nTravel in deluxe style on this holiday aboard aJG Explorercoach!\n\nThe delights of Cambridgeshire await on this lovely five-day break, where we combine vibrant cities with idyllic countryside and picture-perfect towns. There is so much to discover in beautiful Cambridge, full of historic buildings along the winding, punter-clad River Cam, while the pint-sized metropolis of Ely boasts a magnificent cathedral, waterside walks and more. We also enjoy time in the charming stone town of Stamford, the first designated conservation area in the country, and journey on the picturesque Nene Valley Railway. With its nostalgic feel and stunning scenery, it's no wonder that the heritage line has appeared so many times on screen, including a starring role in two James Bond films!

Coach Itinerary
Included Excursions\n\nEly & Cambridge (half day)For our first day out we begin with a trip to Ely, where we have time at leisure to explore England's second smallest city. The historic cathedral is not to be missed, home to the country's only museum dedicated to stained glass, while Ely Museum in the city's old gaol is a fascinating place to discover more about the past. With its range of eateries, peaceful atmosphere and picturesque views, the waterside area is a lovely spot to relax here, or you can also visit the remarkably well-preserved 17th-century home of Oliver Cromwell.Our next stop is atmospheric Cambridge. This fascinating university city is full of beautiful architecture, leafy green meadows and majestic college buildings, including the famous King's College Chapel on the banks of the River Cam. Why not enjoy a spot of punting on the river or visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, which contains a vast collection paintings, armour, ceramics, furniture, textiles, sculptures and manuscripts.\n\nNene Valley Railway & Stamford (full day)We head to Wansford where we board our train for a picturesque journey on the Nene Valley Railway to Peterborough, meandering through a picturesque landscape of water meadows, arable farmland and a country park. The railway has featured in many films and TV series including the James Bond filmsOctopussyandGoldeneye!Next we spend some time in Stamford, one of the finest stone towns in the country, with over 600 beautiful listed buildings, five medieval churches and a range of boutique shops. The Town Trail is a wonderful way to soak up the atmospheric streets, charming passageways and market squares before enjoying a well-earned treat in one of the cosy cafés.Optional ExcursionCambridgeshire Villages (St Ives, Huntingdon & St Neots) - £14pp (full day)On our optional excursion we discover three of Cambridgeshire's hidden gems. First we visit St Ives with its lovely riverside setting, olde-worlde charm, delightful streets and ancient buildings, including a Jacobean manor house. There's plenty of historic architecture to explore in Huntingdon too, the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell, from an 18th-century Town Hall to the old Falcon Inn, used as Cromwell's headquarters during the Civil War. You can find out more at the museum here or take the chance to enjoy one of the cosy pubs. Our last stop is St Neots, with origins dating back to Saxon times. Henry I granted the town with a market charter in the 12th-century and you can go bargain hunting during your visit today, browsing everything from artisan products to clothing.

Coach Bullets
- Return coach travelon a JG Explorer Coach (seeHelpful Informationbelow)- 4 nights at the Holiday Inn, Northampton (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford- Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley RailwayOptional excursion to Cambridgeshire Villages (St Ives, Huntingdon & St Neots) (£14pp)

Search Bullets
- 4 nights at the Holiday Inn, Northampton (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford- Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley Railway

JG3
Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

Helpful info
JG Explorer Coaches\n\nWe are pleased to introduce JG Explorer - a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind - with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There's improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it's the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so our Explorer coaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on the JG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.\n\nThe layout of the JG Explorer includes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.\n\nRiverside Holiday Inn
Hotel (JG3 rating) This riverside Holiday Inn is located in Northampton and offers everything we need for a comfortable stay, including a games room, lounge/bar, restaurant, tennis court, fitness centre, free Wi-Fi and en-suite bedrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities.