Points of Interest between Cambridge, England to Guildford, England

picture of Cambridge, England

Five Unexpected Places to Stop on a Drive from Cambridge to Guildford

Are you looking for an exciting road trip to take with your friends or family? Why not consider the route from Cambridge to Guildford, where you can make five unexpected and exciting stops? This route takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes (without any traffic), covering a distance of approximately 95 miles. In this article, we'll outline five unique pit stops that are worth your time, attention, and money.

Halfway Point: Saint Albans, HRT

Before we dive into the other stops, let's introduce you to the midway point, known as Saint Albans. In this small city, you can spend a relaxing half-hour break, take a stroll through the city center, and grab some coffee. If you're lucky, you'll also enjoy a farmers' market, street art events, and musically themed programs of street performers. Saint Albans is a quiet, tranquil town with a lot of history that may have been lost in modern times.

  1. Knebworth, HRT: This historic village is home to Knebworth House, a redbrick Tudor mansion that was used as a film location for Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, The King's Speech, Austenland, and many other movies. The mansion features a gorgeous deer park, formal gardens, an adventure playground for kids, and mini-prehistoric dinosaur statues throughout the trail. You can also visit the recently restored ancient Knebworth Barns, where you can book your wedding or host a cultural event. Foodies should indulge in the homemade cakes and tea from the Cobblers Coffee Shop.
  2. Tilford, SRY: This tiny and beautiful village is nestled in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy. You can walk along the river, watch the historic Tilford Mill, barbecue in Tilford's recreation ground, or visit the Barley Mow pub for a hearty meal. More adventurous types might go for their handcrafted ales, pulled pork burger, and vegan pizza. If you're into cricket, then head down to Tilford Cricket Club for an exciting match day experience.
  3. Farnham, SRY: Located 10 minutes from Tilford, Farnham is a lovely, quaint market town that boasts numerous shops, independent restaurants, and historic architecture. You can tour the beautifully maintained Farnham Castle, catch a movie at the independent Curzon Cinema, or walk down Castle Street, which is teeming with Georgian and Jacobean buildings. You can grab your lunch at The Nelson Arms, which has a dog-friendly zone and delicious fish & chips and veggie risotto.
  4. Odiham, HAM: Odiham is a small village near Basingstoke, but don't let that deter you from visiting. It has a charming and protected High Street, filled with small, independent local businesses, popular cafes, and gracious accommodations. The best time to visit would be the annual Odiham Food Festival, where many street vendors come to share their delicious and authentic cuisines with the community. If you're not around for the festival, The Red Lion pub offers freshly cooked, farm-to-table meals, including half a roast chicken, fish pie, and bangers & mash.
  5. Grayshott, SRY: Wrapping up our list is Grayshott, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Surrey countryside. The village has two spas, Grayshott Spa, popular for its luxury wellness breaks offering aerobics classes, hydrotherapy treatments, and yoga classes. In the center of the village is Red Rose Indian Cuisine, worth the drive for authentic and flavorsome curries. The Owl & The PussyCat pub, located near the Royal School of needlework, offers a wide range of drinks and robust and salted fries with your favorite organic Cornish mussels.

Conclusion

Driving from Cambridge to Guildford on the route outlined above is no longer about getting there as fast as possible. You can make numerous stops along the way at incredibly exciting places that will enrich your experience and make the trip worthwhile. You can link them together to make a unique and interesting culinary, art themed, or hiking and biking experience. With every stop you make, you'll find your journey getting more enchanting and memorable. So, slow down, take your time, and enjoy the ride.