Lifestyle
Quality of Life
Cambridge is the focal point for the area and the name attracts people from across the world. Whatever
first brings people to the area, both the city and its surroundings offer a wide variety of places and
amenities to suit all tastes and lifestyles.
A 20-year plan has been developed to ensure the improvement in quality of life for residents, focusing on enhancing the environment for people and wildlife. More areas of the countryside will be available for walking, riding and cycling. There will be improved country parks and visitor attractions alongside our wetlands, fenland, woodland grassland, rivers and farmland.
For more information on quality of life in Cambridgeshire, the largest part of the Greater Cambridge area, please review the 2006 Quality of Life Survey.
Transport
Greater Cambridge is a relatively small area so the actual distances involved in getting around are not
great. Cambridge lies at the junction between several major roads – the M11 from London, the A1 from the
North and the East-West A14 ensuring easy access from the city to the rest of the UK. Public transport
serves many of the outlying villages, together with frequent train services to London and the north of
England.
In Cambridgeshire, the average commuting distance to work is under ten miles (16km). The gentle landscape makes cycling an attractive option, with over 20% of local commuters choosing to cycle to work. For more information on our location and access, visit the Location section.
Market towns, cathedrals and pretty villages
Aside from the city, Greater Cambridge is predominantly rural, marked by rivers and fertile fenland to
the north and rolling countryside to the south.
- The typically English landscape of South Cambridgeshire is dotted with over 100 villages, from large, bustling communities to tranquil hamlets tucked amid woods and farmland
- To the north-west, the market towns of St Neots, St Ives and Huntingdon all enjoy riverside locations with plenty of boating and water-related activities to enjoy
- Brimming with history, Ely to the north is dominated by its spectacular 12th century cathedral; it also has a lively riverside and, as a fast-growing ‘small city’, has a good mainline rail-link
- As the horse-racing capital of the world, Newmarket has two excellent racecourses, numerous stables and is the centre of a thriving bloodstock and equine health industry
- In Suffolk to the east, Bury St Edmunds is a heritage market town with an ancient abbey, cathedral and the UK’s sole surviving Regency theatre
Visit the Tourism section for more details on local attractions and websites.
Leisure
Cambridge and its surrounding towns are well-served by the main shopping chains plus many smaller
independent outlets. From slick city bars to traditional country pubs, there are plenty of restaurants,
pubs and cafes offering a good choice of food and drink to cater for every taste and occasion.
Whether you’re looking for lectures, music, theatre, bookshops, nightlife or outdoor activities, there is an abundance of culture and entertainment for individuals and families of all ages. In terms of sport, the area has a good range of clubs and amenities from amateur to professional level.
Throughout the year events and festivals feature world-class artists and attractions – the Cambridge Film Festival, Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Bury Festival and much more.
For an in-depth insight into local entertainment, events and attractions go to the Visit Cambridge website or, for further afield, visit the East of England Tourism website.
