It is surprising how many of us travel long distances for a day out, forgetting what is on our doorstep. With the summer approaching as I write this (I hope!) I thought it would be a good starting point for me to provide just a few ideas on entertainment and days out in the immediate area.

I hope to collate recommendations from fellow residents for a future article and the web site.

Send your recommendations to webquery@godmanchester.net. I look forward to hearing from you, Stuart Bond

Sources of Information

Before going any further, where can you get information locally? The Contacts list on page 65 has sports centres, cinemas etc listed. The following are additional ideas:

Free Internet Access – Huntingdon Library has a suite of PCs available with free internet access. In addition, Hunts DC offices in Pathfinder House have a couple of public PCs as well, useful on a Monday when the library is shut. So even if you can't access from home, make a note of sites of interest and pop into either location to get more information.

Tourist Information Centre in Huntingdon Library.
In the Library Foyer, Princes Street, Huntingdon. Tel 01480 388 588, Hunts.TIC@huntsdc.gov.uk and www.huntsleisure.org

Tourist Information Centre in Cambridge Tel: 0906 5862526 (Premium rate call) www.visitcambridge.org

Tourist Information Centre Peterborough Tel: 01733 452336

English Heritage
Many historic monuments in the region are maintained by English Heritage. Frequently there are special events and re-enactments to enjoy. www.english-heritage.org.uk For East of England Tel: 01223 582700

National Trust
Historic buildings, collections and nature reserves. For those in East Anglia www.nationaltrust.org.uk/regions/eastanglia/ or Tel: 0870 609 5388

Walks, Nature, Reserves, Wildlife and Farm Related

Hinchingbrooke Country Park Tel: 01480 451568

Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton. Tel: 01480 406795 www.paxton-pits.org.uk

Wicken Fen, on A1123. National Nature Reserve. Tel: 01353 720274 www.wicken.org.uk (National Trust)

Hamerton Zoo Park, nr Sawtry Jnc 15 on A1, Tel: 01832 293 362 www.hamertonzoopark.com

Shepreth Wildlife Park Station Road, Shepreth, Nr Royston, Herts, SG8 6PZ. Tel: 01763 26 22 26. www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Raptor Foundation bird of prey sanctuary with 300 birds. Woodhurst off B1040 to Somersham. Tel: 01487 741140 www.raptorfoundation.org.uk

Linton Zoo off A1307, Hadstock Road Linton. Tel: 01223 891 308 www.lintonzoo.com

Wimpole Hall Home Farm, Gardens & Park, off A603/A1198 at Arrington. Tel: 01223 207 257 www.wimpole.org (National Trust)

Denny Abbey & Farmland Museum of Cambridgeshire farming & village life at Waterbeach, A10. Tel: 01223 860988/489 www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk (Abbey under English Heritage)

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 40 acres of gardens and glasshouses. No parking but accessible from Trumpington Park & Ride, Bateman Street stop. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk Tel: 01223 336265

Museums and Historic Locations

Cromwell Museum, Grammar School Walk, Huntingdon Tel: 01480 375830

Norris Museum, The Broadway St Ives Tel: 01480 497314

St Neots Museum The Old Court, New St. Tel: 01480 388921/ 214163

Ramsey Rural Museum Tel: 01487 815715/814304

Blacked Out Britain Huntingdon Trading Post, 1 St Mary's Street Tel: 450998

Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington St, Cambridge Tel: 01223 332 900 www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Houghton Mill, Tel: 01480 301494 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/houghtonmill/

Flag Fen Bronze Age Site, The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough Tel: 01733 313414 www.flagfen.com

Nene Valley Railway, Wansford A1, Peterborough Tel: 01780 784444 www.nvr.org.uk

Imperial War Museum, Duxford Tel: 01223 835 000 www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Shuttleworth Collection, Old Waldon Sandy A1, Tel: 01767 626228 www.shuttleworthcollection.co.uk plus Bird of Prey Centre & Swiss Garden

Duxford Imperial War Museum is located about 25 miles southeast along the A14 to Junction 10 on the M11.

Children's Activity Centres (see also contact listing for sports centres and cinemas etc)

Jonah's, George St Industrial Est, (off ring road) Huntingdon Tel: 01480 433 322

Big Sky Centre, 24 Wainman Rd, Orton Longueville Peterborough Tel: 01733 390 810

Thurleigh Farm Centre, (nr Eaton Socon) farm and children's activity centre Tel: 01234 771 597 www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk

Huntingdon Olympic Gym Clayton's Way, (play sessions for under 5s and sports training for older children) Tel: 01480 52343

Outdoor Activities

Pidley Paintball Wilobe Farm, Fen Road, Pidley (B1040) www.pidleypaintball.co.uk Tel: 01487 740009

Kart Sport UK (Caxton) Indoor & Outdoor circuits www.kartsport.co.uk Tel: 01954 718200

Grafham Water water and shoreline activities www.grafham-water-centre.co.uk Tel: 01480 810 521