Great roads around Cambridge?
Discussion
Hello guys!
I recently moved to the Cambridge area, from North Wales, and have yet to find any decent roads/areas to explore. I don't know the area well at all, and would love to hear some recommendations that I can stick into my TomTom and go and have a nose around for an hour or so in the evenings- the closer to Cambridge the better!
I look forward to some replies! Are there regular Pistonheads drives/meetings in the area?
Cheers!
I recently moved to the Cambridge area, from North Wales, and have yet to find any decent roads/areas to explore. I don't know the area well at all, and would love to hear some recommendations that I can stick into my TomTom and go and have a nose around for an hour or so in the evenings- the closer to Cambridge the better!
I look forward to some replies! Are there regular Pistonheads drives/meetings in the area?
Cheers!
Isn't there one that Performance Car is always referencing? The B660?
I'm sure there are plenty around Cambridge - certainly a few near the Offords - if that fails there's plenty in Bedfordshire around the Sandy/Old Warden area and south of that.
Anywhere in the Home Counties is likely to be a slight anti-climax after North Wales, but there are some good roads if you know where to look!
Oh, bit far afield perhaps, but the A507 from Baldock to Buntingford is a real classic.
I'm sure there are plenty around Cambridge - certainly a few near the Offords - if that fails there's plenty in Bedfordshire around the Sandy/Old Warden area and south of that.
Anywhere in the Home Counties is likely to be a slight anti-climax after North Wales, but there are some good roads if you know where to look!
Oh, bit far afield perhaps, but the A507 from Baldock to Buntingford is a real classic.
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 27th November 13:42
Chris71 said:
Oh, bit far afield perhaps, but the A507 from Baldock to Buntingford is a real classic.
It is but other traffic can really ruin it. Better I feel is the B645 from St Neots, through Kimbolton and through to Higham Ferrers.Edited by Chris71 on Friday 27th November 13:42
Where abouts in Cambridge are you? Some nice roads around Duxford way, best bet is just go out and explore, remember the main A roads in particular can often be very busy.
Chris71 said:
Isn't there one that Performance Car is always referencing? The B660?
I'm sure there are plenty around Cambridge - certainly a few near the Offords -
The B660 is great but give it a miss on weekends during the summer as it's heaving with power rangers and unmarked plod, not aware of much worth driving around Offords though.I'm sure there are plenty around Cambridge - certainly a few near the Offords -
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 27th November 13:42
What's wrong with the A14 and M11? 
Interesting, I live on the B1040 and about 1/4 from the end of the B660, unfortunately I also live at the crap ends of them
Haven't drive the B1040 south of St Ives so I can't comment but I do like the B660 west of the A1 heading down to Kimbolton but that's definitely getting away from Cambridge. Not quite the same as when I lived in Macclesfield 1/2 mile from the start of the Cat and Fiddle run.
Cheers,
Rob
Interesting, I live on the B1040 and about 1/4 from the end of the B660, unfortunately I also live at the crap ends of them
Haven't drive the B1040 south of St Ives so I can't comment but I do like the B660 west of the A1 heading down to Kimbolton but that's definitely getting away from Cambridge. Not quite the same as when I lived in Macclesfield 1/2 mile from the start of the Cat and Fiddle run.Cheers,
Rob
Nothing too stunning round here Ghost, mrs is from north wales and some great driving roads up there, plenty of flat fen roads here and BEWARE of the fenlanders, easier to recognise them in summer when they walk round in flip flops and their webbed feet and 6 toes become more noticable
I'm in St.Ives and my folks are out Chatteris way (Neither I or they were born there, bizarrely they moved there through choice). When I go to visit them I often have fun on the Somersham to Chatteris road (B1050) - Its good spotting cars in the distance and seeing how quickly you can catch them and overtake them.
A good route (borrowed from the local MX5 owners club in 2005!) is:
Total route approx 2 hours – 90 miles.
Meet at Tesco, Bar Hill – just off roundabout off A14 just north of Cambridge (towards Huntingdon). Bar Hill is only a few miles north of the M11 / A14 split – the junction after the signs to the Crematorium, if you’re coming from the south.
Finish point is Brampton Hut, Huntingdon 01480 810800.
The end point is only a few miles up the A14 from the original start point. Watch out for speed cameras every mile or so between Huntingdon and Cambridge
On leaving Tesco turn left on first main roundabout onto B1050 towards Longstanton and Willingham.
NB: Main road goes right, bear left on the B1050.
2.1mls/3.3kms
On entering Longstanton, turn left at T Junction towards
Willingham. Speed bumps x 2 here.
3.7mls/5.9kms
Into Willingham on B1050.
4.5mls/7.2kms
Straight over at traffic lights.
Leave Willingham and continue alongside river.
7.9mls/12.7kms
At junction/mini roundabout take A1123 towards Earith and Huntingdon.
8.5mls/13.6kms
After The Crown pub take the next right towards Colne and
Somersham – B1050.
Enter 40mph limit, follow road.
10.7mls/17.2kms
Shortly after entering 30mph limit, turn right onto B1050
towards Chatteris. This right turn is very tricky as you are
crossing traffic coming from the left around a tight bend.
Pass the flashing 30 signs and leave the village into NSL but it’s advisable to stick to 50mph for the first stretch if you don’t know the road.
Continue on this road for several miles. Lots of nice bends but trickier than it looks due to camber changes and nasty bumps. Great fun!
15.3mls/24.6kms
Road becomes 50 limit and then 30 as you enter Chatteris.
Ignore the flashing 30 sign, it’s faulty.
17.0mls/27.3kms
At the Esso petrol station turn left onto Huntingdon Road,
A141 Huntingdon.
17.3mls/27.8kms
At roundabout turn right towards March A141.
18.2mls/29.2kms
At next roundabout (you can see Esso on the right as a landmark) take the 2nd exit (straight over) March A141.
Nice straight bit of road for a few miles. Time to relax – or overtake some slower cars! There is a P shortly after the roundabout to allow catch ups if required.
23.0mls/37.0kms
At roundabout take 1st exit left into Wimblington.
24.7mls/39.7kms
Enter Doddington.
25.4mls/40.8kms
At clock tower turn Right towards Benwick B1093.
28.8mls/46.3kms
Past hospital and continue on B1093 to Benwick.
(Ramsey Road) Beware this road is bumpy!!
32.0mls/51.4kms
Turn right onto B1096 signposted Ramsey.
Follow road round to the left, over bridge into Ramsey Forty Foot.
As you leave the village look for a right turn signposted Ramsey Mereside and Pondersbridge. Take this turning but beware as it is not an obvious junction.
Continue straight ahead ignoring signs to Mereside/Pondersbridge. Follow VERY BUMPY road round a nasty S-bend and past a golf course.
34.9mls/56.1kms
Turn left into Rainbow Supermarket and Shell Petrol station.
FUEL/COMFORT STOP
Turbo/Supercharged cars can refuel with Optimax here
Leave Rainbow supermarket car park, turning left
35.3mls/56.7kms
At bottom of road turn left onto New Road
Follow road round to the right (caution – narrow road, oncoming vehicles)
35.5mls/57.1kms
At Church turn Right onto the High Street.
36.4mls/58.5kms
Follow road round to the left at the petrol station and White
Lion Pub. This is the B1040 towards Warboys.
Follow road out of Ramsey, up a hill and past a church into national speed limit then up a 1:10 hill (rare in these parts!), beware of traffic turning left.
39.2mls/63.0kms
Continue into Warboys
At clock tower turn left
NB: there is currently a diversion in place down this road so traffic may be heavier than usual.
At bottom of road turn right towards Huntingdon, then turn almost immediately right again.
Straight over A141 roundabout (2nd exit) towards Pidley and Somersham.
41.7mls/67.0kms
Enter Pidley.
42.3mls/68.0kms
Turn right at Mad Cat pub T-junction signposted Oldhurst
and Huntingdon B1089.
44.3mls/71.2kms
Continue into Oldhurst
At junction turn left signposted Huntingdon, March and
Woodhurst.
At next junction turn right signposted Huntingdon/March.
45.1mls/72.5kms
At T-Junction turn left on to the A141 towards
Huntingdon.
Take care, cars may be travelling fast as it’s a main A-road.
Shortly after joining A141, take the first right turn, signposted Broughton.
This is a minor road and it should be safe to wait for people
to catch up.
46.4mls/74.6kms
Enter Broughton, keep left.
At Broughton Church, turn left on to School Road heading towards The Raveleys.
47.8mls/76.9kms
Turn right at the crossroads.
49.2mls/79.1kms
Take the first left towards The Raveleys and
Woodwalton. This road has a loose surface and is narrow.
50.4mls/81.0kms
At the T-Junction, turn right.
Take the immediate next left into Great Raveley, signposted Great Raveley village and Woodwalton.
53.4mls/85.9kms
Enter Woodwalton, passing under a railway bridge (rarrr!)
54.1mls/87.0kms
Turn left at the T-Junction signposted Abbots Ripton
54.6mls/87.8kms
Turn right at next T-Junction on to the B1090 towards
Monks Wood and Alconbury.
NB: There are some very tight S-bends.
57.4mls/92.3kms
Straight ahead over the A1 in to Alconbury Weston.
NB: Nasty speed bumps.
After entering the village turn right almost immediately. Look for a white building – Hamerton Road.
60.7mls/97.6kms
In Hamerton village, turn right at junction with a white
thatched cottage towards The Giddings and Sawtry.
61.7mls/99.2kms
Turn left towards The Giddings, pass through Steeple
Gidding and Little Gidding.
63.6mls/102.3kms
At the crossroads (windmill as a landmark) continue
straight over.
63.9mls/102.8kms
In Great Gidding turn right on to B660 towards Glatton.
Pass under powerlines and then turn left at the top of the hill towards Elton and Lutton.
67.2mls/108.1kms
At the junction, turn right. This is non-signposted.
In Lutton pass the church, turning left towards Polebrook and Oundle.
70.6mls/113.6kms
In Polebrook, turn left at the war memorial towards Hemmington.
Continue on this road through Hemmington, follow road to the right past the church.
74.0mls/119.0kms
In Luddington turn right towards Thurning.
In Thurning, continue round to the left at the T-Junction.
75.8mls/121.9kms
At the triangle next to the church, turn left towards
Winwick.
77.6mls/124.8kms
At the T-Junction in Winwick, turn right on to the B660
towards Old Weston and Kimbolton.
79.4mls/127.7kms
At T-junction with B662, turn left on the B660 towards
Kimbolton.
80.8mls/130.0kms
After the church turn left towards Catworth A14 on the
B660.
82.3mls/132.4kms
Turn left onto the A14 towards Huntingdon. There is often a speed camera van a few miles before Huntingdon.
89.4mls/143.8kms
At the big roundabout, take the 5th exit into the services. Brampton Hut is the 3rd exit off the mini roundabout next to the Hotel.
A good route (borrowed from the local MX5 owners club in 2005!) is:
Total route approx 2 hours – 90 miles.
Meet at Tesco, Bar Hill – just off roundabout off A14 just north of Cambridge (towards Huntingdon). Bar Hill is only a few miles north of the M11 / A14 split – the junction after the signs to the Crematorium, if you’re coming from the south.
Finish point is Brampton Hut, Huntingdon 01480 810800.
The end point is only a few miles up the A14 from the original start point. Watch out for speed cameras every mile or so between Huntingdon and Cambridge
On leaving Tesco turn left on first main roundabout onto B1050 towards Longstanton and Willingham.
NB: Main road goes right, bear left on the B1050.
2.1mls/3.3kms
On entering Longstanton, turn left at T Junction towards
Willingham. Speed bumps x 2 here.
3.7mls/5.9kms
Into Willingham on B1050.
4.5mls/7.2kms
Straight over at traffic lights.
Leave Willingham and continue alongside river.
7.9mls/12.7kms
At junction/mini roundabout take A1123 towards Earith and Huntingdon.
8.5mls/13.6kms
After The Crown pub take the next right towards Colne and
Somersham – B1050.
Enter 40mph limit, follow road.
10.7mls/17.2kms
Shortly after entering 30mph limit, turn right onto B1050
towards Chatteris. This right turn is very tricky as you are
crossing traffic coming from the left around a tight bend.
Pass the flashing 30 signs and leave the village into NSL but it’s advisable to stick to 50mph for the first stretch if you don’t know the road.
Continue on this road for several miles. Lots of nice bends but trickier than it looks due to camber changes and nasty bumps. Great fun!
15.3mls/24.6kms
Road becomes 50 limit and then 30 as you enter Chatteris.
Ignore the flashing 30 sign, it’s faulty.
17.0mls/27.3kms
At the Esso petrol station turn left onto Huntingdon Road,
A141 Huntingdon.
17.3mls/27.8kms
At roundabout turn right towards March A141.
18.2mls/29.2kms
At next roundabout (you can see Esso on the right as a landmark) take the 2nd exit (straight over) March A141.
Nice straight bit of road for a few miles. Time to relax – or overtake some slower cars! There is a P shortly after the roundabout to allow catch ups if required.
23.0mls/37.0kms
At roundabout take 1st exit left into Wimblington.
24.7mls/39.7kms
Enter Doddington.
25.4mls/40.8kms
At clock tower turn Right towards Benwick B1093.
28.8mls/46.3kms
Past hospital and continue on B1093 to Benwick.
(Ramsey Road) Beware this road is bumpy!!
32.0mls/51.4kms
Turn right onto B1096 signposted Ramsey.
Follow road round to the left, over bridge into Ramsey Forty Foot.
As you leave the village look for a right turn signposted Ramsey Mereside and Pondersbridge. Take this turning but beware as it is not an obvious junction.
Continue straight ahead ignoring signs to Mereside/Pondersbridge. Follow VERY BUMPY road round a nasty S-bend and past a golf course.
34.9mls/56.1kms
Turn left into Rainbow Supermarket and Shell Petrol station.
FUEL/COMFORT STOP
Turbo/Supercharged cars can refuel with Optimax here
Leave Rainbow supermarket car park, turning left
35.3mls/56.7kms
At bottom of road turn left onto New Road
Follow road round to the right (caution – narrow road, oncoming vehicles)
35.5mls/57.1kms
At Church turn Right onto the High Street.
36.4mls/58.5kms
Follow road round to the left at the petrol station and White
Lion Pub. This is the B1040 towards Warboys.
Follow road out of Ramsey, up a hill and past a church into national speed limit then up a 1:10 hill (rare in these parts!), beware of traffic turning left.
39.2mls/63.0kms
Continue into Warboys
At clock tower turn left
NB: there is currently a diversion in place down this road so traffic may be heavier than usual.
At bottom of road turn right towards Huntingdon, then turn almost immediately right again.
Straight over A141 roundabout (2nd exit) towards Pidley and Somersham.
41.7mls/67.0kms
Enter Pidley.
42.3mls/68.0kms
Turn right at Mad Cat pub T-junction signposted Oldhurst
and Huntingdon B1089.
44.3mls/71.2kms
Continue into Oldhurst
At junction turn left signposted Huntingdon, March and
Woodhurst.
At next junction turn right signposted Huntingdon/March.
45.1mls/72.5kms
At T-Junction turn left on to the A141 towards
Huntingdon.
Take care, cars may be travelling fast as it’s a main A-road.
Shortly after joining A141, take the first right turn, signposted Broughton.
This is a minor road and it should be safe to wait for people
to catch up.
46.4mls/74.6kms
Enter Broughton, keep left.
At Broughton Church, turn left on to School Road heading towards The Raveleys.
47.8mls/76.9kms
Turn right at the crossroads.
49.2mls/79.1kms
Take the first left towards The Raveleys and
Woodwalton. This road has a loose surface and is narrow.
50.4mls/81.0kms
At the T-Junction, turn right.
Take the immediate next left into Great Raveley, signposted Great Raveley village and Woodwalton.
53.4mls/85.9kms
Enter Woodwalton, passing under a railway bridge (rarrr!)
54.1mls/87.0kms
Turn left at the T-Junction signposted Abbots Ripton
54.6mls/87.8kms
Turn right at next T-Junction on to the B1090 towards
Monks Wood and Alconbury.
NB: There are some very tight S-bends.
57.4mls/92.3kms
Straight ahead over the A1 in to Alconbury Weston.
NB: Nasty speed bumps.
After entering the village turn right almost immediately. Look for a white building – Hamerton Road.
60.7mls/97.6kms
In Hamerton village, turn right at junction with a white
thatched cottage towards The Giddings and Sawtry.
61.7mls/99.2kms
Turn left towards The Giddings, pass through Steeple
Gidding and Little Gidding.
63.6mls/102.3kms
At the crossroads (windmill as a landmark) continue
straight over.
63.9mls/102.8kms
In Great Gidding turn right on to B660 towards Glatton.
Pass under powerlines and then turn left at the top of the hill towards Elton and Lutton.
67.2mls/108.1kms
At the junction, turn right. This is non-signposted.
In Lutton pass the church, turning left towards Polebrook and Oundle.
70.6mls/113.6kms
In Polebrook, turn left at the war memorial towards Hemmington.
Continue on this road through Hemmington, follow road to the right past the church.
74.0mls/119.0kms
In Luddington turn right towards Thurning.
In Thurning, continue round to the left at the T-Junction.
75.8mls/121.9kms
At the triangle next to the church, turn left towards
Winwick.
77.6mls/124.8kms
At the T-Junction in Winwick, turn right on to the B660
towards Old Weston and Kimbolton.
79.4mls/127.7kms
At T-junction with B662, turn left on the B660 towards
Kimbolton.
80.8mls/130.0kms
After the church turn left towards Catworth A14 on the
B660.
82.3mls/132.4kms
Turn left onto the A14 towards Huntingdon. There is often a speed camera van a few miles before Huntingdon.
89.4mls/143.8kms
At the big roundabout, take the 5th exit into the services. Brampton Hut is the 3rd exit off the mini roundabout next to the Hotel.
I come from North Wales originally and also now live in Cambridge. Yes, the roads around here are terrible and terribly boring in comparison. Some of best roads I've found are as follows:
1. Duxford village towards Ickleton
2. over the M11 towards Strethall
3. heads towards Littlebury Green, before this village take the road (no name) that is parallel to the M11 (this bit is epic!)
4. On joining B1039 (Royston Road) heads towards Arkesden and then on towards Clavering
5. You really can't go wrong with any of the roads around here.
Let me know how you get on....
1. Duxford village towards Ickleton
2. over the M11 towards Strethall
3. heads towards Littlebury Green, before this village take the road (no name) that is parallel to the M11 (this bit is epic!)
4. On joining B1039 (Royston Road) heads towards Arkesden and then on towards Clavering
5. You really can't go wrong with any of the roads around here.
Let me know how you get on....
marrow said:
Oh forgot to say, when you get to Clavering have a drink + some food at The Cricketers. Amazing food and venue.
Think I might have stopped at that one - it was one of the pubs on the B1038 - very olde English with possibly the world's nicest barmaid? I only went in to nip to the loo mid-hoon, but I could barely bring myself to leave. 
Ahem, anyway, back to roads...
Now, the Essex type area I know! The B1038 has it's moments, but it's narrow, not very well surfaced in places and can be quite muddy. The B1039 is also quite narrow in places, but has some lovely sequences of bends and generally better lines of sight. The B1051 is good too. One of those (I think it's the end of the '1039) has this sequence of sweeping bends that wind its way past a windmill. Watching a dozen flame spitting TVRs and other assorted PH machinery snaking there way past the turning sails of the mill under a bright blue sky was one of the highlights of my summer.
The B184 and '1057 are good. If you end up following the B1051 all the way to Bishops Stortford (by the way don't bother with the B1383, it's boring and IIRC 40/50mph limit) then the first section of the B1004 to Much Hadham is, barring the surface at the beginning, fantastic.
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