Northampton to Cambridge drive: Best stops, distance & time
The distance from Northampton to Cambridge by car is 55 miles, with a 1h5m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Northampton to Cambridge drive are are Irchester Country Park, the Stanwick Lakes and Oliver Cromwell’s House.
Planning a Northampton to Cambridge road trip itinerary
The drive from Northampton to Cambridge connects a market town on the River Nene to one of the world’s great university cities.
Northampton has plenty of attractive parks, but the highlight is arguably the Abington Park Museum. The museum is standard local history fare, but the estate surrounding the manor house is lovely.
Top Cambridge experiences include punting tours, alumni-led university tours and a science tour devoted to the likes of Sir Isaac Newton, Alan Turing and Charles Darwin.
Northampton to Cambridge distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Northampton to Cambridge is 55 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and five minutes. The quickest route is usually along the A45 and A14.
The best stops to add to a Northampton to Cambridge road trip are Irchester Country Park, the Stanwick Lakes and Oliver Cromwell’s House.
Things to do between Northampton and Cambridge: Irchester Country Park
Irchester Country Park between Wellingborough and Rushden is one of several country parks in Northamptonshire, albeit one with a few twists. One of the walking trails in the park is a dinosaur trail – you’ll find velociraptor and T-Rex skeletons along the way.
There’s also a high ropes course, run by Jungle Parcs, that allows the more adventurous to swing and slide through the woods.
Northampton to Cambridge drive: Stanwick Lakes
In Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley, the Stanwick Lakes are primarily a wildlife-watching site. Plenty of bird species hang out around the wetlands, and you might see an otter if you’re very lucky.
There’s also an extensive adventure playground, which is deliberately designed to look as natural as possible. It has a water play area – bring a change of clothes for your kids.
Attractions between Northampton and Cambridge: Oliver Cromwell’s House
Oliver Cromwell was a polarising figure, but a fascinating one. A leading commander of the Roundheads during the English Civil War, he became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth after the monarchy was abolished.
Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, and his former family home is now a museum devoted to his life. A recent revamp at Oliver Cromwell’s House has beefed up the civil war section, but overall it offers a great insight into a divisive parliamentarian and a turbulent era.
Somewhat bizarrely, there’s also an escape room on the site, should you wish to play.
More Northampton road trips
Northampton to Birmingham | Northampton to Coventry | Northampton to Leicester | Luton to Northampton.