Full day tour of Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket

Cambridge - Punting on the River Cam
Cambridge - King's College Chapel
King's College
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral - Lantern
Newmarket
Newmarket Races

Home to England's second oldest university, Cambridge, like Oxford, has many marvellous medieval cloisters and courtyards.

Outstanding is King's College Chapel, started in 1446 and completed 70 years later. Henry VI, founder of the college and the chapel, also established its famous choir which can often be heard at services and concerts today.

Queens' and St John's colleges both contain notable Tudor buildings.

The 12th century Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Britain's few round churches, is modelled on its namesake in Jerusalem.

The Fitzwilliam Museum has rich collections of paintings and ceramics, while Kettle's Yard is an unusual gallery housing interesting modern art.

The river Cam, from which the city takes its name, has some pretty bridges and magnificent views across spacious lawns to the backs of the colleges.

Ely was once a barely accessible island in the middle of a treacherous marsh inhabited by eels - hence the name.

Today it is dominated by Ely Cathedral, begun in the 11th century and completed nearly 300 years later. Its two towers, one square and the other octagonal, can be seen for miles across the surrounding flat countryside. The cathedral's most unusual feature is the wooden octagon at the centre of the crossing, built in 1322 and topped with a distinctive lantern. Fine, carved roof bosses and an extraordinary 12th century carved doorway are among the other details that make this one of England's most splendid cathedrals.

The timber-framed buildings of the city itself include the family home of Oliver Cromwell - ruler of Britain after the Civil War in the 17th century - which is now a small museum.

The whole town of Newmarket is dominated by the horse-racing industry, of which it has been the national headquarters almost since the first flat races were held there in the 17th century.

There are two racecourses on the grassy, undulating heath and scores of trainers are based in the vicinity; some occasionally open their yards to visitors.

The National Horseracing Museum in the High Street is a magnet for lovers of the sport and regular auctions of racehorses are held at Tattersall's historic sale ring.

The National Stud, where many champions have been bred, is also open to visitors.