OUT AND ABOUT
Hidden houses small herd of Devon Red cattle attempt to moo-ve with the times (sorry). Across the county lies The Manor
O ur region has some spectacular historic homes to explore, and we’re not just talking about Wimpole Hall or Anglesey Abbey. First up in this list of hidden gems is Quy Hall, just five miles from the centre of Cambridge – a private residence owned by the Francis family who took ownership of the estate back in 1855. If you’re curious about the building, you can book a special tour to see the extraordinary walls and ceilings, painted with sprawling roses and ornate floral designs. Quy Park is open to visitors throughout the year for a beautiful view of the property overlooking one of our region’s unique chalk streams, as well as an elegant cast-iron bridge that used to be owned by St John’s College. You can follow Quy Hall on Instagram for a glimpse into the challenges of modern estate management as the family and their
at Hemingford Grey, a medieval home said to be one of the oldest continually occupied buildings in the country. In 1935 the property was bought by author Lucy Boston, who restored the Norman interiors and created the gardens that draw so many visitors in the summer months, when the perfumed borders are heavy with nodding old roses and steeples of irises. The gardens can be visited year-round, though viewing the inside of the property is by appointment only so requires planning. It’s well worth the effort, particularly if you’re a fan of Lucy Boston’s beloved children’s series Green Knowe , set in a loosely fictionalised version of The Manor. You can even recreate her main character Tolly’s arrival by boat from nearby St Ives.
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE Cambridgeshire has a wealth of historic homes to explore such as Quy Hall (pictured), The Manor (above and right) and Woodwalton Fen (far right)
10 APRIL 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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