The Cambridgeshire village with magnificent airshows and two thatched-roof pubs

It's no secret that Cambridgeshire is filled with an abundance of villages and towns for locals and tourists to enjoy. All of them have something that attracts visitors but one place stands out in particular.

Duxford is only a 20-minute drive away from Cambridge city centre. It is steeped in fascinating history, brilliant tourist attractions and charming pubs and restaurants.

While most people associate the village with its iconic airfield and museum, there is more to the area than meets the eye. Take a look below as we dig deeper into Duxford and why it is a must-visit for everyone.

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Attractions

Duxford has many attractions that make it a popular tourist destination. The main attraction is the Imperial War Museum Duxford, which houses military aircraft, including many rare and historic planes.

The collection includes everything from World War I biplanes to Cold War-era jets. The museum also has a range of exhibits covering the history of aviation and warfare as well as a nearby airfield to watch planes take off and land.

The museum is famous for its airshows, which are held several times a year. These events feature a range of historic and modern aircraft, aerial displays and demonstrations that make it a fantastic day out for people of all ages.

This June there is a rare opportunity through the National Open Garden Scheme to browse some of the village's most stunning gardens. The likes of St Peter's Street, Bustlers Cottage and Green Street provide a fascinating collection of plants, a picturesque landscape and places to sit and watch the world go by.

Other places worth visiting are the St John's and St Peter's Churches, both of which are hard to miss with their historic buildings. The nearby Shepreth Wildlife Park is also a popular family attraction featuring a range of animals.

Food and drink

Although Duxford is a small village, there are plenty of places to go out and enjoy something to eat or drink. The two village pubs, The Plough and John Barleycorn, are popular hotspots among locals, offering a range of classic British dishes, pub favourites and selection of draught beers and wines.

For those who fancy something lighter or want a catch-up with friends, Cafe 19, located inside the community centre, is the perfect choice. The cafe has a warm and welcoming environment and serves everything from brunch to afternoon tea.

And, of course, there's the highly acclaimed hotel and restaurant The Lodge, which won its first AA Rosette last year. Described as "a relaxed and friendly haven", the venue offers boutique-style bedrooms, locally brewed beers and cocktails, a menu featuring fresh ingredients, and even an office space for those wanting to work in a comfortable environment.

Schools

There is one main school in the village, the Duxford Church of England Community Primary School, which educates children from the ages of four to 11. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, the school was rated 'Good' in all areas.

The village is also home to the 'Outstanding' Duxford Preschool, which was recently given the rating in March 2024. Other nearby options include Thriplow CofE Primary School and Fowlmere Primary School, both of which are nine minutes away by car.

Well connected

The village is located close to the M11, allowing drivers to reach Cambridge in about 20 minutes and London in under two hours. It is an 8-minute drive to the closest train station at Whittlesford Parkway and from there less than a 15-minute train ride to Cambridge.

House prices

House prices are not particularly cheap in most places in Cambridgeshire and Duxford is no exception. According to Land Registry data, properties in the village sold for an average of £363,120 over the last year.

Detached properties cost an average of £543,762, while semi-detached ones were £338,400 and terraced properties were £271,529. Rightmove reports that the sold prices in Duxford over the last year were 30 per cent down on the previous year and 22 per cent down on the 2019 peak of £465,970.

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