The charming countryside village with a Michelin Guide restaurant
Located only a short drive from Peterborough and on the banks of the River Nene lies one of Cambridgeshire's most idyllic villages. It might be small, but it is definitely mighty when it comes to attracting visitors.
Wansford is steeped in fascinating history, charming places to eat and picturesque walks. One of its restaurants has even been recognised by the Michelin Guide for its "imaginative dishes" with "hearty flavours". Another popular attraction for steam train enthusiasts is the nearby Nene Valley Railway.
While some people might not be familiar with the area, it has an interesting story to tell. Take a look below as we dig deeper into Wansford and why it is a must-visit for anyone in the county.
Read more: Former Little Chef given a new lease of life after being abandoned
Read more: Beautiful walk between two Cambs railway stations - with pubs to take a break at
High standards of dining
There are plenty of places to go out and enjoy something to eat or drink in Wansford. The Paper Mills is located in the heart of the village, offering both classic pub food and upscale dishes, all of which are made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
For those who fancy something lighter or want a catch-up with friends, Thirteen on London Road is the perfect choice. The cosy cafe is an inviting space for customers wanting a hearty breakfast, lunch or even afternoon tea.
A huge draw for the village is the highly acclaimed restaurant Prevost @ the Haycock, which is included in the Michelin Guide and has won three AA Rosettes. The eatery, located in the orangery of a former coaching inn, delivers "imaginative" food from an "enthusiastic team", according to Michelin.
Well connected but a world apart
The village, which boasts all the best of rural living, is also close to Peterborough. Drivers can reach the city in about 20 minutes by car.
Both the A1 and the A47 help the village stay connected to the rest of the world. It takes around one hour to get to Cambridge, with motorists driving on the A1 (M) and A14.
Walks
Wansford also offers plenty of picturesque walks by the River Nene suitable for people of all ages. Some of the routes take you through other nearby areas, including Castor, Yarwell, Sutton and Water Newton.
One walk starts in the village centre where you can pick up the Nene Way and follow the waymarked footpath south past Wansford Bridge to Yarwell. Here, you can spot a mill, lock and weir on the river.
The trail continues round to Nassington where you'll pass Nassington Manor before crossing the dismantled railway to the north of the village. The route then heads north along country lanes to visit the Bedford Purlieus National Nature Reserve.
The reserve provides the perfect opportunity to admire miles of woodland trails, bluebells, wildflowers and lots of wildlife. You then head east past the Old Sulehay Forest to return to Wansford.
House prices
House prices are not particularly cheap in most places in Cambridgeshire and Wansford is no exception. According to Land Registry data, properties in the village sold for an average of £555,389 over the last year.
Detached properties cost an average of £706,875, while semi-detached ones were £490,000 and terraced properties were £397,000. Rightmove reports that the sold prices in the village over the last year were two per cent up on the previous year and nine per cent down on the 2018 peak of £608,643.
Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Peterborough, Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in