As you all know  one of our favourite things to do is go on a little adventure by train. This weekend we headed to Cambridge for a #RailAdventure with Greater Anglia. Unlike our previous adventures we didn’t actually have a plan, we just hopped on the train and let day unfold before us.

I love Cambridge, as does Husb but we had never actually visited with L so we were looking forward to having a little explore with him. It’s got a bit of everything so we were never going to be short of things to do. Great parks, walks, interesting buildings to look at and loads of museums.

This particular adventure really was all about the journey. That’s what we often find when we travel by train, the journey is everyone’s favourite part. It is really exciting for L, he loves listening to the stations being called out and telling us that we haven’t arrived yet. He was very excited when we got to Ely and wanted to know if we stopping there again. I’m really sad and just love that there are sockets so I can charge my phone and comfy seats so I can relax. Husb loves not having to drive or find a parking spot. Happy all round.

Wymondham to Cambridge is a direct route and takes just over an hour. If you are wondering how many snacks you should pack, I would say all of them. A bag of quavers, raisins, a mini roll, Pulsin Kids Bar and half of Daddy’s crisps was not enough. The kid just enjoyed having them laid out on his tray with his drink and his toys. He felt quite grown up.

Cambridge Train Station is about a 20 minute (adult paced) walk from the city centre. With a very hot child who still wants to be on the train in takes a fair bit longer! If you fancy something a bit closer the Botanic Gardens are about 5 minutes away and look awesome. Alternatively if walking isn’t the option for you the bus for the city centre calls at the station regularly and you can even get your bus ticket added on when you buy your train ticket to save a bit of money.

We stopped at The Regal on our way into the centre of Cambridge, a nice Wetherspoon’s where we had a spot to eat and a drink. Then we just had a nice little stroll through the city looking at some of the college’s and all the old buildings.

It was very busy on Sunday, like I have never seen before. The good weather had bought everyone out. This had it’s good points though. The river was full of people out punting, both skilled and very, very unskilled. It was really good fun to watch. Because it was so much fun to watch we decided we would walk along the River Camb to Jesus Green.

If I had been more organised I would have bought our swimming stuff and gone to the Jesus Green Lido, it was the perfect weather for a swim in the outdoor pool. Just past the Lido is a great kids play area and that is where we spent most of our day, enjoying the sun as L played and played and played. Then when he was all played out we found a bench in the shade overlooking the river and we watched people feed the ducks and just chilled as he had a rest on my lap.

When he was ready we took a slow walk back to the train station, only pausing to get some more cold drinks. We got the train from Wymondham at 9.15am, arriving into Cambridge at 10.20am. We didn’t get the train home until 2.50pm and we only just got to the station in time. Somehow we had whiled away over 4 hours, just enjoying the parks and the walking and the weather.

We had a great day and it just goes to show you don’t have to have a plan to enjoy a #RailAdventure. The adventure was getting on the train and making our way. Getting to see different things as the train whizzed through the countryside and just enjoy time together as a family.

It was easy, it was simple and it was brilliant. Just by getting on the train L was happy and his day out was made. He would have been happy if we had got straight back on the train and just come home if I’m honest. The best adventures aren’t planned and don’t have to cost the earth, for the cost of our train tickets and lunch we had a full day out, because we went on a Sunday the car park at Wymondham Train station was even free. The park was free, the walking free and if we had enough time lots of the museums we fancied were free too.

Cambridge is the perfect destination to go if you don’t have any plans as there is so much to do that doesn’t need booking or thinking about. You’ll always get a spot on a punt and you don’t even have to go looking, trust me, they’ll find you! There are loads of great restaurants, interesting shops, most of the colleges either have gardens or museums you can look round for free or for a small entrance fee. Even just having a walk around the city is enjoyable as there is so much to see, the buildings are fabulous, it is so pretty.

We love our rail adventures and find them such an easy day out. Hopefully it will have inspired you ready for the Summer Holidays, let me know by completing this survey.

The trick is booking in advance, you can get from Norwich to London for £10 one way if you are organised enough, combine that with one of the fab 2for1 attraction offers from Greater Anglia and it’s a great value day out.

Kids travel free until they are 5 years old, after that accompanied children on any off peak train travel for £2 return. That’s flipping amazing! It’s not available via the app but you can buy them at the station or on the train.

I don’t know where our next #RailAdventure will take us London is on my list, I do love London and I think Southend would be a grin. Any suggestions for me?

Disclosure – Greater Anglia kindly provided our rail tickets. All opinions are my own.