If you’re anything like me, Easter term can be a bit of a weird time that sparks a lot of mixed emotions. Yes, the sun is out! You can finally convince yourself that a quick pint on the grass will help your work flow (it won’t…), or that the lido won’t be that cold anymore (it will!). Unfortunately, exams are also out, and with them comes your stress alongside everyone else’s.

Cambridge when in full ‘lock-in’ mode can become a real bubble, even more so than usual (if that’s even possible). You can so easily spend your whole day trapped in a library, or like me, desperately topping up on coffee you can’t afford in a café you probably spend way too much time in. The result is that you can end up feeling pretty claustrophobic with the days blending into each other, which is never much fun.

The real question is: how are you supposed to avoid this? Personally, I find the best way to beat the blues is by getting out of the city altogether, either on your own, or with some friends for a quick day trip. So, I’ve drawn up a quick how-to guide for my favourite nature journeys out of the city that you can do too, so that even if you’re procrastinating for a day, at least you can have a nice time doing it.

“Filled with historic buildings as well as cute pubs, you can grab a bite to eat and sit by the lovely River Ouse”

St Ives

No, not the one in Cornwall, don’t worry! This one is a hidden gem that’s a personal favourite of mine, but I’ve decided not to gatekeep it. St Ives isn’t only a great place to go on nature walks, but it’s also the perfect town to explore. Filled with historic buildings as well as cute pubs, you can grab a bite to eat and sit by the lovely River Ouse as you watch the ducks go by. It’s really easy to get to, and only takes about an hour. Take the Parkside bus A from the stop on Jesus Lane, and it’ll drop you right outside the town centre. From there, there’s a really lovely two hour walk locally known as the Tow Path.

It will take you by the beautiful old Houghton Mill, and I recommend bringing some snacks so you can have a bit of a picnic there! You can also pop by the local Holt Island Nature Reserve as you go past if it takes your fancy. My top tip? Bring some good shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy, and an umbrella. The first time I did this walk I managed to get caught in what felt like the downpour of the century, and my shoes were wet for days! Even so, it was definitely worth it for this beautiful trail.

“It’s home to the spirit of Baron Boretto (great ghost name), who was the nephew of the man who founded the park”

Brandon Country Park

Hidden within the larger Thetford Forest, Brandon Country Park is equally as lovely, and much less busy! It’s also easier to get to by public transport from Cambridge, so I count it as a double win. It’s about 30 acres of managed parkland, which includes a lake and nature trails, as well as a walled garden. Star attraction (at least in my opinion) is the ‘haunted’ mausoleum, which is sufficiently spooky. It’s home to the spirit of Baron Boretto (great ghost name), who was the nephew of the man who founded the park. He’s sometimes seen wandering the grounds in a deer stalker, holding a human skull lit by a candle… I have to admit, I get scared pretty easily, so I’m glad I didn’t run into him!

Most importantly, after all the walking and the frights, there’s a café. Their handmade sausage roll was a particular highlight, and it’s not too expensive either. The park is incredibly well managed, really beautiful, and also completely free. There are pretty frequent trains running from Cambridge to Brandon, and then it’s just a 30 minute walk to the Park from there. Go check it out!

So, if you get to that point in term where you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or even if you manage to find a free day that you don’t know what to do with, consider a day trip. You never know what you could get up to, and getting into nature is often the best way to take a step back and let loose.