Things to do in Thaxted
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Top 10 attractions in Thaxted
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges, almost blending into the city of Cambridge. Newton, Darwin, and Hawking once studied here, with over a hundred Nobel laureates associated with the university. Xu Zhimo attended a study tour at King's College in his early years, and his poem "Saying goodbye to Cambridge again" made the city memorable for many Chinese readers. In his later years, Jin Yong also returned here to pursue his doctoral degree. The colleges were built in different periods, each with its own architectural style, but most retain their medieval charm. The porches and walls of the school buildings are still adorned with simple yet solemn statues and seals, making the visit truly delightful. Some of the colleges popular among travelers includeKing's College, Trinity College, St. John's College, Queen's College, Peterhouse, Christ's College, Clare College, etc. Travelers can choose several colleges of interest to visit in sequence, but they need to check their opening hours in advance. To enjoy the scenery along both banks of the River Cam, punting is a classic activity. You can find boarding spots near Silver Street or Bridge Street. The small boats pass beneath bridges like the Mathematical Bridge at Queen's College with its wooden slats and the covered Bridge of Sighs at St John's College, gliding past the back gardens of King's College, Trinity College, and St John's College. The spires of King's College Chapel and the lawns reflect on the river, evoking the poetic imagery of "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again." By the riverside in King's College's back garden stands a stone tablet inscribed with Xu Zhimo's verses. You can either try punting yourself or board a boat guided by a punter who will share stories about the architecture and bridges along the way.Cambridge · 32.2 km from Thaxted
Cambridge Punting
Coming to the historic Cambridge, Cambridge punting is a classic way to explore the city from the water. For most travelers, visiting Cambridge is a rare experience, and it would be a pity not to personally try Cambridge punting, a classic local tour activity. During the cruise, guests can enjoy about three-quarters of the River Cam's scenery, experiencing a complete journey through history, culture, and nature. The cruise passes by seven colleges, the Mathematical Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and the iconic buildings of Cambridge University—King's CollegeThe church. The cruise usually accommodates 6 travelers per boat, but can be adjusted to a larger boat for a group size of 12 upon request. Each boat is staffed with an experienced local guide. The delightful scenery along the way, combined with the professional guide's narration, will make the travelers' Cambridge trip an unforgettable experience.Cambridge · 32.7 km from Thaxted
London Eye
Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.London · 59.4 km from Thaxted
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the largest and most renowned museums in the world. The British Museum houses over 8 million cultural relics and treasures from around the globe, with its vast quantity and diversity of collections being rare among museums worldwide. Rich collection of treasures Due to its vast collection, The British Museum can nearly showcase the entire course of world civilization. Despite spatial limitations, it still displays approx. 50,000 items simultaneously. The main collections date from the medieval period, with particular renown for ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman artifacts, alongside a wealth of precious cultural relics from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Many cultural treasures from around the world can only be seen in their authentic form here. Ancient Greek-style main building The main building emulates ancient Greek architecture, featuring a grand entrance with a tall colonnade flanked by eight thick and towering Roman-style columns on each side, topped by a pediment roof adorned with reliefs. Entering through the main door leads to the great court, which is connected to over 100 galleries of various sizes surrounding it. Inspired by the Louvre Pyramid, the great court is bright, spacious, and elegantly minimalist. Bright central atrium The great court was originally part of the British Library. After the library moved out, it was transformed into a covered square with a white color scheme. The square's massive semi-transparent roof is composed of many uniquely shaped glass panels, combined with white stone, ensuring excellent lighting even on gloomy days in London. The sculptures displayed in the court are genuine treasures, such as the marble lion and Easter Island statues. Additionally, artists from around the world occasionally perform here, adding a relaxed atmosphere to the solemn museum. At the center of the grand atrium is the reading room, displaying art literature and books open to the public, where travelers can admire the dome and quaint circular bookshelves up close. The entrance of the reading room is marked with the names of notable figures to commemorate their time spent reading here. Cafés and restaurants are located on both sides and above the grand atrium, offering dining options with a view overlooking the entire space. Along the outer edge of the reading room lies the museum shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs after their tour. Three iconic treasures The Rosetta Stone: Originally from Egypt, this stone bears three different script versions of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh's decree. Through comparing these scripts, archaeologists gradually unlocked the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization. However, the Rosetta Stone displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a replica. Admonitions scroll: The scroll consists of 12 paintings in total, with The British Museum housing 9 Tang dynasty replica versions. The Admonitions scroll ranks 39th in BBC's "A History of the World in 100 Objects," highlighting its immense cultural and historical value. Throughout history, the scroll has been collected by numerous emperors and high-ranking officials. The Elgin Marbles: These are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, with a history of over 2,500 years. They have been housed in the museum for over 200 years since the British royal family purchased them at great expense. Specialty exhibition halls Asian pavilions: Halls 33 and 95. Hall 33 features artifacts from China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, including collections from countries like India. Hall 33B is dedicated to Chinese jade artifacts, while Hall 95 showcases Chinese ceramics. The British Museum is one of the museums with the largest collections of lost Chinese artifacts, housing over 25,000 pieces, with approx. 2,000 on long-term display. The exhibition is meticulously designed, organizing Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes along a chronological sequence, displaying artifacts from the Shang and Zhou, Qin and Han, to the Republican era. The major kilns of porcelain are divided into different curated sections by Ru, Ge, Jun, Ding, and Guan styles, presented professionally and systematically. Recommended artifacts to admire include large Tang tri-color ceramics, the Song Cizhou kiln "circus pillow," the Yuan blue-and-white fish and algae pattern large plate, Ming Xuande cloisonné, and Dunhuang mural Buddha statues. Ancient Egypt exhibition hall: halls 4, 61-66. One of the popular spots in the museum. The exhibits include mummies. The ancient Egypt hall is also one of the most visited exhibition halls, and almost all visitors to The British Museum make it a must-see. Ancient Greek and Roman galleries: rooms 11-23, 69-73, 77, 78, 82-85. The entire Parthenon is truly awe-inspiring, along with numerous ancient Greek marble sculptures and exquisite artifacts like vases. Don't miss the Portland Vase in room 70. Some exhibits are not suitable for long-term display and are only open during specific periods each year (including the mentioned Admonitions scroll). If you plan to visit, check the schedule on the official website in advance.London · 58.1 km from Thaxted
King's College Chapel
King's College ChapelKing's College Chapel is a religious building at the University of Cambridge's King's College and a prominent example of Cambridge architecture as well as a significant late medieval English architectural masterpiece. This chapel served not only as a mass chapel for the college's founder but also stands as a monument of the church, opposing the Lollards and other heretics of that time. It represents the pinnacle of English Perpendicular Gothic style, with influence extending far beyond Cambridge, being the last great ecclesiastical building constructed under royal patronage before the Reformation.King's College ChapelA landmark building of Cambridge University and a cultural heritage that local residents take pride in, it attracts countless visitors to admire its unique architectural style and profound cultural significance.Cambridge · 32 km from Thaxted
Audley End House and Gardens
Audley End House and Gardens is the place to discover how grand country houses operated in Britain. You can visit the magnificent hall, state rooms and intimate private apartments, all decorated with exquisite furniture and artworks. In the 1830s nursery, children would enjoy trying on costumes and playing with replica antique toys. The coal exhibition upstairs showcases how servants supplied the house with coal and hot water. The service wing offers a glimpse into the "downstairs" life of the 1880s. Once the domain of Mrs. Avis Crocombe, a Victorian-era cook (and 21st-century YouTube star!), this wing is filled with Victorian-era furnishings and features lifelike visual and auditory installations. Don't miss the magnificent horses living in the grand stables at the estate. The grounds of Audley End were designed by the renowned architect Capability Brown, offering acres of beautiful and award-winning parkland to explore.Saffron Walden · 11.4 km from Thaxted
Tower of London
The White Tower will present visitors with some of the Tower of London's most complex and challenging histories. Opening in 2027, this story-led interpretation - centres on the lives of Tower prisoners, Anne Boleyn, John Gerard, and Josef Jakobs and will be complemented by authentic artefacts associated with historic torture. The Tower of London stands majestically on the north bank of the Thames. It is a Norman fortress ordered by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and served as a royal palace, fortress, armory, mint, and prison for over 900 years. Queen Anne Boleyn was executed within its walls, and the future Elizabeth I was imprisoned here before her coronation. The unsolved mystery of the two young princes' disappearance in the "Bloody Tower" remains to this day. With its gripping royal history, it is an essential stop for understanding British history. · Savor the rich historical and cultural ambiance of the Tower of London, and listen to the legends and mysterious stories behind it. · Admire the exquisite royal jewelry, coronation crowns, and scepters in the Jewel House, and exploreWhite pagoda(the White Tower) houses world-renowned royal armory collections and treasures. · Don't miss the free guided tour by the Yeoman Warders to learn about the tower's iconic thousand-year history. △The Tower of London is a castle that initially served as a royal palace, later taking on various roles such as a fortress, armory, execution ground, and prison. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. This site imprisoned high-profile prisoners like Elizabeth I and witnessed the execution of many nobles. △Tower of London'sThe treasure house displays the jewels, coronation crowns, scepters, swords and other treasures of the British royal family. Travelers slowly pass through on the automated walkway during the visit, while large screens above the glass display cases explain the history of these treasures and their role in coronation ceremonies. Pictured is the imperial crown containing 23,578 gemstones, which is exquisitely beautiful. △Get a close-up view of the exquisitely carved rare armor in the white pagoda and experience the time-honored royal culture. △In addition, you will see many ravens during your visit, some of which are kept by the government but have their wings clipped; it is said that as long as there are ravens in the Tower of London, England will not suffer invasion.London · 57.3 km from Thaxted
Buckingham Palace
Explore the nineteen magnificent state rooms at Buckingham Palace, where the royal family hosts state activities and grand ceremonies. You will stroll through the white drawing room, music room, state room, and blue drawing room, culminating in the highlight of the tour—the throne room. The arch and canopy were designed by architect John Nash. The pair of thrones in the room were used consecutively for the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III. The king's official portrait after his coronation was photographed here and is now permanently displayed alongside the queen's portrait. △ In the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a guard detachment replaces another to become the king's guard, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace accompanied by music. △ At Buckingham Palace's King's Gallery, travelers can view constantly updated exhibitions of the royal collection, including works by old masters, rare furniture, decorative art, and a vast array of photographs. △ The royal mews is one of the world's prestigious still-operating mews, and also houses the collection of royal carriages, Windsor greys, and Cleveland bays. To this day, the mews remains responsible for the transportation of His Majesty the King and other members.London · 60.4 km from Thaxted
Westminster Abbey
• Visit the site on the north bank of the Thames where kings were crowned and royal weddings took place • Stroll through the UK's royal burial sites and visit the resting places of royal family members and legendary figures like Newton and Darwin • Explore magnificent, solemn, and serene Gothic architectural masterpieces Westminster Abbey, located on the north bank of the Thames in London and adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, is a Gothic-style royal church in Britain. Magnificent and grand, it is a sacred site in the UK and holds a prominent status among the country's many churches. The Henry VII Chapel is located at the rear of the church, featuring ornate decorations and surrounded by numerous chapels. Above the west door stand ten statues of 20th-century Christian martyrs, installed in 1998, representing figures from around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.London · 60 km from Thaxted
St. Paul's Cathedral
• Climb up and overlook the entire city of London • Admire the Baroque style • Immerse yourself in royal style St Paul's Cathedral is England's architectural masterpiece and place of national celebration. St Paul's is the only cathedral to have been designed, built and completed by a single architect (Sir Christopher Wren). A cathedral has stood here since 604AD with the current cathedral, rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire of London, now over 300 years old. St Paul's has hosted events of national significance, from state funerals to the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, as well as national services of thanksgiving to celebrate the Jubilee's of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. St Paul's actually has three domes: an inner dome, a brick cone that supports the lantern, and the outer dome ‘skin'. The inner dome is 225ft high with a diameter of 102 ft. The whole structure weighs 64,000 tonnes.The golden ball on the top of the Dome is six feet in diameter, with room inside for ten people [although visitors can no longer do this]. The golden cross on top of the dome is 355.5ft from the ground meaning St Paul's was the tallest building in London for 252 years until 1962 when the BT tower overtook it. There are over six million pieces of glass mosaic in St Paul's Cathedral. The St Paul's Cathedral Grand Organ has 7,256 pipes, 108 stops and 5 manuals. Both Mendelssohn and Handel played the St Paul's organThe Crypt of St Paul's is the largest in Western Europe, and unusually for a cathedral, is the exact ‘footprint' of the cathedral floor. Explore the awe-inspiring interior of the Cathedral Floor with its monuments, mosaics and art. Climb to the Whispering Gallery to experience its unique acoustic quirk; continue climbing for the breathtaking views over London from the Stone and Golden Galleries. Descend to the Crypt housing the tombs and memorials of some of the nation's greatest heroes, St Paul's has been the venue for some of the nation's grandest funerals, including State Funeral's for Admiral Lord Nelson (1806), Arthur, Duke of Wellington (1852) , Sir Winston Churchill (1965) and the architect of St Pauls, Sir Christopher Wren. The Crypt is home to tombs and memorials to British heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, JMW Turner, Florence Nightingale and Sir Alexander Fleming. Sir Christopher Wren is also buried here, in a very plain grave. On the wall at the head of his tomb is a plain inscription, in Latin, arranged by his son. It translates asIf you seek his monument, look around you. Multimedia guides are included, and family and individual visitors can, subject to availability, join in on the schedule of guided tours and welcome talks offered throughout the day to ticketholders.London · 57.6 km from Thaxted
Experiences you can't miss in Thaxted
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Free things to do in Thaxted
University of Cambridge
Cambridge · 32.2 km from ThaxtedThe British Museum
London · 58.1 km from Thaxted
The National Gallery
London · 59.2 km from Thaxted
River Thames
London · 59.6 km from Thaxted
Greenwich Park
London · 58 km from Thaxted
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Cambridge · 31.5 km from Thaxted
The Shard
London · 58.1 km from Thaxted
Natural History Museum
London · 62.2 km from Thaxted
Bridge End Garden
Saffron Walden · 11 km from Thaxted
What travelers say about Thaxted
好孩子的麻麻(莉莉)September 24, 2025
5.0
The University of Cambridge (Cambridge) is a leading research university based in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, using a traditional collegiate system.
It is a member of the Russell Group, the Global University Presidents Forum, the Global Alliance of Universities, the International Applied Science and Technology Development Network, and the Cambridge University Health Partnership. It has fostered the "Silicon Fen" technology hub and is known as a "Golden Triangle University" and a "G5 University."
The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the fourth-oldest surviving university in the world. Founded as a scholarly society in 1209, it boasts eight museums, a library system with over 15 million volumes, and the world's oldest publishing house, Cambridge University Press.
University of Cambridge
开朗的喵先森October 3, 2026
5.0
We arrived at the Bridge of Sighs unexpectedly 🤺
We arrived at the Mathematical Bridge unexpectedly (return trip)
Because I was traveling alone, I was grouped with 5 other people (seats reversed)
The weather was great, and the gondolier provided commentary in English the whole time.
He even recited the poem "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again" unexpectedly 🤣
Qianmo Transportation 14:00-14:45 Everyone's rowing skills were top-notch!
Hopefully next time I can get a better view.
Cambridge Punting
Quah8October 19, 2026
5.0
Super fast and convenient!No need to book days in advance. I just bought my ticket on Trip.com right when I arrived, and it was issued within seconds. Highly recommend!
London Eye
小米粒儿October 23, 2026
5.0
The British Museum was definitely a highlight of my London trip. It was well worth spending a whole afternoon there, and I feel like I'd go back again! A special thank you to my guide today, Diana; she was professional, reliable, and her explanations were engaging, patient, and entertaining, adding a wonderful surprise to my museum visit.
The British Museum
M22***79August 7, 2025
4.0
This is where the British king is crowned. Many members of the British royal family and aristocracy are buried here. The architecture is magnificent and worth a visit for those interested in European history and culture.
King's College Chapel
小兜爱天下July 1, 2025
5.0
As a historical heritage of the British Empire and a royal estate, the interior of the building is magnificent, and each functional area demonstrates the luxurious quality of life of the royal aristocracy. It is well worth a visit.
Audley End House and Gardens
M14***49October 12, 2026
5.0
The must-see exhibit is the Royal Jewels exhibition. A basic understanding of British history is recommended for a truly worthwhile visit. From here, you can see Tower Bridge and The Shard. It's easily accessible by the Underground.
Tower of London
lilianna0309September 3, 2026
5.0
After visiting Windsor Castle and Chatsworth House (Darcy Estate), we then visited Buckingham Palace.
If you could only visit one palace in the UK, it would have to be Buckingham Palace.
Photography is not allowed inside the royal palaces, as is the case with Windsor Castle, so we could focus on the guided tour.
The gift shop after the Buckingham Palace tour has some limited-edition items available only there, making great souvenirs.
I bought a Buckingham Palace + Royal Horse Stables combo ticket. The product page stated that visiting the Royal Horse Stables allowed direct entry to Buckingham Palace, but this wasn't actually the case.
The State Rooms and the Royal Horse Stables are exchanged at two separate locations, not far apart. However, the ticket exchange and verification are handled by different people, and the verification personnel strictly adhere to the reserved time.
The Royal Horse Stables houses the Golden Carriage used exclusively for coronation ceremonies, which is worth seeing; there are also carriages for tourists to ride in and take photos.
Buckingham Palace
130***95September 29, 2026
5.0
I've been there a few times before, and this time I focused on the sculptures on the exterior walls—they were quite interesting, with many funny emoji-like faces. The interior remains as solemn and dignified as ever, embodying the history and spirit of the British Empire. I highly recommend a visit, provided you have some knowledge of British history.
Westminster Abbey
花花小兔August 21, 2026
5.0
Much cheaper than the official website, and the entry was incredibly smooth. The Great Dome was absolutely stunning; it was definitely worth the effort to climb up and overlook the east bank of the Thames. I even went to see the Harry Potter staircase from the staff. A truly fulfilling experience.
St. Paul's Cathedral
