We will be in London for a week in July and are interested in doing a day trip to the Imperial War Museum - Duxford, up near Cambridge. I have reviewed the train/bus guidance in the Rick Steves London guidebook and am wondering if anyone can provide feedback on how do-able it is as a day trip from London.
What was your experience with getting there and back? How long did you spend at Duxford?
Any specific feedback or suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks in advance!
This is something I've been researching myself, tho haven't done yet. I am curious to hear what the guidebook recommends. Based on what I've read, I think the easiest way might be a train from Liverpool Street to Whittlesford Parkway and then either a very long walk or short taxi ride. The website says there is a bus from Whittesford Parkway to the museum tho according to bustimes.org it appears to be extremely infrequent.
I will say I know other people who have done this as a day trip so I know it is doable.
The bus only really works on a Sunday when the #132 runs from Cambridge railway station - at 1012, arriving at 1040.
Returns are at 1336, 1541 and 1741.
The weekday 7a doesn't even get quite to the IWM, stopping a short distance away, per the IWM website.
I'd see Duxford as doable in a day from London but you'd need to be organised about getting there and back. I'm assuming you are not planning to go on a flying day but simply want to see the static displays.
If you get the train to Whittlesford Parway, and want a taxi I'd suggest pre-booking one to meet your train - simply Google taxi firms for Duxford or Whittlesford (or contact Duxford itself for the name of a local taxi firm).
It's a big site, so I reckon it would take a minimum of 3 hours to see it and probably nearer 4; maybe longer if you are a real aviation enthusiast. Tripadvisor reviews say much the same thing.
If you're interested in aircraft, I presume you know about the RAF museum in Hendon (easier to get to and free) although nothing like the size of Duxford.
Oh that is really helpful to know- I was surprised there were no direct buses from Cambridge but I was only looking on Saturdays.
Edited to add: I second the suggest to book a taxi in advance- and this advice applies to pretty much any taxi you plan to take here outside a major city. I also agree Hendon is a great suggestion and extremely easy to get to either on Thameslink or the Northern line.
Can’t speak to getting there since we had a rental car and stayed nearby, but we spent about 3 hours visiting it.
Another altrnative would be train to Cambridge and catch a taxi from there to Duxford (its about ten miles.)
