Living in Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a county in the East of England, characterised by wide open landscapes, historic market towns and a strong connection to agriculture and learning. Much of the county lies within the low lying Fens, where flat farmland, drainage channels and big skies create a distinctive sense of space. This landscape has been carefully managed over centuries, shaping both settlement patterns and local working life.

The county includes the city of Cambridge alongside towns such as Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots and Wisbech. Cambridge is internationally recognised for its university and research activity, while the wider county supports farming, food production and growing technology based industries. Smaller towns and villages continue to play an important role in local life, balancing rural traditions with modern employment and commuting.

Cambridgeshire is shaped by rivers including the River Cam and the Great Ouse, which contribute to both the county’s natural character and leisure opportunities. Footpaths, waterways and nature reserves provide space for walking, cycling and wildlife observation. Taken together, Cambridgeshire offers a quiet blend of open countryside, historic settlement and modern innovation, giving it a balanced and distinctive place within England.

Largest Towns in Cambridgeshire 12

Cambridge
258.6K
Peterborough
248.5K
Huntingdon
89.3K
Ely
64.7K
Wisbech
56K
St. Neots
43.8K
Royston
38.2K
Newmarket
33.3K
Stamford
31.1K
March
29.9K
Sandy
24.2K
St. Ives
19.9K

Location

Elevation & Terrain

Lowest point Mile End — -10 ft (-3 m)
Highest point Burrough End — 430 ft (131 m)
Average across towns 92 ft (28 m)
Elevation range 440 ft (134 m)

Cambridgeshire stretches from -10 ft at Mile End up to 430 ft at Burrough End, a span of 440 ft across 471 towns and villages. This reflects notably varied terrain, with clear contrasts between lower valleys and higher ground.

Deprivation Index (IMD)

Average deprivation scores across 36 postcode areas in Cambridgeshire. Higher deciles (closer to 10) indicate less deprivation.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
6/10
Health
7/10
Housing
4/10
Environment
7/10
314,204 Children (0-15) 18%
1,104,670 Working Age 63%
431,501 Older (60+) 25%

Places in Cambridgeshire 471

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W Y

Postcode Areas in Cambridgeshire 3

Cambridgeshire is served by 3 postcode areas. Each area contains multiple postcode districts covering different parts of the county.

Neighbouring Counties 6