I switched city life for a ‘run-cation’ in rural Cambridgeshire

The gravel crunches under my trainers as I follow the curve of Grafham Water, a glittering reservoir west of Huntingdon, a 15-minute drive from where I’m staying in rural Cambridgeshire.

The crisp morning air hits my lungs in a way that never happens in a city. With crystal-clear blue skies, clean sparkling water and nothing around except trees and greenery, I feel a sense of peace I can’t get back where I live in London, where I’m usually met with car horns and sirens.

I’ve swapped city life for a few days in rural Cambridgeshire on what’s known as a ‘run-cation’ – otherwise known as a running-focused getaway that blends wellness, travel and connection. I’m staying in Kimbolton, a picturesque village on the Cambridgeshire-Bedfordshire border, surrounded by scenic routes, fresh countryside air and country lanes that seem built for runners.

This trip is part of a new initiative between Strava (a social network for athletes that tracks runs and other activities using GPS data) and short-term rentals booking platform Airbnb, designed to help travellers combine fitness with adventure.

New research has found that 74% of young runners have either planned or are considering a countryside run-cation. It’s easy to see why, as a growing number of city-based runners are craving fresh air, wide open space and an escape from the ‘city-loop fatigue’ of crowded parks and polluted pavements.
Airbnb and Strava have highlighted a series of UK destinations perfect for rural running breaks such as Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, South Downs National Park, Fife, Hope Valley and, of course, rural Cambridgeshire. In the Strava app’s Maps tab, you can find curated local routes of all distances, while Airbnb’s listings showcase idyllic places to stay near the trails, alongside the most popular places to complete an activity on Strava.

They’ve also partnered with local bakeries across five destinations to offer free treats to runners who log an activity on Strava or stay in a participating Airbnb before 16 December.

For me, this trip came at exactly the right time.

I started running in summer 2024 after years of thinking the sport wasn’t for me. I joined a local run club in London to meet new people and find more community, and after a few sessions, something clicked.

Running quickly became my therapy. It taught me to handle discomfort, to test my limits and to prove to myself I could do hard things. I’ve since completed two half-marathons, both through London’s busy streets, surrounded by cheering crowds. The atmosphere was electric, but I’ve found myself craving the quiet of the countryside. I grew up in a small village in Ireland, where the only sounds on a run are your own footsteps. Cambridgeshire, with its gentle landscapes and quiet villages, provides that same sense of calm.

The journey here already starts to unwind me. From London, it’s a 55-minute train ride to the town of St Neots, followed by a short taxi through winding country roads. By the time I reach Kimbolton, life feels slower.

My friends and I are staying at Carters Yard, a Grade II-listed 17th-century cottage on Kimbolton High Street, booked through Airbnb. It sleeps up to seven guests and is the perfect mix of contemporary comfort and period charm with low timber beams, soft lighting and a log-burning fire that instantly makes the place feel like home. Our host has left a welcome hamper with fresh bread, jam, butter and biscuits.

Stepping down the garden path to the cottage, I can feel my shoulders drop and instantly feel settled walking inside. Outside, the high street is quiet, a few locals sit outside coffee shops with dogs, chatting to neighbours as we pass. You could hear a pin drop – a far cry from the constant buzz of London.

We lace up for our first countryside run. We’ve chosen a 5km loop suggested on the Strava app, which starts in Kimbolton and winds past Kimbolton Castle – the final home of Queen Katherine of Aragon – before leading out into a trail through golden autumn fields. We take it slow due to the different terrain filled with rocks and patches of soft mud and dirt after overnight rain,  but the scenery makes me feel at one with nature for the first time in months.

The next day, we take a taxi to Grafham Water, one of England’s largest reservoirs and tackle a longer 16km loop around the shoreline. The route is flat and scenic, popular with cyclists and walkers, as well as runners. Autumn might just be the best season to run here with cooler temperatures, fresh air and leaves scattered across the ground.

Back at the cottage, we collapse onto the sofa, cheeks flushed and legs heavy. The rest of the afternoon is spent chilling with tea and snacks from the local shop and some downtime by the fire. The charm of staying somewhere like this is that doing nothing feels acceptable.

Although Kimbolton is small and the trip is centred on running, it has a range of restaurants, coffee shops and a wine shop. If you want to explore further afield, the historic city of Cambridge is less than a 40-minute drive away, offering riverside walks and punting, while Bedford and Huntingdon are both within half an hour. If it’s more nature you want, you can also head to Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve or follow river trails on Strava.

The next morning, I wake up early to birds chirping. It’s time to leave and we pack our bags slowly, reluctant to let go of the peace. The drive back to the station is like moving from one world to another – however as I reach the city, I notice I feel lighter, calmer and somehow more myself.

Would I do a trip like this again? Absolutely. I’m already scrolling through running routes in other rural locations for next time.