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The Limes, Harston

Visitor Rating
Rating
★★★★★
Cambridgeshire » Harston
14
1
6
3

The Limes is a spacious detached holiday home in Cambridgeshire, perfect for groups of up to fourteen guests. Located in the village of Balsham near Cambridge, this property offers off-road parking for two cars and sits within easy reach of the city's historic attractions. The house features six well-appointed bedrooms and provides excellent space for larger groups to gather and relax together.

Balsham sits in the rolling countryside of South Cambridgeshire. The village offers traditional pubs and local shops within walking distance. Cambridge city centre lies just 12 miles away, making day trips straightforward.

The accommodation includes six bedrooms sleeping fourteen people across three bathrooms.

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About The Limes

The Limes is a spacious detached holiday home in Cambridgeshire, perfect for groups of up to fourteen guests. Located in the village of Balsham near Cambridge, this property offers off-road parking for two cars and sits within easy reach of the city's historic attractions. The house features six well-appointed bedrooms and provides excellent space for larger groups to gather and relax together.

Balsham sits in the rolling countryside of South Cambridgeshire. The village offers traditional pubs and local shops within walking distance. Cambridge city centre lies just 12 miles away, making day trips straightforward.

The accommodation includes six bedrooms sleeping fourteen people across three bathrooms. The ground floor features a large kitchen-diner and separate living room, giving groups plenty of space to spread out. The social areas work brilliantly for group meals and evening entertainment.

Cambridge city centre (12 miles, 25 minutes) offers world-famous colleges and punting on the River Cam. Duxford Imperial War Museum (8 miles, 15 minutes) showcases historic aircraft. Newmarket Racecourse (11 miles, 20 minutes) hosts regular race meetings. Anglesey Abbey (9 miles, 18 minutes) features stunning gardens and a historic house.

The Limes suits families and friend groups wanting a countryside base near Cambridge. Book here for comfortable group accommodation with excellent transport links.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

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Local Insights: The Limes

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Harston, Cambridgeshire

Weather & Local Conditions

12Β°C

Overcast

Updated: 23 Oct 2026, 4:18am

🌑️
12.30Β°C
Temperature
πŸ’¨
13 km/h
Wind Speed
πŸ’§
94%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever October throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • βœ“ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • βœ“ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • βœ“ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • βœ“ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

The Limes sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
🌌
Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • βœ“ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • βœ“ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • βœ“ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • βœ“ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
πŸ“±
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

18m

(59 feet above sea level)

The Limes sits in a peaceful Cambridgeshire setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

πŸ”οΈ
18m
Elevation
πŸ“
Harston
Nearest Village
🌲
Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • βœ“ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • βœ“ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • βœ“ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • βœ“ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
πŸš—
Driving Note: The roads to Harston are typical Cambridgeshire lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.1438169Β° N | Longitude: 0.0873235Β° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Harston (Friday, 23 October 2026):

6:38am

Sunrise

3:49pm

Golden Hour

4:49pm

Sunset

πŸŒ…
6:38am
Sunrise
πŸŒ‡
4:49pm
Sunset
πŸ“Έ
3:49pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • βœ“ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • βœ“ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • βœ“ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • βœ“ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
πŸŒ™
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (3:49pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

October Daylight

This month in Harston, you have approximately 10.17 hours of daylight. The shortening days create the perfect excuse for earlier, cosier evenings in.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at The Limes.

Mobile Phone Signal

πŸ“±

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

πŸ’‘
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

πŸš—
Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Cambridgeshire. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 23 Oct 2026 | Location: 52.1438169, 0.0873235

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at The Limes

Spacious Group Accommodation

Four bedrooms sleeping eight guests with multiple bathrooms means everyone gets their own space while staying together under one roof.

Excellent Cambridge Access

Just 12 miles from Cambridge city centre, groups can easily explore the historic colleges, museums and restaurants without lengthy travel times.

Off-Road Parking

Two dedicated parking spaces remove the stress of finding street parking, particularly important when arriving with multiple vehicles for larger groups.

Large Social Spaces

The separate kitchen-diner and living room give groups flexibility to cook together, eat as one and relax without feeling cramped.

Village Location

Balsham offers traditional pubs and local shops within walking distance, perfect for groups wanting countryside peace with everyday amenities nearby.

Family-Friendly Layout

The practical layout works brilliantly for multi-generational groups, with ground floor living spaces and upstairs bedrooms providing comfortable separation when needed.

Getting To The Limes

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach The Limes by car, take the A11 or A1307 towards Balsham. The property sits in the village centre with straightforward access from Cambridge. Off-road parking for two cars is available at the house.

By Train

Cambridge railway station is the nearest mainline station, 12 miles from Balsham. Regular bus services run from Cambridge to Balsham, or taxis provide direct transport to The Limes.

Off-road parking for two cars
Cambridge station (12 miles)
Easily accessible from A11 and A1307

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

King's College Chapel
Distance: 4.8 miles (11 min drive)
CB2 1ST
St Catharine's College (University of Cambridge)
Distance: 4.8 miles (11 min drive)
CB2 1RL
IWM Duxford
Distance: 5.9 miles (12 min drive)
CB22 4QR
Rowley's Hill
Distance: 1.2 miles (3 min drive)
CB22 7NZ
Lark Rise Farm Walks (Route 4 - Red Markers)
Distance: 3 miles (4 min drive)
Trumpington Meadows Country Park
Distance: 2.3 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9FZ
Days Farm Shop & Bakery
Distance: 1.8 miles (3 min drive)
CB22 7PG
Waitrose
Distance: 2.4 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9FT
John Lewis
Distance: 4.9 miles (12 min drive)
CB2 3DS
Foxton Station
Distance: 2.2 miles (4 min drive)
CB22 6SH
Trumpington Park & Ride
Distance: 2.2 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9NN
London Stansted Airport
Distance: 26.5 miles (32 min drive)
CM24 1BA
King's College Chapel
Distance: 4.8 miles (11 min drive)
CB2 1ST
St Catharine's College (University of Cambridge)
Distance: 4.8 miles (11 min drive)
CB2 1RL
IWM Duxford
Distance: 5.9 miles (12 min drive)
CB22 4QR
Rowley's Hill
Distance: 1.2 miles (3 min drive)
CB22 7NZ
Lark Rise Farm Walks (Route 4 - Red Markers)
Distance: 3 miles (4 min drive)
Trumpington Meadows Country Park
Distance: 2.3 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9FZ
Days Farm Shop & Bakery
Distance: 1.8 miles (3 min drive)
CB22 7PG
Waitrose
Distance: 2.4 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9FT
John Lewis
Distance: 4.9 miles (12 min drive)
CB2 3DS
Foxton Station
Distance: 2.2 miles (4 min drive)
CB22 6SH
Trumpington Park & Ride
Distance: 2.2 miles (5 min drive)
CB2 9NN
London Stansted Airport
Distance: 26.5 miles (32 min drive)
CM24 1BA

Is The Limes Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
The Limes offers excellent space for children with four bedrooms and multiple living areas. Cambridge provides punting, museums and college tours within 25 minutes. Duxford Imperial War Museum showcases aircraft and military vehicles 15 minutes away. Linton Zoo sits just 5 miles from the property. The village location means safe streets for walks. Wimpole Estate and Wandlebury Country Park offer outdoor adventures within short drives.
Groups Will Love...
The separate kitchen-diner and living room at The Limes create brilliant group spaces. Eight guests can cook together in the large kitchen before gathering around the dining table for meals. The separate lounge provides a second social area for evening entertainment or quieter activities. This layout prevents groups feeling cramped and allows different activities simultaneously. Multiple bathrooms mean morning routines run smoothly without queues.
Pet Friendly
Pet policies at The Limes should be confirmed directly with the property owner before booking. Many Cambridgeshire properties welcome dogs, particularly given the excellent walking routes nearby. Wandlebury Country Park sits 4 miles away with extensive trails. The village location provides safe streets for daily walks. Wimpole Estate offers dog-friendly grounds 7 miles from Balsham. Local pubs often welcome well-behaved dogs in their gardens.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The Limes

The Black Bull Balsham

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CB21 4EP

The Red Lion West Wratting

Located 2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CB21 5LT

The Crown Inn Linton

Located 5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CB21 4JS

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The Limes

How many people does The Limes accommodate?
The Limes sleeps up to eight guests across four bedrooms, making it suitable for larger families or groups of friends. Multiple bathrooms ensure everyone has adequate facilities during their stay.
Is The Limes pet-friendly?
Pet policies should be confirmed directly with the property owner before booking. Some properties allow dogs while others maintain a no-pets policy for allergy considerations.
What parking is available at the property?
The Limes provides off-road parking for two cars on the property. Additional vehicles may need alternative parking arrangements in the village.
How far is Cambridge from The Limes?
Cambridge city centre sits 12 miles away, approximately 25 minutes by car. This makes day trips to the university colleges and museums very manageable for groups.
Are there shops and pubs nearby?
Balsham village has local shops and traditional pubs within walking distance. Larger supermarkets are available in Cambridge for bigger shopping trips.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
The property features four bedrooms across the upper floor sleeping eight people total. The exact bed configurations should be confirmed when booking to ensure they suit your group.
Is there a garden at The Limes?
Outdoor space details should be confirmed with the property owner. Many Cambridgeshire properties include gardens suitable for children and outdoor dining.
What attractions are near The Limes?
Duxford Imperial War Museum sits 8 miles away, Cambridge 12 miles, Newmarket Racecourse 11 miles and Anglesey Abbey 9 miles. All are within 25 minutes' drive for easy group outings.

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