Cambridge and Oxford are the classic university towns. Cambridge is an hour and half from Harlaxton, and Oxford is about 2 1/2 hours away. Both offer historical and literary opportunities that apply to about any subject you could be teaching or learning.

Cambridge offers Science Museums, The Fitzwilliam Museum, and a lovely Botanic Garden. Nearby is the American Cemetary for WWII soldiers. This cemetary is a suprisingly poignant historical jewel that would inspire patriotism in even the most dyed in the wool cynic. The roses are nice too. Visiting Cambridge is a good day trip out of Harlaxton.

Oxford is a little further away. In Oxford you can find the Bodleian Library, the Museum of the History of Science, the University Museum (natural history museum), the Pitt Rivers Museum (ethnographic museum), The Ashmolean Museum (sculpture, fine art). Blackwell's offers historical and literary walking tours of the city including the haunts of CS Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and T.E. Lawrence among oh-so-many-others.