Top 5 Things to See and Do in Cambridge
Green Street Cambridge
Exploring Cambridge
Cambridge is a gem of a city, effortlessly blending its breath-taking historical heritage with a contemporary, lively atmosphere. Home to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, the stunning architecture of its ancient colleges, halls, bridges and quadrangles greets you around every corner. You can get a different perspective by admiring them from a punt on the River Cam or during a leisurely stroll along the picturesque riverside walk, known as the Backs.
But Cambridge is more than its colleges.
The city’s world-class museums, theatres, and music venues and exciting restaurants, cafes and bars in Cambridge will also demand your attention, as will the vibrant shopping streets around the city’s traditional daily market in Market Square.
So, whether you’re a history buff keen to learn about the luminaries who’ve studied there, or in search of a rich cultural experience, exploring the museums and exciting theatre – or if you’d simply like to check out the wide array of cuisine and lively nightlife on offer, Cambridge has it all.
Cambridge Gin Laboratory
Five ‘Must Sees’ in Cambridge
There’s so much to see in Cambridge it’s hard to pick a few but these were our favourites:
King’s College Cambridge
Founded by King Henry VIII in 1441, King’s College is the most spectacular of Cambridge’s 31 colleges. Its iconic chapel is the setting for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the Christmas Eve service introduced in 1918 and broadcast to millions around the world. You can buy tickets to tour the college, its famous library and the chapel.
Top tip. Book ahead for tickets, particularly at busy times of the year!
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam houses a world-renowned collection of more than half a million works of art, masterpiece paintings and historical artefacts from all around the world. It is housed in a stunning building designed by British architect George Basevi in the grand neoclassical style and completed in 1848.
Top tip: Check out its website for its regular exhibitions on interesting topics and events for visitors of all ages.
The Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge
Cambridge Market
The market in Market Square has been the beating heart of the city for the last 1,000 years and buzzes with stalls offering the latest street food, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes, and a dazzling array of arts and crafts. It’s open from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Saturday.
Top tip: The market is becoming a hub for sustainability with an increasing range of eco-friendly products on sale.
Market Square Cambridge
The Backs
The Backs is a picturesque area of parkland and lawns where several of the city’s colleges ‘back’ onto the River Cam with their grounds covering both banks. When you need a break from the bustle of the city, taking a leisurely stroll along the well-maintained paths provides welcome peace and tranquillity, as well as offering fantastic views of the colleges backing on to the river. They are St John’s College, Trinity College, Trinity Hall, Clare College, King’s College and Queen’s.
Top tip: The stone-covered Bridge of Sighs spanning the river at St John’s College is said to have been Queen Victoria’s favourite place in Cambridge.
Punting in Cambridge
No visit to Cambridge is complete without a trip on a punt – a long, flat-bottomed boat pushed along by a punter with a long pole. As you glide along, you’ll glimpse parts of the colleges that you just won’t see unless you’re on the river. Your knowledgeable guide will tell you everything you need to know about the sights you’re passing. If it’s chilly or raining, fear not! Rugs and umbrellas are provided!
Top tip: Punting is very popular so, if you’re visiting in high Summer, it may be cheaper to book ahead. If you prefer, you can also self-punt and explore at your own pace.
Look out for ….
The Corpus Clock
Check out this spectacular sculptural clock outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College at the junction of Bene’t Street and Trumpington Street. At the top of wheel sits the ‘Chronophage’ (time eater). His mouth opens at 30 seconds past the minute, snapping shut when the minute is over. Instead of chiming bells to mark the hour, you’ll hear the rustling of chains and the sinister sound of a hammer striking a wooden coffin!
Top tip: The clock has 50 tricks with a special set for four days: John Harrison’s (the clock’s inventor’s) birthday (25 March), John Taylor’s birthday (25 November), New Year’s Day and Corpus Christi Day, which falls between May and June every year.
The Dinky Doors Cambridge
An anonymous artist has created several tiny doorways. They include a miniature “10 Downing Street” on Downing Street and another at reality checkpoint on Parker’s Piece.
Top tip: The artist says the doors will ‘teleport’ you to other ‘happier’ worlds. Let us know if it works!
The Haunted Bookshop
Located in a St Edward’s Passage opposite King’s College Chapel, close to the Market Square is the famous Haunted Bookshop which specialises in children’s and illustrated books. A previous owner reportedly saw the ghost of an old man in the basement while the current owner says she also saw a mysterious supernatural entity soon after taking over the store 25 years ago.
Top tip: Ghosts apart, it’s a fantastic book shop!
The Haunted Bookshop Cambridge
Insider tip
The Mill Road area
Just a mile from the centre you’ll find one of the coolest and most cosmopolitan streets in the city, Mill Road. With its village vibe and plethora of excellent independent restaurants and bars, it’s a great place to wile away and hour two – and don’t forget to check out its many quirky shops, including a vinyl record shop in the basement of a café!
Hillarys in Mill Road
Food and Drink in Cambridge
Cambridge is packed with places to relax over food and a few drinks. Our advice is to step away from the restaurants you’ll find in every UK city and try some of myriad new and independent places that call the city home.
Here are some of the great places we’ve tried:
Great for coffee and pastries!
Check out Modigliani, a small award-winning, authentic Italian café run by two brothers on Mill Road. Their pastries and other Italian specialities are to die for!
Visit the Roof Terrace at the Varsity Hotel and & Spa on Thompson Lane for a panoramic 360° view of the city.
Fitzbillies Cambridge
Unique to Cambridge!
Fitzbillies is most famous for its iconic Chelsea buns – but it also sells a wide range of other delicious cakes and artisan bread and has two cafes in the heart of the city.
Getting to – and around – Cambridge
Getting to Cambridge is easy. If you’re travelling to the UK, London Stansted is only 30 minutes away by train while the fast trains from London Kings Cross will deliver you to the centre in 47 minutes.
Cambridge is the cycling capital of the UK and offers a wide variety of cycling routes for both novices and avid cyclists. For more information on getting around Cambridge, including city bus tours, walking tours, punting and bike hire, visit the Tourist Information website.
Parker’s Piece Common in central Cambridge
Article Written by Rebecca George
Photos by Freya and Rebecca George
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