Cambridge Tourism

The quaint city of Cambridge with its serene countryside, tall monuments, art-filled museums, and calm riverside walks, is a cultural haven for travellers. Though officially a city from 1951, Cambridge and its opulence has existed and captivated since prehistoric times. 

Keep reading to find out why Cambridge is such a fascinating destination for people all over the world. 

Highlights of Cambridge

Tourist spots in Cambridge

What makes Cambridge such a popular holiday destination is the variety it offers its visitors. Since it is a university city, it boasts of several magnificent college buildings that are architecturally pleasing as well as bursting with glorious tales that enrich its history. Cambridge University, which is the second oldest in the country, has several buildings that are spread across the city. The University has nine museums that you can visit at any time of the year. Exploring the exhibits and participating in the events carried out by these museums can be a great way to delve deep into the culture of Cambridge. 

The colleges under Cambridge University have impressive chapels that you can head down to in order to view some impressive Gothic and Victorian architecture as well as the presence of the Divine. A special shout-out to King’s College, with its divine view of the Backs, and its Chapel where, if you are lucky enough, you might catch the world-renowned King’s College Choir performing. 

The Mathematical Bridge, a Queen’s College site, is a wooden bridge built in the year 1902. What makes this a must visit when in Cambridge is that the bridge was constructed without a single nail. The only thing holding it in place is the painstaking mathematical calculations done by its designers. People are so fascinated by the bridge that they make it a point to go see it for themselves and click several pictures of it for the people back home. Other famous sites of Queen’s College that you might want to add to your list of attractions are, Pump Court, Erasmus Court, and the Victorian Chapel. 

If you are a gardening or flower enthusiast, then the next place to visit in Cambridge would be the Botanic Garden. The Garden was set up as early as in 1831 and has since been a hub for visitors. Today, it boasts of being home to 8000 species of plants, most of them being exotic varieties. When at the Garden, a guided tour is recommended to make the most of the visit. Once you are done with the tour, you can buy gifts at the Botanic Garden Shop. You may even want to grab a cup of simmering coffee at its café.  

Visiting Cambridge and not checking out the grand Fitzwilliam Museum is unthinkable. This art museum gives you the pleasure of seeing some of the most intricate artworks by creators and artists from all over the world, such as Asia, Egypt, Africa, Greece, and Rome. You will find ceramic work, paintings, coins, medals, illuminated manuscripts, music sheets, textiles, silver and jewellery, among its numerous exhibits. And what’s more, the entry to this museum is free. 

The Corpus Clock at Corpus Christi College is another popular tourist site. Famously called the Grasshopper Clock, this unusual design was unveiled by Stephen Hawking in 2008 and was dubbed as one of the greatest inventions of that year by Time magazine. This public art is considered unique because of its ability to make onlookers eerily aware of the time passing by. If you have anxiety, then you might want to skip this spot and pick something else to do instead, such as head over to a pub for a pint. 

Every city has something unique hidden in its corner, which is for the travellers to seek and unearth. The best way to unveil the charm of Cambridge is to go around the city punting along River Cam. Book a ride on a punt, sit back and watch the city go by as your navigator tells you tales about the splendour of Cambridge.  The other way to navigate the city would be to do so on a bike. You can easily hire a cycle here and pedal through the city. 

Shopping in Cambridge 

Since Cambridge is a university city, many people are under the misconception that it is only a place for people interested in history, literature, and arts. Cambridge has a lot more to offer. When it comes to shopping, Cambridge is dubbed one of the most popular shopping destinations in the United Kingdom. From clothing and accessories to coffee and wine, Cambridge offers its visitors a plethora of things to splurge on. 

Head over to Magdalene Street for some medieval shopping. You will find various beautiful boutiques on this street offering you several high-end brands amongst its choices. Magdalene street is also known for polish pottery and homewares. The gorgeous view of the River Cam makes the whole experience of shopping on this luxurious street even more special. And when you think you need something to drink, waltz into the Pickerel Inn for some enchanting brews and stories. 

If you are looking for a place where you can shop till you drop and then be brought to life with a cup of the finest latte ever, then the right street for you in Cambridge would be Christ’s Lane. This street houses brands like Zara, H&M, and the likes. This is also where you can experience lingerie shopping at its best. 

Cuisine in Cambridge

Once you are done walking through the city and immersing yourself in its culture and history, you are definitely going to be really hungry. There is nothing to worry about! If Cambridge knows how to create an appetite in its explorers, it also knows how to satisfy that craving. In fact, one of the best activities to take part in when in Cambridge is to go out for a delectable meal! Sausage rolls with the yummiest filling of meat wrapped in a buttery pastry is a dish you must indulge in. 

For those with a sweet tooth, the mushiest brownies, chocolate shots that warm you up from the inside, and the most colourful gelatos await you in Cambridge. Fish and Chips is an iconic dish associated with the cuisine in England. Cambridge is no different from the rest of the country and serves this classic in almost all of its restaurants and cafes. 

Vegetarian travellers need not fret, Cambridge has everything in place to take good care of your tummies too. The vegan restaurants in Cambridge have become quite popular of late. These will serve you some delicious dishes, such as vegan lasagne, toast with cheese dripping from in between the slices, buttered kale, and the most authentic cheese pizzas. There are several Indian restaurants in and around the neighbourhood of Cambridge that prepare some delightful Indian meals like Tandoori Chicken and cottage cheese with green peas served with steamed rice or rotis. 

Interesting facts about Cambridge

• The rules that apply to football today is called “Cambridge Rules” because the first official football game with these rules was played in a park in Cambridge city. 
• The University of Cambridge is the fourth oldest educational institution in the world.  
• The great English poet, Lord Byron, once kept a bear in his room at Trinity College because of the rule that barred students from keeping dogs or other pets. 

Location of Cambridge

Cambridge is a city in the east of England. It is called a university city because of the educational institutions it is home to. It is a county town part of Cambridgeshire. The main river flowing through this city is River Cam (a tributary of the mighty Ouse), about 50 miles from London. 

Best time to Visit Cambridge

Summer is always a good time to visit Cambridge. This is mainly because of the weather, which is pleasing and will allow you to meander around and visit various sites and monuments on foot. For those planning to explore the countryside around Cambridge or spend most of your time out in the sun, the months of February and March are a good time too. However, this is also the season when most tourists flock to England, or particularly Cambridge. So, if you are trying to avoid hordes of people at every famous spot, then you might want to avoid these months.  Winter months can be bitterly cold, but if that is the kind of weather you enjoy, then Cambridge in Winter has a lot of experiences to offer, such as the North Pole at Parker Piece and the Botanic Winter Garden.  

How to get to Cambridge

One can reach the beautiful city of Cambridge by various modes of travel, that is, by air, train, and road. 

By Air: The Cambridge City Airport sees flights taking off and landing from various parts of the world as well as parts of the UK. The airport is around 2.8kms from the centre of Cambridge city. For those traveling from India, you have connecting flights to Cambridge with a stopover at London. 

By Train: Once you land in London, you can even hop on a train to Cambridge. The ride will take you about an hour and a half to get to your destination. There are more than 300 trains connecting London and Cambridge, and so you need not worry if you miss one! 

By Road: If a road trip sounds like an exciting possibility, then hire a private vehicle and drive yourself from London to Cambridge. This is a more leisurely way of seeing the city and will add a flavour of adventure to your trip. There are several scenic routes that you might want to choose from instead of rushing through the obvious M11 motorway. Take the road less travelled! 

History of Cambridge

There is plenty of evidence of the city of Cambridge, or at least several parts of what today is Cambridge, existing even during prehistoric times. Archaeologists have revealed that even 3500 years ago, there existed farmlands in areas around Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. 

Because of such a rich history, Cambridge is brimming with stunning monuments, such as majestic castles and forts, that lend it an old-world charm, which visitors absolutely love. Cambridge University, which is the most famous landmark in the city, is the second oldest in the country, founded in the year 1209. The alumni of the college include some very notable names, such as John Milton, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, and more recently, Prince Charles, Ariana Huffington, and Emma Thomson.  

How about planning a trip to this quaint university city of Cambridge? You might want to explore our tour packages to pick the right option for you. In case you need any kind of assistance, please feel free to write to us. We at Thomas Cook India are always here to help you and your companions plan the best vacation.