Cambridge

A Day Trip to Cambridge

Cambridge has one of the world’s great universities, based in United Kingdom and It so happened for me to visit this city was during my cousins wedding in Birmingham.

Of course, Cambridge is famed internationally for its world-class university. Attended by some of the country’s top writers, actors, comedians and politicians, the college is set in stunning grounds. Dating back to the 12th century and including examples of the earliest patterned brickwork in England, the various colleges of this iconic establishment are dotted around the city.

Cambridge is special for a lot of reasons but what I feel makes this English city truly incredible is it long, rich history and incredible buildings all across the city that are absolutely awe-inspiring to see. It’s sometimes hard to  believe that such a beautiful piece of British history is just used as an everyday facility by the city’s resident.

It can be hard to imagine now, but many of the towns in the east of the county were once islands surrounded by flooded marshes.And it’s thrilling to hear how a whole swathe of the country was transformed in the 17th-centiury when lands, often below sea level, were drained, creating new wealth and industry. Cambridgeshire was also home to Oliver Cromwell who ruled the country instead of a monarch as the Protector of the Commonwealth in the 1600s and became one of UK history’s most significant and controversial personalities.

There’s the opportunity to go punting (in my opinion, one of the laziest and best ways to see parts of the city you’d miss out on foot) and how close the city is from London, making it perfect for a day trip. One of the nicest ways to see the sights is by punt. Whether you get a tour, or self-punt, you can see the beautiful backs from the river.  Punting is a traditional Cambridge pastime. When you take a punting tour you’ll get to see famous landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, all while relaxing and floating down the River Cam.

Or if punting is not your thing, you can also go on boat tours near the Plough pub or you can get in a canoe to Grantchester.

Me and my cousins went to Cambridge by Tram from London. Then we took the city tour bus, which was actually nice, it took us around the major tourist locations across the city while giving information on headset. People can hop on and hop off. As it was early morning, people were walking around busy with their work.

Let’s explore the best places to visit in Cambridgeshire:

The River Cam

This gorgeous body of water flows through Cambridge into the Great Ouse, and is usually dotted with pretty punts and small boats bobbing along. Picnic on its riverbanks, cross King’s College Bridge, go angling or, of course, take a punt. We all booked few for punting here and did almost an hour to two.

Address: You can book a punt, or just grab one in town at the Boatyard, Granta Place or Quayside, Magdelene Street.

The Bridge of Sighs

This covered bridge across the swirling River Cam was built in 1831 and connects the Third Court at St John’s College Cambridge with the New Court. There’s still an undeniable romance about its ornate stonework.

Mathematical Bridge

This pretty wooden footbridge is another gorgeous spot to breathe in a little of Cambridge’s chilled-out charm. It was built in 1749 and its name comes from the arrangement of its timbers at certain tangents to create its arching shape.  We almost hit the wall near this mathematical bridge. ;)

The Backs

For a beautiful walk incorporating the university buildings and their impeccably manicured lawns, the River Cam and its various bridges, take a stroll along The Backs. With grazing cattle to be spotted all along this picturesque stretch of reclaimed land, this is a cracking angle from which to admire those colleges that touch the water’s edge.

Cambridge University Buildings

There are more than 30 colleges in Cambridge so if you want to learn more about the university, or see beautiful architecture, then you have plenty to choose from.

Each college has a different policy on admitting members of the public, among which few lets you in for free.  Double check individual college entry details on their websites as the rules can change. Even you can book an official guided walking tour.

The University of Cambridge has a worldwide reputation for excellence, and, having been founded in 1209, is the second oldest in the English-speaking world.

The university’s various colleges like Kings’, Queens’, Trinity and St Catherine’s are integral to a visit to the city with stunning architecture.

Another, with a Henry Moore sculpture in its grounds and a trove of painting from the Dutch, English, Flemish, French and Italian Schools. Rubens is especially well-represented, with 14 paintings. 

The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges. As one of the most famous universities in the world, the university grounds are not to be missed. The best way to see everything is to put on some walking shoes and take a walking tour.

Christ College - Free entry. 9am -4pm.

Churchill College - Free entry

Darwin College - Free entry. Prior appointment needs to be taken.

Downing College - Free entry. 9am -5pm.

Emmanuel College, Jesus College - Free entry. 9am -6pm

Firzwilliam College, Selwyn College - Free entry. 9:30am - 5pm

Girton College; Hughes Hall, Peterhouse - Free entry. 9am -5pm

Clare Hall - Free entry. 9am -5pm 

Clare College - 3 pound. Opening time varies mainly from 10:15am - 4pm

King's college- 9pound/ pax. Time varies.

Queen's college- 3pound. Time varies.

St John's college- 5pound/pax. Preferred visiting time 10 am - 3pm.

Trinity College - 1pound/pax. Preferred - 10am -4pm. 

 

Then one who is interested in history can spend sometime at a museum.

Cambridge is home to many diverse museums or check out the Museum of Cambridge, set in a 17th-century building where you can learn all about the city. Or maybe spend some time at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology where you can see world-class art and artefacts from all over the world.

The Fitzwilliam Museum

Recently voted the East of England's most popular free attraction, you can visit this spectacular building.  Over half a million artefacts and art from around the world.

The museum was founded when Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion donated his collection of art to the university. The brilliantly diverse collection includes arms, coins, Cypriot, Greek and Egyptian art by Degas, Reubens and Gainsborough among countless others.

The Trumpington Street museum contains some remarkable collections from the ancient world. A very good option for a rainy day.

Location- Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB

Imperial War Museum

As well as an enormous airfield, this museum also boasts a collection of 200 vintage aircraft (including Concorde and the Spitfire) which have been carefully restored to their hey-day glory and are displayed proudly from floor to ceiling at what is the largest aviation museum in Europe.

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

It's a geology museum that’s pure gold. The oldest of Cambridge University’s museums, it was founded in 1728 and is now home to around two million minerals, fossil and rocks.

Cambridge is home to some of England’s most beautiful churches and chapels.

St Peter’s Chapel is the smallest church in Cambridge and dates back to the 12th century. St Mary the Great is known as the university church and all distances in Cambridge are measured from its location.

And of course don’t miss King’s College Chapel which is a true masterpiece of English craftsmanship.

Ely Cathedral

A ‘wonder of the medieval world’ and one of the most inspiring Cathedrals in Europe.

A resplendent cathedral isolated in the marshes on a lone chalk hill. This incredible monument still has the power to catch your breath and commands the landscape for what seems like miles.

This one isn’t technically in Cambridge, but it makes for a brilliant day trip during your stay. Dating back to 1083, it is built in the monumental Romanesque and Gothic style and its central octagonal tower attracts everyone. Take a moment to gaze up at the church’s captivating ceilings and dazzling stained glass.

Olive Cromwell lived in Ely from 1636-47 and his half-timbered house at St Mary’s Vicarage will tell you about his time in the city, as well as the compelling history of the Fens.

The Round Church

Cambridge's second oldest building is architecturally stunning. Officially known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Round Church is a Grade I listed building dating back to 1130. Its beautiful unique circular building is formed of stone. The church’s upper storey, built above the nave, has a glorious conical spire on top, making this a pretty unique space to explore.

Address: Visit Round Church Vestry, Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UB

King’s College Chapel

The English Gothic structure was built between 1446 and 1515.

Widely believed to be one of England’s finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. With the largest fan-vaulted ceiling in the world and some dazzling examples of medieval stained glass, you’ll find yourself gazing heaven-wards to drink in its daunting beauty.A trip to the historic building is worth the admission fee.

Address: Visit King's College Chapel, King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

It's the perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll and the attraction includes a lake, glasshouses, chronological bed, rock gardens and a collection of mature trees. There are also several glasshouses which are home to all kinds of flowers and shrubs making this park a blooming lovely itinerary option for a sunny Cambridge afternoon.

More than 8,000 different plant species are displayed in 40 acres of beautiful landscape in the city centre.It's only a short walk from the station and the city centre.

Address: Cambridge University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE

Shepreth Wildlife Park

Zoo and wildlife conservation with creatures from hedgehogs to owls, meerkats and a lynx.

Huntingdon

This town is as cute as they come, but has a history that will excite the antiquarian in all of us. Huntingdon got its charter from King John at the start of the 13th century.

Follow the “Historic Trail” around the centre to see the medieval bridge over the River Ouse and coaching houses from the 1700s when Huntingdon was an important cog in England’s horse-drawn transport network.

But the main reason to come to Huntingdon is for Oliver Cromwell, who was born in the town in 1599 and later became its MP. Get some perspective on this divisive figure at the Cromwell Museum, which has a sumptuous venue in a medieval school house that the 17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys also attended.

We explored the main city streets of Cambridge in evening by walk.

Cambridge is full of pubs just waiting for you to come and enjoy. One can get many joints to eat. Like we had our lunch in Nando's.

Infact, just few days later the time we went, the city was getting prepared for Tour de France.

Overall, Cambridge day out was a fun and relaxing experience. I totally loved it.