Cambridge is an iconic English city offering some of the world's best universities, parks, museums, and theater productions. It is known for friendly people, a sophisticated academic community and noisy student parties.
The city on the River Cam is located a few hours from London and is a popular day trip, but there is plenty to see on longer visits. As at Oxford , life revolves around the university, but there are many non-academic activities to be found here. Tourists are attracted by museums, walks in parks, a more relaxed rhythm than in London.
Climate in Cambridge
Like London, Cambridge can be rainy and foggy all year round. Summer is the hottest time of the year, with temperatures averaging 20 ° C from June to September. Summer is high season in Cambridge: expect large crowds, overpriced.
Winters can be cold, with temperatures averaging around 6 ° C, December and January are rainy.
Spring and autumn are seasons with milder temperatures and moderate rainfall. At this time, prices are also lower, the city is full of students, there are not as many tourists as in summer or at Christmas.
What to see in Cambridge
- The University of Cambridge is an architectural marvel, Kings and Queens colleges are the most beautiful buildings, and St. John's and Trinity are the classic campuses shown in films. Academic buildings are closed to visitors during exams.
- Cambridge Backs is a scenic area named for a view of (literally) the "backs" of nearby colleges, including St. John's, Trinity, Clare, Kings, Queens. It runs along the Cam River and is considered the area with the best views across the country. The river is narrow, surrounded by trees and gardens, incredibly calm.
- Fitzwilliam Museum - Museum of Art and Antiquities of the University of Cambridge. Among the most striking exhibits: masterpieces by Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso.
- Great St Mary's Church is one of the best-preserved architectural structures of the 15th century. The bell tower offers a beautiful view of the city, the entrance ticket costs only £ 5.
- Punting is a classic Cambridge sport: riding a wooden boat with a sixth push against the bottom of the river. There are guided tours from £ 12.5, renting your own boat - from £ 30. Most of the excursions are conducted by students.
- The University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens are the highlight of the area with over 8,000 plant species from around the world! Forest garden, lake, Glasshouse, a series of buildings with themed environments, deserts and rainforests. Winter and Autumn Gardens - Seasonal greenhouses are especially colorful during their own months. Entrance - £ 6.
Other things to do in Cambridge
- Visit one of the university lectures - the university website has a list of public speeches (topics - from molecular chemistry, the global learning crisis to archaeological mysteries). The lectures end with a debate.
- Theater ADC - a university theater offering productions by students and other local theater groups; prices - from £ 6.
- Walking tour of Cambridge . This is really a great place to walk - go and enjoy the beauty of the parks, rivers, old historical buildings. GPS My City offers several self-guided audio walking tours of the city and university.
- Cambridge Shakespeare Festival - Every summer Shakespeare plays are staged in the gardens of various colleges. Come early as the good seats fill up quickly; tickets - from £ 17.
- Cambridge is famous for rowing : all colleges and some schools have their own clubs, there are more than half a dozen large "city" clubs. Besides fishing, this is the most popular activity in the city; A 90-minute panting lesson + guided tour costs £ 34.
- Anglesey Abbey is a stunning country house with colorful gardens and a working watermill 11 km from the city. Originally built in 1600 (but largely remodeled after 300 years), the interior consists of medieval vaults, panels, and rooms full of antique furniture and books. The two main attractions are portraits of the Tudor royal family, including the earliest depiction of Henry VIII. You can take a guided tour of the watermill, house, grounds for £ 15.8. In early spring, a carpet of white snowdrops blooms in 100 acres of gardens, creating a picturesque picture.
- At Trinity College, see the Wren Library, with its impressive collection of 55,000 books published before 1820. This is where the original Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne is located. Alan Milne and his son Christopher Robin were Cambridge graduates.
- The Scott Polar Research Institute was founded in 1920 as a memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott. He and his team were killed in 1912 on their way back from the South Pole. It contains photographs, archival videos, drawings, paintings, the latest letters written by Scott during his last trip. Free admission.
Accommodation
In the summer months, when the semester ends, you can book one of the college rooms: for example, a single standard room at Churchill College (with breakfast) costs from £ 56.
Airbnb is a great option for lovers of local flavor. For shared accommodation, you will have to pay £ 35, a separate room - £ 43, £ 100 for a house or apartment in the city center.
Prices for rooms in hostels, hotels:
- Hostel bed - £ 15-20 / night
- Double room (hostel) - 35-50 £ / day.
- Camping - from 8-15 £ / night.
- Room in a budget hotel - £ 55-70 / day.
Transport in Cambridge
Cambridge is pedestrian-friendly, but off-campus use the following modes of transportation:
- Cycling is a great way to explore the city's surroundings. Full day rental - £ 10.
- City bus - £ 1-3, full day pass - £ 4.5.
London is an hour's bus or train ride from Cambridge, making it easy to plan a day or weekend trip to the university city. Travel - £ 7 to £ 15 per bus, or £ 25 to £ 50 per train .
Uber is cheaper than taxi , especially if you choose Uber Pool .
Food in Cambridge
Cambridge offers a wide variety of food, from street food to fine dining. The city isn't famous for pork pies (that's in Melton Mowbray), ice cream (like Cornwall) or cheese (hello Cheddar!), But it has its own priorities.
- Buttery puff pastry with delicious sausage and sausage buns from the pantry at the Burvasz estate are a deli dream come true. Eat them warmed up when you get home, or straight from the counter.
- Brownies are rich, sticky, deliciously chocolatey and decadent brownies. Stop your diet for the day and try a bite.
- Jack's Gelato is an ice cream comparable only to what is sold opposite the Colosseum.
- Fish and chips is a humble British dish that has become legendary.
And also curries, delicious toast with local cheeses, sweet pastries.
Shopping in Cambridge
- Grafton Center - Located east of the central shopping districts, Grafton is a glass-fronted multi-story Cambridge mall. After renovation, a wide selection of fashion stores, household goods, gifts and electrical goods, cafes and restaurants are presented here.
- The Grand Arcade is located in the heart of Cambridge, close to historic university buildings, next to Lions Yard and the Central Library. There are more than 60 cafes, recreation and shopping points here. The shopping center is spread over two floors.
- The five-story John Lewis department store is located to the southeast; among stores - Apple store, Ed's Easy Diner, Chocolat Chocolat.
- Mill Road is a colorful bustling street in the southeast of Cambridge that brings together the best thrift stores, quirky cafes, independent shops, restaurants and bars; Koreans, North Africans, Spaniards, Thais work here.
- Winter fair with live music, folk dances, window dressing competition and a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
- Newmarket Road - a mile east of the center of Cambridge is a shopping center and supermarket with popular stores: Currys PC World, Argos, Sports Direct, Dunelms. Two new hotels have just opened nearby, and around the corner is the football stadium, Leper's old chapel built in 1125.
- Market Square - since the Middle Ages, life was in full swing here, the most talented artists and merchants of Cambridge worked. Today there is a wide selection: used books, fruits, vegetables, scarves, jewelry, garden plants, crafts, the most delicious street food.
