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Cambridge

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Cambridge
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Cambridge Travel Guide

  • About Cambridge
With its cobbled streets, twisting river and ancient colleges, Cambridge is without doubt one of the England prettiest towns. Dominated by the 31 colleges of one of Britain’s most prestigious universities, it is, at heart, a student town – even if those students are more likely to go on to discover a cure for cancer rather than raise hell on the cobbles.Indeed, the city’s collection of memorials, plaques and benches are dominated by famous alumni, among them Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and no fewer than 15 British Prime Ministers. The architecture of the colleges is mostly grand, although a guided punting trip past the famous King’s College Chapel will give you a glimpse of the University’s more human side.Further along the Cam, you’ll find the rickety-looking, wooden Mathematical Bridge, the Wren Library at Trinity College and pretty riverside gardens and parks known collectively as The Backs.You could always make the experience extra authentic by trying punting yourself (it’s far more challenging than it appears), though if you really want to do it properly, take along a punnet of strawberries and a bottle of champagne.Beyond the city’s academic assets, Cambridge is a vibrant spot replete with pubs and restaurants and crammed with museums to boot. Drink at the RAF bar of The Eagle pub, which still has it ceiling decorated with messages left by the airmen who drank there 70 years ago, or plunge into quaint passages set around the historic market place and colleges, where a unique blend of independent shops can be found along familiar high street brands. Catch a student theatrical production, or a show at the Arts Theatre; otherwise see live music or comedy at the Corn Exchange.When you want to explore beyond Cambridge, there’s plenty to choose from: head for the market town of Ely or Wisbech, explore the wonderfully unique Fens, or enjoy a sport of horse racing at Newmarket.
  • Cambridge History
England’s foremost seat of learning alongside Oxford, Cambridge’s history is inextricably linked with its university. The first college, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284 by the Bishop of Ely, with royal patronage leading to the building of the renowned King’s College Chapel between 1441 and 1515.Yet the history of this hallowed city dates back well before the creation of one of the world’s finest universities. The Romans settled north of the current city centre at Castle Hill and the city developed as a key trading post during Anglo–Saxon and Viking rule. It was during this time that Cambridge’s oldest building, St Bene’t’s Church, was constructed.The original site of the Roman settlement at Castle Hill became the basis for a Norman castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Today, you can still see the mound on which this once imperious building would have stood, as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the Round Church, a classic example of Norman architecture.It was in the late medieval period, however, that Cambridge’s modern status was assured, thanks to the arrival of Oxford scholars looking to set up colleges in the 13th century. The heavily fortified town played a major role in the English Civil War too, when one time Sidney Sussex College student Oliver Cromwell was granted control of Cambridge by Parliament.Royalist armies never penetrated the city’s walls and Cambridge remained loyal to the man who would become Lord Protector of England.Cambridge’s population boomed in the 19th century thanks to the arrival of the railways in 1845, bringing people to the city and helping the distribution of crops across the country from the surrounding farm fields. Today the university still dominates the city’s skyline and owns much of the centre, its influence also felt on the edge of town in the growing science parks. Cambridge today is the UK’s leading research centre, its students and their skills clamoured over by the world’s biggest tech companies.
  • Did you know?
No new colleges were opened in Cambridge between 1596 and 1800. Over 40% of Cambridge’s workforce have a higher education qualification, twice the England national average. Cambridge was only granted city status in 1951 as it does not have a cathedral, a traditional prerequisite.
  • Weather in Cambridge
The weather in Cambridge is fairly mild year round. During May, June, July, August and September, Cambridge has often very sunny, warm days but is an unpredictable as elsewhere in the UK (/united-kingdom). Average temperatures in July are around 19.6°C (70°F). A popular time to visit is during the spring from March to May when trees begin to flower and Cambridge’s parks and gardens blossom with snowdrops and daffodils. Average January temperatures are around 6.9°C (13°F) and annual rainfall is 358mm (28.5 inches).

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