Cambridge, United Kingdom: travel guide
A compact fenland city defined by its world-famous university, punting along the Backs, Gothic King's College Chapel, and the Mathematical Bridge. It is equally known for groundbreaking science and tranquil meadows.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Nearest airport
- STN
Top places to visit in Cambridge
Cambridge University Colleges Trail
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry GBP 8
Many of Cambridge's famous colleges open parts of their grounds to visitors. A self-guided trail takes you through Trinity College's Great Court, Clare College's gardens, Emmanuel's duck pond, and St John's Bridge of Sighs.
King's College Chapel
Church · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · entry GBP 13
One of the supreme achievements of Gothic architecture in England (1446–1547). The fan-vaulted ceiling is the world's largest, the Rubens 'Adoration of the Magi' hangs behind the altar, and the choir is world-famous.
The Backs & Punting
Activity · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The parkland behind the oldest Cambridge colleges, where the River Cam meanders past gorgeous medieval architecture. Punting is the quintessential Cambridge experience — book a chauffeur or self-hire punt.
Fitzwilliam Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h
One of the UK's finest museums, with outstanding collections of antiquities, paintings by Titian and Rembrandt, Japanese armour, Wedgwood pottery, and illuminated manuscripts. Free entry.
Cambridge Polar Cam Punting
Activity · 4.8 rating · about 1 h
Punting on the River Cam — Cambridge's spectacular traditional boat experience along The Backs, passing King's College, Trinity, St John's, and the iconic Bridge of Sighs.
Cambridge Trinity College
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
Trinity College — Cambridge's spectacular largest college (founded 1546 by Henry VIII), with the famous Wren Library, Isaac Newton's apple tree, and the iconic Great Court.
Cambridge Botanic Garden
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden — the spectacular 40-acre garden (since 1846), with the iconic Glasshouse Range, the 8,000 plant species, and the rich scientific heritage.
Cambridge Eagle Pub DNA
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
The Eagle Pub — Cambridge's spectacular 1667 pub where Watson and Crick announced the discovery of DNA in 1953, with the historic WWII airmen ceiling, and the iconic intellectual heritage.
Cambridge Imperial War Duxford
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Cambridge to the Imperial War Museum Duxford — the spectacular former WWII RAF airbase with the iconic Concorde, the Battle of Britain aircraft, and the American Air Museum.
Cambridge St Johns College
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
St John's College — Cambridge's spectacular 1511 college with the iconic Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam, the magnificent New Court, and the famous chapel.
Cambridge Mathematical Bridge
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h
The Mathematical Bridge — Queens' College's spectacular 1749 wooden bridge over the Cam, mythologically built by Newton (he died 1727), with the unique geometric design.
Cambridge Corpus Clock
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h
The Corpus Clock — Cambridge's spectacular 2008 mechanical clock with the iconic Chronophage (time-eater) grasshopper devouring time on Corpus Christi College's exterior.
Things to do
- Punting on the Cam with Chauffeur Activity · 0.8 h · from GBP 28 per person
Where to stay in Cambridge
- City Centre & Jericho about GBP 140 per night
Oxford is compact. City centre is close to all Colleges. Jericho is a charming residential area with good cafes.
Hotels
- University Arms Cambridge 5-star · GBP 250 to GBP 800 per night
- Varsity Hotel Cambridge 4-star · GBP 200 to GBP 450 per night
- Hyatt Centric Cambridge 4-star · GBP 170 to GBP 340 per night
- Worth House Cambridge 3-star · GBP 95 to GBP 180 per night
- Saffron House Cambridge 3-star · GBP 80 to GBP 160 per night
- The Tamburlaine Hotel 4-star · GBP 170 to GBP 340 per night
Where to eat
- Fitzbillies Café, Bakery, British · about GBP 18 per person
- The Punter Pub & Kitchen British, Pub Food · about GBP 35 per person
- The Eagle Cambridge British, Pub · about GBP 18 per person
- Midsummer House Modern British, Fine Dining · about GBP 160 per person
- The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie British, European, Brasserie · about GBP 45 per person
- Browns Brasserie Cambridge British, Brasserie · about GBP 28 per person
- Nandos Cambridge Portuguese, Chicken · about GBP 16 per person
- Wagamama Cambridge Japanese, Asian · about GBP 18 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.