One of England’s two historic university towns, Cambridge is practically dripping in history in it’s medieval town centre. It’s impossible to turn down a street and to not see something interesting.
At a glance…
- Days To Spend: About 2
- Get Around: Walk everywhere you can
- Get In and Out: By train
- Pay: With pounds, likely by card
- Speak: English
- See: Cambridge Gin Laboratory, Colleges, Churches
- Should you go?: Definitely
General Impressions
Cambridge can give you a little taste of what medieval England could have been like, with it’s old stone architecture and narrow streets. Just wandering Cambridge is an experience in and of itself. Of course, the best part is to wander inside some of the buildings, and learn about their long and rich histories.
Public Transport
Getting Around
Cambridge itself is very walkable, and most (if not all) the main attractions can be reached on foot. There are buses, but you only really need to take them for the outskirts of the city.
Getting In and Out
Cambridge has a reasonably central train station, and this is the best way to get to and from the city, as it’s well connected to other English cities in the area, and London, of course. Once can drive to Cambridge, but it’s much better to utilise one of the park and rides around the edge of Cambridge, rather than trying to drive through the city centre.
Money
Cambridge, being a fairly modern city, generally favours card payment everywhere, but cash is still usually an option.
Language
English. What else is there to say?
Time
Thanks to its small walkable size, Cambridge can easily been seen in about 2 days. If you’re a lover of museums, that could well be extended by a at least a day or two.
My Favourite Spots
Cambridge Gin Laboratory
This is the place for anyone who loves, or even just likes, gin. They are a gin distillery that offers a variety of different classes all related to gin. You have the chance to make your own gin (by blending different botanicals), as well as crafting your own cocktails. We did the cocktails class twice and loved it both times. The cocktails are delicious, and the teachers will often provide a few stories about Cambridge as well.
Colleges
Cambridge would be nothing without it’s university. This is divided into a large number of colleges, each of which acts like an independent university. They are sprinkled throughout Cambridge, and their grounds (and some of the interiors) are open to visitors at various times. The most well known is King’s College (with it’s amazing chapel), but nearly all of them are worth a visit to the curious.
Churches
Being an old English city, Cambridge has plenty of churches that are worth visiting to sample English style churches. Our favourites are Great St Mary’s and The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs.
Spots That Might Be Good
Cambridge Botanic Garden
A vast botanic garden containing hundreds of different species of plants. It’s at it’s best in spring, when everything is blooming, but still worth seeing in other months. We went in late summer, and most of the flowers are gone, but the greenhouse is still very good.
Conclusion
Cambridge is a delightful city, rich in history and architecture. If you want a sample of medieval England, Cambridge is the city to find it.
We May Roam 