Cambridge

Traveling to Cambridge is like traveling back to another time period. It is a city rich with heritage, tradition and incredible architecture.

Cambridge Univeristy was established in 1284, but students first started learning there in 1209. Most buildings on the campus are open to the public, but they may only be open at certain times and may be closed completely during exams. Visitors must remember college is still in session and the primary reason people are there is to learn! Even if you aren't able to step inside the buildings, just wandering around is a great experience to drink in the beauty of the campus and the architectural wonders. Be sure to watch out for students cycling to class and be sure to heed signs telling you to stay off the grass.

One of the buildings you don't want to miss is the Kings College Chapel. Admission is £4.50, and an audio tour of the chapel is available for an extra £2.00. Children under 12 are admitted for free when attending with their family. If you're lucky, you may be able to listen to the famous Kings Chapel choir practicing for an upcoming event. Be sure to be quiet as this is still a church.

You'll also want to climb up to the top of Great St. Mary's Church at the end of King's Parade. This will give you a outstanding view of Kings College, Kings College Chapel, the Law Library and Senate House, the market square, and surrounding campus.

Fitzwilliam Museum is a large neo-classical building at the end of Silver Street. It is one of the oldest and best known museums in Cambridge, and you can't beat the free admission price. Fitzwilliam Museum is open from 10:00 - 17:00 and is closed on Mondays. If you are able, donate a few quid to the collection box as visitors' donations are what keep the galleries open.

One of the most popular activities on the Cambridge campus is punting. A 'punt' is a long flat boat which is steered with a long wooden pole. From April to September, visitors can hire their own punts. A Chauffeur punt costs £25 per hour with a minimum of one hour, but it is well worth the price to learn about all the sites and things you'll pass along the way. Or, if you prefer, you can self hire a punt and pay only £16 per hour. There is a deposit fee, but this is returned to you when you return the punt.

Off the campus, a good way to see the sites is to book a tour on a city sightseeing bus. You can easily find contact information for these buses at the train station. These buses allow you to get on and off at any point and rejoin them later.

Any way you choose to see Cambridge is a treat. It seems that you can never see everything Cambridge has to offer.

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See a Map of Cambridge