Walk in the footsteps of literary greats, inventors and Nobel Prize winners at the English city of Cambridge. Visit a historic university and spot centuries-old architecture. Explore art museums and enjoy a lively performing arts scene. Cruise down a lazy river on a traditional flat-bottomed punt or relax in pristine public parks.
Cambridge’s city centre is a compact area of brick and cobblestone streets ideal for exploration on foot. Find galleries, boutiques, pubs and churches along narrow passageways. Visit the 12th-century Round Church, one of the city’s oldest buildings. Climb the medieval staircase to enjoy panoramic views from the tower of Great St. Mary’s Church. Experience the boisterous ambiance of Cambridge’s pubs, such as the 500-year-old Pickerel Inn.
Be inspired at the city’s varied museums. Study art and antiquities from 3000 B.C. to the present at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Admire work by 20th-century artists, such as Alfred Wallis and Joan Miró, at Kettle’s Yard. Discover ancient artifacts at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The Centre for Computing History has vintage computer displays and classic video games.
See what life would be like as a student at Cambridge University. Wander around the grounds of historic colleges, including Kings College and Trinity College. Pause to imagine a time when Isaac Newton and Oliver Cromwell studied here. Take a punting trip on the River Cam for an alternative view of the university. Relax in a flat-bottomed boat as you glide past The Backs, a collection of riverside parks and gardens.
Throughout the summer Cambridge buzzes with open-air cultural events. Be part of festivals dedicated to beer, comedy, literature, music and street performers. Summer in the City is a series of free events held in the glorious city parks.
Cambridge sits in the eastern region of England and is easily accessible via inter-city trains and buses. The city is just a 50-minute train ride from central London. Whether for touristic or academic purposes, a visit to Cambridge is fulfilling in any season.