Gothic chapels, dining halls with endless tables, cobblestoned streets, old-fashioned sweet shops, students in gowns (I visited the city in the beginning of July during the graduation ceremonies)… apart from the lack of flying owls, Cambridge gave me all the Harry Potter feels.
Undeniably the university is the focal point of this city. The University of Cambridge is divided in colleges – with many of them located along the iconic river Cam – and it’s fun to see that each and every one of them has a very distinct character. Although in Cambridge there are 31 colleges in total, one can still clearly see where J.K. Rowling has drawn inspiration from, with regards to her creation of the four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
↑ First court of Christ College
↑ Light and shadow on upon entering King’s College
Back to reality. Cambridge is quite a decent option for a different kind of breakaway. It’s easy to manage around, but it’s not too small of a city. There’s no need to exhaust yourself in order to getting to know it all, like one does in London. Just wander around and you’ll encounter the better kind of nooks and crannies yourself without a doubt at some point.
Although as an outsider you’ll probably never be able to grasp the intensity of what it’s like to be studying out there, spending a few days in Cambridge is still quite a cool way to surround yourself with that lovely student kind of vibe. While walking around the many alleyways of the city, one cannot but wonder how the heck Cambridge did not end up as a study option on their own list. Everything feels just so neatly perfect and safe. Sometimes even a bit too picture perfect. Bars close at 11 pm for example, even during the weekend. I guess the students really do study in here.
↑ View on King’s College Porter Lodge
↑ Bridge of Sighs, St. John’s College
How to get there?
I took a flight from Amsterdam to Stansted Airport. (you know; that budget airport which is located some 45 minutes from London). Conveniently enough, Stansted is even closer to Cambridge. In thirty minutes you’ll reach Cambridge Station. The ride itself costs something like 8 GBP and the view includes some pretty countryside panoramas. Plus, as most of the folks that left the airplane went to London, I had the train pretty much to myself.
It’s possible as well to take a direct train from London to Cambridge. From King’s Cross that journey would take an hour. Not too bad either.
↑ New Court, John’s College
↑ The Backs, with a view on Darwin College
So what is out there for you to do?
Below a couple of tips to enjoy the best of what this city along the Cam has to offer you!
- The #1 thing I’d recommend you to do is to join a free walking tour! I opted for Footprints Tours and although I’ve got absolutely no comparison material (as this is the only tour I did), I would strongly suggest you to opt for this organisation and their young guides. Our guide was a former geography student of Pembroke; a very witty guy who was eager enough to share some funky insiders information about studying in Cambridge with his audience. I loved the ins and out I learned thanks to his stories.
- Discover the cute, cobblestoned streets of Rose Cres and Green Street and their decent shops in downtown Cambridge.
↑ A foxy entrance at Mill Lane
↑ View on the river Cam from the gardens behind Clare College
- In case your feet could use a little pause you better hang out together with the local crowds at the College Backs (the green strips along the river Cam) right behind the colleges.
- Before ticking off that previous checkbox ✓, be sure to visit the market square. It’s such a neat place and full of worldly, affordable food – with arepas, döner, dumplings, ramen… you name it! Bring some along and organise your own picnic while enjoying those boats that are floating by.
↑ A settling sun right behind the King’s College Porter Lodge
↑ The mathematical bridge
- Learning isn’t just dust and books in Cambridge. For an alternative, yet informative afternoon, step inside the The Cambridge Gin Laboratory. It’s all about the spirits in here. Taste a couple of gins and learn all about the innovative approach to distillation, used by the Cambridge Distillery, during a gin masterclass.
- Allow yourself an hour or two (or three) to discover the collection of the best museum of Cambridge: The Fitzwilliam Museum. The entrance is worthy of a visit by itself, but the massive Fitz is especially known for its ancient Egypt collections, impressionist paintings and worthwhile exhibitions. It has a pleasant cafe on the side in case your brain needs a shot of caffeine or tranquil moment to digest all of the visuals in between.
↑ A funky Oscar the Grouch
↑ First court of King’s College
- Release that inner Hermione Granger and head west to the University Library. It’s open to the public from Monday until Saturday. Let’s hope you won’t open any shrieking books while browsing that collection!
- Hire one of those famous rental punts and float along the river Cam yourself! It’s the best way to see some awe-inspiring bridges anyway; such as the Mathematical Bridge or the Bridge of Sighs.
↑ The entrance of The Fitzwilliam Museum
↑ View on the Pembroke College Library..
↑ … and the dining hall
- Got a sweet tooth? Fudge Kitchen is your next destiny! Right across King’s College this is thé place to buy some very British, home-made delicacies. The owners are happy to let you taste their latest funky flavours. Try out the salted caramel – this popular flavour won’t let you down for sure.
- Another great place to hang out at is Christ’s Pieces. This park is a great spot for people watching too.
↑ Plenty of folks enjoying their rides on the river Cam
↑ Entrance of Jesus College
- Other museums that are worth a break are the Scott Polar Research Museum (about the polar expeditions – especially great to visit on a hot summer day) and the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology (in case you want to travel the world and see all of its cultures within a couple of hours).
- Pembroke College, Jesus College, Christ College, Emmanuel College, Catherine’s College, Sidney Sussex College, Peterhouse… many colleges are just easily entered. No college cards needed. All of them are interesting to see, but if you can make it only to one I’d recommend Pembroke College, which is located conveniently close to the Fitzwilliam Museum.
↑ Trinity College along St. John’s Street. Not pictured is Newton’s Apple Tree on the left
↑ First court of Jesus College
↑ Very typical Cambridge-like view (bicycles and posters) with the towering Gonville & Gaius College in the back
- To visit any of the three biggest colleges (King’s College, Trinity College, St. John’s College) you unfortunately have to pay a fee, but not during the choral evensongs held at both St. John’s College and King’s College Chapel. Last one is basically thé number sight of Cambridge anyway (and the main picture of this article). Pay homage to the building and join this choral evensong service at 5:30pm! Be there in time though; at least half an hour in advance. Perhaps even earlier on the very busy days. The service itself takes an hour, which allows you plenty of time to soak it all in. With ‘it’ I mean the choir, the ceiling of the building, the traditions… As part of the audience you’re even asked to sing along with the choir, but no worries if you don’t think you’re can live up to that. Just don’t settle down on the front row seat. After the service you can wander around the college as well (and for free :)).
↑ The river Cam and St John’s College in the back
↑ You wouldn’t tell in here, but this is one of the liveliest area in Cambridge to be at nightfall. Note that everything closes early in here – this shot was taken around 10:30pm on a Saturday.
↑ View on the Kitchen Bridge as seen from the Bridge of Sighs, St. John’s College
- Time for drinks! On the quay along the river Cam, right across Magdalene College, you’ll find the liveliest after dark square in town. There are quite a few restaurants around in here, with all types of comfort food such as Indian, Italian, Mexican and Thai. The buzz of a beautiful summer evening is best caught in here.
- Another great way to end the day is to see the sunset on top of Castle Mound. From the riverside it’s only a small hike up, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views all over the city. Beware though; in summer around sunset you’ll basically be stumbling across the many couples in here :).
↑ Gorgeous gate to King’s Backs
That’s all folks! Here’s where to find the hot spots in Cambridge:
