Cambridge, UK

Cambridge is best known for its university, one of the oldest in the world, and regarded by some as one of the most prestigious. Situated to the north of London, the city is a mix of antiquated and contemporary architecture, combining to create, in my opinion, a visually appealing and harmonious appearance. Many of the buildings, streets and passageways of Cambridge imbue the city with a tradional and historical atmosphere, however, as old as various parts of the city might be, it also has trendy shopping establishments and a vibrant nightlife.

By car, Cambridge takes about two hours from London. As with many other cities and towns in the UK, it is difficult to find parking in Cambridge city centre, however there are 'park and ride' services on the outskirts of the city, whereby you can park your car and get a bus into the centre. There are also frequent train services, run by First Capital Connect and One, between King's Cross and Liverpool Street stations in London, with some speedy trains arriving at Cambridge in under fifty minutes. Our usual method of getting to Cambridge is by train. The main train station is not directly in the centre of the city, but a small distance away. There are, however, regular buses from the main train station, or otherwise it's about a twenty minute walk. One of the most popular forms of transport within Cambridge itself is cycling, and it is possible to rent bikes, which is another pleasant way of viewing the city, aside from walking.

In terms of accommodation, there are numerous hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the city and surrounds, all ranging in price. There is one youth hostel in the city centre, which is useful for the budget traveller. Another option for cheaper accommodation is the Travelodge, although this is not right in the centre and requires a bit of a walk to reach the main attractions. On our first visit to Cambridge we stayed in a traditional inn, The Old Red Lion, situated in a nearby village called Horseheath. The Inn is about a twenty minute drive away and we managed to get quite a bargain, booked through Late Rooms. The room itself was quite basic, but clean, however the restaurant served some excellent meals, so the money we saved on our accommodation was spent on food and drink instead. Even though we enjoyed our stay at the Old Red Lion, I would suggest that when visiting Cambridge for the first time, accommodation in the city itself would be a good idea.

For first timers to the city, there is a lot to be seen - not only the University Colleges, which are always the main attraction, but also museums, galleries, parks and gardens. Some of the largest, most architecturally impressive and well-known University Colleges worth visiting include Kings College, founded in 1441, best viewed from The Backs (the gardens by the River Cam), Trinity College, founded by Henry VIII in 1546, Christ's College and St John's College. The latter was established in 1511 and is home to the Bridge of Sighs, a picturesque bridge over the River Cam, and a popular tourist attraction. Of course there are many colleges to explore (31 in total), each with their own unique characteristics. Not all of them are publicly accessible, and those that are have different opening times, so it is always best to check with the respective colleges when these are. Links and details about the various colleges can be found on Cambridge University's website. Cambridge University also has a botanical garden, which is situated to the south of the city, close to the train station. Home to an array of plants, gardens and greenhouses, it is a peaceful and relaxing place to visit.

The Fitzwilliam Museum, on Trumpington Street, houses an impressive collection of art and ancient artifacts and is worth a visit on any trip to Cambridge. The museum is not only dedicated to archaeological finds from the ancient world, including Egypt, Greece and Rome, but other items that are exhibited include coins and medals, armour, manuscripts, ceramics and paintings (some of which are by rather famous names, such as da Vinci, Titian and Rembrandt). Other museums include the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, host to an extensive fossils collection, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, which provides a collection of scientific instruments dating from the Middle Ages to the present. If you need a break from museums, and need something a little more creative, then perhaps the city's main arts venue would be more appealing, the Corn Exchange, which is host to various musical and theatrical productions. At the heart of the city centre is the old market place, which has a selection of stalls that we often browse through, selling various goods, from clothing and books to delectable food. This area, and the ancient streets surrounding it, are mainly pedestrian friendly, lined with a variety of shops (many of which are high-street brands), restaurants, cafes and pubs.

As we have now been to Cambridge a few times already, and have seen most of the tourist attractions, we generally visit for the ambience of the city. Walking through its winding streets lined with bicycles, appreciating the majestic architecture that forms the university, strolling along the River Cam, watching the punting that is so well known to Cambridge, and joining the students for a drink in the friendly and jovial pubs. Cambridge is a city we think highly of and always enjoy visiting. It is a beautiful city, imbued with history, but is also modern in terms of its shopping centres, recent architecture and lively music venues and nightclubs. It therefore has a bit of something for everyone, and is highly recommended as a tourist destination.


Images of King's College and Cambridge Market: www.flickr.com/photos/ripienaar