The Locals-Only Guide to Cambridge, UK
Six years ago, I packed up my bags and moved my way across the pond- stepping out of my comfort zone of the California sunshine and into the quaint, rainy city of Cambridgeshire. Even though my time living here was short, the summer semester I spent studying abroad at the University of Cambridge is quite arguably the best time of my life.
Growing up in a big city and leaving home for the first time at the age of 20 was frightening and full of anxiety. However, arriving to this tiny city clad with its charming cobble stone streets, tiny alleyways enclosed by ancient architecture, and adorable pastel-colored cruiser bikes parked at every corner had me feeling as though I had stepped into a fairytale.
I was comforted almost immediately by the welcoming locals. There was beauty every which way I looked; the homey vibe that was radiating throughout this picturesque and historic city felt as though I was being beckoned home. So much so, that I have come back to visit every year since; thus allowing me to feel as though I am no foreigner to this land.
Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges and the city centre can be completely covered by foot in less than an hour. The college town is filled to the brim with great shopping, amazing restaurants, and most of all some of the best British sweets such as homemade ice cream, fudge and delicious scones. This is also the same city that is home to the Duke and Duchess- AKA the familiar names of Prince William and his beautiful wife Kate Middleton.
The adorable King's Street
This is a city built around a college atmosphere so the people are all either from or work at the Uni or are young families raising their children outside the busy and crowded streets of London.
Cambridge is known for it’s top notch education, ancient architecture, and of course it's bikes! With barely anywhere to park in the city, everyone either walks or rides a bike to get to where they are headed.
Best time to visit
Just like all other parts of England, Cambridge rains a good amount out of the year so it is best to avoid the chillier seasons. July or August seem to be the best times as there is little rain and occasional sunshine here and there.
Floating on down the River Cam
DO
punting the River Cam
Punting down the River Cam is a must, especially if you are a first timer! Cruising down the river in a punting boat gives you the most beautiful views of the colleges as well as the vibrant green landscape surrounding the city walls.
How can you miss out on this??
If your are a noobie to punting, definitely hire someone to do a guided tour. Most tours are guided by students that are experts on the area and you'd be surprised how much history you will learn along the relaxing drift through the back-scenes of each college.
Also, don't be afraid to haggle with the person(s) trying to sell the punting tour to you! They always start at their highest cost but you can get them to come down in price for the tour especially if it is a slow day for them. However, you can also save a lot of money and brave the open waters (with friends of course) and try it for yourself. Disclaimer: The punting stick will get stuck to the rocks at the bottom of the not-so-deep river and could potentially cause you to fall in (happens more often than you think).
The backside of King's college and King's Chapel from the river
Take a walk along the cam
Because...lush greenery and friendly cows! Just don't try and touch/pet the cows, they are used to people but still preferred not to be touched or messed with. To access the trail along the Cam head towards the main punting rental area, cross the bridge and you will find a pedestrian gate that opens to a trail that follows the river.
Channeling my inner cow.
The Colleges
Entrance to King's College
The whole reason this city exists. Absorb and experience the magic that Stephen Hawking once called home. The dining halls are hauntingly similar to those of Hogwarts and although the architectural style of the colleges remains consistent throughout- the characteristic differences between each college will leave you in awe. Most colleges require an entrance fee, however, some of the colleges like Pembroke (my uni) for example are free during visiting hours and are just as beautiful and fulfilling in experience alike.
If you find yourself wandering about in the evening you might be lucky enough to witness a formal dinner. Students of the university are required to attend formal dinners with the Fellows every so often. Here you will witness students dressed to the nines along with renown Fellows (previous professors or high-end members of the university) dressed in their official Fellow gowns amongst a scenery of candlelit tables, fancy wine, and set menus to drool over.
The Eagle
In my bias opinion, one of the most famous pubs in the world. "The spot" where Watson and Crick announced they had discovered "the secret of life" AKA- the structure of DNA.
8 Benet Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN, UK
King's chapel at King's college
The chapel is very famous for it’s architecture and has a lot of historical influence on the city. You do have to pay to get in unless you are part of a group tour (or if you are a student of King's College) so plan ahead as this is the biggest tourist attraction in Cambridge.
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Some of the most famous paintings from England's own- Hogarth, Turner and Gainsborough are held here. Well worth climbing up the marble stairs to take yourself back in time and check out some notable works of art. Packed with incredible art and exhibitions as well as the plethora of scenic staircases- this museum is well worth the Instagram opportunities.
Pembroke College
The most charming of the colleges (also the one I attended). Fall in love as you walk through Pembroke's small campus made up of colorful flowers and small, yet vibrant lush gardens. Pro tip: make sure you stop at the student pub to try their blackcurrent lemonade!
The many beautiful colors of Pembroke
Town Square
There is a flea market that runs every day in town square till about 4 or 5 PM unless if the rain gets bad. Lots of great deals, great finds, and the market offers a variety of items for sale.
This market stays busy 365 days a year!
Shop your heart out
Cambridge has some of the best shopping; from adorable boutique shops to one-of-a-kind antique stores, the city is dangerous for any shopaholic. Oliver Bonas is one of my favorites- it’s like the Anthropologie of England.
The Round Church
Also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is one of four medieval round churches still in use in England. Built around 1130 makes it one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge.
So much character for such a small church
Round Church Vestry, Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UB, United Kingdom
University Botanical Gardens
Discover plants from all over the world at the University's beautiful botanical gardens and glasshouses. Bring your walking shoes! With over 8,000 plant species and covering 40 acres of land you will have plenty to gawk at and plenty of photo ops to make your Instagram feed colorful and bright.
1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE, UK
Eat
Fancy a homemade scone and some jam?
Nando's
Three words- Best. Chicken. Ever. Nando's may be a chain and can be found all over the UK but Cambridge is where I discovered Nando's, so if you have never eaten here I suggest Cambridge is the place to do it! Don’t forget to try the different flavors of Peri Peri sauce (Garlic and Hot are my fave). They even have unlimited frozen yogurt for dessert to help cool down your mouth from the heat!
33-34 St Andrew's St, Cambridge CB2 3AR, UK
Trailer of Life
This food truck magically appears in town square a little after 4pm. Make sure you order the “cheesy chips with garlic mayo.” The food isn't meant to be 5-star but it sure is greasy and perfect for a drunken night or midnight snack with your mates.
16 Market Hill, Cambridge CB2 3NR, UK
Fudge Kitchen
Stop in this quaint little shop and feast your eyes on homemade fudge being made right before your eyes. Enjoy a free sample... or don’t-but you’ll be missing out on what tastes like heaven in your mouth.
11 King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK
Aromi
This little rustic Italian restaurant is the perfect place for a grab and go lunch or some prime people watching. Serving up some fine pizza slices, fresh focaccia bread, and homemade delicacies- this little gem sets a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Cambridge.
1 Bene't St, Cambridge CB2 3QN
Midsummer House Restaurant
If you're looking for fancy fare with a view, this is it! This riverside cottage and Michelin Star winning restaurant is the perfect place to have a lovely dinner along scenic river views and enjoy French masterpieces of taste by award winning chef- Daniel Clifford.
Midsummer Common, Cambridge CB4 1HA, UK
Bread and meat
Bread and Meat is an independent restaurant specializing in roast-meat sandwiches, craft beers and coffee. The salt beef and porchetta sandwiches are to die for (but not always in season as the menu occasionally changes).
4 Bene't St, Cambridge CB2 3QN
Butch Annies
This Brooklyn-style burger joint serves up the most delicious burgers in town. That is all.
23 Market St, Cambridge CB2 3PA, UK
Chocolat Chocolat
The best chocolate shop in Cambridge- but I am not going for their chocolate. Let's be honest, their homemade ice cream not only taunts you from their windowsill but the ice cream is made fresh daily and the flavors change all the time- making it impossible not to try every delicious flavor. I'm talking- old-school, slow churned, extra creamy, sitting on Grandma's front porch on a hot summer day kind of stuff.
Make that 2 scoops please
21 St Andrew's St, Cambridge CB2 3AX, UK
Fitzbillies
This old-school bakery and cafe, famous for it's Chelsea Buns, was founded in 1921 by Ernest and Arthur Mason, using their "demob" money from the First World War. The business was saved from bankruptcy by food writer- Tim Hayward and has now grown into a restaurant/cafe that serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. Despite their comeback and changes of operation, this charismatic shop that brings a sense of tradition to Cambridge still remains true to the original recipes of the Chelsea Buns and cakes as well as the original art-noveau shop front where you can still see the initials of the Mason brothers on the worn-out gold letters.
51 - 52 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RG
Getting Around
There's a lot more where these came from...
Cycling is a great option if you are comfortable on a bike and can be confident with the whole "look right then look left" thing. Cabs are also pretty cheap since the city is so small. Otherwise walking is the way to go, that way you won't miss anything. Every square inch of this city is worth seeing.
Stay
Hotels, Bed and Breakfast, or Hostels. There aren’t a lot of places to stay in Cambridge so enjoying a B&B would be ideal. You can also stay in Christs College where you can get the full experience of staying in one of UK’s most historic university buildings. Otherwise if you feel like splurging here are some lovely options-
Hotel Felix
Although Hotel Felix is a little bit a ways out of the city centre, this hotel is a beautiful and lush retreat that still embraces the magic of Cambridge. A hotel that is picturesque for any event or wedding, a short and inexpensive taxi ride is well worth the stay!
Whitehouse Lane, Huntington Rd, Cambridge CB3 0LX
The Varsity Hotel
This boutique hotel is known for its rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city and is conveniently centrally located along the edge of the Cam River.
Thompsons Ln, Cambridge CB5 8AQ, UK
Hotel Du Vin
Once a university building- now a luxury hotel and bistro is centrally located and you can rest like royalty with well equipped boutique rooms offering up egyptian linens and monsoon showers.
15-19 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1QA, UK
Nightlife
Cambridge is known for it’s nightlife on Monday’s and Friday’s. The people start socialising late so have a beer at The Mill which overlooks the Cam while it is still light out and then head over to Revolution or Fez Nightclub for some dancing and lounging with the locals.
Additional Tips
1. It is definitely wise to look both directions before crossing the street because it won’t be a car or a bus that will be coming right at you but a person on a bike- most likely running late to class or to work. Trust me, they won’t stop for anybody!
2. You will most likely receive dirty looks if you call “chips”- french fries.
3. If you plan to spend a few day here don't rush! A leisurely pace will get you where you need to go. If you are only stopping over for a quick day trip start early, there is plenty to do and see so make it worth it!
4. If you are visiting a college and you see a sign on the grass that reads "Fellows Only," please don't test the system and try to walk on the grass. If a Porter catches you, you will most likely be escorted off college grounds (students have been suspended or expelled for such actions). They take Fellows very seriously in England.
5. And finally...just picture yourself amongst the monumental historic moments that happened on the grounds of this University and allow yourself to be completely consumed in awe.
