BY DAY
On a sunny day, Cambridge is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Walking down King’s Parade during the ‘golden hour’, shortly before the sun begins to set, is magical, with light shining through the Chapel windows and glinting off shop fronts, making the entire street just blindingly beautiful.
Continuing along King’s Parade and away from the river, you will find a myriad of quaint cafes, all with stunning views of Kings College Chapel. For even better views of the city go back towards the river to the University Church, Great Saint Mary’s. A trip to the top of the Church Tower is much recommended if you don’t mind the stairs, with incredible 360° views of the city from one of its highest points. If heights aren’t your thing and you’re looking for something more down to earth, Cambridge is also home to a multitude of gorgeous parks and open spaces, popular all year round with tourists and townies alike. These parks are also home to a number of seasonal events. In winter, there’s the immensely popular temporary ice rink and funfair, and in summer a variety of festivals, from the Strawberry Fair and the Folk Festival to the Beer Festival, which always proves popular with the students! The Botanic Gardens are also an all-year must, with displays of seasonal flora and fauna and indoor habitats containing plants from all around the world.
On a sunny day, Cambridge is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Walking down King’s Parade during the ‘golden hour’, shortly before the sun begins to set, is magical, with light shining through the Chapel windows and glinting off shop fronts, making the entire street just blindingly beautiful.
Continuing along King’s Parade and away from the river, you will find a myriad of quaint cafes, all with stunning views of Kings College Chapel. For even better views of the city go back towards the river to the University Church, Great Saint Mary’s. A trip to the top of the Church Tower is much recommended if you don’t mind the stairs, with incredible 360° views of the city from one of its highest points. If heights aren’t your thing and you’re looking for something more down to earth, Cambridge is also home to a multitude of gorgeous parks and open spaces, popular all year round with tourists and townies alike. These parks are also home to a number of seasonal events. In winter, there’s the immensely popular temporary ice rink and funfair, and in summer a variety of festivals, from the Strawberry Fair and the Folk Festival to the Beer Festival, which always proves popular with the students! The Botanic Gardens are also an all-year must, with displays of seasonal flora and fauna and indoor habitats containing plants from all around the world.
Cambridge is a city proud of its academic history and heritage, with museums covering everything from art to archaeology and marine life to technology.
For those with children, these are ideal as many offer events and activities specifically aimed at children, in particular, the Fitzwilliam Museum. For slightly older children, the Sedgwick Museum occasionally offers ‘Night at the Museum’ events, where children and parents can go with their torches and explore the museum at night, making exhibits like the dinosaurs seem even scarier!
If an overview of the city is what you’re looking for then you’re in luck as there are many different ways to see the city. Open-topped tour buses are a cheap and easy way to do this, with 20 stops all over the city and buses every 20 minutes. Cambridge is famously a city of cycling, with the city even hosting the 3rd stage of the 2014 Tour de France, so hiring a bike and cycling around the centre, while it may seem daunting, is the way to a truly authentic Cambridge experience.
The river also plays a large part in Cambridge life, from the university rowing teams competing in the yearly town and city bumps to barge tours and punting which are especially popular on the warm summer evenings.
For a student city, the nightlife in Cambridge is somewhat tame, mostly pubs, with a slight scattering of clubs mixed in. Local cinemas like the Arts Picturehouse run late-night screenings of classic films, and the Junction and Corn Exchange are regularly packed with people watching the latest artists perform. As well as musicians, there are also performances by poets, comedians and more, ever adding to the perception of Cambridge as a very cultural city. Cambridge is also widely known for its theatre scene, with the Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club providing us with stars such as David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Richard Ayoade, John Cleese, Emma Thompson and Richard Osman. The ADC Theatre and Arts Theatre have a range of regular shows, from Comedy to Shakespeare to Christmas pantomimes, which are great fun for all the family.
Cambridge is the ideal destination for almost anyone, and no matter what your interests you’re not likely to be at a loss for things to do, which is certainly surprising given its size. The picturesque city oozes elegance and quiet quirk and is the perfect compromise for those who enjoy the hustle and business of larger cities but at the same time long for the calm and quiet of the countryside.
