Cambridge
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Logistics
Getting There
Traveling from London to Cambridge is fairly easy and can be done in a day-trip easily if desired. The easiest and fastest direct train runs from St. Pancras International station in London to Cambridge. The trip takes about 45 minutes if on the faster train, or just over an hour on the slower train. As St. Pancras is located in North London and connected to Kings Cross with a large tube station, one can take the tube to Kings Cross and walk to St. Pancras International. The fast train option typically runs two times per hour.
Alternatively, if Kings Cross is not a convenient station to get to, there is also a slower train that runs through the other large train stations in London including London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St. Pancras. If one gets on at London Bridge, the train ride from London Bridge (southern most station in London city area) to Cambridge is about 75 – 90 minutes. There are more stops on the slower train, but if one of the other main stations is more accessible than St. Pancras, it may be easier than combining the tube and train. The slower train typically runs less frequently, about once per hour.
Getting Around
Cambridge is a small and cute town. Many locals get around by bike, but when visiting for a day or weekend, you should be able to access everywhere on foot. When you are tired of walking, you can catch a taxi or Uber to take you to your destination. The train station is about a 30 minute walk to the city center. If you would like to save your energy for walking around the city center and University, consider catching a taxi to the center.
Accommodations
Staying in the downtown center of Cambridge will be the most convenient and allow you to get around easily during your visit.
University Arms – This is a wonderful and very nice hotel. The hotel is part of the autograph collection of Marriott properties. There is a small gym in the basement, a nice restaurant and bar area, and a library within the hotel.
Things to do and see
King’s College
Cambridge has numerous different colleges, all part of Cambridge University. Each college has its own building associated with it. King’s College is notable for the beautiful and grand King’s College chapel. It is located in the middle of Cambridge. The Chapel costs 10 GBP to enter and tickets are available on specific days.
Walking Tour
Consider taking a walking tour in Cambridge to learn about the University and be taken to some of the key sights in the town. Cambridge Alumni Tours or Footprints both offer nice options for walking tours. Typically, you can also add a Punting tour onto your walking tour for a bundle deal.
Punting
Punting is a fancy way of explaining a boat which is pushed through the water with a large pole. In Cambridge, there are a lot of flat boats along the river. Consider booking a punting tour (45 – 60 minutes is the perfect length) to see Cambridge from River Cam. There are also options to rent your own boat and try punting on your own, but it tends to be harder than it looks so keep this in mind.
St. John’s College
The well-known Bridge of Sighs is found within St. John’s College and connects the buildings
St. Mary’s Church & Tower
Climb the 123 steps for a view over Cambridge. It is located right near King’s College Chapel.
Mathematical Bridge
Wooden bridge part of Queen’s college
Bridge of Sighs
Crossing the river, the Bridge of Sighs connects buildings for St. John’s College
Trinity College
One of the largest colleges in Cambridge and known for Wren Library. It has the most Nobel Prize winners and is funded well by alumni.
Market Square
On the weekends, the market square has an outdoor market with vendors selling food, crafts, and other items.
Corpus Clock
Large unique clock, often called the Grasshopper clock
Food and Drinks
Millworks
Dinner
Riverside restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food could be hit or miss, but the environment was always nice and menu had a variety of options. It is good spot to go with a group. It’s a great spot to grab a drink at in the summertime too on a nice day on the porch.
Garden House
Lunch or Dinner
Found within the Graduate hotel, this is a great spot for lunch or dinner. The location is very nice, right along the river and the food is delicious.
The Anchor
Dinner
British restaurant and pub along the river
Six
Dinner
Rooftop restaurant on the top floor of the Varsity Hotel
Oak Bistro
Dinner
Nicer British restaurant with quality food choices. The service is rather slow, but not a problem if you are not in a hurry.
Novi
Dinner
Restaurant well-known for its Espresso martinis
Sticks n Sushi
Dinner
A chain restaurant, but an excellent restaurant for sushi, and it never disappointed. If you are with a group, consider trying an assortment of sushi by ordering one of the many platter options. These provided a nice way to try various sushi options.
The Ivy
Dinner
Part of a chain of restaurants, this Brasserie has excellent food. It is a fancier restaurant with good service and a different interior design.
The Eagle Pub
Drinks
Great British pub for a drink during the week. It will be plenty busy any night of the week.
Fitzbillies
Snacks
Old school bakery famous for buns!
Other Notes
Duration
Cambridge is a very easy day-trip from London and you may feel you can see what you would like to see in a day. With that in mind, it’s always possible to extend the trip and stay 1 or 2 nights to enjoy more of the surrounding area and enjoy some time just wandering around.
Time of Year
Cambridge is a beautiful University town outside of London. It’s great on a nice summer day, but also very pretty in the autumn when the leaves are changing colors. There’s no bad time to visit Cambridge with a lot to see, but you’ll enjoy walking around more and trying out punting on a nicer day.