The Best Things to do in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
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If you are visiting Cambridge and looking for the best things to do in Cambridge, then you have come to the right place! In this blog post, I will go through some of the top things to do in Cambridge, including the best places to visit in Cambridge, the best viewpoints, Cambridge’s top attractions, and more! 

Is Cambridge worth visiting?

From the very moment you step into Cambridge, you will notice how magical this place is. Cambridge has the aesthetic of a movie set, and it is easy to see why it is featured in movies. Some of the films Cambridge has featured include Cloud Atlas, The Theory of Everything, Wonder Woman 1984, and many more!

It is not only the movie-feeling and stunning aesthetic that makes this place so worth visiting. It is also the cuisine, the history, the gorgeous college buildings, and the nature surrounding it. Cambridge is a smaller city, but it has it all. One thing is for sure; if you have been to Cambridge, you will want to return.

How much time do you need in Cambridge?

Even though Cambridge is a smaller place, I recommend staying at least two nights in the city. It is easy to get around Cambridge, and everything is within walking distance, making exploring the city easy. With two nights and about three days in the city, you can visit museums, wander in the town, and explore some of Cambridge’s best cafés and restaurants. If you have less time in the city, it is still possible to explore the city thoroughly. However, you may want to plan better ahead of time. Some of the museums are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Below, you can learn more about which museums are open and which are closed on Sunday-Mondays.

How to get to Cambridge

Cambridge is just a one-hour train ride from London, which makes it one of the best day trips from London. The best way to get to Cambridge if you are visiting from another country will be to fly to London and take a fast train. If you are in the United Kingdom, you may want to check if you have any trains from your local train station to Cambridge. You can find more information on trains and how to get to Cambridge from your location in the UK here, and more information on international flights flying into London here.

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The best things to do in Cambridge

1. Go Punting on the River Cam

One of the most iconic and best things to do in Cambridge is punting on the River Cam. The River Cam splits the city in two; this means, you will pass some of the city’s prettiest areas, including the Bridge of Sighs, King’s College Chapel, and more. It is one of the most magical experiences, and I would highly recommend going on a punting tour when visiting. As this is the most popular activity, I would recommend booking your tour ahead of time. You can choose to go punting on shared tours, private tours, and even private tours with picnics. You can find more information on bookings here.

2. Admire the inside of King’s College Chapel

When you think of Cambridge, you will probably picture King’s College Chapel. The city has a Perpendicular Gothic style of English architecture from the 15th Century. If you think the building has stunning details on the outside, wait till you go inside! On the inside of King’s College Chapel, you will find the most significant fan-vaulted ceiling in the world. You will also be able to explore the Rood Screen, which was a gift from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. Visiting King’s College Chapel is one of the top things to do in Cambridge. However, you want to make sure you book fast because this is a popular tourist attraction, and spaces fill up quickly. You can find more information on bookings on their website.

Address: King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Tues-Sun: 9:30am-4:00pm, Mon: Closed

Website: https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel  

3. Walk on the Mathematical Bridge

Going to see and walk on the Mathematical Bridge is one of the top things to do in Cambridge. The Bridge got its name from its unique construction. The construction gives it the impression of an arched bridge, but in reality, it is built entirely from straight timbers! How cool is that? 

The Mathematical Bridge is inside Queen’s College, so to be able to visit the Bridge, you will need to visit the college. If you are going punting, you will also pass by this beautiful Bridge. It is the best way to see and experience this beautiful Bridge. 

The entrance fee for going inside Queen’s College is £3.50. You can find more information on the website linked below.

Address: Queens’ College, Silver St, Cambridge CB3 9ET, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun: Closed

Website:https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/visiting-the-college/history/college-facts/mathematical-bridge 

4. Have a break at one of the best Coffee Shops in Cambridge

Cambridge has many charming coffee shops, and between all of this exploring, it is the perfect way to spend a break. Make sure you keep your phone or camera out, though! You will want to take photos in these places. The coffee shops in Cambridge are very photogenic. Here are some of the best coffee shops in Cambridge:

5. Visit the Cambridge University Colleges

Cambridge University is the second oldest university in English-speaking countries. The university consists of 31 colleges, all of which provide accommodation. 

Visiting University Colleges is one of the best things to do in Cambridge. No visit to Cambridge is complete until you have seen at least one of the following colleges listed below. I’ve already mentioned the King’s College Chapel; however, I wanted to include a few more of my favourite colleges you must visit when going to Cambridge. These are the University Colleges you cannot miss:

6. See the view from Great St. Mary’s Church

The best way to see Cambridge is to see it from above. The best view of Cambridge is from the Great St. Mary Church. The church is in the heart of the old part of the city, where all the great colleges and gorgeous architecture are. You can imagine that this means the views from the church are fantastic. It is one of the top things to do in Cambridge, and I think it is a perfect way to start exploring the city. You can find more information on opening times and tickets for the tower below and on their website.

Address: Cambridge CB2 1SZ, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm

Website: http://www.greatstmarys.org/ 

7. See the Bridge of Sighs

Visiting The Bridge of Sighs is one of the best things to do in Cambridge. It is highly popular with tourists, and it is easy to see why. The Bridge was built in the earlier parts of the 19th Century, and apparently, the Bridge was Queen Victoria’s favourite spot in Cambridge. If you choose to go on a punting tour, you will see its magic from the Cam and even get to go under it and fully experience the beauty of this Bridge.

You may recognize this Bridge from a few different movies. An example is one of the most iconic scenes in the film The Theory of Everything; in this scene, you will see the Bridge of Sighs in the background!

8. Go inside the Round Church

The Round Church has an exhibition about the history and influence of Christianity. It is one of the best places to visit in Cambridge to learn more about the history of Cambridge. The church is open to visitors, and the admission fee is £3.50. You can find more information on their website.

Address: Round Church Vestry, Bridge St, CB2 1UB, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun-Mon: Closed

Website: https://roundchurchcambridge.org/ 

9. Visit the best museums in Cambridge

If you love visiting unique and exciting places filled with history and art, then one of the best things to do in Cambridge for you will be visiting the museums! Cambridge has some of the best museums in the world. 

10. Go to Sarah Key’s Haunted Bookshop

Visiting the charming bookshops is one of the top things to do in Cambridge for book lovers. Nestled in the heart of the city, you will find this charming little bookshop tucked away in one of the lovely side streets of Cambridge. The Haunted Bookshop specializes in Children’s and Illustrated books and has been doing so since 1987. You may be wondering where the name of the bookshop comes from; well, as you may imagine, there is a story behind it! The old owner of the shop reportedly saw the ghost of a man in the basement of the shop. The new owner, Sarah Keys, also reports that she has seen something that appeared to be a customer walking upstairs that disappeared! You can visit the bookshop to see for yourself! You can find more information on opening times and the bookshop below.

Address: 9 St Edward’s Passage, CB2 3PJ, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Mon: 10am-5pm, Tue-Thur: 11am-5pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: Closed

Website: http://www.sarahkeybooks.co.uk/ 

11. Visit the University Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Cambridge for those who want to have beautiful nature experiences. It is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to, and I highly recommend visiting it! The entrance fee is £6.80 per adult. You can find more information on opening times and the Botanic Gardens below.

Address: 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE, United Kingdom

Opening Times: Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm, Mon: Closed

Website: https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/ 

12. Catch a glimpse of the Corpus Clock

Seeing The Corpus Clock is one of the best things to do in Cambridge because of its uniqueness and story. The clock has a great monster known as ‘the Chronophrage’, translating to ‘time-eater,’ sitting atop the watch. The monster devours every minute as it passes with its jaw. The clock does not have any digital numbers or hands; at first glance, it may be difficult to tell the time on this clock. However, if you look closer, you will find the three rings of LEDs, which on the innermost ring show the hours, minutes, and seconds. There is an even more fantastic story behind the clock. The Corpus Clock Book available in the Porters’ Lodge can learn all about the clock.

Address: 58 Trumpington St, CB2 1RH, United Kingdom

13. Go to the Best Photography Spots in Cambridge

Even though all the mentioned above can be and are great photo locations in themselves, if you love photography as much as I do, you will probably also want to discover all the little hidden alleyways and spots. Cambridge has some of the most iconic photography spots in the world, and here are a few of my favourites:

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