Cambridge

Home to Cambridge University, this elegant market town rivals Oxford with its sublime college architecture, chapel courtyards, and the picturesque River Cam where punting is a quintessential experience. The King's College Chapel and the Backs offer some of England's most photographed views.

Things to do

• Punting on the River Cam — Glide beneath the Bridge of Sighs and along the Backs in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, propelled by pole—the quintessential Cambridge experience.
• King's College Chapel — Marvel at this iconic Gothic masterpiece with its soaring fan-vaulted ceiling and stained glass, home to the world-renowned King's College Choir.
• The Backs — Walk along this scenic riverside path behind the colleges, offering the most photographed views of Cambridge's spires, gardens, and bridges.
• Trinity College Library — Tour Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece, housing original manuscripts and historic treasures including works by Newton and Milne.
• The Fitzwilliam Museum — Explore this world-class art and antiquities collection spanning Egyptian mummies, Renaissance paintings, and medieval manuscripts in a grand neoclassical building.
• Bridge of Sighs — Photograph this ornate covered bridge at St John's College, inspired by its Venetian namesake and one of Cambridge's most iconic structures.

Food to try

• Steak and ale pie — A hearty traditional British dish featuring tender beef and rich gravy encased in golden pastry, widely served in Cambridge's historic pubs.
• Formal Hall dinner — Dine in candlelit college dining halls wearing formal dress, an Oxford and Cambridge tradition where students gather for multi-course meals and academic ceremony.
• Cambridge Blue cheese — A creamy, locally-produced blue cheese with a distinctive tang, available at fine food shops and restaurants throughout the city.
• Scones with clotted cream and jam — Enjoy traditional English afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, served at numerous tearooms and colleges with cream and strawberry preserves.
• Eel pie — A traditional Fenland delicacy featuring freshwater eels in a savory pie, reflecting Cambridge's heritage from the surrounding wetlands.

Local customs & good to know

• Evensong at King's College Chapel — Arrive early for free admission to hear the world-famous King's College Choir perform choral evensong, a cherished Cambridge ritual especially moving during term time.
• College visiting etiquette — Many colleges restrict visitor access during exam periods and afternoons; check ahead and be respectful of student spaces, courtyards, and quiet study areas.
• Bicycle culture — Cambridge is intensely cycle-oriented with dedicated bike lanes throughout; expect heavy traffic of students on bicycles and consider renting one for authentic local transport.
• Term-time versus vacation period differences — Visit during term (October-December, January-March, April-June) for vibrant student life and cultural events, or during holidays for quieter college access and fewer crowds.