Discover Cambridge

Surrounded by striking marshlands, Cambridge is an exquisite and stylish utopia that values its countryside heritage and highbrow foundations. Commended worldwide for its respected university, the city is further defined by its riverboat activities, lush parks, technological advancements, and medieval buildings. Buried beneath Cambridge's ancient books and sophisticated mannerisms is a surprisingly rogue edge. It is the hometown of Pink Floyd and it maintains a lucrative pub culture riled with witty debate.

Cambridge was originally a prehistoric settlement in England that was subsequently inhabited by Romans, Vikings, and Normans. At the onset of the Middle Ages in 1209, scholars of Oxford had a disagreement with town locals and relocated to Cambridge to initiate their own university. The city is nourished by the River Cam, its eponym.

About Cambridge	Map

Prominent along the shores of the River Cam are a patchwork of boathouses. A traditional pastime of Cambridge is punting. A punt is England's answer to the Venetian gondola. It is a long flat bottom boat made of wood and steered by the use of a long pole. Navigating through the embrace of low hanging willow trees is a romantic pursuit experienced by many couples in Cambridge. Punting is also a visually inspired means of touring the momentous historic buildings that stand proud along the banks of the river.

The University of Cambridge is comprised of an assortment of independent colleges constructed at various stages throughout England's history. Within each is a rich chronicle of the city. The oldest building on campus is the School of Pythagoras. Built around 1200, it predates the first college of the university, Peterhouse, by approximately 80 years. King's College is renowned for its glorious Gothic chapel, an icon of Cambridge. The serene ambiance of the Old Court in Corpus Christi College is still open to the public though it was constructed in the 1380's. Similarly, prestigious banquets are served to revered guests at the Old Hall in Queen's College, a gilded dining room that dates back to 1449.

The celebrated apple tree that stimulated Isaac Newton's theory of gravity is at Trinity College where he studied. Following in his footsteps was the modern day physicist Stephen Hawking. A luminary professor, he is often spotted on campus. Other legendary alumni of the university include the naturalist Charles Darwin, educated at Christ's College, and Sylvia Plath, a poet and graduate of Newnham College. Oliver Cromwell was a student at Sidney Sussex College in 1616. It is rumoured that his head is buried in a secret location beneath the college chapel.

There are many intrigues throughout the corridors of the University of Cambridge. The Wren Library houses manuscripts of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne. The Corpus Clock is a notorious timepiece. It is more commonly known as the Grasshopper Clock because of the wildly grim sculpture that sits on top the golden dial. DNA was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick at the Cavendish Laboratory. Pints flow frequently at the Eagle Pub where they announced their scientific breakthrough. The Cambridge University Press Bookshop is the oldest bookstore in England. Its doors have been open since 1581.

Resonating bell harmonies fascinate the city on many occasions. The ancient St Bene't's Church is recognised for its spirit lifting recitals orchestrated by bell ringers. Cambridge is fairly flat. There are no hills to grant panoramic views of the city. The bell tower of the Church of St Mary the Great remedies this dilemma. To accompany the climb up the tower, the individuals of the longstanding Society of Cambridge Youths intermittently ring the bells with divine coordination.

In addition to musical enlightenment, the churches of Cambridge have had a meaningful impact on the city. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known popularly as the Round Church, is a resplendent medieval structure designed to replicate the rotunda of a church in Jerusalem with the same name. The Doom Painting over the chancel arch at St Andrew's Church in Chesterton was crafted in the 15 th century. A portrayal of the Last Judgment, it is one of few surviving artworks of its kind. One of its more amusing depictions is a devil wearing spectacles. Little St Mary's Church retains the memorial of the vicar Godfrey Washington, the great uncle of George Washington. His family coat of arms, imprinted with stars and stripes, tailored the American flag.

Alleviating the strains of everyday life, the River Cam is a shimmering accent of the natural beauty preserved within the city and a focal point for recreation. Rowing is a robust leisure enjoyed by many around Cambridge. Countless races are compered on the river, usually by the university. Picnics are ritual along the Backs, a splendid length of grassy banks behind the colleges. Connecting the city are marvellous bridges positioned with noble stature over the waterways. The Bridge of Sighs is a decorative covered bridge. It was a beloved landmark favoured by Queen Victoria. The myth that the Mathematical Bridge was built without nuts and bolts has spellbound visitors since the tale was spun.

Diligent intellectuals and weary travellers require relaxation and soulful encouragement. The majestic parks of Cambridge nourish the jaded. The Botanic Gardens provide an exotic and colourful break. Sports are common at Parker's Piece. The fundamental rules of football as regulated by the Football Association were created within its pitches. The open green of the Midsummer Common accommodates the annual Cambridge Midsummer Festival. Over 800 years old, it is one of the oldest fairs in England. In June, it also hosts the Strawberry Fair, a public gathering of musicians, pageantry, and culinary delights.

Appeasing the cerebral need to understand humanity, many art and science institutions provoke discussion around Cambridge. Forms of life that are more than 3000 million years old are observable at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. Species collected by Charles Darwin on his Beagle voyage can be pondered at the University Museum of Zoology. A remarkable domestic venue, modern art is on display at Kettle's Yard. Europe's most substantial assemblage of contemporary art by women is shown at the New Hall Art Collection.

Cows grazing in archaic grasslands and the cloud of cyclists that venture through the stately cobbled streets are a few of the charms that fashion Cambridge into a memorable setting. Grand buildings encapsulated by verdant paths facilitate a pleasurable ease when drifting through the city's abundant sites. The university kindles the mind, but the heart of Cambridge is the enchantment of its amiable parks, tranquil waterways, and influential past.