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Why we love Cambridge

A hub for innovation and creativity housing the University of Cambridge, an institution dating back more than 800 years, the city of Cambridge is a hotbed of history and architecture. Take a punt on the River Cam to see the city from a unique perspective, or test your balancing skills on a stand-up paddle board for an adventurous way to see the sights. 

Create lasting memories exploring idyllic Cambridge. Get into hustle and bustle of the city’s ever-changing market stalls, pick up tasty international street food, and climb up St Mary’s Church for panoramic views of Cambridge and beyond. 

Things to do in Cambridge

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Fancy some retail therapy? Head to Green Street, which runs between Trinity College and Sidney Sussex College.

Get to know Green Street

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People walking along Green Street
Green Street

In the Theory of Everything film, St John’s College doubled as Trinity Hall, where Professor Stephen Hawking studied.

Explore St John’s College

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two people sitting in an archway outside landmark building
Cambridge University – The Theory of Everything

Over 8,000 species spread across 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses in the centre of Cambridge offer year-round interest and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden

theallotmentgeek

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Countless writers, poets and novelists have lived in Cambridge – and these tours follow in their footsteps.

Book Cambridge Literary Tours

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women walking under the arches of a college quad
Cambridge Literary Tours

Featuring over 500,000 artworks and artefacts from around the world, this university museum is a joy to explore.

Book your tickets for The Fitzwilliam Museum

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Rear view of man standing looking at portraits in a gallery
The Fitzwilliam Museum

Set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, this is a glorious setting for gin tastings and cocktail-making lessons.

Discover Cambridge Distillery

Cambridge Distillery

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Distillery, Grantchester
Cambridge Distillery

From sailing and kayaking to rock climbing and paddleboarding – this activity centre has adventures for all ages.

Explore Grafham Water Centre

Getty Images

Cambridge, England

Grafham Water Centre
Grafham Water Centre

From grassroots comedy to provocative documentaries, this festival screens the best independent and arthouse films.

What’s on at Cambridge Film Festival

Cambridge Film Festival /Jean-Luc Benazet

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Film Festival
Cambridge Film Festival

With its leafy riverside routes and abundant cycle hire, Cambridge is a joy to explore by bike.

More about Cambridge bike hire

Visit Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Cycling in Cambridge
Cambridge bike hire

This Cambridge restaurant specialises in simple, sustainable and oh-so fresh cuisine – all of which is locally sourced.

See the menu at Garden House

Garden House Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Garden House Cambridge
Garden House

No trip to Cambridge is complete without a punting trip on the River Cam – so hop aboard with the Traditional Punting Company!

Book your punting trip on the River Cam

Traditional Punting Company

A punting tour passing a historic university building in Cambridge
Punting on the River Cam

From mixology workshops to gin distilling, this amazing venue is a must-visit for all cocktail lovers!

Book Cambridge Gin Laboratory

Cambridge Distillery/Keith Heppell

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Gin Laboratory
Cambridge Gin Laboratory

For an adventurous activity that everyone can enjoy, check out this action-packed climbing centre.

Find out more about Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Clip 'n Climb Cambridge
Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Fill your trip with the music, colour and fun of Pride – and celebrate all-things LGBTQIA+.

More about Pride Cambridge

Cambridge Pride

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Pride
Pride Cambridge

Fancy some retail therapy? Head to Green Street, which runs between Trinity College and Sidney Sussex College.

Get to know Green Street

emily.in.england0

People walking along Green Street
Green Street

In the Theory of Everything film, St John’s College doubled as Trinity Hall, where Professor Stephen Hawking studied.

Explore St John’s College

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two people sitting in an archway outside landmark building
Cambridge University – The Theory of Everything

Over 8,000 species spread across 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses in the centre of Cambridge offer year-round interest and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden

theallotmentgeek

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Countless writers, poets and novelists have lived in Cambridge – and these tours follow in their footsteps.

Book Cambridge Literary Tours

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Two women walking under the arches of a college quad
Cambridge Literary Tours

Featuring over 500,000 artworks and artefacts from around the world, this university museum is a joy to explore.

Book your tickets for The Fitzwilliam Museum

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Rear view of man standing looking at portraits in a gallery
The Fitzwilliam Museum

Set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, this is a glorious setting for gin tastings and cocktail-making lessons.

Discover Cambridge Distillery

Cambridge Distillery

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Distillery, Grantchester
Cambridge Distillery

From sailing and kayaking to rock climbing and paddleboarding – this activity centre has adventures for all ages.

Explore Grafham Water Centre

Getty Images

Cambridge, England

Grafham Water Centre
Grafham Water Centre

From grassroots comedy to provocative documentaries, this festival screens the best independent and arthouse films.

What’s on at Cambridge Film Festival

Cambridge Film Festival /Jean-Luc Benazet

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Film Festival
Cambridge Film Festival

With its leafy riverside routes and abundant cycle hire, Cambridge is a joy to explore by bike.

More about Cambridge bike hire

Visit Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Cycling in Cambridge
Cambridge bike hire

This Cambridge restaurant specialises in simple, sustainable and oh-so fresh cuisine – all of which is locally sourced.

See the menu at Garden House

Garden House Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Garden House Cambridge
Garden House

No trip to Cambridge is complete without a punting trip on the River Cam – so hop aboard with the Traditional Punting Company!

Book your punting trip on the River Cam

Traditional Punting Company

A punting tour passing a historic university building in Cambridge
Punting on the River Cam

From mixology workshops to gin distilling, this amazing venue is a must-visit for all cocktail lovers!

Book Cambridge Gin Laboratory

Cambridge Distillery/Keith Heppell

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Gin Laboratory
Cambridge Gin Laboratory

For an adventurous activity that everyone can enjoy, check out this action-packed climbing centre.

Find out more about Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Cambridge, England

Clip 'n Climb Cambridge
Clip 'n Climb Cambridge

Fill your trip with the music, colour and fun of Pride – and celebrate all-things LGBTQIA+.

More about Pride Cambridge

Cambridge Pride

Cambridge, England

Cambridge Pride
Pride Cambridge

Places to stay in Cambridge

Romsey

A trendy enclave packed with cool cafés and interesting shops, a hang out for those who love independent gems, and hip places, vintage dens and proper coffee.

Round Church Street

Close to all the main sights, this residential area is just a short walk from the city centre.

City Centre

The beating heart of the city, home to many famous colleges, as well as museums, shops and restaurants.  

Explore nearby

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

Picadilly Circus underground station

The Broads is a breath of fresh air, beautifully webbed with lakes, fens and rivers.

Norfolk Broads Direct

A family riding on a boat in the Norfolk Broads

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Two boys playing on a path in front of a palace
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Suffolk’s foodie town offers more than its tantalising flavours, from its historic ruins of Abbey St Edmund to stunning parklands.

Getty Images/P A Thompson

St. Edmundsbury Cathedral and Ruins of Abbey in the summer

Known as the City of Stories, create your own narrative as you explore Norwich’s huge array of historic and modern day attractions.

Visit Norwich/Norwich Paddleboarding

Norwich, England

A group of people paddleboarding on the River Wensum

Getting to Cambridge

Cambridge is 30 miles (48 kilometres) from Stansted Airport which serves more than 140 global destinations and 38 miles (61 kilometres) from London Luton Airport.

The direct train from Stansted Airport to Cambridge takes around 30 minuets with Greater Anglia. Coach travel is also available from Stansted to Cambridge, taking around 40 minuets with National Express.

The faster trains from London Kings Cross to Cambridge take around 50 minutes with Great Northern trains, hourly services from London Liverpool Street with Greater Anglia take slightly longer.

If you’re travelling through Cambridgeshire, join the longest Busway in the World on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway which connects Cambridge with surrounding areas such as St Ives, Huntingdon and Trumpington.

Getting around

Once you’re in Cambridge, the best way to explore is on foot, although there are a wealth of reliable public transport options too. If you decided to see the spectacular Ely Cathedral, trains north from Cambridge to Ely take 15-20 minutes. For an alternative way to see the iconic university and its striking architecture, hop aboard a hire punt along the River Cam, choose a chauffeured tour or try your hand at punting. 

By bus

Stagecoach East provides regular services in central Cambridge and to the surrounding towns and villages.

By bike

If you want to discover the city at your own pace or visit places near Cambridge, exploring by bike is a great option. There are several bike hire companies and cycle tours.

By foot

Cambridge’s main attractions and things to do can all be easily explored by foot, and several companies offer guided walking tours.

Want to know more?

Head to VisitCambridge for insider tips from those in the know.