City guides
United Kingdom
England
Things to do in Cambridge
Strolling around Cambridge is a joy and a walking tour is the best way to get an introduction to the city. Visit Cambridge organises official guided tours with highly qualified guides, which include the university and colleges. These tours depart every day of the week from the Tourist Information Centre. There are even ghost tours available.
Another must is a boat trip down the famous canals, which will give visitors a chance to see the Backs. River tours can also be arranged from the Tourist Information Centre. Bicycles are readily available and there are dedicated lanes for cyclists. The hop-on hop-off tourist buses complete the array of fun sightseeing options.
Apart from the myriad attractions of the campus, top tourist sites in Cambridge include the art gallery of Kettle's Yard, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Imperial War Museum (Duxford), the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, and Anglesey Abbey.
Church lovers will enjoy the Church of St Mary the Great and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is one of only four round medieval churches in western Europe. If the weather is good, a picnic in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a lovely way to while away the hours, particularly in spring when the gardens are a riot of colour.
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has been described as one of the greatest art collections in the UK, and was named Best Small Museum in Europe by the Director of the National G…
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has been described as one of the greatest art collections in the UK, and was named Best Small Museum in Europe by the Director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Setting aside a few hours to explore the museum should be first on every art lover's list of things to do in Cambridge. The Fitzwilliam Museum houses an extensive art collection from a number of countries across Europe and the Near East. Visitors can marvel at the inspiring sculptures, drawings, prints, armour, pottery, paintings, and antiquities on display, which date from the 14th century to the present day.
Website www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
Kettle's Yard
Kettle's Yard is an art lover's dream and one of the finest art galleries in Britain. Originally the private home of Jim Ede (former curator of the Tate), Kettle's Yard houses the …
Kettle's Yard
Kettle's Yard is an art lover's dream and one of the finest art galleries in Britain. Originally the private home of Jim Ede (former curator of the Tate), Kettle's Yard houses the impressive art collection that Ede donated to the University of Cambridge in 1966, and the house itself is charming. The gallery's permanent collection consists of mainly 20th and 21st century artists, including Henry Moore and Joan Miro. The informal art gallery space is a popular attraction in Cambridge for tourists and locals alike. Visitors should budget at least a couple of hours to do the collection justice and to spend some time soaking up the scenery.
Website www.kettlesyard.co.uk
King's College Chapel
Perhaps the most popular attraction in the town of Cambridge is the university itself. Steeped in tradition, Cambridge University is the second-oldest university in England, losing…
King's College Chapel
Perhaps the most popular attraction in the town of Cambridge is the university itself. Steeped in tradition, Cambridge University is the second-oldest university in England, losing out only to Oxford University. The university's colleges are the main attraction on this beautiful campus. Viewing the colleges gives visitors the opportunity to stroll through Britain's architectural history. Peterhouse is the oldest college, founded in 1284; while Homerton College was approved in 2010, making it the newest addition to the Cambridge family. King's College and the Gothic-style King's College Chapel are not to be missed on this prestigious campus. The intricate chapel was built over a period of nearly a hundred years (1446 to 1531) and is home to the famous Chapel Choir, made up of college students as well as younger choristers from King's College School.
Website www.kings.cam.ac.uk
The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
A popular Cambridge attraction for visitors wishing to learn more about the geology of the area surrounding Cambridge is the University's Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. The mus…
The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
A popular Cambridge attraction for visitors wishing to learn more about the geology of the area surrounding Cambridge is the University's Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. The museum was opened in 1904 and houses an extensive collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, and crystals. Visitors can view the fossil collection of Dr John Woodward, a well-known 17th and 18th century British geologist, as well as rocks collected by Charles Darwin and other interesting artefacts that chart more than 550 million years of the planet's history. The Sedgwick Museum is fascinating even for those who are uninitiated in the Earth Sciences.
Website www.sedgwickmuseum.org
Church of St Mary the Great
The Great St Mary's Church, as it is locally known, is central to Cambridge and its university life. It is the official university church, and according to university rules, all Ca…
Church of St Mary the Great
The Great St Mary's Church, as it is locally known, is central to Cambridge and its university life. It is the official university church, and according to university rules, all Cambridge undergraduates must live within a three-mile (5km) radius of the church, while university officers are required to live within 20 miles (32km). St Mary's was completed in 1205, before being destroyed by fire and rebuilt again in 1290. Cambridge University sermons are conducted here, and day visitors are invited to climb the tower and appreciate the lovely views it affords of the town's historic market square. The church hosts many events and visitors are welcome at services.
Website www.greatstmarys.org