Whether you have a love for the outdoors, are a connoisseur of food, or perhaps you’re interested in culture or desire a little romance on your travels, Cambridge has it all. Boasting top-of-the-range dining, 22 museums and galleries, outdoor adventures and a city full of history, visitors will need at least 72 hours to enjoy the best of Cambridge.
Here is how to spend a wonderful weekend in one of the safest and most peaceful cities on earth.
Outdoor adventure in Cambridge
For those who relish the outdoors, there are multiple ways to explore Cambridge, whether it be by boat, bike or on foot. Begin the day exploring Cambridge by boat with a punt along the River Cam. Soak up the city’s beautiful architecture, while spotting iconic sights such as King’s College Chapel and the Bridge of Sighs. Rutherford’s punting offers a luxury experience including champagne and comfortable padded seating for those looking to relax as they explore.
Back on land, visitors can travel around Cambridge by bike, touring the beautiful meadows and flowery fields such as the Midsummer Common, solo or with one of Cambridge’s many knowledgeable tour guides. Bikes can be hired from locations around the city including Milton Country Park by Grounds Cycle Centre or Lammas Country Park with City Cycle Hire.
For those who want to take their time, exploring on foot is ideal, they can immerse themselves in nature with a visit to the Botanic Gardens, home to over 8,000 plant species from all around the world. This June, join the Wild Weaving craft session, weaving artwork using the Botanic Gardens’ leaves, grasses, plant fibres and scented plants.
Continue to discover the city by foot, walking to the riverside parks or exploring the quaint cobbled streets. Cantab Tours’ ‘Cambridge Highlight Tour’ is the perfect way to soak up picturesque views whilst learning key information about the city within 90 minutes. The final stop has to be The Eagle, one of the city’s most historical pubs, famously linked to discovering DNA. Taste delicious pub grub and thirst quenching beverages, perfect for ending a day of walking.
Foodie heaven in Cambridge
Cambridge’s gastronomy scene is not to be missed, from two Michelin star restaurants and fine dining to local foodie specialists and street food, there is a world of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered. Start the getaway right by dining at Michelin star restaurant Midsummer House, with an exquisite menu involving the likes of an almond and parmesan sable and salmon tartlet. Explore the newly appointed Michelin star eatery, Restaurant 22, where guests can taste palatable dishes such as succulent dry aged saddleback pork and line caught Newlyn brill (subject to availability).
Spend the day meandering around the local markets and street food hubs, where enthusiasts are in for a treat with a selection of Indian cuisine. At The Tiffin Truck customers can enjoy Indian market food concoctions, Indian craft beers and refreshing cocktails. Cambridge is also home to many bespoke food shops, a must for chocoholics and cheese fanatics. For example, Chocolat Chocolat creates divine ingredient infused sheets of Belgian chocolate, ranging from Turkish hazelnuts to French sea salt and raspberries.
Experience cheese heaven at The Cambridge Cheese Company at All Saints Passage, with a plethora of farmhouse cheeses to try as well as charcuterie, olives and antipasti. Cambridge Wine School offers a range of cultural wine tasting experiences from Chile and Argentina to Australia and New Zealand or, if your preference is gin, Cambridge Distillery offers gin tasting as well as exciting gin cocktail classes.
Cultural exploration in Cambridge
Immerse yourself in the wonderful culture that Cambridge has to offer. Wander around one of the many museums within the city such as the Fitzwilliam Museum showcasing artwork from some of the greatest book illuminators of the middle ages. See a diverse range of animal life at the Museum of Zoology with everything from monkeys and mammoths, to ground sloths and giraffes.
Visit Kings College Chapel, the largest and most magnificent college chapel in Cambridge and spot the famous mathematical bridge, part of Queen’s college. Delve into the world of books at the Literary Festival, which welcomes 350 writers and speakers, debating a range of topics from Andrew Marr to Jacqueline Wilson.
Music fans can attend the Cambridge Folk festival with Rufus Wainwright and The Proclaimers to headline this year. Book tickets at the ADC Theatre, the UK’s oldest university playhouse, to see plays from light-hearted comedies to thought-provoking dramas.
Romance in Cambridge
Known to be one of the most romantic cities in the UK, Cambridge is a must visit for couples with many romantic activities and charming hotels to stay in. Spend the weekend at the University Arms, a leading luxury hotel with a modern and Edwardian aesthetic or The Gonville, a luxury boutique hotel situated in the heart of the city. Both hotels allow couples to wind down with rejuvenating spa treatments. For a bespoke romantic experience, partners can opt to hire a tandem bike, touring Cambridge together, with private bike hires from Outspoken Cycles.
Cruise along the River Cam and venture to Grantchester on a double kayak with Scudamores, followed by a delightful picnic on the Grantchester meadows with your loved one.
For romantic evenings, admire sweeping views of Cambridge’s Market Square and King College, whilst dining at Market House, tasting modern British dishes such as sweet potato gnocchi and grilled fillet of stone bass. Delve into seasonal and locally sourced dishes at Trinity, where menus feature seared cod loin with Jerusalem artichoke purée and Saltfish causa with cucumber gel.
For a taste of French cuisine, visit Fancett’s, a bistro located on Mill Road offering an atmospheric and relaxed setting, with spring menus boasting chicken liver parfait on toasted brioche with pickled rhubarb and chicory and Yorkshire rhubarb Pavlova for dessert.
For more information on this historic university city, head to visitcambridge.org.
