
Cambridge brings many images to mind: the breathtaking view of King's College Chapel from across the river Cam, the rich intricacy of Gothic architecture, students cycling to lectures, and lazy summer punting on the River Cam.
Cambridge manages to combine its role as an historic city with a world-renowned University and, in more recent years, an internationally acknowledged center of excellence for technology and science. The University of Cambridge [2] was founded in the 13th century by monks who wished to escape the hurly-burly of Oxford and chose the quiet town of Cambridge as a suitable location for study. In the 17th century Cambridge University educated many of the founders of a (then) minor American university called Harvard, also located in a place called Cambridge.
Cambridge University has been the home of many famous scientists, philosophers and mathematicians from Sir Isaac Newton to Stephen Hawking and was the site of Rutherford's pioneering work in nuclear physics as well as Crick and Watson's DNA work (see the Eagle pub below). Cambridge academics have won more Nobel Prizes than those of any other university in the world. The rumour that just one college - Trinity - had more Nobel prize winners than France, however, is not true [3].
The City is surrounded on all sides by heritage villages, towns and ancient monuments (such as Ely, Peterborough and Grantchester), all within easy travelling distance.
More than 3½ million visitors come to Cambridge every year to savour the delights of the historic city itself, as well as using it as an ideal base for exploring some of the gentlest and most unspoiled countryside in England.
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Focus on Architecture Cambridge, especially the various colleges and university buildings, is fascinating for people with an interest in architecture. The colleges have been built sporadically over the centuries and the result is a mixture of styles both ancient and modern. Although the modern architecture is sometimes controversial, especially in how the newer buildings (fail to) harmonise with adjacent older buildings, it is in its way as interesting as the older. A tour of the backs (see above) gives the visitor a good feel for the various styles and a few small diversions add to the experience. One obvious landmark is the tower of the University Library. The library was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who also built the Bankside Power Station in London that is now the Tate Modern. It does have a very industrial feel to it perhaps because of this. On the far side of the library the curious can see Robinson College, the newest college and built in about 1980 and one of the few pieces of modern architecture in Cambridge that has no notable old buildings nearby. St John's College and Magdalene College also have a number of architectural treats. As well as the Bridge of Sighs, St John's has buildings in almost every style of architecture starting with the 16th century hall in First Court and ending up with the extremely modern Cripps building. Near the Cripps building there is also the dramatic New Court built in the early 19th century and the School of Pythagoras, one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge which dates from the early 13th century. Next door Magdalene College - cognoscenti know that Magdalene is accessible from the back of the Cripps building - is quite a contrast. Unlike St John's, which consists mainly of buildings designed originally as college accommodation, Magdalene has converted a number of old half-timbered inns as some of its accommodation. Magdalene also possesses the Lutyens building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and the Pepys building. The latter, which houses the Pepys library, has an imposing and almost symmetrical facade and looks completely different from the rear. The ugliest Magdalene building, the 1970s Buckingham Court, is fortunately well hidden, while across the river the Magdalene Quayside development (1990) is an excellent example of how the late century architects appear to have learned subtlety and harmony. Quayside is an excellent place to rent a punt. The Cambridge 2000 website has a list of 100 buildings that have notable architecture for one reason or another. |
Cambridge University consists of a number of semi-independent colleges, many central, some up to 3 miles from the town centre (traditionally measured from Great St. Mary's church). The following are a good selection for sightseeing. Most of the colleges within the central area are worth a look, if you have the time.
Some, but not all, colleges charge for entrance. Colleges are typically closed to visitors during the University exam period, at the end of May and the first week of June.
The history of Cambridge is entwined with that of the Church of England. The colleges (see above) all have chapels which can be visited, but town churches also offer a rich insight into the history of the town and university, and are usually free. Even if you aren't interested in places of worship, they are well worth a few minutes attention and are peaceful places to enjoy.
Cambridge is a mere 50 miles (80 km) north of London - with good rail services and road communication links, Cambridge is easily accessible, whether travelling by car, or by public transport.
Cambridge is within easy reach of some but not all of London's international airports.
London Stansted[4] is 30 miles away, for example, from where there are regular bus and rail services into Cambridge. Direct services leave every hour from platform 2 (direction Birmingham New Street) and take about 35 minutes. For more frequent services take the Stansted Express to London from platform 1 and change at Bishops's Stortford or Stansted Mountfitchet. The journey takes about an hour. Abacus Airport Cars Cambridge rides there from £38.00 one way. For bus services head to the bus stand and take one of National Express coaches. The ride takes about 45 minutes but is only marginally cheaper than the train. London Stansted and London Luton airports offer many of the cheapest international flights to be found in Europe, with many of the big low-cost European airlines such as Easyjet, Ryanair and TUIfly having a hub at one of these two airports. Cambridge has an airport but there are currently (late 2006) no scheduled flights to it.
Heathrow is 90-120 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. Abacus Airport Cars Cambridge rides there from £79.00 one way. Coaches go from central bus station and take about 2 1/2 hours. National Express coaches are really convenient, one way from Heathrow to Cambridge costs only £25. A less comfortable option is to take a train to King's Cross and then use the tube.
Gatwick is 3 hours by car and is best reached by train to King's Cross, connecting by tube to Victoria and then catching Gatwick Express. Abacus Airport Cars Cambridge rides there from £95.00 one way
London City Airport is easily reached by catching Docklands Light Railway. Abacus Airport Cars Cambridge rides there from £75.00 one way
Regular trains run from London (King's Cross and Liverpool Street) to Cambridge. The fastest "Cambridge Cruiser" services to and from King's Cross run nonstop and take under 50 minutes, "semi-fast" services stop at a few intermediate stations and take about 65 minutes, slower stopping trains may take up to 90 minutes. Try to avoid taking a train with more than 8 stops listed between Cambridge and London Kings Cross to avoid the slowest trains. Trains to and from London Liverpool Street all take about 75 minutes. Direct trains from Stansted airport to Cambridge take 25 minutes (catch trains going in the direction of Birmingham). Because Cambridge is one of the main junctions of the East Anglia railway network, trains also run to and from Ipswich, Norwich, Peterborough and Birmingham.
The train station is situated south of the city centre; there are regular buses into town and a taxi rank outside the station.
Cambridge is easily accessible by cycle. National Cycle Network routes 11 and 51 both pass through Cambridge. Within the city cycling is a common means of getting around.
Parking can be difficult in central Cambridge and the one way street system is extremely confusing. The Council recommends the use of the "Park and Ride"[5] scheme (Free parking and a £2.00 bus fare, or better still, £2.80 for a day pass (recently increased to £3), a DayRider, which will allow you unlimited travel on any Citi bus within Cambridge city all day) (map of Park and Ride routes). For full details visit The National Park and Ride Directory
Cambridge is connected to London primarily by the M11 or the A10. From the north, come off the A1 onto the A14.
The bus station is on Drummer Street, conveniently located for all the main sights. Note that buses also stop at nearby Emmanuel and and St. Andrews streets. National Express airport buses serving Luton, Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Brighton leave hourly. National Express coaches depart from Parkside, a short walk from the bus station. Many services also serve Trumpington and Madingley Road Park and Ride sites. National Express [6] provides bus links to major cities around the country.
Several different bus and coach companies operate services within Cambridge and therefore tickets for one company may not be valid on buses routes operated by other companies.
Stagecoach in Cambridge are the main company operating within Cambridge operating Citi routes serving the city centre, rail station, Addenbrookes hospital as well as various residential areas of the city. They also operate routes from Cambridge to Bedford, Ely, Peterborough (via a connection at Chatteris), Newmarket, Saffron Walden and Bury St Edmunds.
Stagecoach also operate the Cambridge Park and Ride network and City Sightseeing service.
The City Sightseeing service passes many of the historic Cambridge colleges, the railway station and American Cemetery.
Other bus companies operating in Cambridge including Whippet Coaches and Huntingdon and District.
Cambridge is mostly pedestrian-friendly - most sights can be easily reached on foot and much of the central area is traffic-free. Do note that some of the pavements are shared use between pedestrians and cyclists; this can catch you out if you're not expecting it. Students and locals often use bikes to get around and hiring a bike [7] is a viable alternative to simply walking. You can also opt for a hop-on, hop-off open-top sightseeing bus which provides commentary in several languages. There shouldn't be much need to use the local bus services [8] unless you're staying in a far-flung area of the city, but they are clean and efficient if you need to.
Cambridge City Council discourages car use. Parking charges are high and the city is home to a system of rising bollards which allow vehicles with appropriate transponders (e.g., taxis, buses, emergency vehicles) through, but which can cause severe damage to other vehicles tailgating - to the point of writing them off.
CAMTAX Taxis Ltd are the oldest taxi firm in Cambridge. They operate a 24 hour service 365 days a year. 01223 24 24 24
King's Parade has numerous souvenir shops and gift shops with Cambridge (and London) branded merchandise. Scour the charity shops down Burleigh Street, Regent Street and Mill Road for bargains. The Grafton Centre has all the usual high-street shops in a mall and surrounding streets. The market square in the center of town has a general market Monday to Saturday with fruit and vegetables, bread and cakes, books, bicycle repair, tea and coffee, fast food and clothes, and a more arts- and crafts-oriented market on Sunday with pottery, ceramics, prints, clothing, etc. The surrounding streets and the nearby Lion Yard shopping center have most of the common retail names and some individual shops to cater for most needs.
Many pubs in Cambridge also serve good food at reasonable prices, for example the George and Dragon, Carlton Arms, Cambridge Blue, Kingston Arms, Portland Arms, The Zebra and The Mitre among others. Savinos, Really and authentic Italian coffee bar One can drink a delicious Espesso or the best cappuccino in town
http://wikitravel.org/en/Cambridge_%28England%29#Drink Cambridge travel guide - Wikitravel.</drink>
Cambridge has a colossal number of pubs, over 110 at the last count.