Things to do in Cambridge – River Cam punting and Universities

Things to do in Cambridge – River Cam punting and Universities

We were on a road trip and after a visit to the pebble beaches of Brighton (Click here) – we head straight up north towards Cambridge – one of the most picturesque cities of England famous for its world leading universities and colleges. En route we stayed overnight at the sleepy town of Bosworth staying in a Victorian thatched hotel with views of the countryside.

After a good English breakfast, the next morning, we head first to Cambridge American Cemetery & Memorial –  a cemetery and chapel between the villages of Coton and Madingley in Cambridgeshire. After the war, it was selected as the only permanent American World War II military cemetery in the British Isles, and about 42% of those temporarily interred in England and Northern Ireland during the war were reinterred at the Cambridge Cemetery. The cemetery contains 3,809 headstones, with the remains of 3,812 servicemen, including airmen who died over Europe and sailors from North Atlantic convoys.

• Address: Madingley Road,Coton,Cambridge – CB23 7PH
• Parking: Free
• Tel: 01954 210350

After the Cemetery, we head straight to the town centre of Cambridge. This city is full to the brim with places and experience to keep you engaged for a long time. Its appeal has always been the universities and world-class educational institutes. Cambridge is not a city which promotes tourism so actively as compared to other cities and maybe it’s this charm which brings many flocking to this city.

There are quite a few parking spaces here and from a proximity perspective, the Grand Arcade car park is the closest to River Cam and also the colleges.

• Address: Corn Exchange Street, Cambridge CB2 3QF
• Charges – 10£ for 5 hours and 2£ every hour post that
• Timing – 10AM – 5PM

Another Day trip worth doing while in London is to watch the Grey Seals – Read More.

One attraction one can’t miss while strolling in the town centre is the Corpus clock. This is a large sculptural clock with a terrifying grasshopper and a 24-card gold dial. The clock was one of Time’s Best Inventions of 2008 and made famous when featured in the Hindi movie Paa, the associated music video “Mudi Mudi”.

No trip to Cambridge is complete without a punting down River Cam. As you stroll down the streets, you will have many of the actual college students selling these punt tours as a part-time job. You could either self-punt or get a tour. This is the best way to see the most famous colleges and sites including the King’s College Chapel, The Bridge of Sighs and New Court St Johns. Sit back and relax whilst the chauffeur punts you along the River Cam providing an interesting information tour focusing on the riparian colleges, famous alumni and Cambridge history.

Punting in Cambridge tops the list of answers when asking the question of ‘What to do with your day out in Cambridge?’

Other must visit place in Cambridge is the King’s College Chapel and its grounds. In a city crammed with show stopping buildings, this is the scene-stealer. Grandiose, 16th-century King’s College Chapel is one of England’s most extraordinary examples of Gothic architecture.

You can buy the ticket from The King’s College Visitor Centre, opposite the front of the College.

• Address: King’s College, King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST
• Timing: Monday to Sunday 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Cost: 8£

After buying your ticket from The Visitor Centre, please enter through the North gate of the Chapel (see map below)

Another Day trip worth doing while in London is to watch the Grey Seals – Read More.

This was my second time in Cambridge and my first with Amoli and Mom/Dad. They simply loved beauty of a place.

Browse all the destinations we visited in England – Click here

If you have any queries/feedback leave me comment with your email id and I’ll get back to you soon.