Punting and picnics in Cambridge

A city of modest proportions, Cambridge is known around the world for its academic credentials. Every year tourists flock to the south-east city to enjoy its quaint English charm, walk through its green lawns and soak up years' worth of history.

It was in Cambridge that the apple finally dropped for Sir Isaac Newton, giving the world gravity, and that the English romantic Byron honed his poetic prowess.

The city is a pedestrian-friendly location, ideal for strolling or cycling around, which over 3.5 million people visit each year. Tourists can pay a nominal fee to nose around some of the university's world-famous university colleges and from the top of St John College's chapel wonderful views of the city are afforded.

Cambridge Location

Cambridge is located 50 kilometres north of London and good road and rail links connect the two, usually in under an hour.

For those arriving from other destinations around the UK, the city is connected to the A14 and all motorists are advised to leave their vehicles in the park and ride if they are just visiting for the day.

There are also good rail links between Kings Cross, London and Cambridge as well as Ipswich, Norwich, Peterborough and Birmingham.

London Stansted airport is also located just 30 miles away from Cambridge, making it a convenient place to fly in and out of the city from. The airport operates domestic services as well as international flight routes.

Why Visit Cambridge?

Cambridge is the perfect city break for those seeking a relaxing weekend in a friendly location with plenty of cultural pursuits and things to do in Cambridge.

For lazy summer days, the university has a number of vast green spaces by the River Cam where visitors can lay back and relax with a picnic and enjoy the local ambience. The Backs are the most famous riverside gardens, located behind the university colleges, while the Botanic Gardens open around the year and are a busy network of colleges and canals.

If relaxation has a shelf life, then visitors can pay to be taken down the river on a gondola-like boat, most likely by a university student looking to earn extra cash.

Punting is not the only resemblance Cambridge bears to Venice. Its Bridge Of Sighs is a staple feature of St John's college, which tourists flock to see.

In fact, the main attraction of Cambridge is its architectural splendour. Kings College and Chapel opens it college grounds all throughout the year, except in the exam period. Its towers rise high above the town and its choir is world-famous.

Other colleges worth taking a peek inside include former 13th century hospital St Johns and Pembroke, which is the city's third oldest college.

There is also a quaint, largely-pedestrianised shopping area, with a wealth of book shops, boutiques and cafes for visitors to exercise their retail demons in.