11 Unique Things To Do in Cambridge

Imposing university buildings, their fabled spires punctuating the skyline. Quaint Tudor houses, lining winding passageways with their pretty pastel façades. The River Cam, meandering through the heart of the city. And, gently coaxing historic Cambridge into the 21st century, an eclectic mix of vibrant independent traders, preoccupied students and modern architecture.  

So you’ve done all the big-name attractions and are wondering what else is worth seeing. Are you in the mood for an off-the-beaten-path museum? An extraordinary festival? A taste of something local? Whatever you fancy, scratch beneath the surface of captivating Cambridge, and you'll find that there’s a whole lot of unique things to do.

Yup, the same architect famed for St Paul's Cathedral in London. Although a graduate of rival university Oxford, he was also the nephew of Matthew Wren, a bishop who had ties to Pembroke College, Cambridge. The college’s Wren Chapel, Christopher Wren’s first building, was consecrated in 1665. Soak up the peaceful vibes in Pembroke's tranquil, grassy courtyard, then head to the chapel to admire its ornamental ceiling and elegant marble columns. A stained glass window on the east façade, honouring mathematician George Stokes, was installed in 1906.

Pembroke College, Trumpington St, CB2 1RF. Open daily 9am to 5pm. Closed during the main exam period (mid-May to mid-June), so always check in advance. Free to enter.

Peas Hill is a bustling road of modern cafés and storefronts, but turn down tiny St Edward’s Passage, and you’ll find G. David Bookseller, a gorgeous antiquarian and second-hand bookstore that’s been trading since 1896. In addition to their huge range of exquisitely bound old books, there’s a curated selection of new books selling at reduced prices, plus a whole lot of second-hand books to give any bookworm a frisson of excitement at not knowing what treasures you might discover. 

G. David Bookseller, 16 St Edward's Passage, CB2 3PJ. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

The Polar Museum is hands-down one of the best free things to do in Cambridge. Although small, it’s packed full of fascinating exhibits about the Arctic and Antarctic, including breathtaking photos and artwork. Kids will be enthralled by the stories of explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton, as well as by seeing examples of what they ate and the tools they used. It shouldn’t take you more than a couple of hours to wander around here at leisure, so pair your visit with a stroll to the quirky Reality Checkpoint lamppost in nearby Parker’s Piece park.

Lensfield Rd, CB2 1ER. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Free to enter.

Demon dogs. Lost souls. Floating apparitions. With Cambridge’s long history, it’s no wonder that tales of ghouls and ghosts are aplenty. For the low-down on the city’s most haunted spots, book onto a guided ghost tour. We enjoyed the Creepy Cambridge walk by Terrible Tours, which offers just the right combination of geeky history, gross-out facts and spine-tingling tales for adults and kids. For extra lashings of gruesome, Haunted Cambridge Ghost Tours are said to have the scariest offering in town.

Terrible Tours of Cambridge, terribletours.co.uk, info@terribletours.co.uk.

This treasure trove of tech is, despite its boring name, an exceptional destination because most of the exhibits are interactive, rather than being dusty museum pieces. If you're wondering, "How do I spend a day in Cambridge?", this could be your answer. For adults of a certain age, there’s a real element of nostalgia with the early home computers and games from bygone eras, while kids will adore fiddling with the hands-on displays and playing on the vintage gaming consoles. And no, that’s not a 3D printout of the Save icon, it’s an actual floppy disk.

Rene Court, Coldham's Rd, CB1 3EW. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and every day during Cambridgeshire school holidays. £10 for adults, £7 for children between 5 and 16, £28 for a family ticket. 

This unassuming terraced house is an architectural gem just off vibrant Mill Road. David Parr was a Victorian decorative artist who painted houses and churches with designs by renowned names like William Morris and George Frederick Bodley. He decorated his own house with the same skill and painstaking craftsmanship, making this one of the most unique things to do in Cambridge. Today, guided tours show visitors some of the finest examples of the Arts and Crafts movement, while regular workshops at the visitor centre include jewellery making, embroidery and felting. 

186 Gwydir St, CB1 2LW. Seasonal tours run Thursdays and Saturdays at 9.30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Tickets £14.50 (£16 with donation) per person. Booking is essential. 

Despite their London-centric name, Chelsea buns are a staunchly Cambridge institution. They’re like the love child of a hot cross bun and a cinnamon roll – think squishy currants in a spiced, fluffy bun, topped with a decadently sticky sugar glaze. The place to go for these indulgent treats? Fitzbillie’s, who’ve been making their famous buns since 1920. 

51-52 Trumpington St, CB2 1RG. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 6pm.

University students will assure you that thinking is extremely thirsty work, so it’s no wonder the craft beer scene is thriving here. Head to The Cambridge Brew House for cask beers and an award-winning cask ale, and if you’re feeling inspired, you can book a day’s brewing experience to make your own. Another great place to go is the Thirsty Cambridge – it’s a little out of the way but if you do the 20-minute walk from the city centre, you’ll be rewarded with an extensive array of tap beers, plus bottles to buy and food trucks to fill up on.  

The Cambridge Brew House, 1 King St, CB1 1LH. Open Friday and Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 10pm; Monday to Thursday, noon to 11pm.

From history to engineering, medicine to climate change, this annual interdisciplinary festival is a smorgasbord of all the research generated by the boffins at Cambridge. Searching for the next unique thing to do in Cambridge? Attend a lively panel discussion on cutting-edge political research, snap up tickets to an exclusive film premiere or take the family to a science demo filled with bangs and explosions.

www.festival.cam.ac.uk, typically from mid-March to early April. 

The ADC Theatre is the university’s playhouse, where student companies stage performances throughout the year. But before you turn your nose up at am-dram, know that ADC alumni include the likes of Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie. So drop in if you can – you might be watching the next global superstar tread the boards.

Park St, CB5 8AS. www.adctheatre.com

This joyous celebration of the finest jazz, opera and classical music the city has to offer is a unique thing to do in Cambridge that summer visitors shouldn’t miss. Not only do you get to enjoy the soul-inspiring acoustics of Cambridge college chapels, there are open-air concerts in stunning venues like the Botanic Garden, plus the opportunity to support up-and-coming musicians and composers.

cambridgesummermusic.com, typically in July.

From festivals to food, history to hidden gems, we hope that you've been inspired to try one or more of these unique things to do in Cambridge. Have fun!