What To Do in Cambridge: From College Tours to River Trips

Cambridge… A single word that, like Oxford or Harvard, conjures up an image of students hurrying through hallowed halls on their way to the top of their respective fields. But while the city will always be synonymous with the university and its many spectacular colleges (the oldest of which dates back to 1209), it’s also a rewarding destination for less scholarly visitors. Wondering what to do in Cambridge for a day, a week or even longer? Options range from architectural walking tours to leisurely punt cruises down the River Cam, and from museum and art gallery visits to open-air foodie fiestas.

One of the best ways to experience the architectural beauty of Cambridge University is on a guided walking tour. And if you’re looking for free things to do in Cambridge, you should check out the popular tips-only experience offered by Footprints Tours. Over the course of two hours, your expert guide (usually an alumnus of the university) will introduce you to must-see historical landmarks including University Library, The Senate House and the colleges of Corpus Christi, Pembroke, Trinity and King’s. You’ll also hear about the city’s journey from minor Saxon settlement to one of the world’s most famous seats of learning. It’s not all history and architecture, however. This tour prides itself on keeping things fun and promises an insight into student life with all its ceremonies and rivalries, as well as anecdotes about legendary graduates.

Essential info

Location: 11 King's Parade (outside Fudge Kitchen shop)

Hours: 11am and 2pm, Monday to Sunday

Cost: Free (tips encouraged)

Introduced as a recreational pastime in the early 20th century, punting on the River Cam is now a time-honoured tradition. And although managing the pole yourself is a tricky art to master, a chauffeured tour like those offered by Scudamore’s Punting is one of the most relaxing ways to explore the city and an especially fun thing to do in Cambridge with kids. The 45-minute cruise takes you along the mile-long stretch of river known as The Backs, which runs past the university colleges and their manicured lawns. The view from the water is impressively picturesque, affording great photo opportunities of King’s College Chapel, the Wren Library and Magdalene College. Look out for the Bridge of Sighs (an ornate covered bridge beloved by Queen Victoria) and the Mathematical Bridge (an arch ingeniously made entirely from straight timbers).

Essential info

Location: Mill Lane Punting Station (Granta Place, Mill Lane) or Quayside Punting Station (Magdalene Bridge)

Hours: From 9am daily (latest departure varies)

Cost: From £49 per person, book with Scudamore’s Punting Cambridge

Although the free walking tour and the punt tour listed above will give you a glimpse of some of Cambridge city centre’s most famous sights from the outside, if there’s one attraction that’s worth paying to enter, it’s undoubtedly King’s College Chapel. Built in phases under no fewer than five kings from 1446 onwards, it embodies the grandeur of late perpendicular Gothic architecture. In particular, it’s known for its majestic stained-glass windows including the King’s Window, which depicts scenes from the life of Henry VI. Standing beneath the chapel’s elaborate fan vault ceiling (the largest in the world) is a humbling experience, especially if you are fortunate enough to attend an evensong service. These take place during term time and are open to all – just be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the service is due to begin.

Essential info

Location: 13 King’s Parade

Hours: 9:30am to 5pm (Monday to Saturday), 10am to 4pm (Sunday)

Cost: From £11.50 per person (students and children) or £14 (adults)

Owned by the university, Kettle’s Yard is a modern and contemporary art gallery like you’ve never seen it before. There are two distinct parts to it: one, the house of art collectors Jim and Helen Ede, in which their trove of 20th-century art and objects is still displayed as if in a lived-in home. Expect gorgeous, light-filled rooms with rustic wood floors and white walls, filled with treasures. Then, there are the free exhibitions, showcasing contemporary art from all over the world. The venue also hosts regular chamber music concerts, workshops for adults and children, and meet-the-artist sessions, making this undoubtedly one of the best museums or art galleries to visit in Cambridge. There’s even a shop and café.

Essential info

Location: Castle Street

Hours: 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday

Cost: Exhibitions are free, house entry costs £12 per adult (free for under 25s and University of Cambridge students)

Wondering what to do in Cambridge on a Sunday? Don’t miss the Sunday Arts, Craft and Local Produce Market hosted in historic Market Square. Here you’ll find a selection of the very best arts and crafts alongside artisan produce from regional farms, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs while immersing yourself in the local food and drink scene. There’s also a General Market in the same square every other day of the week, with stalls selling everything from recycled books, clothes and vinyl to fresh produce and gourmet hot and cold food ready for al fresco dining. Whether you buy or not, a wander beneath the market’s multicoloured awnings is worth it for the history alone since vendors have been selling wares from this square since medieval times.

Essential info

Location: Market Hill

Hours: 10am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday

Cost: Free

One of the top outdoor activities in Cambridge for nature lovers is a visit to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, where countless different elements keep visitors of all ages entertained throughout the year. Highlights include two pinetums, the oldest of which dates back to the garden’s foundation in 1846; a fragrant rose bed; and the Glasshouse Range, filled with rare plants from a range of biomes including tropical rainforest and arid desert. There’s a lovely café for refreshments in between explorations, while those visiting in the depths of winter are in for a treat: one of the best things to do in Cambridge at Christmas, the illuminated Botanic Lights trail. Staying up late to attend? ibis Cambridge Central Station offers a comfortable place to stay within a few minutes' walk.

Essential info

Location: 1 Brookside

Hours: From 10am, Monday to Sunday (closing time varies seasonally)

Cost: From £7.70 per adult, children and University of Cambridge students free

Housed in a grand Neoclassical building on Trumpington Street, The Fitzwilliam Museum holds visitors in a state of wonder from the moment they step into the columned, gold-leaf accented Founder’s Entrance. The university-owned museum is home to over half a million artworks and artefacts, spanning the millennia from antiquity to the present day. While wandering through its many rooms, you might discover collections of Egyptian papyri, Grecian pottery or Roman coins; or the works of 19th-century masters like Delacroix and Degas. There is of course a shop, while the Courtyard Kitchen serves up fresh, sustainable options for brunch and lunch. Best of all, the museum is free to enter, making it one of the best things to do in Cambridge on a rainy day.

Essential info

Location: Trumpington Street

Hours: 10am to 5pm (Tuesday to Saturday), Midday to 5pm (Sundays and Bank Holidays)

Cost: Free

Cambridge Distillery is an award-winning gin producer that has been repeatedly named the most innovative distillery in the world. You can absorb some of the magic at a selection of classes held in the on-site Gin Laboratory. These range from artisanal cheese and gin pairings to classes on making your own gin and cocktails. In true Cambridge style, there’s even a two-hour cocktail class based on the principles of molecular gastronomy, led by a mixologist with a PhD in organic chemistry. Some of these are evening classes (a great way to start a memorable night out in Cambridge) while others are held in the afternoon. There’s even a Brunch Cocktails class for those that like to get the party started early. Remember to plan your trip back to your accommodation beforehand, so you can enjoy your outing safely and responsibly.

Essential info

Location: 20 High Street

Hours: Various

Cost: From £35 per person

This list only touches the surface of Cambridge’s many attractions. Check this article out for more off-the-beaten track ideas, from open-air concerts at Cambridge Summer Music Festival to performances at the university’s legendary ADC Theatre. When you’ve got your itinerary sorted, all that’s left is to choose the perfect Cambridge accommodation – whether that’s a hotel in the heart of it all or one like Novotel Cambridge North, which offers the peace and quiet of being a five-minute train ride from the centre.