Your Guide to a day in Cambridge
Did you know that you can only apply to Oxford OR Cambridge, but not both?? It truly might be a more deep rooted historic rivalry than Harvard versus Yale or Army versus Navy. But even with it’s rich history of the University, Cambridge has so much more to offer.
After seeing “the other place” aka Oxford, I thought it was time to see their rival city, Cambridge.
So I am located in South West London, but best place to take a train out of the city is usually Paddington or St. Pancras, depending on which direction you are leaving . From St. Pancras, you can get direct trains riding under an hour for less than £15, you will just need to be willing to leave early and book in advance. I used the website thetrainline.com to book our tickets, but it’s the Thameslink trains that get your there direct. If you pay for the anytime off peak, it gives you the freedom to leave whenever you want to head back to the city. I found the city to be quite spread out, so get there early to squeeze in all you want to do!
Insider tip: The Thameslink trains are not as up to date, so make sure you use the restroom in advance and expect no outlets.
A perfect day in Cambridge
I arrived in Cambridge at about 10 am and since all I’d had so far was a coffee from the EL&N at the station in London, I was getting hungry. Unfortunately for me, getting a table during Saturday brunch presents trouble so I had to check a few places before I was able to snag a nice window bar seat at Scotts All Day.
Honestly, the wait was worth it, because I had the most fabulous brunch while looking out on the city waking up. Plus it’s close to the station so it makes a convenient first stop. Here are some other great brunch places to try though if you can’t snag a seat a Scott’s:
Novi: Espresso bar & Rooftop terrace
Millworks
Garden Kitchen
Dinello’s
Espresso Library
The Tipsy Vegan
I did enjoy all the pink bins they have, much classier don’t you think? haha
Things to do in Cambridge
After brunch, I’d make your way over to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. This luscious green space contains over 8,000 species of plants. The garden is open from 10-5pm during the winter, and tickets only cost £6.80. I’d give yourself about an hour to walk the grounds and stop to smell the flowers. Also, I’m suggesting to do this in the morning upon arrival because it’s closer to the train station and then takes about 25 minutes to walk to city center.
The only thing I booked for this day trip was a historic walking tour of the city. I typically will book some sort of walking tour whenever I visit any new city since I think it gives you a great overview and then you can circle back to places you liked or things they might not have passed. My tour guide was a bit dry, but I did learn a lot about the University, the city’s formation, and passed by many cute shops I wanted to check out afterwards. Here’s some fun facts I learned while on the tour:
The University was founded in 1209, when there were issues with safety at Oxford, so many student and lecturers came over to the new college.
There are bikes everywhere! Honestly maybe more bikers than cars & pedestrians. Keep an eye out as they are usually students and have no rules.
There was a prank once where engineering students put a car on top of the University senate house.
Cambridge has influences from four major takeovers: The Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings, and the French.
I’ll let you go on a tour though to learn the rest 😉
Now onto more fun things to do. One thing Cambridge is known for is Punting down the backs. You can either do a guided punting tour, or try your hand at punting on your own. I would suggest the former if it’s your first time so you don’t end up causing a traffic jam down the river haha. During the tour you will see both the mathematical bridge as well a the bridge of sighs. Then after, you can refresh at The Anchor which overlooks the river. It looked like the perfect spot for a sunset Pimms.
Another great spot for a pint is The Eagle. This pub is the oldest in all of Cambridge and has been the spot for many great discoveries including “the secret of life.” In that very pub, Francis Crick announced that he and James Watson had discovered the DNA double-helix. It’s now a RAF bar, and if you show your military ID, you can leave your mark on it’s ceiling.
Some other activities that I didn’t have time for but hope to do on my next visit are a Gin cocktail glass at The Cambridge Gin Laboratory, check out Wren Library, visit Fitzwilliam Museum, shop at the Ark Interesting Gifts for Interesting People, and climb to the top of Great St. Mary’s for a 360 view of the city.
Places to eat/drink
Aromi: there were lines down the block, but when I went back after my walking tour discovered they close at 5pm so gotta go for lunch!
De Luca (piano bar)
Gardenia
Parkers Tavern
The Ivy: A staple of mine wherever I go, got a slater caramel espresso martini as a pick me up
Brown’s
Steak & honor
Giggling squid
Takeaway beer: hard to find as its down and alley but cool eclectic vibes
The lab: late night bar
Have you ever been to Cambridge? If so let me know what your favorite things to do were in the comments below!
Sincerely,
Sarah
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