Visit Cambridge, England

 

River Cam / Geoff Sutton 2021

Cambridge is the home to Cambridge University, which seems to dominate the city. It’s a beautiful old city where you can enjoy fine food, a punt on the River Cam, peaceful walks, modern shopping, historic buildings, and many museums.

[A Concise History of the University of Cambridge]

As of 2021, Cambridge was the home of more Nobel Prize winners than any other city.

The city has a long history with finds dating to the Bronze Age. Many artefacts document the Roman and Viking times. Henry I granted a town charter around 1120. The university was founded in1209. The construction of King’s College chapel began in 1446 under King Henry VI and continued for several years—eventually, it was completed during the reign of King Henry VIII. It has become a symbol of both the university and the city.

I stopped by Hobson’s Conduit, which is the location of the fresh water brought to the city in the 1600s. Later, the town was a significant site during the Civil War and under control of Oliver Cromwell.

Hobsons Conduit/ Geoff Sutton 2021

The city expanded in the 1800s. Rail service began in 1845. I arrived by rail during my most recent visit.

 Cambridge was an important centre during World War II. The RAF had a training centre and a 1944 meeting at Trinity College included plans for the invasion of Europe.

Codebreaker, Alan Turing, Remembered

Nearby is the only American Cemetery in the UK. The land was given to the United States by Cambridge University--  3,811 American soldiers are buried here. And, 5,127 names are listed on the Walls of the Missing. Link to the US website.

American Cemetery Chapel Cambridge /Geoff Sutton 2021

Left-USAF Veteran John McClaran /Geoff Sutton 2021

Museums

 In a sense, the university is a museum as you observe the magnificent buildings. But there are several museums containing a variety of collections—some focused on a specific discipline.

 Fitzwilliam Museum: A magnificent structure housing a great variety of paintings, art objects, books and manuscripts and more. [Fitzwilliam Museum books]

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambidge / Geoff Sutton 2021

Museum of Zoology: A small but interesting collection of birds, sea animals, insects, and other animals from around the globe. It’s housed in the David Attenborough building. One of the collections on display includes some contributions from Charles Darwin. [Book: Darwin's Fossils]

Darwin's Octopus, Museum of Zoology

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: The displays in 2021 emphasised the diversity of cultures around the world along with local finds like the Trumpington Cross.

Trumpington Cross

The Polar Museum: This unique museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, focuses on arctic and Antarctic explorations. A copy of a Shackleton expedition lifeboat is outside. [Book: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage]

 

Shackleton Lifeboat Replica

There are several other museums as well.

Churches

Cambridge is home to several historic churches.

Great St Mary's church has been the university church since 1209. It is a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Ely. [Guidebook and History]

Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge

St Bene't's Church has been a place of Christian worship since about 1020.

St Bene't's Church Cambridge

More About Cambridge

 The River Cam offers attractive scenery and an opportunity for boating. There are paths for walkers and famous bridges including the notable mathematical bridge designed by William Etheridge, a master carpenter, in 1748.

River Cam/ Geoff Sutton 2021

There are several streets for shopping throughout the city as well as a market centre and a Grand Arcade on St Andrews Street anchored by John Lewis & Partners. There's a great variety of cafe's, pubs, and restaurants too.

 

Market Centre, Cambridge UK

I enjoyed Nanna's Burrito

Eagle Pub, Cambridge UK

Also, there are several parks and many trails to enjoy.

One example is the Cherry Hinton Brook and Pond by Cherry Hinton Hall close to where I stayed.

Travel Resources

Day Trip: Cambridge is about 60 miles north of London and can be visited as a day trip. I spent part of three days there in 2021 and had visited before.

Visitcamridge.org

Toilets: In addition to pubs and restaurants, toilets can be found in the Grand Arcade and most museums.

Rail Service

I arrived at the historic Cambridge railway station on a Greater Anglia train. The station is CBG on Station Road. The postcode is CB1 2JW. It is a mile SE of the city centre. The station was built in 1845. In 2021, the trip from Kings Cross in London takes about an hour.

Bus Service is available. In 2021, I got around on a Day Saver pass.

Google Map of Cambridge

My web page www.suttong.com