places to visit within 2 hours of cambridge

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10 Best Day Trips from Cambridge (All Within an Hour)

Cambridge is easily one of the best cities to visit in England, but if you live there (or nearby) and are curious to find more things to do within an hour, here are the 10 best day trips from Cambridge.

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12 Delightful Day Trips From Cambridge, England

Cambridge is one of my favorite cities in England.  It is picture-perfect, filled with history, and home to one of the most famous universities in the world.  Many tourists do a day trip to Cambridge from London because it is only an hour train ride away, but the city has so much to offer that it is worth staying longer.  

Consider making Cambridge the base for your trip, as this will allow more time to explore the greater area. There are a number of easy day trips from Cambridge that give you the opportunity to see other amazing places in England too.

Let me tell you more about the different options, so you can choose the one that is most aligned with your interests.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

#3 Bury St. Edmunds

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Cambridge is located in Cambridgeshire in the East Anglia region of England. Most people think of the region as mostly flat, but there are some hilly areas. Outside of a few reasonably-sized towns and cities, the area is mostly rural with a strong farming industry.  

The smaller cities and towns in England are often worth taking the time to explore. They still give you that sense of history and medieval architecture you get in London, but without the crowds, and you get a different perspective from what you might be familiar with from seeing London on TV!

Many of the destinations in this post can be reached by public transportation from Cambridge, but having a car does open up a few more options.  An additional perk is that most of the ideas I have listed also have attractions that are free to visit.

Norwich is the capital city of the county of Norfolk and now my adopted home. (You can read more about how I moved to England here. ) In medieval times, it was England’s second most powerful city.  The street plan and some of the city walls are still intact, making it a picturesque place to explore.

What to Do in Norwich

• Visit the Norwich Cathedral.  It’s one of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe, with the highest Norman tower and largest monastic cloisters in England.
• Go inside Norwich Castle.  It was built as a Norman Royal Palace and was once a prison, now it’s also a museum with a wide range of exhibits including modern art, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and more.
• Go shopping.  The Norwich Market is one of the largest and oldest open-air markets in the country.  Note: The Norwich Market is closed on Sundays.  Also, leave some time to explore the Norwich Lanes which are full of quaint independent shops and restaurants. 
• See Elm Hill, with its Tudor-style buildings, is one of the prettiest streets in England.
• If the weather cooperates, the Riverside Walk along the River Wensum is peaceful and scenic.  
• For lunch, try Grosvenor Fish & Chips, the Lamb Inn, or the Bicycle Shop.

How to Travel from Cambridge to Norwich

It’s just a little more than an hour away from Cambridge by train.   Click here to check the schedule and prices .

Ely is one of the smallest cities in England, but definitely worth a visit for its Cathedral alone.  The name Ely comes from the Isle of Eels when the city was surrounded by water and marshland. Eels are still caught in the River Great Ouse and many still consider smoked eel a delicacy.

What to Do in Ely

• Stroll through the Jubilee Gardens.  It’s along the river on the way from the train station to the city center.
• Go inside the Cathedral .  It has a unique octagonal tower.  The architectural details are impressive and the damage done during the Reformation is evident.  They offer tours of both towers but you need to be able to climb the stairs.  You might recognize the Ely Cathedral from the crown when it stood in for Westminster Abbey on the wedding day of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. Admission to the Cathedral is free on Sundays.  
• See the Stained Glass Museum inside the Cathedral.
• Visit the Ely Museum to learn the story of Ely from prehistoric times to the twentieth century.  The museum is housed in the city’s former jail.
• Stop by Oliver Cromwell’s House, it’s a short walk from the Cathedral.  He lived in this house for 10 years with his family and now it has been turned into a visitor center and museum.

How to Travel from Cambridge to Ely

It’s less than 20 minutes from Cambridge to Ely on the train. Click here to check the schedule and prices.

Bury St. Edmunds is a small city located about 30 miles east of Cambridge. It used to be a pilgrimage site where people would come to see the shrine to King Edmund who died in 869. Now, it is known for brewing (Greene King brewery) and a sugar processing factory.

What to Do in Bury St. Edmunds

• Visit the Cathedral. It’s unique because the church has been around hundreds of years but the tower was added in 2005.  It’s free to visit the church, but there is a charge if you want to do a guided tour or a tower tour.
• Take a walk around the Abbey Gardens.  The Abbey is now just ruins but it’s easy to see how magnificent it must have been. It was one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. It’s free to visit the Abbey Gardens.
• Step inside Moyse’s Hall Museum.  It’s housed in a beautiful medieval building in the Market Place, with quite eclectic exhibits.  You can learn about the history of Bury, witchcraft, rare timepieces, and see paintings. The museum is popular with families.
• Browse the Bury St. Edmunds Market.  It’s smaller than the Cambridge or Norwich Market but you can still find some unique local products.  It’s open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Note: If you are lucky enough to visit during the Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Market , be prepared for crowds!

How to Travel from Cambridge to Bury St. Edmunds

There are some direct trains to Bury from Cambridge that take about 40 minutes.  In some cases, it may take about an hour because you need to change trains in Ely.   Click here to check schedules and pricing.

Thetford is a small town about halfway between Cambridge and Norwich that is full of history.  It is probably best known as the hometown of Thomas Paine, one of the founding fathers of the United States and the author of Common Sense .  There is a nice statue of Thomas Paine on King Street with some of his most famous quotes.

Even before Thomas Paine’s time, Thetford was an important town.

What to Do In Thetford

• Explore the ruins of the Priory of Our Lady of Thetford.  It was one of the largest and most important monasteries in medieval East Anglia. Founded in the early 12th century, it was the burial place of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years.  It is free to visit the Thetford Priory.
• Climb to the top of Thetford Castle.  It’s the second largest man-made mound in England.  Unfortunately, that’s all that’s left of the castle as it was largely destroyed in 1173 by Henry II.  Thetford Castle is free to visit.
• Visit the Ancient Museum and the Charles Burrell Museum to learn more about the town’s history.
• Say hi to Thomas Paine (well the statue)
• For lunch and/or a beverage check out the Bell across the street from the Thomas Paine statue.

How to Travel from Cambridge to Thetford

It takes about 45 minutes on the train to get to Thetford from Cambridge. Click here to check schedules and pricing.

King’s Lynn was one of England’s most important ports from as early as the 12th century.  The town’s heritage is reflected in the historic buildings and market places.

What to Do in King’s Lynn

• Go inside St. George’s Guildhall, the only surviving theatre where Shakespeare performed.
• See the beautiful King’s Lynn Minster.
• Explore the Lynn Museum to learn more about the history of the area including the Seahenge that is over 4000 years old.  You can also see artwork from Henry and Thomas Baines and Walter Dexter – who are from the area.
• Visit the Stories of Lynn Museum and learn more about the seafarers, explorers, mayors, and miscreants who have shaped King’s Lynn.
• Go inside St. Nicholas Chapel to see their famous angel roof.
• Visit True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum to learn what life was like for the old fishing community in King’s Lynn.
• Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at their historic park called the Walks

Read about more things to do in King’s Lynn .

How to Travel from Cambridge to King’s Lynn

It takes about an hour on the train to get to King’s Lynn from Cambridge. Click here to check schedules and pricing .

Leicester (pronounced Lester) is one of the oldest cities in England.  It is known for its connection to Richard III and it’s miraculous English Premier League win in 2016 .  Leicester is located in the East Midlands of England and lies on the River Soar, close to the eastern end of the National Forest.

The city is also known for Red Leceister, one of the best British cheeses .

What to Do in Leicester

• Go inside the Richard III Visitor Center to learn the moving story of the life, death, and discovery of King Richard III.  The center is located on the grounds where Richard III was buried 500 years ago.
• Visit the Leicester Cathedral to see Richard III’s tomb.  The church is 900 years old and has some beautiful stained glass.  It’s free to go inside Leicester Cathedral.
• Explore the New Museum.  It has a diverse collection including dinosaurs, art, and other rotating exhibits.  The New Museum is free to visit.
• Go to the National Space Center.  They have six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, a unique 3D SIM ride, and a 42-meter tall Rocket Tower.  Note: The National Space Center is about a 40-minute walk from the train station. You can also take the 54 bus to Byford Road and it is a 6-minute walk from there.

How to Travel from Cambridge to Leicester

It’s a little less than two hours on the cross country train to get to Leicester from Cambridge.   Click here to check schedule and pricing.

Oxford is Cambridge’s rival University city located 85 miles to the southwest.  It’s easy to see why Oxford is known as the City of Dreaming Spires. Similar to Cambridge, the biggest attraction in Oxford is the University, and they even have a Bridge of Sighs too. 

What to Do in Oxford

• Tour the colleges!  Harry Potter fans will want to visit Christ Church College where some scenes in the movie were filmed or maybe do a Harry Potter tour.  
• Visit the Ashmolean Art & Archeology Museum.  They have a large collection which reminded me a bit of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge .
• Go to the Museum of the History of Science to see early scientific instruments.  It’s an interesting collection that even includes items associated with George III, Einstein, and Lawrence of Arabia.
• See the Bodleian Libraries.  It’s one of the oldest libraries in Europe! Additionally, it’s the second largest in Britain, only the British Library is larger. Together, the Bodleian Libraries hold over 13 million printed items.  They offer both guided and self-guided tours and there are always some fascinating exhibits too.
• Take time to explore  Oxford Castle and Prison .  You can climb the Saxon St. George’s Tower, go into the 900-year-old crypt of St. George’s Chapel, see the 18th-century Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-Wing, and more.
• Grab a bite or a pint at the historic Eagle and Child Pub.  It was a favorite hangout for writers like Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

How to Travel from Cambridge to Oxford

London needs no introduction.  The problem with doing a day trip to London will be deciding what to do because London has so much to offer.  

What to Do on a Day Trip to London

• For those that haven’t been to London, I recommend the Tower of London and the British Museum .
• Westminster Abbey is also worth visiting.  Not only for the architecture but for the history.  You will be amazing by all the influential people who are buried inside.
• It’s heaven for museum lovers.  In addtion to the British Museum, there is the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Musem, London Transport Museum , and the Imperial War Museum to start.  For art, check out the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, and Tate Modern.
• If you have been to London before and seen some of the main attractions you might like to do a Harry Potter or Street Art Tour .  I also love the Greenwich area. You can go to the Greenwich Observatory where the Prime Meridian is located, visit the Queen’s House, or even climb over The O2 arena .
• During the summer months, you can take a tour of Buckingham Palace .  There are also plenty of things to do in London in the winter .
• London also has no shortage of food options.  I have written about the  food scene in Shoreditch  and Mexican restaurants .

How to Travel from Cambridge to London

The best way to travel to London from Cambridge is by train as it takes about an hour.  There are options to go into London Liverpool Street Station or London King’s Cross Station. Click here to check schedules and pricing .

Day Trips from Cambridge if You Have a Car

While there are plenty of options for places to visit near Cambridge by public transportation, having a car does open up a few exciting options.  Keep in mind driving in the UK is quite different from the US.

Stonehenge is the most famous ancient monument in England.  In addition to the Stone Circle, there are several other neolithic sites to visit in the area.  Read more about visiting Stonehenge here .

Stonehenge is an English Heritage site so members can get in free.  If you like visiting historic sites in England, it’s worth considering becoming a member, we have definitely gotten our money’s worth! Click here to get more information on English Heritage membership .  If you are visiting England from overseas, consider getting the English Heritage overseas pass .

As you can imagine, Stonehenge is not easily accessible by public transportation as it is in the middle of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.  It takes a little more than two hours to drive from Cambridge to Stonehenge.

Framlingham Castle has an interesting history dating back to the 12th century.  It is where Bloody Mary (Mary Tudor) was crowned Queen of England. Read more about visiting Framlingham Castle here .  

Similar to Stonehenge, Framlingham Castle is an English Heritage site so members can get in free.   Click here to get more information on English Heritage membership . If you are visiting England from overseas, consider getting the English Heritage overseas pass .

It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Cambridge to Framlingham.  Other attractions nearby include Saxton Green Post Mill (also an English Heritage site) and Helmingham Hall Gardens .

Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain and the oldest recorded town, so it’s another good place for history lovers.  The most popular attraction in Colchester is its Norman castle which has been turned into a museum, but there are also quite a few Roman ruins to see.

There is no direct train between Cambridge and Colchester, but if you have a car it’s only an hour and a half drive making it a doable as a day trip.  Check out our post for more ideas of things to do in Colchester .

The Harry Potter Studio tour is a must for any serious Potterhead.  You get to go behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter films including visiting the sets for the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Office, and Diagon Alley.  

During the winter season, the Studio is transformed into what is called “ Hogwarts in the Snow .”  All the famous movie sets are decorated for the season – fires roar in the fireplaces, the Gryffindor common room is filled with Christmas treats, and the Hogwarts castle model is covered in a blanket of snow.

Like other Harry Potter attractions, the Studio Tour is popular, so it’s best to buy your tickets in advance  here . 

There is no train you can take to the Harry Potter Studio Tour so it is best to drive.  There is free onsite parking included with your admission.

In England, trains are surprisingly expensive.  To get the best price, purchase tickets in advance, avoid peak hours and select specific train times.  Check schedules and prices here .

Cambridge is a worthwhile destination in its own right, but it could also be a convenient base to see more of England.  As you can see there are a few interesting options if you want to do a day trip from Cambridge.

Have you visited any of these cities or towns near Cambridge?

Pin for Later

• Many day trips can be done using public transportation but some (like Stonehenge and Framlingham) require a car.
• Be sure to book train travel in advance, you check the schedule and prices on Trainline .
• Small towns and cities in England make for perfect day trips.  It’s easy to see the top sites and learn more about the history.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchses. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you.  Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit.  The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.

Last Updated on September 23, 2023

About the Author

Anisa  

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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15 Best Day Trips from Cambridge UK

Cambridge is my favorite day trip from London. However, Cambridge in itself is a beautiful location to explore for more time. From some of the oldest buildings in Europe to beautiful museums and parks, Cambridge offers so many things to see and do. If you have a few more days in the Cambridge area, you can also explore some beautiful places within easy driving distance. Come along with me as we explore my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK .

Assuming you have already  explored Cambridge on foot , I love showing you my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK. Any practical day trip should not require more than 2 hours to get to your destination. I am obviously not including London in the list, since most people would be visiting Cambridge from London.  So, let’s explore my 15 favorite day trips from Cambridge UK.

In this article:

1. Leeds Castle

My favorite day trip from Cambridge UK, is Leeds Castle located in the country side in Kent. Leeds Castle is also my favorite castle to visit in England. Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold and the private property of six of England’s medieval queens. This castle was also used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Leeds Castle is a slice of the entire history of England.

Driving on the M11 motorway, it would take you a little over 1.5 hours to reach Leeds Castle . Once you get into the Kent country side, the drive becomes beautiful. Checkout the Leeds Castle website for details on planning your visit. Amazing Castles in UK

2. Audley’s End

As we continue exploring beautiful day trips from Cambridge UK, we come to Audley’s End which is one of my favorite manor houses in England . The people working there put on a play everyday, pretending that their masters are coming unexpectedly from London and they need to get everything ready. Audley’s End was once one of the largest and most opulent houses in Jacobean England.

The best way to reach this beautiful property is by using a rental car , since Audley’s End is located in the Essex countryside. Check out the Audley’s End website for planning your trip details here.

3. Burghley House & Stamford

Located 10 minutes away from the stone and timber town of Stamford, Burghley House is an impressive palace. Planning to see both Burghley House and Stamford creates one of the best day trips from Cambridge UK.

Stamford has 17th and 18th-century stone buildings, older timber-framed buildings and medieval churches. Because of its many stone buildings and quaint setting, Stamford is a frequent filming location.

Located about 1 hour drive from Cambridge (via A14 and A1), Stamford is easily accessible and beautiful to visit.

Ely is the easiest of day trips from Cambridge UK by taking the A10 motorway. Located well under 1 hour driving from Cambridge, Ely boasts one of the largest and oldest cathedrals in England. In addition, Ely has the family home of Oliver Cromwell which is a great place to visit with your family. Walking by the Ely Cathedral through the Jubilee Gardens to the River Cam was one of my family’s favorite walks. Ely is quiet and beautiful especially during the spring.

If you are interested in following the steps of Oliver Cromwell, you can also visit the nearby town of Huntingdon, where he was born and went to school. Walking Tour of Ely UK

5. Duxford Imperial War Museum

I love the Imperial War Museum in Duxford! This museum houses every imaginable airplane kind from old World War 1 biplanes to super modern spy planes to an actual test Concorde. If you are interested in understanding more about World War 2 and its impact on England, then Duxford museum should come very high on your list of day trips from Cambridge UK. Located only about 15 minutes drive from Cambridge UK, the IWM Duxford (click for map location) makes for a very easy trip. Checkout the IWM Duxford website in order to plan your trip.

5 WW2 Museums in London

6. Sandringham

Sandringham is the royal residence in Norfolk.  This beautiful stately home is mostly known as the place where King George VI made the famous radio proclamation after England declared war to Germany in World War 2. You can actually see the actual room where King George made the BBC Radio speech addressing the entire nation. This historic event made the subject of the famous King’s Speech movie. While a bit further, visiting Sandringham is one of my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK.

7. Holkham Hall

Located near Sandringham, on the Norfolk coast of England, Holkham Hall is another strong entry on my list of day trips from Cambridge UK. Lavishly decorated, Holkham Hall is a beautiful English manor house and worthy tourist destination.

8. Norfolk Coast

A little bit North of Sandringham we find the Norfolk Coast. The beaches on the Norfolk Coast of England while beautiful to visit, are not particularly inviting. However, the villages that dot the Norfolk Coast are lovely to visit.  Tiny villages like Cley-next-the-Sea and Wells-next-the-Sea together with the larger Hunstanton make for a great Cambridge day trip. This “out of the way” area will give you a different taste of England, one much more peaceful and local.

 9. Anglesey Abbey

Located only 15 minutes drive from Cambridge, Anglesey Abbey is the easiest place to visit from Cambridge UK. The beautiful grounds, including a small birch tree forest and an old mill, will give you a great picture of the English past.  Our kids enjoyed seeing grain being ground up and flour being made at the old water powered mill. Being in such easy driving distance, Anglesey Abbey comes high on my list of day trips from Cambridge UK.

Anglesey Abbey First Impressions

10. Quaint Villages

One of my favorite day trips from Cambridge UK is to visit three villages in the Cambridgeshire country side. These places are largely known only to locals, but they are lovely to visit.  My favorite walk through the Cambridgeshire country side is to start in the quaint old Houghton where I visit the old Houghton Mill then cross both arms of River Ouse into the tiny Hemingford Abbots and Hemingford Grey villages.

Walking through the large meadow towards the Hemingfords is peaceful and quiet. The local church in Hemingford Abbots is one of my favorite country church in England as it is very quaint. As an interesting mostly unknown fact, the Manor House in Hemingford Grey was completed in 1160 and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in England.

11. Peterborough

Peterborough is another city out of the tourist path, but very close to Cambridge. Known primarily for the 12th century large Cathedral , Peterborough has a pretty old town centered around the 17th century Guildhall building.  Peterborough Cathedral is largely known as the burial place of the famous Catherine de Aragon (English queen and Henry VIII’s wife).

12. Wimpole Hall

Currently owned by the niece of the famous British author Ruyard Kipling, Wimpole Hall is a beautiful property to visit when you are in Cambridge. Located very close to Cambridge, in the Cambridgeshire countryside, Wimpole Hall has beautiful gardens and well maintained grounds.

13. Bury St Edmund

This old market town, located less than one hour from Cambridge UK, has a beautiful park and abbey. The town is associated with Magna Carta . In 1214 the barons of England are believed to have met in the Bury St Edmund Abbey Church and sworn to force King John to accept the  Charter of Liberties , the document which influenced the creation of the Magna Carta.

14. Norwich

The city is the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom, including cobbled streets and half-timbered houses and the old Norwich Castle. Located about 1.5 hours by car or train from Cambridge, Norwich makes for a great day trip from Cambridge UK.  Its large cathedral and many historical attractions make Norwich very interesting to visit.

15. Bedford

Bedford is largely known as the town of John Bunyan, the famous Christian writer of “The Pilgrim’s Progress”. Bunyan is known to have written this 17th century masterpiece while imprisoned in Bedford.  Our family enjoyed walking by River Ouse especially at sunset as the stone bridge and water reflections made for a nice evening stroll.

Plan your Day Trips from Cambridge UK

Hire a Car . The best way to explore the Cambridgeshire country side is by hiring a budget car . Use the Cambridge Train Station as the point to pick up your rental car. Hertz and Europcar are located nearby.

Stay in Cambridge . Find a budget hotel in Cambridge and explore this beautiful area for longer.

Is it Worth Taking Day Trips from Cambridge UK?

If you have allocated a few days to stay in this area, taking a few of my favorite day trips from Cambridge will give you a glimpse of some beautiful places. We especially loved Leeds Castle, the few large manor houses as well as the Duxford Air Museum.

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What to see and do in Cambridge: 2-day itinerary

January 12, 2020 by Gretta Schifano 2 Comments

Cambridge is known around the world for its ancient university. The compact city centre is packed with beautiful and interesting historic buildings, and it’s a great place for a short break. Cambridge is in the East of England, around 50 miles north east of London. I’ve been to Cambridge to visit relatives many times over the years, but I’d never taken the time to explore the city as I would do if I were travelling abroad. So, in October, when a friend from Italy wanted to visit her student son there and see the sights, I was happy to go with her.

King’s College, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We drove to Cambridge from where I live in Surrey, and went straight to The Gonville Hotel , our city centre home-from-home for two nights. Here’s my suggested two-day Cambridge itinerary, based on our trip. Obviously you can mix up the order of these activities, depending on the weather and on how you feel.

Cambridge Itinerary – Day One

Morning: walking tour.

When first arriving in a city, I find it helpful to do some kind of tour, to get an idea of where everything is. We went on a self-guided walking tour of Cambridge’s historic city centre, using a Visit Cambridge map which we picked up at the hotel. The city is an atmospheric place to explore, especially if you think about the great scientists who have lived and studied there over the centuries – luminaries such as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. We followed the walking route on a sunny Sunday morning when the streets were quiet. It was a good way of taking in the sights of this beautiful place, in particular some of the university’s oldest colleges – although this isn’t the best time to explore if you want to actually go into any of the colleges or museums, as most places are shut on a Sunday morning.

University of Cambridge colleges

The University of Cambridge dates from 1209, when scholars fled there to escape riots in Oxford. Today the university is made up of 31 individual colleges, 16 of which were founded between 1284 and 1596. Most of the colleges are open to visitors at certain times, with restrictions to protect students’ privacy and studies. If you’d like to go into any of the colleges, it’s best to check times in advance, as each college has its own arrangements, and for some you need to buy an entry ticket.

Walking route

The walking route which we followed starts from the Visitor Information Centre in the Guildhall, and takes you past peaceful St Benet’s Church, which dates from the reign of King Canute, as well as 11 of the university’s oldest colleges.

Old Cavendish Laboratory

We strolled on past the site of the Old Cavendish Laboratory, where the electron, the neutron, and the structure of DNA were all discovered. It’s not possible to visit the laboratory, but there’s a virtual Museum at the Cavendish Laboratory online, showing apparatus which was used in some of the Laboratory’s most famous researches. We continued to Peterhouse, founded in1284, and Cambridge’s oldest college. Pembroke College, opposite is home to the first chapel designed by Sir Christopher Wren. We passed the university’s imposing art and antiquities museum, the Fitzwilliam and then a punting station on the River Cam (both of which we returned to later on). After passing St. Catharine’s and then Corpus Christi colleges, we stopped at the intriguing Corpus Clock.

Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock has no hands or digital numbers, but has instead three rings of LEDs, which show hours, minutes and seconds. On top of the clock sits a monster, known as the ‘time-eater’, which snaps its jaws as each minute passes. It’s quite a thing to see.

Corpus Clock, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

King’s College

Our next stop was King’s College , which was founded by King Henry VI. King’s College Chapel has the world’s largest fan vaulted ceiling and is known in particular for its choir and its Christmas Eve carol service which is broadcast by the BBC every year. You can visit the Chapel and grounds at certain times (you have to buy a ticket to do so), but we chose to admire the Chapel’s soaring gothic architecture from the outside.

Fudge Kitchen

If you’re feeling hungry at this point, I suggest that you pop in to Fudge Kitchen, across the road from King’s College. We chose a bag of delicious dark chocolate and sea salt fudge to help us on our way. You can watch the fudge being made and you can try free samples of different flavours before you buy, and there are some vegan options available too.

Trinity College

We continued on to Trinity College, which was founded by Henry VIII and is where Isaac Newton studied. The college’s beautiful Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a working library but it’s open to visitors at certain times, free of charge. You can also see some of the library’s collection online via the Wren Digital Library .

Trinity College, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Heffers bookshop

I was delighted to come across the excellent Heffers bookshop , opposite Trinity College, as my grandmother worked in the art section there when I was a child, and I have happy memories of her taking us there. Heffers has been trading in Cambridge since 1876 and, besides books, is known for its huge range of board games.

We continued along the route to St. John’s College. When we reached Magdalene (pronounced ‘moored-lin’) Bridge, we stopped to look across to Magdalene College, where Samuel Pepys studied, and which is now home to his famous diary.

The remainder of the route took us past Sidney Sussex College, which was attended by Oliver Cromwell, Christ’s College, where Charles Darwin studied, and Emmanuel College.

Lunch: The Granta

For lunch we headed to The Granta pub, which was recommended by my friend’s son, who lives in Cambridge. The pub is at the edge of Mill Pond and it has its own pontoon for punting. It serves food all day and was so busy on the sunny Sunday lunchtime when we visited that if you hadn’t booked ahead – which we hadn’t – there was a two-hour wait for food. So we just had a drink there, but if I was visiting Cambridge again I’d book to have lunch here.

Afternoon: Fitzwilliam Museum and punting

Fitzwilliam museum.

The Fitzwilliam houses an astonishing collection of more than half a million of the university’s beautiful works of art and historical artefacts. The neoclassical building opened in 1848, and was one of the country’s first public art museums. Highlights include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Monet, Rembrandt and Picasso. I especially enjoyed the Impressionist section. You could easily spend a few hours here. Check opening times before you visit – when we were there it was closed on Sunday mornings and all day on Mondays.

Cost : Admission to the museum is free.

Walberswick, Children paddling by Philip Wilson Steer, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Image by Gretta Schifano

We went on a College Backs Punting Tour along the River Cam with Scudamore’s , starting from the Mill Lane punting station. In case you don’t know, a punt is a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat, which is moved through the water using a long pole. The tour was very relaxing and took us along the Backs, a peaceful stretch of gardens and pastures behind some of the colleges. The 45-minute tour was led by a knowledgable and engaging guide who punted the boat while giving a sightseeing commentary. The punts seat up to 12 people and are equipped with cushions and blankets. I was expecting to be splashed during the tour but that didn’t happen at all.

Cost : Guided punt tours with Scudamore’s start from £19 per adult, from £11 for under-16s, and are free for under-fours.

Punts, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Dinner: The Gonville Hotel

We had dinner at the Atrium Brasserie at our hotel, The Gonville, and it was good. You can read more about this in my separate post, Review: The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge .

Cambridge Itinerary – Day Two

Morning: polar museum.

We didn’t manage to visit the Polar Museum , but it’s definitely on my list for next time. The museum is part of the university’s Scott Polar Research Institute, founded in memory of Captain Scott and his men. The museum shares stories of survival from the Arctic and the Antarctic, with artefacts from the early days of British Antarctic exploration by explorers such as Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott. Displays also include beautiful clothing and artwork from communities living in the Arctic.

Cost : The Polar Museum is free to visit.

Afternoon: IWM Duxford museum & lunch

IWM Duxford is Britain’s best preserved WWII airfield and it’s around 10 miles from the city centre. It took us about 20 minutes to drive there from The Gonville. The nearest train station is Whittlesford Parkway Station, with direct trains from Cambridge. Built in 1917 and used as an RAF training station, the base played an important role during the Battle of Britain. We spent a few hours at IWM Duxford, but we could have easily spent a whole day there as there’s a lot to see and it’s spread over a large site. A highlight is the vast Airspace hangar which houses many famous aircraft, including a Concorde (which we went on board), a Spitfire and a Tiger Moth. We saw some historic aircraft take off from the airfield while we were at the museum. Duxford’s original 1940 Operations Room has been recreated at the site, but sadly it was closed when we visited. We had a decent lunch at one of the museum’s cafe’s, the Armoury Café and Kitchen. I chose homemade leek and potato soup, and it was very good.

Cost : If booked online in advance, from £18.90 per adult, from £8.55 for under-16’s, under-fives free.

Plane taking off, IWM Duxford, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We had dinner at lively Las Iguanas, a Latin American restaurant and cocktail bar by the river. The food, the cocktails and the service were all good, and this would be a great place to come on a family trip with teenagers. If you’d prefer a different kind of cuisine, the city centre has a wide range of restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as some excellent traditional pubs.

Where to stay: The Gonville Hotel

We stayed at The Gonville Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel in the city centre. This excellent four-star hotel has a luxurious country house feel, and is in a great location for exploring the city on foot – or you can use one of the hotel bikes, or take a tour in their Bentley. I’d definitely recommend The Gonville, and you can read my full review here .

Cost : We stayed at The Gonville Hotel in a Classic King/Twin with Walk-in Shower for two nights, and we paid £323 for the room plus £17 per night for parking and £15.95 per person per day for breakfast.

Classic Twin room, The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Getting to Cambridge

By train, Cambridge is about an hour and 15 minutes from London or around half an hour from Stansted Airport. We drove to Cambridge from where I live in Surrey. It was an easy journey of about 80 miles around the M25 and M11, and it took a couple of hours. Once we arrived we didn’t use the car in the city at all, we just walked everywhere (apart from when we drove to Duxford).

More on Cambridge

For more information on things to see and do in and around Cambridge, check out the official Visit Cambridge tourism information website.

I really enjoyed exploring Cambridge, it’s a beautiful and fascinating city. My trip there has made me determined to visit some of the many other historic and beautiful places in England and in the rest of Britain which people from other parts of the world are drawn to, but which I usually don’t think about   exploring.

Disclosure: This was not a working press or blogger trip, and we received no discounts or free of charge services.  This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a booking I may receive a small commission, but it will make no difference to the price that you pay.

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About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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February 25, 2020 at 8:14 pm

February 26, 2020 at 1:25 pm

I think I need to go back there another time just to visit the Polar Museum!

[…] on from my post about a things to see and do in Cambridge (read it here – What to see and do in Cambridge: 2-day itinerary) I wanted to write a separate post about the excellent boutique hotel that we stayed at in […]

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Five beautiful places to visit within a 90 minute drive of Cambridge

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery

• 17:30, 24 OCT 2019

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We love Cambridge and all its beautiful buildings and river walks but sometimes you just need a change of scenery.

A fresh place to walk around and mooch around the shops.

Somewhere new to try for dinner or maybe even afternoon tea.

Of course, there are plenty of places around Cambridgeshire to explore. Ely and Peterborough are both stunning cathedral cities with lots to offer.

But the chances are you've probably visited them more times than you've had hot dinners.

So if you're looking for somewhere new to explore for a day trip or maybe even a weekend getaway, why not pay a visit to one of the five beautiful towns and cities we've rounded up for you below.

We've added in some restaurant recommendations and a bit of information about each place, as well as some of the top attractions in each area.

Lavenham, Suffolk

The gorgeous medieval village of Lavenham is around an 80 minute drive from Cambridge.

A national trust site, it has a wonderful and chequered history with many stories to explore.

It has an array of art galleries, where visitors can find local and international artwork.

Pay a visit to the Crooked House Gallery - a building full of "wonky charm".

If you're in the area on the fourth Sunday, why not check out the farmer's market?

Bustling with plenty of well-stocked stalls, it's a great place to pick up some local produce.

For dining out head to The Great House or the Blue Vintage Tea Rooms.

Norwich, Norfolk

Just an hour and a half away by train or by car lives the lovely city of Norwich.

The cathedral city has a rich history, which is brought into the modern day with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.

Norwich was designated England's first UNESCO City of Literature and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK.

It is also home to one of the country's best universities UEA.

Top attractions include Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral and the Theatre Royal.

Foodies need to try Woolf & Social for good music and stylish small plates.

Stamford, Lincolnshire

Just an hour a bit's drive down the A1 lies stunning Stamford.

The embodiment of a traditional English town, Stamford has formed the backdrop for several TV costume dramas including Middlemarch and the 2005 film, Pride and Prejudice.

Stamford boasts many independent shops, perfect for a leisurely afternoon of shopping.

For eating out it has to be cream tea at The George Hotel. Quintessentially British to its very core you can indulge on delicate finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and of course, those all-important scones.

If you're in the area, why not pay a visit to Burghley House, home of the annual horse trials. Aside from its equine excellence Burghley House also has stunning grounds which are open to the public throughout the summer.

Saffron Walden, Essex

Less than an hour's drive from Cambridge you will find the market town of Saffron Walden.

Located on the Cambridgeshire/Essex border it is home to historic Audley End House.

Audley End House, is also home to the miniature railway and enchanted fairy and elf walk.

At Christmas the grounds transform into wonderland, through the means of a magical light show.

Other top tourist attractions include Bridge End Garden and the magnificent St Mary's Church.

For dining out, try cosy country pub The Fighting Cocks, serving good food, good beer and good everything else.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Surrounded by countryside with 1,000 years of history to explore, Bury St Edmunds offers visitors award-winning restaurants, fantastic shopping, annual festivals, and stunning parks.

200 shops line the elegant Georgian streets, from clothes to kitchenware - it's got it all.

Complete a visit to Bury St Edmunds with a leisurely stroll around the Abbey and its gardens.

Once one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. Its remains are extensive and include the complete 14th century Great Gate and Norman Tower, as well as the impressive ruins and altered west front of the immense church.

Foodies have to try Pea Porridge, an independently owned restaurant which has been listed extensively in the Michelin Guide.

Run by food-lovers for people who love food.

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Join our Christmas in Cambridgeshire Facebook group for all the latest festive news including recommendations, event listings, recipes, advice and more.

Think of it as your go-to place for all things festive.

To join the group click on the link or search for Christmas in Cambridgeshire on Facebook.

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• Most Recent

Cambridge Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2022

Our Cambridge Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for one of the most famous university cities in the world. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Cambridge!

Plan your visit to Cambridge

Located 55 miles north of London is the city of Cambridge. Home to one of the world’s most famous and prestigious universities this ancient seat of learning, and historic city, is smaller and more compact than Oxford.

Spend the day exploring some of its 31 architecturally stunning colleges, famous museums, or take to the river for a spot of punting. Read on for Cambridge travel tips and advice to help you plan your visit.

What you will find in this complete Cambridge Travel Guide

Map of Cambridge

When is the best time of year to visit cambridge, how many days do you need in cambridge, what is the best way to explore cambridge, which city should i visit – oxford or cambridge, by train from london, by car from london, take a tour from london to cambridge, attractions and things to do in cambridge, accommodation in cambridge, tickets, tours & attractions in cambridge, books to read before visiting cambridge, enjoy your visit to cambridge.

Cambridge travel guide – Visiting Cambridge FAQ’s

Cambridge is one of England’s most beautiful cities and a wonderful destination whatever time of year you plan to visit. During the summer months, Cambridge is the perfect destination if you would like to try punting. Take to the river and enjoy views of the bridges and University buildings as you meander along.

Cambridge is one of the UK’s driest cities so with luck you should have a pleasant and dry day whatever time of year you choose to visit.

The Cambridge Folk Festival which is the biggest folk festival in Europe is held annually in June-July.

It is possible to see the main sights and attractions of Cambridge in a day which makes it the perfect day trip from London .

The city’s main attractions and sights are within easy walking distance which makes Cambridge a great destination to explore on foot. We recommend joining a guided walking tour to make the most of your visit.

Both cities have their own unique charms and are worth a visit.

Cambridge is a smaller city than Oxford. There is less to do and see but it is a beautiful and easy city to explore in a day.

Oxford is the larger city and has lots of things to see and do so could easily fill 2 days if you wish to explore all its colleges and museums. It is also the perfect destination to visit if you are considering a road trip to the Cotswolds. If you are a Harry Potter fan head to Oxford where you will find several film locations used in a number of the movies. Read more about visiting Oxford in my Oxford Travel Guide .

As I have mentioned both cities are doable day trips from London by train. If you only have one day and want to see both cities take this Oxford & Cambridge Day Tour from London.

What is the best way to travel to Cambridge from London?

For timetables and tickets we recommend the trainline . Take the train to Cambridge for the day or incorporate it into your UK train travel itinerary.

Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.

• Distance from London: 55 miles
• Time taken by train: 50 mins to 1 hour 50 depending on route
• Leave from: London St Pancras International to Cambridge is the quickest route

Cambridge is located 55 miles from London and will take over an hour and 30 minutes from London by car. Unless you are planning to visit from London and head to other destinations in the UK we recommend taking the train!

If you do plan to drive to Cambridge you will find that parking is expensive so we recommend using the Park and Ride scheme . There are 5 locations around the city to park your car and catch a bus into the city.

We recommend these day tours to Cambridge from Get Your Guide.

• City and University Tour including King’s College – Visit the iconic landmarks of Cambridge University and enter the famous King’s College Chapel. Enjoy a walking tour with a Cambridge University student and see the world behind the institution’s closed doors.
• Exclusive Chauffeur: London to Cambridge and Woburn Abbey – Enjoy the luxury and comfort of your own private chauffeur whisking you out of London to beautiful Cambridge and Woburn Abbey. Discover the beauty of the English countryside on this exclusive private tour.

Click the links for more information about the best things to do in Cambridge and an itinerary for your day including visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum, going for a punt on the River Cam, exploring Cambridge’s Colleges (each an architectural marvel) such as St John’s King’s College and much more!

One day in Cambridge Itinerary

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CAMBRIDGE

Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.

There are numerous walking tours (and punting tours) of Cambridge available.

• University Punting and Walking Tour – Discover the beauty of Cambridge on a combined 90-minute walking tour and 50-minute punting cruise along the River Cam.
• Guided Walking Tour of Historic Cambridge – Take a two hour guided tour of historic Cambridge with an accredited Cambridge Green Badge guide. The fun and family-friendly tour will show you the city’s stunning buildings and tell you about its many famous names.
• Cambridge University Guided Walking Tour with a Graduate – Get an insight into life at one of the world’s most elite universities on a 1.5-hour historical walking tour of Cambridge University with a graduate guide. Visit some of the most famous colleges, such as Clare College and Trinity College.

Cambridge is proud of its literary heritage and connections with many famous authors who have studied or taught at one of its colleges. To fully appreciate and enjoy your visit to Cambridge we recommend reading some of their works.

These include

• William Wordsworth
• Sylvia Plath
• E.M.Forster
• Zadie Smith
• Sebastian Faulks
• Stephen Fry
• Salman Rushdie
• Margaret Drabble
• Joanne Harris
• Nick Hornby

This guide will have provided inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Cambridge. You will find more inspiration and ideas to help plan your travels around England in these travel guides:

• Devon Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)
• Liverpool Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary & map)
• York Travel Guide (including essential travel tips, itinerary + map)
• Peak District Travel Guide
• Lake District Travel Guide
• 10 virtual tours of famous landmarks in the UK

Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has lots of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.

A weekend in Cambridge: 2-day Cambridge itinerary

Posted on Last updated: October 1, 2022

How to spend a weekend in Cambridge: Discover the best things to see, do, eat and drink in Cambridge in a two-day itinerary featuring this university city’s colleges, museums, punts and parkland.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

There’s long been a rivalry between the great British university cities of Oxford and Cambridge. And after living in Oxford, I thought I knew where my loyalties lay – and who to cheer for in the boat race. But my first trip to Cambridge started to sway me.

Like Oxford , Cambridge has a fascinating history, beautiful buildings, punts on the river, cobbled streets and enough museums and libraries to feel like you’re getting cleverer by osmosis. But the river running past the colleges adds an extra level of prettiness that had me considering switching allegiances. So if you’re planning a visit, here’s my 2-day Cambridge itinerary to help you plan the perfect weekend in Cambridge.

How to spend a weekend in Cambridge

Friday evening

Check into your accommodation then start your weekend in Cambridge with a pre-dinner drink on the Varsity Hotel’s Roof Terrace . It has a 360º view over the college rooftops which you can enjoy with a cocktail, mocktail, wine or beer. Or in winter or if the weather’s bad, head one floor below to SIX brasserie and bar, whose views are almost as good.

Then have dinner at the Cambridge Chop House . This historic corner building looks out onto King’s College Chapel. The menu focuses on traditional British comfort food, and it’s a favourite with meat-lovers for its 28-day aged steaks and pork chops. But you’ll also find a few fish and vegetarian options – and they have gluten- and dairy-free menus.

Saturday morning

Start the day at the heart of Cambridge – its university. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 by a group of scholars from its famous rival Oxford, who set up a new university after a dispute with Oxford locals. Since then it’s become one of the world’s most prestigious universities, educating 14 British prime ministers and 47 heads of state.

Get a glimpse into Cambridge student life with a tour of its colleges. The university is made up of 31 independent colleges, where students live and study. Most of them are open to visitors to take a look around at least part of the time – though opening times vary, and can be limited during exam periods, so check in advance.

The University’s three big-hitters are King’s, Trinity and St John’s, but don’t discount the smaller colleges which each have their own stories and secret spots. King’s College is famous for its Gothic Chapel, which has a rare fan-vaulted ceiling and huge stained-glass windows. It’s got fantastic acoustics and you can hear the chapel choir sing during services .

Trinity is the largest and wealthiest college. It’s home to the Wren Library , designed by Christopher Wren in 1676 and housing historic books like Isaac Newton’s notebook and the manuscript of Winnie-the-Pooh (normally open 10.30am–12.30pm on Saturdays but currently closed to visitors – check their website for the latest on reopening).

St John’s has beautiful grounds, and is where you’ll find the Bridge of Sighs. It’s also where a lot of the film The Theory of Everything , about Stephen Hawking’s life, was filmed (although in real life he actually studied at Trinity Hall). Or if you want to get an insiders’ view of Cambridge life, you can take a tour the colleges * with a past student.

Stop for lunch at the Michaelhouse Café , in a converted medieval church. The daily menu features simple, fresh food like soups, sandwiches, homemade quiches and cakes. Then grab an ice cream from Jack’s Gelato – they have a whole range of constantly changing flavours, from strawberries and cream to Chelsea bun or roasted banana.

Saturday afternoon

You can’t visit Cambridge without getting out on the water in a punt. The River Cam runs through the centre of the city, and one of the most scenic stretch is known as the Backs. This is where seven of the colleges back onto the river, and you get a great view of their buildings, bridges and well-manicured grounds as you sail by.

Scudamore’s are Cambridge’s oldest punt hire service and run a range of different tours. You can take a 45-minute private or shared tour * with a chauffeur giving a guided commentary, or hire a hire a punt for up to six people and do it yourself.

Some of the highlights of the backs are the views of King’s College Chapel and the Wren Library. You also pass a string of bridges, including the Bridge of Sighs (named after the bridge in Venice) and the Mathematical Bridge, which was designed in the 18th century and looks like an arch despite only being made up of straight pieces of wood.

Finish the day off with a view of Cambridge from above at Great St Mary’s Church . It’s known as the University Church and over the last thousand year it’s seen riots, royal visits and even been burnt down and rebuilt. It also has one of Cambridge’s best views if you climb up the 123-step spiral staircase to the top of the church tower.

Then head to The Eagle pub on Bene’t Street , which has been serving drinks since 1667. The pub was where scientists Crick and Watson announced they’d discovered DNA in 1953. And when you’re at the bar, look up and you’ll see the RAF ceiling, where pilots coming back from the Second World War signed their names and squadron numbers.

Finally have dinner at The Oak Bistro , a friendly, independent bistro on the site of an old coaching inn with a courtyard garden that’s perfect for summer evenings. Their menu features British and European dishes like pan-fried sea trout, aubergine parmigiana and confit duck leg. There’s also a diverse wine list with some unusual options.

Sunday morning

Start the day with a morning walk or cycle ride into Cambridge’s parks and meadows. Cambridge has a higher proportion of cyclists than anywhere else in the country, and its 80 miles of cycle routes (and lack of hills) make it a good place to join them. You can hire a conventional bike or a motorised ebike if you want to take it easy.

Grab a picnic before you leave – or stop for lunch afterwards – at Aromi . This Sicilian café is a little taste of the Mediterranean in Cambridge, using authentic Italian ingredients to make tasty sourdough pizzas, focaccias, paninis and creamy cannoli.

You can head south along the river on a 2.5-mile route to nearby Grantchester, which has been made famous by the detective series of the same name that’s set in the village during the 1950s. The route runs south out of Cambridge across Skater’s Meadow and through the peaceful Grantchester Meadows flood plain where you’ll see cattle grazing.

Or take the 6.6-mile route east to Waterbeach, which runs through Midsummer Common and along the banks of the River Cam, past canal boats and rowers. And if you want to go further afield you can also download cycle route maps from the local council website .

Sunday afternoon

After lunch, head to the Fitzwilliam Museum , a stunning building that houses art and antiquities from around the world and is free to visit. It was built in 1848 to house the vast collection of objects that Viscount Fitzwilliam had bequeathed to the University of Cambridge. And today it has over half a million objects in its collections.

Take a wander around some of the galleries – there’s an a eclectic range of exhibits to choose from, including Egyptian tombs, Turner’s watercolours, Michelangelo’s bronze sculptures, Virginia Woolf’s hand-written manuscript and a suit of armour for a horse.

Then finish off your weekend in Cambridge in genteel style with afternoon tea at Fitzbillies , whose original branch is located on Trumpington Street near the museum. This Cambridge institution is famous for its extra sticky, spiced Chelsea Buns. They’ve been made to the same recipe since 1922, and they now produce over 160,000 of them each year.

They also do a traditional afternoon tea of delicate finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and mini cakes and macarons, which you can have with or without a glass of Champagne. And there are vegan and gluten-free versions available too.

Map of things to do in Cambridge

The details

How to get to cambridge.

Cambridge is 50–90 minutes from London by direct train *, depending on which station you depart from – there are frequent services from London Kings Cross, St Pancras, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Blackfriars and City Thameslink stations.

If you’re driving, Cambridge is around 60 miles (1.5 hours’ drive) north of London. Overnight car parking is available at the Grand Arcade (CB2 3QF), Queen Anne Terrace (CB1 1ND), Grafton East (CB1 1PS) and Grafton West (CB1 1HE) car parks.

Or if you want to avoid the city centre traffic you can use the Park and Ride car parks on the edge of the city at Milton, Madingley Road, Trumpington, Newmarket Road and Babraham Road. Parking is free, you just pay for the bus in and out of the city.

The nearest airport is London Stansted, 27 miles to the south. It’s a 30-minute drive away or direct trains from Stansted Airport to Cambridge also take 30 minutes.

Getting around Cambridge

Cambridge is easy to get around on foot. If you want to explore by bike you can hire them from Rutland Cycling at Cambridge train station, with a choice of standard bikes (£15.99 for four hours) or electric bikes for a power boost (£24.99 for four hours).

Where to stay in Cambridge

Splash out on a luxury stay at The Varsity *, tucked between St John’s and Magdalene colleges on the banks of the River Cam. It has stylish, boutique-style rooms in the modern main building, named after different colleges, with balconies on the higher floors. There’s also a spa and restaurant in a 19th-century warehouse conversion next door.

The University Arms * is Cambridge’s oldest hotel, in a former coaching inn dating back to 1834. It’s been recently redeveloped with a huge 192 rooms and suites, painted in Cambridge Blue with leather-padded desks and bookshelves to give it that collegiate feel. There’s also an aromatherapy spa and Parker’s Tavern brasserie and bar.

Or get a taste of Cambridge student life with University Rooms , who rent college accommodation out to visitors. There’s a mix of double, twin and single rooms with shared bathrooms or en-suites, some with breakfast included. Availability is mainly in the Easter and summer holidays, with rooms available to book two–three months in advance.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Cambridge?*

Save for later

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Monday 23rd of September 2019

Thanks for this program Lucy! I'm french, and visited my boyfriend in Cambridge ...30 years ago, and I'll come again with my daughter for her 20th birthday, in November, I'm so excited! As I only remember of Saint Mary's church, your post is very very helpful:)))) On Sunday morning, if it's raining, can we go walking and shopping? Are shops open on Sunday? Many thanks:))) Pascale

Hi Pascale, yes most shops will be open on a Sunday from 10am-4pm so you should be fine – have a great trip!

A Lady in London

And Traveling the World

Lady’s 48 Hours in Cambridge

One of the things I love about day trips from London is that they allow me to see a lot of places in a short time. But sometimes a destination deserves a closer look, and now that I have 48 hours in Cambridge I’m excited to dig a bit deeper into this university city.

48 Hours in Cambridge

I’m here for a visit with my boyfriend, and after a quick train ride from London we check into the Clayton Hotel and get ready to explore. We’ve lucked out with gorgeous weather for our stay, and the sun sets the tone for the trip.

Cambridge Colleges

We spend a lot of our time in Cambridge visiting the colleges. They’re what make the city beautiful, and I can’t get enough of their architecture and history.

From the fan-vaulted ceiling of King’s College Chapel to the painted interiors of Queens’ College Hall, I’m in awe.

I fall in love with the facades at Clare, the cloisters at Jesus, and the details at St John’s. When my Cambridge alum boyfriend takes me around his college, Sidney Sussex, I feel like I’ve stepped into a storybook.

Punting in Cambridge

One of my favorite ways to see the colleges is from the water. Punting is a must here, especially on a sunny day. We board a flat-bottomed boat and take off down the river, soaking up the scenery along The Backs as we go.

The bridges over the Cam are stunning, and each seems to outshine the next. From the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College to the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’, I can’t decide which is my favorite.

Sightseeing in Cambridge

Back on land, we start the rest of our 48 hours in Cambridge wandering through the narrow streets and browsing in the markets.

We visit the Fitzwilliam Museum to see its impressive collection of art and antiquities, and climb to the top of the tower of Great St Mary’s for some of the best views in Cambridge.

We queue up to get inside the 17th-century Wren Library at Trinity College, which is one of the most impressive temples to books I’ve ever seen.

We also get a tour of the David Parr House. Its gorgeous painted interiors are straight out of Queens’ College Chapel and Hall, and are all the more impressive for being in a family home.

And speaking of Queens’ College Chapel, we attend a concert there one night, and evensong at King’s College Chapel another. The sound of music echoing through the chambers is angelic, and adds to the heavenly feel of the spaces.

But the other spaces in town are equally surreal, from the pub gardens with idyllic river views to the cozy coffee shops with a distinctly university vibe.

By the time we’ve finished walking , discovering, eating, and exploring, our feet are sore and my camera is exhausted.

We hop on the train back to London, our eyes bright with the sights of Cambridge and our ears full of its music. Two days have been great for getting a feel for the city and digging a bit deeper than I’ve been able to on day trips . That said, they’ve also made me realize how much more there is to see.

How about you? How would you spend 48 hours in Cambridge?

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35 Comments on Lady’s 48 Hours in Cambridge

I love how you managed to make the city look so quiet! These pictures are beautiful, and are definitely making me want to travel to Cambridge right now – if only! Maybe in the near future… x

Thanks! It took a bit of patience to get clear shots, but it was worth it. I hope you can get there sometime soon.

I will be in London in mid-November. Do you think Cambridge would be a good day trip at that time of year?

I went at the end of November last year and it was great. You can even still do the punting boat trips – they give you a blanket to stay warm!

Cambridge is so beautiful, and you’ve captured it so well!

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.

I grew up in Cambridge and one of my favourite things as a teenager was to climb the tower of Great St Marys, timed carefully so as not to be next to the deafening bells when they chimed. I’m sure having an alum show you around made your tour much more personal / connected to the colleges. May I warmly recommend the book “Independent Cambridge” which lists many indie shops and businesses, and is a great guide for getting a little off the beaten track.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Cambridge really looks so lovely! I’ve passed through it once but didn’t stop, which is such a shame! Definitely need to go back.

Yeah! I hope you can someday.

Lovely, thanks for sharing! Have been meaning to travel there and this was the final push I needed 🙂

You’re welcome!

I’m going to Cambridge at the end of August for just over 2 days so all the tips will come in handy!

Nice! I’m glad you’ve found the post helpful. Have a great trip!

I’ve never been to Cambridge but it looks so pretty. Is anyone free to wander the grounds of the university or do you have to be with a student?

It depends on the college, so it’s good to check.

I went to Cambridge ladt Saturday and ended up being disappointed.The town is stunning but the crowds prevented me from enjoying it or taking photos I would really like to take.So staying there overnight would be a much better option.I’m planning to come back,with a list of things I want to see this time and give it another shot.

I hope you have a good trip next time!

Gorgeous city! Will definitely make time to visit Cambridge one day (or two)!

My best friend studied there and these pictures brought me back, it is such a pretty place!

Yeah! Lovely.

Looking at the effort you have put to get the things done is to be appreciated. It is a visual beauty as well as it was a pleasure in getting to know about the Cambridge. Keep writing and rock with words!

beautiful photos! 😀

So much stunning architecture! I really want to go here! How far is it from London by train? Also, when you go punting do you go out on your own or is there someone steering it? I’m intrigued! 🙂

You can rent punts with or without someone to help, and it’s an hour by train.

Brill thanks 🙂

Lovely post about Cambridge! I spent a summer there taking a couple courses and it made me nostalgic. Nowadays I watch Grantchester if I’m feeling homesick for Cambridge! It looks just like I left it!

Thanks! I’m glad you have a way of “seeing” it again now.

Never had the chance to visit Cambridge but it looks very nice and beautiful. Oddly very calm as well ? It gives it a “move-like” vibe though, which is nice 🙂

Yeah, it’s a great place to visit.

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2-Day Cambridge Itinerary

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Adventures of Alice

19 Best Things to Do in Cambridge, England

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Cambridge is one of my favourite cities in England (alongside London and Oxford ). And it just so helps that it’s right on my doorstep, which makes seeing all the best things to do in Cambridge so much easier. Nestled along the tranquil River Cam, this captivating English city is renowned for its prestigious university, ancient architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. This beautiful and historic city is the perfect mixture of architecture, nature, and history. 

With fascinating museums, gorgeous green spaces and, of course, the colleges that the city is famous for, Cambridge is the perfect day trip from London or even a weekend away in the UK. So, whether you want to see ancient sarcophagi at the Fitzwilliam Museum, attend the annual beer festival on Jesus Green, or simply admire King’s College from one of Cambridge’s best viewpoints, here are the best things to do in Cambridge, England.

Where is Cambridge?

I suppose the first thing to talk about here is where exactly the city is located. Cambridge is located in Cambridgeshire , England. It’s about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London .

To get there from London, you can either drive, which will take around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the route and how much traffic you run into. Alternatively, you can take the train which is the fastest way to get to Cambridge from London. The journey from London’s King’s Cross Station to Cambridge Station will typically take around 50 minutes to 1 hour, making it a convenient option for a day trip.

I recommend using Omio to book trains as it’s super easy and affordable.

Top Tip: If you’re driving into Cambridge, do NOT park at the Grande Arcade or Grafton Centre unless you’re happy to pay over £30 for the day to park. Instead, I recommend Parking at Queen Anne’s Terrace car park. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the city centre, but it’s pretty much half the price.

What is Cambridge famous for?

When you think of Cambridge, you typically think of either the colleges or universities. Home to one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the world (the University of Cambridge, which was founded in 1209), Cambridge has a rich history of academic achievement. The city has created many Nobel laureates, scientists, writers, and creative thinkers. This, in turn, has turned its colleges into something of an attraction.

But, Cambridge is known for more than just academia. It also has its rich history, architecture, innovation, technology, and punting on the beautiful River Cam.

How much does punting cost in Cambridge?

The cost of punting in Cambridge varies depending on the company you use. There are several punting companies in Cambridge such as The Traditional Punting Company or Scudamores.

They both offer private or shared tours for up to 12 people and offer bespoke packages as well such as picnic punting. Tours typically last between 45 minutes to an hour and cost between £20 for a shared tour to over £200 for a private tour for a large group.

The 19 Best Things to Do in Cambridge

So, now that you’re a little bit more familiar with Cambridge and what this fantastic city has to offer, here are some of the best things to do in Cambridge, England. As usual, I’ve also included prices, so you’ll know exactly what a trip to this historic city will cost.

1. Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum – one of the best things to do in Cambridge for history lovers

One of the city’s top attractions, the Fitzwilliam Museum is easily one of the best things to do in Cambridge. And the cherry on the cake? It’s free!

Located along Trumpington Street close to the centre of the city, the museum is historical in itself. Founded in 1816, it’s one of Cambridge’s oldest museums . Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of artefacts, art, and exhibits that span the ages; from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the exquisite craftsmanship of European decorative arts.

It’s also housed in a fantastic building that almost resembles an ancient Greek temple .

Top Tip: Despite being free to enter, I recommend booking during peak times as spots can fill up. You can easily book on their website .

2. Eat international cuisine at Cambridge Market Square

Cost : However much you want to spend!

For cheap and delicious eats, Cambridge Market Square is one of the top things to do in Cambridge. You’ll find rows of stalls selling cuisine from all over the world. 

There’s a Thai stall selling delicious Pad Thai and noodles, a Greek stall serving up delicious souvlaki and halloumi wraps, a Brazilian stall selling a range of South American specialities, and a Jamaican stall serving jerk chicken and scrumptious curries. 

This is pretty much my go-to lunch stop whenever I visit Cambridge and it never disappoints. In fact, I know that some people drive quite a distance specifically to visit some of the stalls. 

3. Visit the impressive King’s College

Cost : £13.50 at the door and £12.50 online per adult

Arguably Cambridge’s most famous College, King’s College is one of the city’s most beautiful spots. An iconic jewel of the city, nestled along the banks of the River Cam, this gorgeous building was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI.

Not only is it one of the most important academic spots in the city, but it’s also one of Cambridge’s most impressive pieces of architecture.

Boasting intricate detail, stained glass windows, and a general auror of grandeur, it’s a masterpiece and easily one of the best things to do in Cambridge.

4. Climb Great St Mary’s Church – one of the best things to do in Cambridge for views

Cost : £6 per adult

Okay, so once you’ve seen the inside of King’s College, you’re probably going to want to see the best views of it, right? Well for this, head to Great St Mary’s Church. By far the best (publically accessible) viewpoint in Cambridge, you’ll climb a twirling staircase and be rewarded with sweeping views over Cambridge’s most prestigious college. 

From the top of the church, you can also see in all directions, so it’s not just King’s that you’ll get a view of. From the other side, you’ll get a panoramic view of the Market Square, and basically every other angle of Cambridge from on high. It’s a glorious way to view the city and one of my favourite things to do in Cambridge.

5. Go punting on the River Cam – one of the best things to do in Cambridge for scenery

Cost : Between £20 and £200 depending on which tour you book

I’ve had such a fun experience punting in Cambridge over the years. My first ever punting experience was on a hired boat where we had a go at punting ourselves. And, let me tell you, it’s a LOT harder than it looks!

The experts make it look so easy, effortlessly gliding down the river. On the other hand, there’s us, spinning in a circle for half an hour trying to work out how to steer the boat forwards. We were trying to get to the Mathematical Bridge, but after way longer than I’d like to admit, we admitted defeat and headed back to the docks. 

My second time punting (and every time after that) was much more successful. Mainly because I decided to opt for a guided tour instead of trying to punt the boat ourselves, but I had a wonderful time. 

We took a tour with Traditional Punting Company , and, not only did we get to see plenty of the river this time, but we also learned a lot. Our guides were super helpful and knowledgeable too, telling us stories of Cambridge’s history while pointing out the landmarks along the way. If you ever decide to go punting in Cambridge, I cannot recommend them enough.

If you book via their website, you can use discount code “adventure10punt” for 10% off your booking.

6. Admire the Corpus Clock

Cost : Free

One of the more curious things to do in Cambridge is to admire the Corpus Clock. Located in the centre of the city, just a 2-minute walk from King’s College, this mesmerising work of art attracts crowds of tourists year-round. 

Unveiled in 2008, this captivating installation was designed by Dr. John C. Taylor, a renowned horologist and inventor. The clock is large and gold with an intricate metal grasshopper on top, The grasshopper is constantly hopping to demonstrate the constant march of time. It’s all very symbolic.

7. Visit the oldest pub in Cambridge

Cost : Free, but beer is not!

After you’ve spent some time admiring the Corpus Clock, head straight down Bene’t St (immediately to your left) and you’ll find The Eagle Pub. This building might look pretty unassuming from the outside, but its story is one of the most interesting in the city. 

This Grade II public house originally opened in 1667 as a coaching inn. It slowly became a popular drinking spot for scholars and locals. It then gained more popularity during World War II as a favourite haunt of RAF airmen, who left their marks, including signatures and graffiti, etched into the ceiling with candle smoke.

To add to this, it was later the site of one of the most famous scientific discoveries in history. Francis Crick and James Watson announced they’d discovered the ‘secret of life’ in 1953 when they came up with the theory of the double helix structure of DNA. Even today, you can still see the plaque dedicated to them on the wall.

All in all, this is a pretty famous pub! Today, you’ll find dark wood beams, cosy nooks, and a delightful outdoor courtyard, plus a chance to sit in a site where history was made and drink some of Britain’s best beers.

Top Tip: If you’re feeling peckish after your drink, head a little further down the road to Smokeworks. This is one of the best BBQ places in Cambridge and serves some absolutely stunning ribs and brisket.

8. See the Mathematical Bridge

There are two ways to see this bridge: from the water, and from a different bridge! Connecting two sides of Queen’s College, the Mathematical Bridge was originally constructed in 1749.

While its name might suggest a complex mathematical design, the bridge is actually an elegant example of geometric architecture. Built by the master carpenter William Etheridge, the bridge comprises a series of straight timbers that form an arched structure, creating an optical illusion of curved lines.

If you’re on a punting tour, you’ll probably pass by this bridge on your way around the city. But, if you’d rather visit it on foot, head to Silver Street, where you can see the bridge stretching across the Cam.

Top Tip: There’s also a hot dog stand near here that’s good for a quick snack!

9. Eat Chelsea Buns at Fitzbillies

Cost : £8 (approx.) for a bun and a coffee

If I only had one word to describe Fitzbillies, it would be NOM! This cafe is famous across Cambridge for its Chelsea buns. If you only eat one thing in Cambridge, I highly recommend this (even though many of my tips seem to revolve around food, so you’ll almost definitely be full by the time you get to this point!).

Due to their high demand, there are actually two Fitzbilies cafes in Cambridge now: the original on Trumpington Street which opened in 1920, and their smaller and newer branch on Bridge Street. If you’re exploring the centre of Cambridge, the easiest one to visit would probably be on Trumpington Street.

You can actually go for brunch here too, but if you’re just after a mid-morning snack, a Chelsea bun and a coffee is the perfect combo.

Fun Fact: Their buns are so popular, you can actually order a monthly subscription of them! 😀

10. Visit the historic St John’s College

Cost : £10 per adult

Another of the top colleges to visit in Cambridge is St. Johns College. Founded in 1511, this historic institution is one of the University of Cambridge’s most distinguished colleges.

The actual building as well as the surrounding grounds are gorgeous, with detailed architecture, manicured flower beds, and views across the river. 

This is another spot that you’ll pass on your punting tour and is also home to the iconic Bridge of Sighs. It’s also pretty popular for photography with its grand archways and decorated courtyards.

11. View the Bridge of Sighs

Cost : Included in either your punting cost or St John’s College entrance fee

Not to be confused with the infamous Bridge of Sighs in Venice , this spectacular bridge connects the Third Court to the New Court in St John’s College. The spectacular covered bridge is one of the prettiest bridges in the city and easily one of the best things to do in Cambridge.

You can actually view this bridge in three different ways: from the water on a punting tour, from the grounds of St John’s College, and by walking over it inside St John’s.

Personally, my favourite view is from the water, because you just can’t beat seeing the bridge’s elegant Neo-Gothic design and intricate stone carvings up close. 

12. Explore Corpus Christi College

Cost : £5 per adult

One of the most detailed colleges in Cambridge, Corpus Christi is another must-see in the city. Founded in 1352, the college is designed in a rich blend of medieval and modern styles. 

While you’re at the college, be sure to visit the Parker Library, which houses a remarkable collection of manuscripts. The peaceful courtyards, picturesque gardens, and the striking clock tower are also all worth a visit and contribute to its distinctive character.

13. See the Wren Library

Cost : Included in the punting tour. The library is currently closed to the public.

We viewed this library on our punting tour and it’s pretty impressive. Nestled within the exquisite surroundings of Trinity College, the library was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1695. Its history is cool but what it contains is nothing short of amazing. 

Its shelves house an awe-inspiring collection of manuscripts, rare books, and treasures that span centuries, including the world-famous Codex Bezae, a fifth-century Greek-Latin New Testament. But, perhaps its most prized possession is a manuscript of Isaac Newton’s “Principia Mathematica,” a groundbreaking work in the history of science.

14. Visit the Cambridge Beer Festival – one of the best things to do in Cambridge for fun

Cost : Free between 12pm – 3pm weekdays. Between £4-£5 during evenings and weekends.

If you enjoy beer, blue skies (hopefully, if the English weather behaves), and Cambridge’s best food trucks, you’ll love the Beer Festival . Held once a year, typically in May, this event is one of the most fun things to do in Cambridge.

Food and drink vendors from up and down the country congregate on Jesus Green to put their best ales, beers, and lagers forward. You’ll find a couple of giant tents filled with rows upon rows of beer barrels and cider kegs. Some of the drinks are the most interesting flavours and you can have so much fun getting little samples of everything to see what you like best. 

You do usually have to pay to enter, but you also get a free glass with this. Or, you pay for the glass and get free entry…whichever way you want to look at it! Either way, the glasses are usually limited edition and contain artwork from sponsors which are normally local Cambridge businesses. If you go a few times, you can end up building up quite the collection, plus, you’ll have an amazing time at the festival.

15. Take a peek at the Round Church

Located in the heart of the city, the Round Church is another curious bit of architecture in Cambridge. Officially named the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this church was built in the 12th century. Its unique design, combining Romanesque and Norman architectural elements, makes it one of only four round churches in England – so it’s pretty special and well worth a visit.

Top Tip: This is also next to one of the best sweet shops in Cambridge, Hardys, which sells a range of fantastic sweets and candies from around the world. Definitely pop in if you have time.

16. Taste some of the BEST food

Cost : Depends on the restaurant!

Cambridge has so many fantastic restaurants. It’ll honestly take me all day to name them all. But, on top of that, it also has amazing cafes (like Fitzbilies and Hot Numbers), a market square teeming with delicious eats, and some great pop-up food trucks too.

A few of my favourite places to eat in Cambridge include Pho, a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant serving delicious noodle bowls and soups, Pint Shop for an elegant twist on traditional pub food, and Tawa Kitchen, a gorgeous little Indian restaurant. However, take a look at this article for more of the best food spots in Cambridge.

Top Tip: For some of these restaurants (especially Pho and Tawa Kitchen), you might need to book in advance as they can be super popular.

17. See Modern art at Kettle’s Yard

Cost : £10.50 per adult

For artwork like no other, Kettle’s Yard is one of the best things to do in Cambridge. This haven of artistic inspiration and creative contemplation is a unique gem nestled within the city. What makes it super interesting, and completely different to the Fitzwilliam Museum, is that this collection is housed in a house as opposed to a large, elegant building. 

Originally the home of Jim and Helen Ede, Kettle’s Yard was transformed into a place of artistic inspiration and contemplation in 2018. Now, it contains an intricate collection of artworks, from modernist masterpieces to contemporary art. The house itself is a work of art too, with carefully curated rooms filled with sculptures, paintings, and found objects that create a harmonious blend of art and everyday life.

18. Go for a walk in some of the city’s parks

Considering it’s relatively small for a UK city , Cambridge actually has quite a few city parks. In fact, there are about 80 in total! These beautiful green spaces offer a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life and are the perfect spot for a midday picnic or an evening stroll. 

A few of my favourite parks in Cambridge include Parker’s Piece (there are often some good events here), Midsummer Common, and the small but beautiful Paradise Local Nature Reserve.

19. Explore the surrounding villages

As well as the parks, exploring the charming villages that surround Cambridge also offers a delightful escape from the inner-city madness. From the idyllic thatched cottages of Grantchester to the historic ambience of Saint Ives, each village has its own unique character and stories to tell. 

Meandering along country lanes, you can discover centuries-old churches, traditional pubs, and local shops that offer a glimpse into the authentic English charm. You can see orchards, fields, and riverbanks, and truly lose yourself in the stunning views of the Cambridgeshire countryside . Having a wander around the villages and exploring the history of these smaller towns is one of the best things to do in Cambridge.

Top Tip: The walk from Cambridge to Grantchester Meadows is a great way to explore the Cambridge countryside.

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How to Spend 24 Hours in Cambridge, England

If you’re visiting Cambridge but short on time, have no fear: you can catch many of the highlights of this British city in just a day. Luckily, the River Cam flows down the western edge of the city, allowing you to take in lots of the best attractions (such as the historic university buildings, finely crafted bridges and vibrant greenery) from the comfort of a bobbing punt. Once you’re back on dry land, there are gardens, parks and museums galore, plus a hearty food scene and plenty of intimate pubs and cocktail spots to choose from. Here is Culture Trip’s guide to spending 24 hours in Cambridge.

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Visit the Round Church

Not far from your breakfast spot is the Round Church. Officially known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, it’s a Grade I listed building dating back to 1130. The church’s upper storey, built above the nave, has a glorious conical spire on top, making this a pretty unique space to explore.

It may be cliché, but no visit to Cambridge (however brief) should be without a leisurely punt on its famous river. There are plenty of high-quality boat tour companies on offer to help you stay afloat. Try Let’s Go Punting for the friendly service and flexibility of a smaller business. Hop into one of their tartan-lined punts and let your Beatrix Potter fantasy commence (or whatever fantasy you may have involving ducklings and riverbanks).

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Admire the Bridge of Sights

This covered bridge across the Cam was built in 1831 and connects the Third Court at St John’s College Cambridge with the New Court. Though it doesn’t have much in common with its Venetian namesake aside from the fact that it’s covered, there’s still an undeniable romance about its ornate stonework. You’ll float beneath it as your punt sails south.

Check out the university buildings

Spread out on either side of the River Cam are the magnificent Cambridge University buildings. You’ll see parts of these historic monuments from the river, but you may also choose to stop off and have a proper wander around (many of the buildings are open to the public, offering access to admire the fine architecture) or explore inside. St John’s College is worth a look, with its fairytale crenellations, while at Trinity College you’ll find a statue of Henry VIII holding a table leg instead of a sword. Various myths seem to surround the exact reason why, but it makes for a fun talking point, right?

Visit King’s College Chapel

Widely believed to be one of England’s finest examples of perpendicular gothic architecture, along with St George’s Chapel in Windsor , King’s College Cambridge is a sublime place to be. With the largest fan-vaulted ceiling in the world and some dazzling examples of medieval stained glass, it will have you gazing heavenwards to drink in its daunting beauty.

Wander along the Backs

Though you’ll pass this way on your punt, you can also enjoy the Backs on foot. For a fabulous walk incorporating the university buildings and their impeccably manicured lawns, as well as the River Cam and its various bridges, take a stroll here. With grazing cattle to be spotted all along this picturesque stretch of reclaimed land, this is a cracking angle from which to admire the colleges that touch the water’s edge.

Refuel with a Fitzbillies Chelsea bun

The highest-calorie thing to do in Cambridge is to drop into the fantastic Fitzbillies on Trumpington Street and feast on one of their famous Chelsea buns. These sticky-sweet snacks have been on sale here since 1921 and make for an ideal riverside energy boost when your punting enthusiasm begins to wane. There are now also branches of Fitzbillies on Bridge Street and Clifton Road serving coffees, cakes and tasty bacon rolls.

Hit up the museums

Once you’ve made it down river and are buzzing from the syrupy glaze of your bun, there are several great museums in Cambridge you ought to check out. The famous Fitzwilliam Museum was once declared “one of the greatest art collections of the nation and a monument of the first importance” and was founded when Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion donated his collection of art to the university. Then there’s the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The Polar Museum is also very cool – get it? Corny puns aside, there’s plenty here to satisfy museum lovers.

Visit the Corpus Clock

This enormous, embellished clock hangs at street level outside Cambridge’s Corpus Christi College. One of the city’s most remarkable monuments, the clock was constructed by John C Taylor OBE and inaugurated in 2008. With a face made entirely of gold, a metal grasshopper called the Chronophage or ‘time-eater’ sitting above it, and an undulating ripple design – which suggests the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang – the clock is a truly unique asset to Cambridge.

Explore the Botanic Garden

This dreamy 16-ha (40-acre) garde

n is alive with an incredible variety of plant species from all over the world. There are also several glasshouses that are home to all kinds of flowers and shrubs, making this park a blooming lovely itinerary option for a sunny Cambridge afternoon.

Watch the cows grazing on Midsummer Common

One of Cambridge’s most delightful eccentricities is the fact that its parks are frequented by gentle cows nibbling on the grass. In 2006, a herd of residential cows was introduced to Midsummer Common, and the bovine beauties there now even have their own Twitter account: @CambridgeCow.

Dine at the Pint Shop

You know where you stand at the Pint Shop when you hear the tag line: ‘Meat. Bread. Beer.’ With a charcoal grill and coal-baked flatbreads bursting with flavoursome fillings, there is plenty to feast on as a reward for your busy day out in Cambridge. Try the Overnight Pork Belly and the Coal Flaked Flatbread Kebab, and get ready to loosen those belt buckles. Craft beers, sumptuous wines and some moreish veggie options are on offer too.

See some live music at the Portland Arms

Head along and take in some brilliant live music at the well-loved Portland Arms. This traditional pub has managed to preserve its chilled-out vibe, with plenty of locals making up the regular guest list. The Portland Arms finely balances this low-key feel with a cool, alternative feel. From grungy guitars to hip-hop and electronica, you can check out all kinds of music at this Cambridge favourite.

Treat yourself to a cocktail at NOVI

Offering coffee, brunch and smoothies by day, Cambridge’s fancy NOVI morphs into the chicest spot in town at night. Deliciously mixed cocktails and fine craft beers grace the menu at this trendy spot, whose interior manages to be simultaneously fashionable and off-beat. The living roof terrace lets you enjoy your tipple surrounded by potted plants and foliage, so you can end your evening in style.

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The Perfect 2-Day Trip to Cambridge (England)

Cambridge is one of those captivating places that everyone has heard of –imagine a picture-perfect county in the East of England, a world-famous university city with ancient traditions and old cobbled streets, just a day trip away from trendy London. Whether you live in the megacity capital, elsewhere in the UK, or are coming from overseas on a visit, read on to discover what makes Cambridge truly unique, which sites you really should see, what to do while you’re here for 2 days, and where to go for something good to eat!

Enjoy our 2 days in Cambridge ‘insider guide’ by local author Melanie Varey.

2 Days in Cambridge – The Perfect Trip

Cambridge is a wonderfully diverse city and perfect for a weekend away. If you are visiting Cambridge for a couple of days, here are the must do and see attractions in the city and surrounding countryside.

Getting Around Cambridge

Dining in cambridge, day one in cambridge.

Getting to Cambridge

The quickest way to arrive in Cambridge from London is to travel by train which takes as little as 40 minutes from Liverpool Street or Kings Cross stations. Travelling by car is also easy, taking about 1 hr 30 minutes in good traffic along the M11. Use one of the four ‘Park and Ride’ options into the city as parking in Cambridge can be expensive.

Breakfast in Cambridge

Start the day with breakfast or brunch at one of the many excellent places baking their own pastries and bread in the city.

We recommend a visit to one of the Hot Numbers shops where you can enjoy great food alongside a coffee made from their own roasted beans.

There are a few ways in which you can see the historic city sites. Firstly, just wander and find them. The town centre is compact and accessible on foot. You may choose to take an organised guided walking tour to be sure not to miss a thing and soak up some information. Alternatively, how about hiring a bike or electric scooter? Fun and great exercise too! For a less strenuous option, many tourists (and indeed locals) love to use the Hop On Hop Off Bus which tours the main sights of Cambridge, including the famous university buildings and history museums.

Fascinated by historical cities in Europe? You might like to see our 2 day Venice itinerary (Italy) or this 3 day guide to Granada (Spain) .

See the Sights of Cambridge

Cambridge University Buildings

Those interested in the history of the city will be keen to see the buildings owned by the famous Cambridge University which have been home to minds such as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Rosalind Franklin, and Sir David Attenborough. Founded in 1209, Cambridge University has been ranked in the top two universities in the UK for years.

Be sure to see the oldest and most prestigious college of the University, Trinity College, which is not only architecturally stunning but has educated some 34 Nobel Prize winners. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, this is home to the actual apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton to create the law of gravitation.

King’s College and Chapel is another must see . Initially founded in 1441 by Henry VI, it is thought to one of the greatest examples of late Gothic English Architecture. It boasts the largest span of fan vaulting in the world. This is the favourite choice of colleges to see for locals due to its fascinating history and amazing architecture. It is also located in central Cambridge. Other colleges to see are Pembroke, St John’s, Corpus Christi and Newnham. Details of the university buildings and how to organise a visit to  Cambridge University can be found on their official website. 

See the Mathematical Bridge

The  Mathematical Bridge  was designed is 1748 and built in 1749 by James Essex. Bridging the river Cam in central Cambridge, it has been rebuilt twice since its original build, but to the same design and always from wood. Its sophisticated geometrical engineered design gives its status and name. 

Stroll to the Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock made its first appearance in 2008 at the junction of Bene’t Street and Trumpington Street. The priceless gold clock was invented, designed and given to Corpus Christi College by Dr John C Taylor OBE FREng. The intricate design is a reminder that life is constantly passing by as we move towards death. On top of this unusual clock sits a ‘Chronophage’, or ‘time-eater’. Not surprisingly, it’s also known as  the grasshopper clock  due to the creature‘s grasshopper like appearance.

Climb St Mary’s Church Tower

Following the 123-step steep climb up St Mary’s tower, you will be rewarded with a fabulous panorama over the city, including views over Kings College and the university buildings. The gothic church dates back to 1205 and is itself a notable landmark. Pop in to the Church’s Michael House café for a coffee while you’re here (they also serve delicious food). 

Round Church Cambridge

The Holy Sepulchre Church is the last stop on this morning’s stroll around Cambridge old town. A rare medieval rotunda, this 12 th century ‘round church’ is one of the few remaining in Europe (St George Rotonda in Sofia Bulgaria is another good example). Easy to find on Round Church Street, you could time your visit to coincide with a concert or recital to experience the pure historical atmosphere.

Break for Lunch

The Cambridge food scene is ever growing and the city is home to some wonderful eateries. It really does have something for everyone. Whether you like a sandwich, burger or pizza, find a great quality place to take a break. Cambridge has two plant based burger restaurants which serve fabulous vegan food so non-meat eaters are well catered for too. Fitzbillies has been serving the city since 1920 and their Chelsea buns really are amazing! Grab some lunch here and be sure to leave space for the sweet treats. You can get these buns to take home. Make sure that you also stop for a gelato at Jack’s Gelato. The fabulous flavours are delicious and not to be missed whatever the weather.

Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum

There are excellent museums in Cambridge , most of which are free to enter. We recommend a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum which has collections of unique works of art, paintings and historical artefacts. There are also a number of original exhibitions on display throughout the year. Or perhaps you would prefer to choose one of the other interesting museums which feature Technology, Polar Exploration, War or Zoology, to name a few.

See the Sedgwick Museum

Internationally renowned, the Sedgwick Museum houses collections of 2 million rocks, minerals and fossils spanning an amazing period of 4.5 billion years. Dinosaur fans will love it here and marvel at the complete replica Iguanodon skeleton and T-Rex skull. Entrance to the museum is free of charge.

It’s incredible to think that these primeval beasts ruled the planet millions of years ago! If you ever get the chance to visit Alberta in Canada , you’ll find Dinosaur trails there too.

Go Shopping

You may wish to hit the shops and enjoy the mix of independent and chain retailers, markets and shopping centres in Cambridge. Head to the city centre and wander the pretty cobbled streets to find an eclectic mix of independent shops, you will not be disappointed. The Market Square market is open daily and full of traders with diverse display of foods and crafts. The Grand Arcade shopping centre is where you will find the High Street stores.

Foodies will love the choice of excellent Restaurants in Cambridge . Take in a Tasting Menu at the fabulous Restaurant 22. This must be booked well in advance as they are extremely popular. For a more casual bite, how about Smokeworks? Kings of the slow cooked fast food trend, dining here is casual and fun but always top quality. Michelin star followers will love a visit to 2-star Midsummer House for the ultimate decadence.

  Day 2 in Cambridge

After a busy first day in Cambridge, perhaps a leisurely walk and rest out of the city is in order? You have choices to make if you fancy walking out in Cambridgeshire.

Walking to Grantchester Meadows

We recommend a visit to Grantchester, an ‘olde worlde’ English village listed in the legendary Doomsday Book. Home to literature’s 1900s Bloomsbury Group and former local resident, poet Rupert Brooke, it’s the most photogenic little place with a stately manor house and sprinkling of thatched cottages with flowering gardens.

Take the footpath from the city, starting at Lammas Land by the river Cam, and walk about a mile to Grantchester Meadows. The meadows are a favourite venue for riverside picnics and make the idyllic walk. The village pubs serve excellent food so are perfect for a stop off. Perhaps take an afternoon tea at the Orchard Tea Gardens. Here, you can sit back in the retro deck chairs and enjoy the breathtaking views of the meadows.

Go Punting on River Cam

A great idea is to get a punt to Granchester Meadows from Cambridge. The riverside city is famous for punting so you really must try it. It is a super way to see the backs of the University colleges as you quietly slide past. The cheapest way is to take the shared punt option which costs around £8-10 per person. In a group, why not hire a whole punt which will cost you around £40 but can accommodate 5-12 people. Punting is a wonderful way to celebrate, whether it is a family outing, special birthday, hen party or a romantic date. There are even trips that include food. You can be in charge of your own punt, or go for the chauffeured option and just lay back to enjoy the views.

Admire the Bridge of Sighs

Isn’t Bridge of Sighs in Venice? Well yes, but Cambridge has its very own version too! You may not be on a Gondola, but it’s rather romantic to punt along the slow moving waters and glide gently under this Victorian era bridge. The ornate white construction arches across River Cam as it flows past St. John’s campus.

Walk the Gog Magog Hills

Another popular local walk is across to the beautiful Gog Magogs. The Gogs are ridges of low chalk hills to the southeast of Cambridge, 163 acres of beautiful landscape this is a popular choice for walkers seeking space and tranquillity. The downs can be accessed from various starting points, for example from nearby Stapleford or Great Shelford. Check the Gog Magog Hills Walking Routes site for routes and information on parking.

See the Botanical Gardens

Meander through the grounds to see the exotic array of trees, flowers and rare plants Cambridge Botanical Gardens have to share with you. One of the highlights is the Titam Arum (known as the corpse flower), which smell is said to resemble rotting flesh when in bloom. Luckily Titam Arum only rarely flowers so the wafting smell is rare!

The Botanical Gardens are open to the public with pre-booking only. Tickets will cost you £6-7 and children are free.

Further Afield in Cambridgeshire

If you have a car and want to go further afield, a visit to the pretty cathedral city of Ely makes for a lovely day out. Ely Cathedral has a history that reaches as far back as AD 672 and the present building dates to 1083. Wander down to the river where you can enjoy a tasty lunch or afternoon tea at Peacocks Tearooms and take a stroll around the antiques centre.

Melanie Varey is a teacher, reflexologist and proud local of Cambridgeshire.

Best Things To Do In Cambridge is her UK based blog celebrating all things Cambridge and Cambridgeshire, a useful point of reference if you’re planning to visit this part of England. 

“ We hope that you have a fabulous trip to Cambridge and even stay a little longer to discover more of the treasures in Cambridgeshire! “

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36 Hours in Cambridge, England

By Jennifer Dombrowski 17 Comments

Cambridge is world famous for its top five university. One of the oldest in the world, the University of Cambridge exudes history and tradition and dominates the town with its 31 colleges. But you don’t have to be contemplating a return to academia to enjoy this charming British town. From the international foodie scene to punting along the picturesque River Cam, Cambridge warrants more than just a day trip from London. There’s a lot going on in and you can definitely fill a 2-night stay with these things to do in Cambridge.

A DNA Ale | 6pm

The Eagle is perhaps one of the more touristy pubs of Cambridge, but with good reason. Well, two good reasons.

It’s one of the oldest pubs of Cambridge and was opened in 1667. But it’s the more modern history that is really of interest. Also one of the largest pubs in Cambridge, The Eagle was a popular hangout for young British and American airmen during WWII. Tossing back pint after pint, the airmen would build human pyramids and graffiti the walls and ceiling of what is now known as the RAF Bar. Whatever they had – pens, crayons and lipstick – were used to leave their mark. Peer up to the ceiling to look for their names of planes, squadron numbers and drawings of naked ladies.

While the RAF Bar is a living museum dedicated to the airmen of WWII worth seeing, The Eagle has another claim to fame.

Not long after the war, the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory was still located nearby on Free School Lane and The Eagle was a popular lunch spot for the staff working there. It was lunchtime on February 28, 1953 when Francis Crick rushed in and announced to a pub full of punters that he and James Watson had “discovered the secret of life”. What he was referring to was Crick and Watson’s proposed structure of DNA.

There’s a blue plaque at the entrance to the historic pub commemorating the discovery of DNA. And more recently, Rosalind Frandkin’s name was added to the plaque as there’s debate that it was her famous Photo 51 x-ray image of DNA that actually led to Crick and Watson’s discovery of the DNA double helix.

If you feel like raising a glass to the secret of life, order a pint of the cask DNA Ale which Greene King Ale House brews exclusively for The Eagle.

The Eagle is located at 8 Benet Street and is open Sunday – Wednesday from 11am – 11pm and Thursday – Saturday from 11am – 12am.

Smokeworks | 7pm

You probably don’t think England, let alone Cambridge, and good ‘ol American barbecue belong in the same sentence. But Cambridge is home to one of the Telegraph’s 10 best barbecue restaurants in Britain . With any sort of American style barbecue joint missing from Bordeaux’s international foodie scene, a platter of sticky baby back pork ribs and chicken wings was definitely calling our name.

Unlike other restaurants promising American fare that just leave us disappointed, Smokeworks rises to the occasion with their in house smoked, pulled and brined meats and homemade barbecue sauces. We even dined at Smokeworks with some Texans recently (and if you’ve ever met a Texan, you know they argue no one does BBQ better) and they were applauding our recommendation.

Smokeworks is famous for their powerhouse plates, which are definitely meant for sharing. Come hungry because The Works includes a full rack of baby back ribs, pulled pork, chicken wings, house spiced sausage, onion rings, cheesy fries and corn on the cob. If you’re not up to the challenge – Tim and I had trouble finishing the platter – then the glazed pork belly bun is also delicious.

Smokeworks has two Cambridge Locations, with Free School Lane as the original. Neither location takes reservations. We’ve eaten at both and recommend either.

King’s College Chapel | 10am

King’s College is one of the oldest of the 31 colleges that make up the University of Cambridge and the King’s College Chapel is one of the most iconic buildings in Cambridge. If you visit only one building in Cambridge, it must be King’s College Chapel to admire the breathtaking fan vault ceiling.

A visit to the chapel is like traveling through time. It was started by Henry VI, who laid the foundation stone himself on the Feast of Saint James the Apostle on July 25, 1446. Henry VI would never see the completion of the chapel as he was murdered in the Tower of London in 1471. The chapel wasn’t finished until several wars and successors nearly 70 year later in 1515. Later still, the stained glass windows weren’t completed until 1531.

The grand designs thought up by Henry VI were incredibly expensive for the time and his ambitions were that no other chapel would be as magnificent in either Cambridge or Oxford. His instructions originally were to build a “Great Court,” and though the construction tried to limp along through the War of the Roses, it was eventually halted. Henry VII visited in 1506 and paid for the work to resume in 1508, even leaving money so that the chapel could be finished after his death.

Master mason John Wastell was hired to construct the great fan vault ceiling. He did so between 1512 and 1515, and the masterpiece remains the world’s largest fan vault ceiling to this day.

It was Henry VIII that funded the stained glass windows and all but one modern window were completed between 1515 and 1531. The stained glass windows tell the stories of the Bible, with the upper set of windows telling the stories of the Old Testament and the lower set of windows telling the story of the New Testament.

The chapel holds a few historical secrets from its time being built over more than a century. There’s, of course, Tudor elements like the roses and portcullises and theses are the most obvious since they’re everywhere. The less noticeable fleur de lys are a reminder that Edward III led England in to the Hundred Years War with France and that for a period from his reign onward, the monarch of England was also the monarch of France. Then there’s the initials of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, his queen who he famously had executed, carved in to the dark oak screen that divides the ante-chapel and choir areas.

King’s College Chapel is an actively used chapel still today, though it served as a training ground for Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the Civil War. There’s still some graffiti visible left by troops, but the chapel was mostly spared from major damage during the wars. The stained glass windows were even removed during WWII to ensure their safety.

King’s College Chapel is open to visitors Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 3:30pm, Saturday from 9:30am – 3:15pm and limited between services on Sunday from 1:15pm – 2:30pm. Tickets are £9 and can be purchased from the King’s College Visitor Centre or online in advance. Always check the chapel’s website for closures before visiting.

Cambridge Food Tour | 11:30am

Cambridge is definitely one of England’s most beautiful and historic cities with its world famous colleges providing jaw-dropping architecture everywhere you turn. But like us, the students of the University of Cambridge come to fall in love with the charming college town during their studies. Many stay, opening eclectic shops or galleries and contribute to Cambridge’s ever-changing international foodie scene.

As we learned on the “hottest lunch date in town,” or otherwise known at Cambridge Food Tour, Cambridge can be a really challenging place to open up a business. The whole of Cambridge is owned by the colleges and rent prices can – and often do – go up overnight. What was there yesterday can be gone tomorrow simply because the business owners can’t afford to stay. It’s why Cambridge’s foodie scene is a constantly evolving one.

But the team at Cambridge Food Tour are knowledgeable about this college town and clearly love food like no one else we’ve ever met. Our guide, Camilla, told us the tale of how she’d gone to San Sebastian just to eat and impressively managed to eat at 48 different restaurants in just four days. With someone that loves food that much leading the way, we knew we’d be in good hands to discover the best independently run foodie hot spots in Cambridge.

You’ll have to take the tour yourself to discover all 12 tastings. And Camilla told us that each tour is unique anyway as they have over 50 different restaurants, bakeries and street food vendors they switch up on the tours all the time.

But that won’t stop us from telling you about a few of our favorite stops.

You can’t come to Cambridge and not eat a Chelsea Bun. So it’s not surprising that a Cambridge Food Tour starts our with a taste of these ooey-gooey buns. Fitzbilles claim to fame is their Chelsea Bun, and the recipe is a closely guarded secret. And the cafe has managed to be a fixture of Cambridge since 1920, though not without some bumps along the way.

Fitzbillies nearly fell victim to the suddenly increased rent prices and was temporarily forced to shut its doors in 2012. Thanks to University of Cambridge alum and famous British comedian Stephen Fry, who ate a Chelsea Bun every morning before heading off to his studies at Queen’s College, Fitzbillies was spared. The comedian famously sent a horrified tweet, spurring the current owner Allison Wright to buy up Fitzbillies and prevent the demise of the Chelsea Bun, much to the relief of Chelsea Bun aficionados everywhere.

So what on earth is this Chelsea Bun? We’ll never know exactly what’s in Fitzbillies secret Chelsea Bun recipe, but the best way we can think to describe it is a cinnamon roll on crack. These buns have spices and citrus in the dough recipe, along with raisins and are baked in huge sheets fresh daily. While they’re still hot, they’re glazed with hot water and sugar. The temperature causes the hot water to evaporate, leaving behind the sticky sugar glaze. Only a certain number are made daily, and Fitzbillies almost always sells out by midday. On the rare occasion that they don’t sell out, the remaining buns are given out to the homeless. You’ll never not get a freshly made that day Chelsea Bun at Fitzbilles.

Living in Italy basically spoiled us for life when it comes to pizza, but Cambridge has an answer to that thanks to Francesco, a Sicilian and owner of Aromi .

This isn’t Francesco’s first go at being a restaurant owner; his family has successfully been running Caffe’ Cipriani in Acireale, Sicily since 1957. He decided to bring a taste of Sicily to Cambridge and opened Aromi in 2013. The little shop quickly became famous for their 48-hour fermented sourdough pizza with Sicilian toppings, which passersby delightfully stop to watch being stretched, baked in the stone oven, cut and made by the pizzaioli in the long glass windows.

The toppings change seasonally with what’s fresh, but you can be assured to find Italian-cured meats and Sicilian cheeses to top your sourdough pizza with. But no matter which toppings you choose, a pizza at Aromi will never cost more than £ 5 – truly an incredible deal.

Best pizza in Cambridge now found and a Chelsea Bun devoured, Camilla led us on to the the Cambridge Market Square. We’d explored the 7-days-a-week Market Square previously, but all the street food vendors to choose from can be a bit overwhelming. Now we’ll always look for Arepa’s Station.

This street food stand on the Market Square serves up, as the name implies, Venezuelan arepas. Naturally gluten free, an arepa is a type of bread made from white cornmeal, water and salt . The dough is formed in to a patty and then grilled. It’s then split open and stuffed with slow roasted meats and ingredients like a sandwich. Let’s just say the pulled beef with guasacaca sauce is amazing.

Of course, you can’t go on a food tour in Britain without eating something quintessentially British.

The department store Fortnum & Mason in London may claim to have invented Scotch eggs in 1738, but The Free Press serves up Cambridge’s best. And if you’ve never tried a Scotch egg, it’s a delicious little indulgence that consists of a hard boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated with bread crumbs and then deep fried. Definitely not something you want to eat all the time since they’re quite rich and like a calorie bomb, but a perfect pub or picnic food that we hadn’t enjoyed since eating our way around Bristol .

Like most restaurants we tend to recommend, The Free Press changes their Scotch egg offerings seasonally to offer only the freshest ingredients. We tried their staple black pudding and their seasonal apple and stilton. We washed it down with our choice of a half pint of beer from the bar, while admiring the local photos and newspaper articles that adorn the walls of the historic back street pub.

The Free Press is another institution that has been a part of Cambridge’s pub scene for more than 100 years. Named for a newspaper that lasted just one edition, the pub’s entryway is a historically listed building of Cambridge.

There were also stops for cheese, fudge, desserts and tea. And aside from the full bellies, Cambridge Food Tour is a wonderful way to discover little corners of the city you  probably wouldn’t have stumbled upon on your own.

Cambridge Food Tour has various tours and events 6 days each week. Check their calendar for their tour offerings.

Gin Masterclass | 3pm

Wine is almost always our first choice, but we like to drink the local drink. And while Britain does have wine producing vineyards, Britain isn’t exactly known for their wines. Ciders, craft beers and spirits are where its at when it comes to drinking the local drink in England.

Our new fondness for gin is a really recent one. An excellent gin and tonic welcome cocktail we received while checking in at the G&V Royal Mile in Edinburgh was love at first sip. But truth be told, we knew nothing about gin.

Inspired by the beautiful college campuses of the University of Cambridge, I signed us up for a class…a gin masterclass at Cambridge Gin Lab!

Any class that begins with a gin and tonic is my kind of school. With those G&Ts in hand, we sat down to get a lesson in the history of gin and how it’s distilled.

The first confirmed production of gin was actually in Holland in the 17th century. Make no mistake, though; there was nothing botanical-based or sophisticated about the gin of the 17th century. It was made as a medicine and sold in pharmacies to treat stomach issues. The juniper, which is the one thing that makes gin a gin, was added just to make it palatable enough to stomach. Plus, juniper had medicinal properties of its own.

The Dutch discovered that distilling the grains with the juniper berries produced something fun to drink, and it warmed you right up on those long, cold and damp nights. It still didn’t remotely resemble today’s gins, but the British soldiers started drinking it during the Thirty Year’s War and then brought it home with them. About the same time, the French brandy that had once flowed in British pubs became unpatriotic to drink because of England’s long history of war with France.

Food prices also dropped , giving the working classes more disposable income to spend on booze. About 60% alcohol, Brits suddenly had an unquenchable thirst for gin.

The early part of the 18th century was known as the Gin Craze. Londoners were distilling 10 million gallons of the stuff each year and there were an estimated 7000 gin shops by 1730. Londoners had become a bunch of degenerate drunks.

Gin was just a low-down no-good evil spirit. English artist William Hogarth issued a set of two prints in 1751 known as Beer Road and Gin Lane. Meant to be viewed together, these artworks depicted the monstrosities gin turned people in to as a contrast to the merits of drinking beer. Shortly after the Gin Act of 1751 was introduced to reduce the consumption of gin and regulate both the distillation process and sale of it.

The nefarious history of gin gives you a lot to think about. Thankfully the Gin Act of 1751 eventually did quash the Gin Craze. And today it’s a quality controlled spirit that’s fashionable to drink again.

Of course, all that history comes with a lesson on how to taste gin. It’s a lot like tasting wine. You look at the appearance, smell it (adding about a 1/3 parts water to the gin actually intensifies the botanicals), taste it and feel the finish.

And you need gins to practice your newly acquired gin tasting skills. The gin masterclass includes three gins distilled by Cambridge Gin Lab themselves: their Cambridge Dry Gin, a specialty gin like the Japanese gin that they crafted for Nobu and then turned in to a retail product they sell, and their seasonal gin. Cambridge Gin Lab makes their seasonal gin twice each year. It’s made in very small quantities and all the botanticals come from withing walking distance.

There’s a shop where you can purchase gins and a small bar upstairs where you can have a drink once class lets out. They definitely have some unique gins if you’re up for trying them out, like the Anty Gin distilled from foraged ants and created for Noma. Or a more tame sounding option is the P Gin with garden pea botanticals that was created for The Pint Shop .

Cambridge Gin Lab Gin Masterclass is offered Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm and 3pm.

Bread & Meat | 6pm

Between the food tour and the gin masterclass, it’s probably hard to imagine consuming anything else. A little lighter fare is definitely in order for dinner. Contrary to what the name Bread & Meat might imply, this little independent cafe is the perfect spot for a lighter dinner.

Bread & Meat specializes in roast meats sandwiches and craft beers, though you can get all but their Philly cheese steak sandwich as a “bowl” sans bread. You can’t go wrong with either the honey soy chicken with sriracha mayo, which is their best seller, or the porchetta.

Simon, the owner, can often be seen greeting and serving customers himself. He explained how his chicken is marinated overnight then roasted fresh each morning. The porchetta is slow roasted for 18 hours overnight and practically melts in your mouth.

Our favorite? The honey soy chicken. And a sandwich with a side of potato wedges is the perfect amount to share after a foodie filled day touring Cambridge.

Bread & Meat , 4 Bene’t Street.

College Backs Punting Tour | 10am

Look up any list of the top things to do in Cambridge and you’re sure to find punting on that list. But what the heck is punting?

It’s simple really. A punt is a type of flat-bottom boat, punting is being in that boat and a punter is the person propelling the punt with a long pole.

Like some of the historic pubs and bakeries we’ve mentioned, punting has been a part of Cambridge for well over 100 years. It was Cambridge native Maurice “Jack” Scudamore that was involved in building the first punt in Cambridge. In 1903, he opened Scudamore’s Boatyard where he built and rented punts.

The square-ended flat bottom boats were incredibly well suited to the shallow waters of the River Cam and by 1920, punting had become the most popular boating activity in Cambridge. Punts were just as loved by locals and university students as Fitzbillies’ Chelsea Buns.

Today Scudamore’s Punting Company is the largest punting company in Cambridge and they offer two routes, plus punting lessons. Punters are often University of Cambridge students and they regale you with stories and insider knowledge all about Cambridge and its 31 colleges.

Tim and I happened to schedule our private College Backs tour the day before the Beast from the East storm hit England. He grumbled that we were about to freeze our asses off on the river for an hour. But Scudamore’s was well prepared to make us comfortable even on one of the coldest days.

We were handed hot water bottles to keep warm with while our punter cleared off the ice from the punt. And a pile of blankets kept out the cold as we gently made our way down the River Cam past Cambridge’s most iconic sites like the Bridge of Sighs and King’s College Chapel.

Like gin, we knew nothing about the University of Cambridge before our punting tour. The third oldest surviving university in the world, the University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges. Founded in 1209, the architecture of the colleges spans many centuries and our guide pointed out some of the unique features.

We also learned about some of Cambridge’s most famous alumni and residents, like Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, David Attenborough and Stephen Hawking.

Speaking of Sir Isaac Newton, we were told of the fable that it was the famous physicist that designed the Mathematical Bridge and built it without the use of nuts or bolts. Supposedly students decided to take it apart and put it back together again, but weren’t able to work out how exactly it held together. Clearly, as you pass beneath, you’ll see that the bridge does in fact have nuts and bolts. This, as the story goes, is a result of the students having to resort to adding the nuts and bolts just to reassemble the bridge.

In reality, the bridge wasn’t ever designed by Sir Isaac Newton. It does have an incredibly complex structure though, which was designed by William Etheridge and built by James Essex in 1749. It always had nuts and bolts, but a surprising fact is that the bridge is made entirely of straight pieces of timber.

Of course, you’ll pass under the Bridge of Sighs. It’s one of Cambridge’s main tourist attractions and named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. But the two bridges actually have little architecturally in common. What they do have in common, though, is where the name comes from. In Venice, the bridge was named because of the sighs of the criminals passing from the court to the dungeon. And in Cambridge, it’s the students sighing as they pass from their dorm rooms to the courts where their exams are held.

We learned a heap of other interesting things about Cambridge along the way like how many Nobel Prize winners have come from Cambridge (90, by the way – and more than from any other institution in the world), saw the water line reminders of some of the city’s historical floods and about the impressive architecture.

A tour Tim grumbled a bit about even going on because of the cold turned out to be a really enjoyable way to start the day.

Scudamore’s College Backs tour is available every day but Christmas, weather permitting. We recommend the private tour.

Cambridge Market Square | 11am

There’s been a market trading on the Market Square since the Middle Ages. No matter rain or shine, the spots for Cambridge Market Square are coveted and there’s anywhere from 30- 40 stalls selling food, cheese, produce, books, crafts and more 7 days a week from 10am – 4pm.

The stalls change up and not every stall is on the Market Square every day of the week, and this guide is an excellent resource for which stalls are on the market each day and precisely where they’re located. A few of our favorite stalls are The Earth’s Crust (he makes amazing sourdough bread), Brockleby’s pies, Arepa’s Station for Venezuelan arepas, the cheese stall and Bisbrooke Ostrich Farm for their ostrich burger.

There’s loads of street food stalls with everything from dim sum to falafel. You can easily make a multi-course international lunch with food from the Market Square, and even take some to go for the train ride back to London.

Know Before You Go

Some of our activities in Cambridge were in partnership with Scudamore’s Punting and Cambridge Food Tour in order to bring you this story. However, Luxe Adventure Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely our own. This article contains affiliate links. When you book on Booking.com through our affiliate site, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim

About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

April 7, 2018 at 6:25 PM

I live down the road from Cambridge and have to admit, I was there for a couple of hours and I didnt enjoy it. I found it too touristy and too many students getting drunk on a friday night in the bars. However I do love cycling around the city, anything to do with the outdoors I like. Have to admit, havent been there in years so looks like I need to revisit and see if I can love the place again.

Jennifer Dombrowski says

April 9, 2018 at 7:06 PM

I think obviously in a major university town, you’re going to have students partying on the weekend. It’s what I did at university too.

But we haven’t noticed tons of tourists. Granted, Tim only moved there last July and we’ve mainly been exploring over the Fall and Winter months. Maybe revisit to see how Cambridge has evolved since you were last there.

Fiona Maclean says

April 7, 2018 at 7:11 PM

I love Cambridge – I come from about 50 miles further East on the North Norfolk Coast and I used to travel to Cambridge weekly for my piano lessons. Anyone who likes ecclesiastical music should know that some of the colleges have a very strong musical tradition – you can hear sung evensong in Kings College Chapel free of charge almost every day. It’s very special and I highly recommend it. FitzBillies is a wonderful story isn’t it. I’m pretty sure the owner’s husband is a well-known food journalist too.

April 9, 2018 at 7:03 PM

We’ve been exploring Norfolk (and Suffolk) while Tim is living there! Thanks for sharing the tip about the concerts.

Marcus and Mel says

April 8, 2018 at 6:15 PM

Being from the UK we frequently travel around our own country but we’re sorry to say we still haven’t been to Cambridge. King’s College Chapel does look incredible and I wouldn’t mind having a go at punting in the summer although I feel it could end in disaster.

April 9, 2018 at 6:52 PM

Haha! You never know until you try. I felt that way when I took gondola rowing lessons while we were living in Venice but it turned out to be an awesome experience.

Brooke says

April 8, 2018 at 8:59 PM

I love visiting old universities – have been to Oxford twice but not to Cambridge yet. Looks equally gorgeous. And love the Stories of what was created in pubs!

April 9, 2018 at 4:15 PM

We haven’t been to Oxford yet, but we hear that Cambridge has a lot more to do than Oxford. You’ll have to check out Cambridge and let us know!

Carrie says

April 9, 2018 at 2:21 AM

Between the American bbq at Smokeworks and the gin masterclass, I’d definitely be down for a weekend here! Seems like a lot of the activities are centered around eating 🙂

April 9, 2018 at 3:48 PM

They definitely love their food in Cambridge! But at least you can work off all the delicious eats with a punting lesson.

Shweta says

April 9, 2018 at 7:08 AM

You have put together such a great list on things to do. I would love to sit at the RAF Bar and soak in all the history. And the King’s College. My god, you are lucky to see the gorgeous interiors. I have made a mental note to go there someday just for that stunning ceiling. Your suggestion on the food tour sounds cool, and so do the other local restaurants to try. Thanks for sharing.

April 9, 2018 at 3:47 PM

The entry fee to King’s College Chapel is a little on the steep side, but it is an incredible building. And we love anything with ties to both France and England since that is totally our situation right now!

Claire says

April 9, 2018 at 10:12 AM

It drives me crazy when people think that the only thing to do in England is visit London – so thank you for this! Cambridge is a beautiful city, and now I know they have a gin lab I need to go back! And take a boat trip on the Cam of course!

April 9, 2018 at 3:46 PM

Totally feel the same about France! Hello, there is way more to France than Paris.

Tim has been living in Cambridge for about 8 months now and we’ve been enjoying getting to know the city, as well as the area nearby in Suffolk and Norfolk. And it’s so unbelievably close to London, yet so many people miss out.

Niels Thomas says

April 10, 2018 at 2:33 PM

One of my favorite places to visit when traveling. I have visited cambridge already over a dozen times and each time is an amazing one. I really like the markets and fresh foods. Great article! 🙂

Hannah says

April 10, 2018 at 10:07 PM

I can’t believe I lived in London and never visited Cambridge – shame on me! I always wanted to go Punting, and Sudamore’s Punting sounds like it gave you a fantastic value-add experience – especially with all those great tales! I want to visit King’s College – I didn’t realise how many Henry’s were involved, from Henry VI to Henry VIII – what a legacy! You tried so many of my favourite foods on your Cambridge excursion – and the gin, well, I’d make a bee-line for that!

Archana Singh says

April 11, 2018 at 4:59 AM

Exploring Cambridge is like going back in time. It is so historic so beautiful. Love your photos and description. The King’s College Chapel is so grand. I could spend a full day just looking at it. And, Gin lab is a great reason to go. Too bad I never visited this place.

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Places to visit about 2 hours from Cambridge, Canada

Scugog Island

Italian Prime at Salvatore's

Roycroft Inn

Bar-Bill Tavern

Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant & Banquet Facility

Hamburg (New York)

Inverhuron Provincial Park

New Fairway Park Campground

Cities 2 hours from Cambridge, Canada

1 hr 59 min :   Lancaster, NY

1 hr 59 min :   Sarnia, Canada

1 hr 59 min :   Port Hope, Canada

1 hr 58 min :   Scranton, NY

1 hr 57 min :   Depew, NY

1 hr 57 min :   Orillia, Canada

1 hr 57 min :   Hamburg, NY

1 hr 55 min :   Oro-Medonte, Canada

1 hr 54 min :   Lackawanna, NY

1 hr 53 min :   East Seneca, NY

1 hr 52 min :   West Seneca, NY

1 hr 50 min :   Cheektowaga, NY

1 hr 50 min :   Lockport, NY

These are approximate driving times in a radius from Cambridge, Ontario. Search for vacation spots within driving distance for a day trip or weekend getaway. There are many towns within the total area, so if you're looking for closer places, try a smaller radius like 1½ hours . If you're willing to drive farther, try 2½ hours .

Not sure where to go? Take a day trip from Cambridge , or if you have more time you can explore weekend trips from Cambridge , but make sure you also check road conditions around Cambridge . Looking for small towns or communities around Cambridge, Ontario? Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Cambridge .

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RV campgrounds 2 hours from Cambridge, Canada

Kelso Beach

Trout Water Family Camping

Golden Hill State Park

KOA Chautauqua Heights Campground

Camp Prendergast

Paradise Bay Park

Creekside Campgrounds

Presque Isle Downs Casino

Brucedale Conservation Area

MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Kenorus Quiet RV Resort

Arran Lake RV Resort

More cities around 2 hours away by plane

Here are more cities based on a flight circle radius of 2 hours. These cities are much further than the ones above since now we're looking at a 2 hour flight.

2 hr 2 min :   Memphis, TN

2 hr 1 min :   Leeds, AL

1 hr 57 min :   Matane, Canada

2 hours :   Macon, GA

2 hr 1 min :   Jasper, AL

2 hr 1 min :   Gardendale, AL

2 hr 2 min :   Warrensburg, MO

2 hours :   Spencer, IA

2 hours :   Talladega, AL

2 hr 2 min :   Germantown, TN

2 hours :   Trussville, AL

2 hr 1 min :   Collierville, TN

2 hr 1 min :   Bartlett, TN

2 hours :   Pell City, AL

2 hr 2 min :   West Plains, MO

Cities at a radius of

Travel time from Cambridge, Canada

2 hours west of Cambridge, Canada cities within 1 hour of Cambridge, Canada 1½ hours from Cambridge, Canada places within 2 hours of me in Cambridge, Canada explore 2½ hours from Cambridge, Canada 3 hr radius map from Cambridge, Canada 3½ hr drive from Cambridge, Canada places within 4 hours of me in Cambridge, Canada within 4½ hours of me in Cambridge, Canada 5 hour drive from me in Cambridge, Canada 5½ hour drive from Cambridge, Canada within 6 hours of Cambridge, Canada 7 hour drive from Cambridge, Canada driving 8 hours from Cambridge, Canada 9 hours from Cambridge, Canada

Distance from Cambridge, Canada

cities within 10 km of me in Cambridge, Canada within 20 km of me in Cambridge, Canada 30 km radius of Cambridge, Canada 40 km drive from Cambridge, Canada located 50 km from Cambridge, Canada 100 km radius from Cambridge, Canada within 150 km of Cambridge, Canada 200 km road trip from Cambridge, Canada distance of 250 km from Cambridge, Canada driving 300 km from Cambridge, Canada 350 km trip starting from Cambridge, Canada 400 km drive from Cambridge, Canada drive for 450 km from Cambridge, Canada 500 km from Cambridge, Canada day trips from Cambridge, Canada

Cambridge, Ontario is located at latitude/longitude coordinates 43° 21' 41" N  /  80° 18' 51" W

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

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