An ancient city with a thriving student population, Cambridge offers a plethora of activities and entertainment. Theatre performances, choral recitals and art galleries are just a small sample of what’s on offer. Of course, no trip is complete without punting down the River Cam.
Take a punt
Glide along the sleepy backwaters of the river on a chauffeured tour with Cambridge's oldest punting company, Scudamore’s. Sit back and watch the gothic buildings of the university go by while Weeping Willow trees tickle the calm waters.
Drift under the city’s very own Bridge of Sighs, a covered arch constructed in 1831, and ponder the construction of the Mathematical Bridge, a wooden footbridge designed in the 18th century. If you’d like to try your hand at punting, you can rent your own boat.
Catch a performance
The Cambridge Footlights Review, based towards the north of the centre at the ADC Theatre, is where international film stars including Emma Thompson, Sir Ian McKellen and Hugh Laurie first trod the boards.
This is Britain’s oldest university playhouse, hosting performances since 1855. Catch a modern Footlights play and perhaps you’ll stumble across the next Stephen Fry. There are usually two shows a night during term time.
Hear heavenly voices
Every evening the city’s choirs make beautiful music during choral evensong, filling the atmospheric chapels of the ancient colleges. Listen to this medley of angelic voices as they rise into the arched naves of the gothic church halls, echoing around the pews in a ceremony open to all. The standard of music-making is world-class and a full timetable can be found online.
Discover history at the university
Ranked among the world’s most accomplished academic institutions, explore the gothic buildings and peaceful quads at the University of Cambridge. Step inside the lecture halls where history has not only been studied over the centuries, but created, too.
Various museums and collections are held by the university, and are free to enter. Admire the extensive collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum, where global artefacts, artworks and ancient manuscript material spanning centuries fill the grand rooms.
Visit King’s College Chapel and admire views of the colleges on the river. Stroll past the old Cavendish Laboratory where DNA was discovered. Take a walking tour and learn about famous Cambridge alumni including Charles Darwin, the hazing rituals and pranks, and student life today at a university steeped in tradition.
Head out to Cambridgeshire
For a rural escape, head to Wimpole Hall, a 15th-century English manor house set in the chalk hills of the Cambridgeshire countryside. The library inside contains the biggest collection of rare books of any under English Heritage care, some of which belonged to Rudyard Kipling. Kids will love the on-site home farm, where you can feed the pigs, groom the donkeys and meet the friendly shire horses.
North of Cambridge, Ramsey is a small market town and makes for a lovely day trip by car. See the crumbling ruins of an ancient abbey, and stumble upon the walled kitchen garden, restored to its Victorian glory by a group of volunteers. To keep younger ones entertained, hop on board the Fenland Light Railway and enjoy a ride along the narrow-gauge track pulled along by a miniature steam train.
Whether you’re spending time in the city or heading out into the wider region of Cambridgeshire, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore everything this idyllic area has to offer.
