Cambridge - city break - please talk to me about your gems!

[LeithPlace]

A city I've wanted to visit for an age. Any ideas of what to do really appreciated, especially the hidden gems.

Of course, want to punt on the river. Is it worth the cost? Just two of us rather than a shared boat? Do we need to book ahead, or are we too late already?

Oh, go to the fudge shop opposite the college's... they'll give you free samples

@gizmo - I rather like the sound of the Charming Young Man...😉

I'm excited, thank you. It sounds idyllic. Indies all the way, tho, we don't ever use chain cafes at home either.

I'll now take some time to plan. We were going to only stay one night, now I'm thinking we need to extend it, if we can get an extra night booked.

Only ever done a day trip to Cambridge but the botanical gardens are well worth the visit. Really beautiful.

We've always enjoyed eating at La Margarita , a family run Italian restaurant in Magdalene St , near Kettles's yard.

Another question, if we stay out of the city, where is best for being able to ride in. We have our own bikes.

I was looking at the Novotel Cambridge North, just because it would be easy to park up without driving into the city.
I am tempted by some of the glorious city hotels though.

Stay at the University Arms. It's fabulous since it's re-opening

Scudamores do three types of punts - self hire, public chauffeured punts ( i.e.You buy a row of seats and others also sit on the punt ) and you get a talking guide who knows the history well ( they are regularly tested!) and then a private punt where you get a tour guide just for your party and can decide how much history you wish to enjoy! You don’t need to book online, you can just turn up on the day and buy. That way you can see what the weather’s doing 😉
Hope you enjoy your visit!

@LeithPlace

Another question, if we stay out of the city, where is best for being able to ride in. We have our own bikes.

I was looking at the Novotel Cambridge North, just because it would be easy to park up without driving into the city.
I am tempted by some of the glorious city hotels though.

I've not lived in Cambridge for a long time, but that area wouldn't really appeal to me. It's not one of the nicer areas. I think for the full Cambridge experience, you'd be best staying in the centre, or maybe somewhere a bit greener. If you need to drive, bear in mind that traffic is horrendous if you're travelling around rush hour. It's a bit quieter on the roads when the private schools break up, and quieter again when the state schools finish. Just something to be aware of

Novotel is in a large new housing estate right next to the busy A14. Not near any nice cafes or restaurants or near any attractions. North Cambridge is the worst area - in as much as any areas in Cambridge are bad.

Lots of fantastic tips here.
My BEST tip - rather than stay in a hotel, book to stay in a Cambridge college using university rooms . com (take out the gaps when you type it).
We stayed at Christ's College in a gorgeous room for really quite cheap. Plus, that gave us access to the grounds and chapel at night, which was just magical.
I also LOVE the Haddon Museum (the anthropology museum) and the Fitzwiliam.
Punting isn't hard at all. Just put your phone in the punt rather than keeping it in your pocket, on the off-chance that you do fall in. (You really shouldn't).
I would also recommend walking through the meadows to Granchester to have tea at the Orchard (or you could punt there, if you really get into the punting thing...)

Oh, also...if its your cup of tea.

There's a couple of cemetries (mill road and ascension burial ground) you can find lots of important graves there.

To the south, there Cherry Hinton Hall, which is another lovely place to have a picnic/walk etc

Right niwz there's a Cow Trail...loads of decorated cows all over the city celebrating local artists...good fun :)

Punting tip - use the punt pole as a rudder. Push off once, hard, and then trail the pole in the water behind you, straight behind or in the direction you want to go, and just coast for a while like that, rather than constantly pushing off and trying to almost paddle/steer by pushing in different directions. Watch the professional punters for a little while before you have a go - they expend a lot less effort than everyone else, partly because they're fit, obviously, but also because it doesn't need as much effort as you think! I never got to the point where I didn't get my arm soaking wet, though.

Punting all the way to Granchester is a real slog though, much better to walk or cycle I think! And punt through the city to see all the colleges from the river.

I"m not a hipster but i still like Hot Numbers, especially the one that you cycle to and sit in the big garden. Excellent bacon sandwiches.

Nice walk/cycle along the river, and you can go all the way to Anglesey Abbey if you want by bike too. You can see the new bike bridge built over the river just past the railway bridge. (Not open to cycle over yet, but you can cycle under).

There is a more budget hotel near the station (Ibis), or if you want travelodge/holiday inn/premier inn or whatever, there is one at the leisure park site or the town end of Newmarket road, and those would both be better locations than Cambridge north - not that near the centre of town, but with more amenities around them. There are nicer hotels in town as well as smaller B&B or small hotels. The problem with Cambridge north is both the area not being very interesting/few facilities, but also cycling into town leaves a problem of what to do with bikes.

Though Cambridge north is where the cycle path out to St ives starts, which is a nice way to spend a morning/afternoon.

Lots of shops closed in town centre and grafton centre now, really quiet looking when I've been in lately.

Are you going in summer? Otherwise evensong could be interesting, as I think they are just starting to open it up to non-college visitors in some chapels, but not likely anything much til October.

15 minute train ride away also brings you to amazing Ely cathedral with the gorgeous Octagon tower. And several more tea and cake shops.

So many choices, thank you.

I'll have a think about the hotel, it was more about the location driving rather than cost, ease of not taking the car into the centre. We have our own 'Dutch' bikes with tremendous built in locks and additional chains so riding in would be an option. City centre looks lovely. Cambridge Arms, The Fellows House or The Varsity.

Take a look at The Graduate hotel, beautiful riverside central location, newly revamped and with a big car park, also The Gonville and The Clayton.

Cambridge really is a small place, it's not difficult to take a car into the centre of town. Also you can cycle anywhere in town once you are there and it's easier than driving. It's a fab place to cycle.

Ah this thread makes me miss Cambridge. It’s such a great city. Have a lovely time OP.