What to do in Cambridge for a day by myself?

[PoosyCat]

I’ve got about 8 hours to spend by myself in Cambridge on Monday. I’ve never been before and I’m quite excited at the thought of a day pottering all by myself! I’d like to be pretty central, within walking distance of the train station. Any suggestions?

What do you mean by "the university"? The university is spread across the city in various colleges.

OP, you can walk into some colleges and have a look around the grounds for free. We've been in both Emmanuel and Downing. Others you might need to pay a smalll charge to the porter.

There are some good suggestions on here. I'd definitely book a walking tour, they are great if you haven't been to Cambridge before. You can spot stuff that you can return to later on your own for a proper look eg we visited the Eagle pub which they always mention on the tour.

Bould Brothers for coffee (there are two). Aromi is good too.

Botanical Gardens are nice for a wander (I like the greenhouses), there is a small charge.

Punting is lovely, with a guide, although not sure I'd enjoy it in March, we went in summer and it was a warm sunny day.

The walk from the station is fine if you are used to walking everywhere. Those who drive door to door, or who are unfit/elderly would probably complain.

Check if there are other museums open. I think the Sedgewick museum of earth sciences is open on a Monday. It has a nice museum smell and doesn't seem to get very busy so is nice for a wander around in peace if you like that sort of thing.

I’m loving all the suggestions, thank you so much.
This is a little bonus day out when I should be at work and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be with my daughter on the train journeys but will have the whole day to myself when there so I can do as much or as little as I want.
Just crossing fingers for decent weather but I’m a tough northerner so it’ll probably be warmer than I’m used to!!

Not sure I’ve ever been as cold anywhere as one Winter in Cambridge, maybe thirty years ago!

Catch either evensong or an evensong rehearsal at Kings College Chapel if you can. Beautiful music in a gorgeous space.

Look out for Dinky Doors, the museums are great, anthropology, natural history, zoology small and all near to each other, not sure if open Mondays, Fitzbillies for Chelsea buns

Yes Dinky Doors, punting, and stop at The Kiosk on the Green (Jesus Green) Coffee and cake or a hot melty sourdough toastie.
Walk along the boardwalk to Quayside and visit Waterstones or Heffers if you like books, both are a stones throw away

As you say you like to walk I’d definitely recommend a route along The Backs, that is Queen’s Road.

Walk as far as the crocuses behind Trinity, turn round and walk back to the pedestrian traffic lights. Then turn west along Burrell’s Walk to Robinson or east along Garrett Hostel Lane into the centre of town, with lovely views into Trinity, St John’s, Clare, Trinity Hall and the river. They are both cycle/pedestrian paths so away from other traffic.

If you are feeling incredibly brave Jesus Green Lido, 10C unheated, bring a wetsuit. 😂
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/jesus-green-lido

Robinson college is nice enough but a very weird starting point for someone who's never been to Cambridge before and only has a day to explore.

The simple route I'd suggest is around Granta Place / Silver Street bridge (great location by the river and you can get a drink at the Mill or the Anchor and watch people punting), wander along Trumpington Street, King's Parade and Trinity Street, and end up at the Round Church. (Or do it all the other way around). That way you'll see all the key bits and there will be lots of interesting places to see along the way; you can go into some of the colleges, shops and cafes. Definitely stop at Fitzbillies!

You can get Ubers in Cambridge so if you can't be arsed with a bus, I would suggest hopping in a Uber, just because the walk from the station to the centre/nicest touristy bits is a bit long and boring, no point tiring yourself out before you've got to the best bits. Or do like the locals and grab a bike! I'm sure you could hire one for the day.

I assume you won't go on a punt tour by yourself in March; it's more fun with company in warmer months... Also, Grantchester is absolutely lovely but I'd save that for a future visit in late spring or summer.

YY to walking along the footpaths west of the river from Silver street to garrett hostel lane.

I think you can go from train station up station road then enter the botanic gardens through entrance on hills road if want to see and buy a ticket then walk through gardens leave at brookside. Walk up Brookside which is pretty with a stream and ducks then enter Trumpington Street which has a lot of the Cambridge colleges.

As you are a walker, I'd say walk up from the station to Hills Road. Stop at Maison Clement for pastries.

Take a left down Lensfield Road until you get to the bottom of Trumpington Street. This is where you start to feel University town. Walk up, looking at the colleges, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Judge Institute. Keep going up Kings Parade. You are now in the heart of town. See Kings College, Great St Mary's and the Senate House. Have a look around The market Square if you like. Then head up Trinity Street, see Trinity and St Johns. Then take a right towards Bridge Street and the Quays. If you have brought a warm coat the punt tour will take you through bits you can't see from the road. Then lunch at Fitzbillies (pick up Chelsea buns to take home). If you haven't done the punt tour you might want to walk along the backs, but if you have, head back down Sidney Street into Regent Street. If you are done with shops you could pick up the Trumpington Road Park and Ride bus to the Botanic Gardens. And if you aren't you can visit the Grand Arcade. If you don't do either of those last two things cut across Parkers Piece and head down Mill Road for the independent shops. You can turn down Devonshire Road to get back to the station if you like.

Visit Cambridge University Library, especially if it rains!

Robinson college wouldn't be on my list of places to visit in Cambridge if you've only got one day (as someone who lived in Cambridge for years).

I'd also walk up Hills Rd and through the Botanic Gardens to Trumpington Street/Kings Parade. You can stroll along past the Fitzwilliam and old Addenbrookes and some of the colleges. Then cut through to Silver St and walk along the backs. You could call in at Fitzbillies for a Chelsea bun on the way - they aren't the original bakers, but still really good. Do pop in to The Eagle - touristy but fascinating for it's WWII and DNA discovery connections. It used to be possible to walk through some of the college gardens - Clare is my favourite. That's definitely worth doing assuming you still can.

It's also worth going up the tower at Great Saint Mary's as you get a great view from there.

My favourite museum isn't open on Mondays (Scott Polar Research Institute) so you'll have to come back!

Another vote for Heffers. Midsummer Common is nice for a peaceful half hour.
For anyone that MUST punt, midweek is good for haggling! I paid the same for two adults and kids as a couple had paid per person on ours. Gorgeous views and the commentary was fab. Disclaimer- pre-covid and it was a warm dry day!
Making notes of everyone’s recommendations. We usually go with friends and end up in the same places they like every time.

What sort of masochist goes on water, in March, in the rain?

Er... have you never been to Cambridge? There are people at it all year round! But agree probably leave Grantchester for a while after all this rain - a while ago apparently it was possible to kayak over the bridge...

You can easily walk from the station to the city centre!

I'd suggest the Botanic Gardens, Hot Numbers on Trumpington St for coffee, the little museums on Downing St (check which are open - Sidgwick Museum of Earth Sciences (fossils/dinos), the Museum of Zoology the Museum of Archaelogy and Anthropology).

Then a mooch on Trinity St to see the Trinity/John's, a cocktail at The Ivy. The Round Church is unique. Lunch at Aromi then an ice cream at Jack's Gelato, hot chocolate at Knoops.
King's College Chapel is amazing, as is punting on the backs (guided tour).

Have a great day!

There are restrictions on who can use the University Library if they are not a member of the university or a current student or member of staff elsewhere. (Edit - at another university.)

I don’t know if it would be possible to get in to see this exhibition. There is a dedicated exhibition space downstairs but it’s not open at the moment as they are currently setting up for the next exhibition.

Anyway, the BBC weather centre still says the probability of rain before 1pm is 0, although it’s now a little more likely in the afternoon.

Er... have you never been to Cambridge?

Only for the standard 3 years, @ErrolTheDragon. But a punt is a pointless thing in any weather.

(Though I do have to laugh at myself as I was watching school rowing earlier this month.)

I'm love punting in almost all weathers. They have blankets and hot water bottles and huge umbrellas on the punts.

Don’t think I’ll be punting, don’t fancy it by myself. Pottering round (on land) with frequent food breaks is what I love. Some great suggestions for places for coffee and cakes and I’ll definitely be looking at the museums and botanical gardens. I won’t be around in the evening for evensong but I’d love to have a mooch around some of the colleges.

The botanical garden even in March will be nice. Cambridge is a lovely place to wander round and lots of tea shops.I spent a week there on a course.

Great thread OP. I went last year with my DH & DD and managed to not find all these lovely places that have been mentioned. I'm planning to return on my own in June to explore properly.

Fitzbillies
Punting tour - aim for scudamores

As it's a nice day a drink on the roof top bar of the hotel by the river

Lunch - loads of choice - or a picnic from fitzbillies on the mill pond

Heffers

They have saunas too