Visiting Cambridge

[AndIAmTellingYou]

DS and I will be visiting Cambridge overnight next week, to help him finalise his choice of college. We know that we won't be able to look around his short listed colleges. Apart from wandering around the university areas, does anyone have any suggestions of things to do, places to eat, bookshops to check out etc that will give him a flavour of the city?

@AndIAmTellingYou it depends to some extent what he hopes to study. If it’s sciences it’s worth a trip out to West Cambridge to see where the main teaching is out of the centre. If humanities the Sidgewick site is more central. I suspect access in both areas will be very limited but it’s worth a go. In the centre kings Parade, the market, trinity street are all obvious and you can’t miss them. Try Garret Anderson bridge for a view of some of the river colleges and a walk along the Backs is nice. I was there with DD on Friday picking up the last of her things in a strict 2hour slot. It is VERY quiet so it’s hard to imagine what it’s like rammed with tourists, bikes and students. I don’t think my DD has been in a bookshop but the CUP one is right next to St Marys in the middle.

I'm not sure what would be open now. You could walk to Grantchester, that's a nice walk.

I've seen some pictures of people being punted with a perspex screen.

www.letsgopunting.co.uk/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions/ is an option?

Heffers would be main bookshop

heffersbookshop.business.site/

Activities Scudamores is offering some punting, either self punt to Granchester, very nice but won't see college backs or chauffered college backs, quite pricey.

www.scudamores.com/

If you do go to Granchester this is good place to eat though do check they are operating atm:

www.theorchardteagarden.co.uk/

In Cambridge Fitzbillies is good for cakes:

www.fitzbillies.com/

Go for ice cream at Aromi or Jack's!
As others have said, it depends which college and which subject.
Maybe walk across to Mill Road to get an idea of what it's like outside of the historic university bit. Lots of good cafés and pubs around there but I'm not sure what is open at the moment.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. DS is going to apply for HSPS.

if you tell the porter you are a prospective student they will probably let you in to wander around the squares etc

The new Hockney gallery has been open on Bridge Street (just down the road from Fitzbillies). Not sure if Kettle’s Yard has reopened yet but that’s just a bit further up too.

The tower at St Mary’s reopened this week with social distancing all the way up apparently! Good for views but that’s all.

The Botanic Gardens are open, but you have to pre-book tickets (although you can do this on the day if they are available, apparently). Possibly something to do on a longer visit, though.

I’d second the vote for the Botanic Gardens. We went on Friday. It felt surprisingly normal and it was great to sit under a tree and talk. It’s not huge and the glasshouses were still closed (open this week I believe if you’re happy to be inside) so can be done quite quickly. Cambridge is very green in any case, but it is a lovely space.

And obviously a trip to Gardies (Gardenia's) on Rose Street for a kebab like a proper student

I think you need to sterilise your tummy with alcohol before you eat there

(that's a joke)

If either of you like open-air swimming, you ought to go to the wonderful lido on Jesus Green - it's one of the biggest in the UK. At the moment, you have to register online and book in advance. Also, the Fitzwilliam art gallery is very good.

I think jordiary has mumsnet confused with tripadvisor.

The Botanic Garden is lovely and drinks or tea at The Six ( The varsity Hotel) as it gives you panoramic views of Cambridge

As the OP was visiting over 14 months ago I am unsure how helpful suggestions made today are of use to her.

The thread was bumped by spam.

It might be useful for people this time round, though the restrictions will all have changed a bit.

I was in Cambridge last week and it was heaving and everything appeared to be open. Even allowed to have a sneaky peek at old college! It's a lovely city