Suggestions for visiting Cambridge out of term-time with a Y12

[YolandaCoriander]

We will be in Cambridge for a couple of days in January, not in University term. Partly as a break, but partly as an opportunity to show a Y12 Cambridge. They are familiar with the other place. What should we do?

You will be able to enter some of the colleges and view the buildings. There are lots of museums such as the Fitzwilliam and the Scott Polar Museum. There’s a market, good shopping. Go into King’s College Chapel. If the Senate Building is open you can see where the graduation ceremony takes place.

Out of term most colleges will be open but there's often a fee to enter. It may be worth contacting admissions offices for a few that you want to visit and asking if you can visit on xx date and they may even offer a tour and no entry fee payable then.

Adding to PP suggestions... There are a lot of lovely museums (all small apart from the Fitzwilliam); what are your DC's interests? Walk through the centre, see the Corpus Clock, the market, one or two of the parks if the weather co-operates. The Botanic Gardens are normally a real treat, but maybe not in January! And eat fatteh for dinner at Little Petra.

What subjects are they interested in?

You might look at the west Cambridge site - most stem and maths depts are out there.
Any colleges they might be interested in? Show them an old, city centre one like King's and contrast with Churchill?

Also and a bit more out on a limb - computer museum

www.computinghistory.org.uk

Thanks, all suggestions welcome. I know it won't look it's best in Jan but as it is before 12th night the lights should still be up. Looking at a Hums subject taught at all colleges. Interesting about contacting colleges in advance.

Go to the porters lodge at some colleges and ask if you can look around as you have a child who is thinking of applying. Some colleges might be unhelpful (looking at you Queens!) but some of the less famous ones may be happy to let you look around. Maybe Sidney and St Catharines (old central) and Fitzwilliam, Robinson, Homerton (newer less central). Don't be offended if they say no. Just try another one. Hope you enjoy it.

Don't just focus on the colleges in the centre of town. A punt along the Cam can also be quite interesting and fun, maybe a bit chilly in January though! There are walking tours too.

About seven minutes walk from town there are colleges like Newnham (women's only college) and Selwyn. They are bit like a goldilocks zone for many as it isn't too touristy but is also near the Sidgwick site but not as far out as colleges like Murray Edwards. The Newnham college Iris cafe is open to all and is popular with visitors for this reason as it is one of the few colleges that have a cafe open to the public. Sidgwick isn't exactly pretty but has a lot of the faculty buildings for a range of subjects so check where the subject your YP is interested in is taught for lectures. Newnham is pretty open and people do walk through the gardens fairly freely.

Interesting. Thinking of doing this just before Christmas. I'm thinking Cambridge at Christmas will be rather beautiful and perhaps some markets there too?

@happyhippiehippo Just so you know, there's no Christmas market in Cambridge. Norwich is a much nicer place to visit if you want a Christmas atmosphere.

Any of the colleges will allow you in, if you go to the Porter's Lodge and say you have a prospective student with you wanting to have a look round, but if you're particularly interested in one college, definitely worth contacting them direct. They will be busy with interviews and admissions in the first week after term finishes (w/c 3 December).

As an aside as Christmas was mentioned, Cambridge students may celebrate Bridgemas around 25 November as an alternative.

We had five days in Cambridge with year 11 DS who loved history. We walked past Downing College the first morning which is open to the public - no charge. We walked round the grounds and he liked it a lot. He decided he would try for Cambridge and is now second year reading history at Downing and absolutely loves it.

We went to Cambridge this January and it was cold but sunny with lots of mist in the morning, very atmospheric!

The museums are great and some of the colleges were open. We loved it.

Forgot to say this was with a yr11 and yr7. My yr11 loved all the book shops too.

Coming late to this, but the magic words to say to porters are "prospective student", ideally your DC should say it. We found the porters indicative of the attitude of the college in general - DD is now in her 7th year there so has a good knowledge of most colleges now. I second @Octavia64 's suggestion - we went there in July and it was fascinating.

You can wander around colleges and as long as you are respectful and polite, most porters will let you have a quick look around.

That's what I have my fingers crossed for.
Thank you for all the suggestions.
Is it worth going on a guided walking tour do you think?
Do we need to go to Fitzbillies or is a chelsea bun not really all that?

I wouldn’t bother with a walking tour. It’s all quite close together.

It might be an idea to think in advance about what college your dc might suit. Do they want old and grand? Will they prefer modern and very down to earth? Some colleges are great for student experience but a bit further out so you wouldn’t get to them unless you tried hard. Eg Churchill, Fitz, Robinson.

I did this with dd, we went to quite a few porters and said prospective student. A lot didn’t let us in but this was 18 months ago so maybe a few more college covid rules? We also stayed overnight in student rooms in St Catharines which was a good experience.

Fitzbillies is nice if they like scones and afternoon tea. But there's loads of cafes.

If staying overnight, I'd recommend 'The Graduate' Hotel which is on the Cam just south of Queens. The reception areas are all decked out with rowing boats and various quirky decor in the rooms too. It's great in summer as they have lovely gardens (and cocktails) on the river bank.

Def go on a punting tour if it's not too cold as there's lots of historical info and you see into college grounds much more from the river, plus go under the Bridge of Sighs, etc.

If it's too cold to punt, a nice walk would be crossing the bridge near Queens (Silver St). You'll see Mathematical Bridge for what it's worth. Then bear right and walk on the path on the other side of the Cam (through the fields known as 'the Backs') for the classic view of Kings, etc and then go over the bridge to Trinity Hall and wander past Caius, Clare etc and then go for afternoon tea!

There is a market in central Cambs which I'm sure will have some seasonal stuff in it. Basically, just wander around as it's all lovely.