One day in Cambridge ideas

[lidolemon]

I've got a day coming up in Cambridge. I'll be on my own so things like punting are probably out! I like walking, seeing unusual things off the beaten track and museums. Not as keen on art. Was thinking of doing my own walking tour, but wondered if anyone had must see things as I go around. Wouldn't mind a peek in a college or two. Also some nice places to eat which are welcoming for the solo traveller would be great. Thanks!

Kettles Yard is slightly arty...its different. Or any of the small university museums. You might be able to share a punt tour. (The river near Kettles Yard was always good for them!)
Botanic Gardens is lovely.

Museum of Zoology is always good, I've not been to the Polar museum but could be v interesting

https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/discover

Don't miss Fitzbillies for coffee and cake

https://www.fitzbillies.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw7uSkBhDGARIsAMCZNJsE97DqYW4ad4o67irn-2M9mfeJo90xoL25yErei7L6YjVRNLdbnEaAiA-EALww_wcB

I'd go the Fitzwilliam over Kettle's Yard if you prefer museums to art galleries. It's the 'main' museum but never very busy.

If you're doing a college, one of the ones with a good chapel is best. King's/Clare/John's all all interesting. Trinity and Magdalen have famous libraries and Trinity is generally good for a wander.

Kings is covered in scaffolding at the moment so a bit of a disappointment. A walk along the backs is still nice though. If you go to the Fitzwilliam there's a little pub opposite with a lovely courtyard - a good spot for lunch.

If you like handbags you can often get really good discounts in the sale section in the basement of the Cambridge Satchel Company's shop on Market Square.

You're outside termtime, so the choirs will mostly have packed up, but if there's an evensong in one of the big college chapels, even if it's a visiting choir, I'd suggest you give it a go. It's a very passive service and so if e.g. at King's it's basically 45 minutes to ogle the roof.

look at atlasobscura.com - I love random stuff and it never fails to provide something interesting to see

Magdelene. Not Magdelen. What a mistake to make.

Magdalene has two famous libraries now - the Pepys library and the new library!
http://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/new-library-wins-2022-riba-stirling-prize#:~:text=The%20New%20Library%20wins%20RIBA,Library%20has%20received%20this%20recognition.

+1 for Kettle's Yard but only if you are interested in art particularly modern British art.

I'd recommend a guided tour so you don't miss things like the hole in the skirting board where the spouses could shout to each other through.

If you don't like art, it would be boring I think.

You can be punted and have a brief history of the colleges at the same time.

It's hard to enjoy anything when it's this busy, but I always enjoy the zoological museum, the air conditioning is welcome too. If you can get a spot at the Granta, it's brilliant for people and wildlife watching.

The Haunted Bookshop is quite a famous secondhand book shop, down St Edward's Passage just off King's Parade. It specialises in children's books.

Thank you, these are all brilliant suggestions and I will google away!

The Fitzwilliam is probably the pick of the museums.
G Williams bookstore if you like old books.
Great St Mary's church tower if you like nice views.
Food - depends on what you like but possibilies are The Locker Cafe (quieter than a lot of the city centre places), Aromi (pizza and Italian sandwiches but busy), Cafe Oriental Dumpling Bar or Zhonghua Traditional Snacks for dumplings, Espresso Library, Pho (Vietnamese).
Jack's Gelato
If you have a few hours spare a walk down the river to Grantchester for tea and scones at the Orchard is nice (takes around 40 min each way although there are buses if you don't want to walk both ways).
Check openning hours for things like the college libraries as some are hardly ever open eg the Wren library seems closed altother the moment.

Look out for the Dinky Doors scattered around Cambridge. I'm sure there's a self-guided tour for that. Really quirky and unique.
Lunch at Aromi is great value for the middle of Cambridge, but get there early as there are queues.

A drink on the varsity rooftop. Go punting and visit the botanical gardens. If it's a warm day nip to lido on Lammas land or hire a bike and cycle to grant Chester for cream tea.

Whipple Museum of Scientific Instruments
Geological Museum
The backs
The Eagle Pub - two great claims to fame

Botanical Gardens near train station are lovely. You can do punts as part of a group with a guide which are good. I've done it with strangers you just pay and get on.
I like Giggling Squid which is Thai

This is an old thread which @EleniK1 has revived, perhaps wanting to share what a great day she had.

She says above “My best friend and I just had an incredible day trip to Cambridge” but the linked article, by someone called Eleni, starts “As a local to this stunning city… “

“Avoid College fatigue! Don’t feel that you need to tour every university.”
Every university? There are only two universities in Cambridge. I think she means every college.

The link in the article about Cambridge college access (which takes you here) is for alumni, ie people who are members of the university, including former students.

Also, this is exam term so many of the colleges are closed to visitors., eg Trinity and St John’s.

Colleges which are open include King’s - worth a visit, in my opinion.