Going to Cambridhe this weekend - what shopping/sightseeing?

[stripeyknickersspottysocks]

I'm running out of time to look any info up myself as I've got to do an unexpected extra day at work tomorrow.

I'm meeting up with a friend late afternon and we're having dinner and going to a gig. I'm probably going to get there late morning though so have a few hours to myself that I could do some shopping, sightseeing. No punting though! What's worth seeing? Any good shopping?

Also where can I park a big van that won't fit under a height barrier?

I am assuming you've never been there before? Suggestions:

Fitzwilliam museum - if you like museums!

King's College Chapel - if you've never been to Cambridge you really ought to pop in and see the chapel.

Walking along the Backs (basically walking along the river) - (if it's a nice day) really pretty and generally nice to do

Wandering in and out of colleges (some might be shut, and some might charge). Most of the town centre ones are really beautiful.

Kettle's Yard - if you are more into 20th century art, this is a really nice place to go - based in an artist's house. website

The Botanic Garden is very nice, although a bit out of the town centre here

In terms of shopping, if you want all the usual high street shops, go to the Grafton Centre (about 10 mins from the town centre on foot). If you want high street shops plus independent shops, wander round the town centre.

You can go on a red double decker tour, but to be honest I'd save your cash and just wander round! You can also download an audio tour if you've got an iPod! here

Don't know about parking I'm afraid! THere is a park-and-ride which might be worth investigating.

This website is good for maps, info etc.

Enjoy your trip!

Widgeon has covered it all, I would say, BUT do go to Kettles Yard!

And DEFINITELY use the park & ride & don't even think about trying to park in the town centre - fiendishly expensive. There are various P&Rs depending on which direction you are coming in to town.

Would also recommend park and ride - parking is astronomical in town. They have mostly got height restrictions though - lots of issues with Travellers on the sites in recent years - so you might want to give the County Council a call to check the height restrictions out.

Jamie Oliver has just opened a new restaurant opposite the Corn Exchange which is worth a visit even if just for a drink. Browns on Trumpington Street is also good for cocktails if you need a post-lunch snifter .

I live close by but love going on the guided tours run by the tourist information centre. They're fantastic and give you a real feel for the history of the place.

P & R closes quite early - last buses leave town centre around 8 pm so no good for the evening - but you could park P & R during the day, then retrieve your van and drive into town after 5 pm when there are no roadside parking instructions. You can of course retrieve your van from P & R at any time but there won't be any buses later in the evening.
Jamies Italian is incredibly busy at present, so expect to queue if you want to go there.
Shopping is pretty good in the "historic city centre" - the main chains plus some individual shops outside the main mall (Grand Arcade).

Thanks for all that, Kettles Yard looks really nice, I'll definetly go there. I can't use the Park and Ride as there are height barriers and the van won't get in.

If you are walking up to Kettle's Yard, then you could also pop to the Castle Mound, and get a nice view over the city (it's the only hill for miles around, although by most cities' standards it's a small bump, not a hill! It'll take you about a minute to walk up it!).

As you go up Castle Street (the street with Kettle's Yard on it), Castle Mound is just a little bit further, on your right. By the way, there is no castle there any more!

Enjoy your trip!

huh? What is the new Jamie restaurant? Damn, we were at Peppa Pig the other weekend!!

Although I live near Cambridge, I went on a girls weekend to Cambridge last year (I was the only "local"). A few of us did one of the walking tours which was really interesting and certainly gave us lots of ideas of where to explore further the next day. We were able to book this at the information centre.

Also recommend the park-and-ride after being stung £16 for an afternoon's parking at the Grafton recently.

Just had a thought - if you are planning on going to Kettle's Yard, you could park on-street just a little bit further up Huntingdon Road, either on Huntingdon Road itself (next to Murray Edwards College), or one of the side streets to the right .

Pretty sure it's free, and definitely no height restrictions.

It's about a 10 / 15 min walk back into town, but for the convenience of the parking, might be worth it.