For those who’re planning a metropolis break in England quickly, you’re in luck – I’ve put collectively an itinerary for the proper weekend break in Cambridge. I used to be born and raised only a few miles away from this lovely college metropolis and have spent many weekends having fun with all it has to supply.
Located in East Anglia, within the county of Cambridgeshire, Cambridge is probably most well-known for its college. Based in 1209, it’s the world’s third-oldest college in steady operation. Subsequently, grand college buildings dominate a lot of the skyline and provides your complete metropolis a sense of grandeur.
It’s the proper backdrop for a romantic weekend in Cambridge and is a widespread worldwide vacationer vacation spot. House to many glorious bars, eating places, and cafes to take pleasure in, it was at all times a straightforward hop from my hometown for an evening out or a weekend in Cambridge with buddies.
Weekend in Cambridge (2-Day Itinerary)
After visiting many instances through the years, with my husband for birthday journeys, with buddies, and for work, I’ve tied collectively all my favourite elements of the town so you may take pleasure in one of the best of Cambridge in two days. I like experiencing loads of tradition by day and the food and drinks scene by night time, so let’s dive straight in:
Day 1 in Cambridge
Be sure to’ve acquired your most comfy strolling sneakers on as Cambridge is a superb metropolis to stroll round. There are a great deal of picture alternatives at each flip, so make sure that your cellphone is absolutely charged to seize all of them!
Day 1: Morning
Kick off your weekend away in Cambridge with a hearty breakfast and a superb dose of caffeine. Benets Cafe serves scrumptious crepes and pancake breakfasts and presents gorgeous views of Kings Faculty Chapel and Nice St Mary’s Church.
After breakfast, take a guided strolling tour of the town. It’s an effective way to get to know your means round and to make sure you see all the principle sights. Some guided excursions embrace entry to 3 faculties such because the world-famous Kings Faculty. Click on right here to search out out extra and to e-book your tour.
End the morning with a brief stroll to the spot the place gravity was found. That’s proper, the acclaimed apple tree the place Sir Isaac Newton based the idea of gravity is situated in Cambridge. Though the story of the apple hitting him on the pinnacle is a delusion, the spot proudly celebrates Newton’s discovery of gravity throughout his Cambridge years.
Day 1: Afternoon
No Cambridge weekend break could be full with out lunch at Market Home – it’s certainly one of my favourite eating places within the metropolis. The fashionable decor, excellent menu, and distinctive wine and cocktail checklist make it the proper place to refuel.
Very like Venice, Cambridge is legendary for punting. The River Cam runs by the town and there are a lot of boats and excursions obtainable for guests. For those who’re fortunate sufficient, you could even cross paths with a cell river bar and be capable to seize your self a cocktail as you benefit from the fantastic sights alongside the river. Be sure you plan forward by reserving your punting tour right here.
End the primary afternoon of your two days in Cambridge and recover from your ‘sea legs’ (or ‘river legs’) with a pint at The Anchor. This cozy, conventional English pub is correct on the banks of the river and has an exquisite terrace overlooking the water. You possibly can take pleasure in watching some fellow punters experience previous as you sit again and loosen up.
Day 1: Night
Cambridge by night time brings with it new delights. The gorgeous structure is dropped at life by some gorgeous lighting that makes your complete metropolis particularly atmospheric to walk round at night time. Be sure you spend a while after the solar has set, merely having fun with the fantastic thing about the town.
Head for dinner at Butch Annie’s, a well-liked however informal burger and pizza joint. It’s nice for all the things from mild snacks to full dinners and has a terrific bar choice too. They concentrate on natural farm-to-table beef and serve up some really satisfying burgers.
End the primary night time of your weekend getaway in Cambridge with cocktails at 2648. An underground bar with a speakeasy vibe that serves generously portioned drinks. They make an distinctive Salted Caramel White Russian – a salty candy tackle the traditional cocktail. Be sure you discover the key library, if you will discover it!
Day 2 in Cambridge
In spite of everything that sightseeing, meals, and cocktails yesterday, I hope you bought a superb night time’s sleep! So, if you happen to’re prepared and raring to go, let’s get began with day two of your weekend in Cambridge:
Day 2: Morning
Very like yesterday, be sure you begin the day with a superb breakfast and even higher espresso. Head to the Copper Kettle, one thing of a Cambridge establishment established within the early 1900s. Serving glorious breakfasts from 8 a.m. and overlooking the well-known Kings Faculty Chapel, it’s a great place to start out your day.
Stroll off your breakfast by discovering extra of Cambridge’s wealthy historical past with a self-guided audio tour. From scientific breakthroughs to distinctive traditions, you’ll be taught in regards to the College commencement ceremony, marvel on the Corpus Clock, discover the historical past of the Chelsea Bun, and delve into tales in regards to the iconic College Boat Race. Click on right here to e-book your tour.
Spherical off your second morning with a visit to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. The fossils, rocks, minerals, and archive materials on show are of excellent scientific and historic significance. Notebooks, pictures, and collections from many notable scientists, not least Charles Darwin, type a part of this fascinating exhibition.
Day 2: Afternoon
For lunch, make your means over to Bread & Meat, the place they serve a concise menu of superior roast-meat sandwiches. The tiled butcher-style setting makes for a terrific informal lunch spot. Their topside British beef sandwich is off the charts, (and for many who don’t eat meat, in addition they provide a tasty veggie sandwich).
Cambridge is filled with nice historic pubs, and you’ll go to among the finest ones on a heritage pub tour. This distinctive tour, based by two former Cambridge college students will provide you with an genuine, intimate slice of native pub tradition. It mixes informative enjoyable with a soothing afternoon of ingesting in Cambridge’s most superb pubs. Click on right here to search out out extra data.
End off the afternoon with a mild stroll alongside The Backs. That is the picturesque inexperienced area the place a number of faculties ‘again’ onto the River Cam. It’s a extremely nice space to take a mild afternoon stroll. The Nationwide Belief Chairman rated The Backs as one of many high 10 views in England.
Day 2: Night
As the ultimate night time descends in your 2 days in Cambridge, embrace the darkness with a ghost tour. Led by College Alumni you’ll be regaled with tales of some really horrific occasions which have occurred over the centuries at Cambridge College. It’s an interesting perception right into a darkish a part of the town’s historical past. Click on right here to e-book your tour forward of time.
For dinner, deal with your self to probably the greatest eating places within the metropolis – The Cambridge Chop Home. Serving conventional British classics and improbable steaks and chops, this fashionable eaterie has sensational views of Kings Faculty Chapel. There’s additionally a extremely cozy basement eating room. It’s a well-liked place and will get busy, so be sure you e-book forward.
End off your weekend in Cambridge with a present on the Cambridge Arts Theatre. The gorgeous 87-year-old, 666-seater auditorium attracts among the largest performers and reveals within the nation; together with productions straight from London’s West Finish. Verify the occasions calendar as there’s positive to be one thing nice on throughout your go to.
The right way to Get to Cambridge
Cambridge has a good-sized practice station that connects it to many cities in England, together with London. Common and dependable trains run each day to and from Cambridge. Ticket prices range however be suggested that it’s finest to e-book round 12 weeks forward of time to safe one of the best value.
For those who plan to drive to Cambridge you’ll discover a superb park-and-ride scheme that retains the middle as car-free as doable. Merely park up at any of the 5 free automotive parks across the metropolis and common bus companies will drop you into the guts. Bus tickets begin at £3 ($3.70) return, and as much as 3 youngsters beneath the age of 16 journey totally free with a paying grownup.
For those who’re flying in for a two-day journey to Cambridge the closest worldwide airport is London Stansted. Cambridge is round 30 miles away – it’s a simple drive, and hiring a automotive from the airport is straightforward. The airport practice station is walkable from arrivals and common trains will drop you in central Cambridge inside 30-40 minutes.
Cambridge is a very walkable metropolis, however for help getting round, dependable native buses, taxis, and ride-sharing companies like Uber function each day.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Cambridge
The Metropolis Middle is undoubtedly the principle attraction when planning a visit to Cambridge. However the metropolis additionally has a number of widespread areas and surrounding villages that provide nice choices and facilities for a 2-night break in Cambridge.
Central Cambridge: Central Cambridge is legendary for its historic faculties, museums, and scenic parks. Alongside the River Cam, you’ll spot boaters punting and training for the annual Boat Race. Historic pubs, tea rooms, accommodations, and eating places are additionally in abundance right here for guests. Take a look at this nice central resort choice.
Mill Street: Mill Street is a vibrant neighborhood close to Cambridge Station. It has loads of Victorian structure with dwell music pubs, a craft brewery, and trendy espresso outlets. You’ll additionally discover Asian and Center Japanese markets for groceries and might take pleasure in eating in Japanese, North African, and Indian eating places. Right here’s a tremendous lodging alternative close to Mill Street.
Trumpington: Contemplate staying just a little additional out of the town the place accommodations are sometimes just a little cheaper. Trumpington is simply over 2 miles away and presents easy accessibility out and in of central Cambridge each day. The village additionally has loads of its personal quaint outlets, pubs, and eating places to discover. Take a look at this great spot to remain – it’s a Seventeenth-century pub!
Suggestions for a Weekend Journey to Cambridge
With a lot to slot in throughout a 2-day journey to Cambridge, I’ve put collectively a couple of of my high ideas to assist refine your itinerary. Take these on board to make sure you have the proper journey:
1. Plan forward: Cambridge is a well-liked, worldwide vacationer vacation spot and with the College centrally situated within the metropolis, issues can get busy! Plan your excursions, journeys, accommodations, and even restaurant bookings forward of time to make sure you get to do all the things you need to do.
2. Park-and-ride: The Park-and-Experience system has been energetic in Cambridge for so long as I can bear in mind. And though you may nonetheless park within the metropolis, it’s costly, and the visitors and one-way system is usually a nightmare. Merely park up totally free at certainly one of 5 parking heaps on the outskirts and get the bus in – it’s far more handy.
3. Get monetary savings staying additional afield: A weekend break in Cambridge for two can turn out to be costly, particularly if you happen to’re planning on staying centrally. There are various nice accommodations, B&B, and condominium choices obtainable a couple of miles out of city which might be nonetheless inside easy accessibility of the Metropolis Middle.
4. Benefit from the free stuff: Cambridge is such a phenomenal metropolis and simply strolling round may be an exercise in itself. Gorgeous structure, spectacular chapels, lovely parks, centuries-old church buildings, and sumptuous museums and theaters are all to be discovered simply strolling the streets.
5. Know your pleased hours: As a metropolis with a vibrant pupil group, Cambridge options a wide range of bars with attractive drink specials, together with 2-for-1 cocktails. This provide runs all day, on daily basis at Las Iguanas.
Moreover, Cambridge is house to a Wetherspoons pub – The Regal. This well-known UK chain of 800+ pubs is widely known for its in depth menu of inexpensive meals and drinks. They serve all the things from breakfast bites to dinner plates and all the things in between.
6. Put on comfy sneakers: Cambridge is a really walkable metropolis and also you’ll simply rack up the steps simply strolling across the many lovely sights and sights. Put on comfy strolling sneakers or sneakers to make sure your ft don’t tire out earlier than you’re able to name it a day.
7. Keep in mind you’re in England: Having lived in England most of my life I can affirm the rumors in regards to the climate are largely true. Even if you happen to’re touring in the course of the summer time months, be ready for some moist climate and pack your suitcase accordingly.
8. Prepare costs may be steep: In contrast to some neighboring international locations in Europe, the UK’s practice community is privatized which implies costs are sometimes fairly excessive. It’s a significant bone of competition amongst the British public. The very best costs are typically obtainable round 12 weeks earlier than, so plan properly forward if doable. Probably the greatest choices for reserving rail tickets is trainline.com.
FAQs A few Weekend Getaway in Cambridge
Listed below are some solutions to often requested questions on weekend breaks in Cambridge:
You possibly can completely do Cambridge in only a weekend. There’s lots to see and do, however with the correct 2-day itinerary for Cambridge, you may make sure you hit all the important thing sights throughout your keep. Moreover, the town is especially walkable, and getting round may be very simple.
Be sure you analysis a weekend itinerary for Cambridge. There are many excursions, museums, and sights to see nevertheless it’s at all times advisable to e-book forward. You can too benefit from the many historic pubs, glorious eating places, and quaint cafes and tea rooms that may be discovered everywhere in the metropolis at your leisure.
There are a selection of nice lodging choices in Central Cambridge. Staying right here will imply you may have easy accessibility to all the things the town has to supply. Staying just a little additional afield could also be a extra economical choice, and there are good public transport choices that hyperlink the town to lots of the outer villages and areas.
A determine of round $250 per individual for 48 hours in Cambridge ought to suffice for comfy lodging, eating, drinks, and a few excursions. However, given the abundance of excursions, museums, free sightseeing choices, and pleasing walks obtainable, crafting an itinerary to go well with numerous funds preferences is fully doable.
The very best month to go to Cambridge is dependent upon your preferences for climate, crowd ranges, and the kind of expertise you need. Many individuals discover spring and early autumn to be notably nice instances to go to; when the climate is comfy, and there are fewer crowds in comparison with the height summer time season.
Cambridge is a superb metropolis break. The abundance of historical past and tradition combined in with nice bars and eating places make it a terrific choice for a getaway. There are such a lot of issues to do, and Cambridge is a well-liked worldwide vacationer vacation spot. So, be sure you plan forward along with your excursions, journeys, and restaurant bookings.
Cambridge Metropolis Middle has a chosen “Pedestrian Zone” in operation 24/7 the place normal automobile entry is restricted and managed by bollards. That is additional heightened between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday by Saturday. Usually, solely buses, bicycles, and a few licensed autos are allowed inside this zone.
A park-and-ride service permits guests to park at certainly one of 5 free parking heaps on the outskirts of the town and take the bus to central locations.
Possibly I’m biased, however Cambridge is prettier than Oxford. I grew up only a few miles away from Cambridge and though I’ve visited the beautiful metropolis of Oxford quite a few instances, I feel the fantastic thing about Cambridge has the sting.
Like every metropolis, there are costly choices and there are cheaper choices. Whether or not contemplating lodging, eating, or ingesting you can also make a weekend itinerary for many budgets.
It’s at all times advisable to plan forward and do your analysis. In my expertise, Cambridge is cheaper (generally) than London, however is just about on par with different main UK cities.
The approximate distance from central Cambridge to central London is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) in a straight line. By practice, the journey from Cambridge to London normally takes round 1 hour. For those who’re driving, it could possibly take roughly 1.5 – 2 hours, relying on visitors and the route you select.
Get pleasure from Your Weekend Journey to Cambridge
It’s been an actual deal with to relive a couple of days away in Cambridge. Rising up shut by it was at all times simple to take it without any consideration when contemplating a metropolis break free someplace within the UK. However time and time once more, the attractive and vibrant metropolis has been my choice for day journeys, nights out, and weekends away with buddies.
So, whether or not you take pleasure in historical past and tradition, having a terrific bar and restaurant scene, or each, Cambridge has all the things you want for a tremendous weekend metropolis break.
