In case you’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 maybe 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 the complete metropolis a sense of grandeur.
It’s the proper backdrop for a romantic weekend in Cambridge and is a well-liked worldwide vacationer vacation spot. House to many wonderful bars, eating places, and cafes to take pleasure in, it was all the time a simple 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 over time, with my husband for birthday journeys, with buddies, and for work, I’ve tied collectively all my favourite components of the town so you possibly can take pleasure in the most effective of Cambridge in two days. I like experiencing loads of tradition by day and the foods and drinks scene by night time, so let’s dive straight in:
Day 1 in Cambridge
Be sure you’ve obtained your most snug strolling sneakers on as Cambridge is a good metropolis to stroll round. There are a great deal of photograph alternatives at each flip, so make sure that your cellphone is totally 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 gives gorgeous views of Kings School Chapel and Nice St Mary’s Church.
After breakfast, take a guided strolling tour of the town. It’s a good way to get to know your approach round and to make sure you see all the primary sights. Some guided excursions embody entry to 3 faculties such because the world-famous Kings School. Click on right here to seek out out extra and to ebook 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 positioned in Cambridge. Though the story of the apple hitting him on the top is a fantasy, the spot proudly celebrates Newton’s discovery of gravity throughout his Cambridge years.
Day 1: Afternoon
No Cambridge weekend break can be full with out lunch at Market Home – it’s considered one of my favourite eating places within the metropolis. The trendy decor, excellent menu, and distinctive wine and cocktail checklist make it the proper place to refuel.
Very similar to Venice, Cambridge is known for punting. The River Cam runs by way of the town and there are lots of boats and excursions obtainable for guests. In case you’re fortunate sufficient, it’s possible you’ll even cross paths with a cell river bar and have the ability to seize your self a cocktail as you benefit from the fantastic sights alongside the river. Make sure to 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 true on the banks of the river and has a beautiful terrace overlooking the water. You’ll be able to take pleasure in watching some fellow punters journey previous as you sit again and calm down.
Day 1: Night
Cambridge by night time brings with it new delights. The attractive structure is dropped at life by some gorgeous lighting that makes the complete metropolis particularly atmospheric to walk round at night time. Make sure to spend a while after the solar has set, merely having fun with the great thing about the town.
Head for dinner at Butch Annie’s, a well-liked however informal burger and pizza joint. It’s nice for the whole lot from gentle snacks to full dinners and has an amazing bar choice too. They focus on natural farm-to-table beef and serve up some actually 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. Make sure to discover the key library, if you could find it!
Day 2 in Cambridge
In any case that sightseeing, meals, and cocktails yesterday, I hope you bought a superb night time’s sleep! So, in the event you’re prepared and raring to go, let’s get began with day two of your weekend in Cambridge:
Day 2: Morning
Very similar to yesterday, make sure to 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 wonderful breakfasts from 8 a.m. and overlooking the well-known Kings School Chapel, it’s a really perfect place to begin 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 study 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 ebook 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 attention-grabbing exhibition.
Day 2: Afternoon
For lunch, make your approach over to Bread & Meat, the place they serve a concise menu of superior roast-meat sandwiches. The tiled butcher-style setting makes for an amazing informal lunch spot. Their topside British beef sandwich is off the charts, (and for many who don’t eat meat, additionally they provide a tasty veggie sandwich).
Cambridge is filled with nice historic pubs, and you’ll go to a number of the greatest 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 consuming in Cambridge’s most wonderful pubs. Click on right here to seek out out extra info.
End off the afternoon with a delicate 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 delicate 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 actually horrific occasions which have occurred over the centuries at Cambridge College. It’s a captivating perception right into a darkish a part of the town’s historical past. Click on right here to ebook your tour forward of time.
For dinner, deal with your self to among the finest eating places within the metropolis – The Cambridge Chop Home. Serving conventional British classics and implausible steaks and chops, this trendy eaterie has sensational views of Kings School Chapel. There’s additionally a extremely cozy basement eating room. It’s a well-liked place and will get busy, so make sure to ebook forward.
End off your weekend in Cambridge with a present on the Cambridge Arts Theatre. The attractive 87-year-old, 666-seater auditorium attracts a number of the greatest performers and exhibits within the nation; together with productions straight from London’s West Finish. Examine the occasions calendar as there’s positive to be one thing nice on throughout your go to.
How you can Get to Cambridge
Cambridge has a good-sized prepare station that connects it to many cities in England, together with London. Common and dependable trains run day by day to and from Cambridge. Ticket prices fluctuate however be suggested that it’s greatest to ebook round 12 weeks forward of time to safe the most effective value.
In case you plan to drive to Cambridge you’ll discover a wonderful 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 underneath the age of 16 journey without cost with a paying grownup.
In case you’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 an easy drive, and hiring a automotive from the airport is simple. The airport prepare 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 day by day.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Cambridge
The Metropolis Middle is undoubtedly the primary attraction when planning a visit to Cambridge. However the metropolis additionally has a number of fashionable areas and surrounding villages that supply nice choices and facilities for a 2-night break in Cambridge.
Central Cambridge: Central Cambridge is known for its historic faculties, museums, and scenic parks. Alongside the River Cam, you’ll spot boaters punting and practising for the annual Boat Race. Historic pubs, tea rooms, resorts, and eating places are additionally in abundance right here for guests. Try this nice central resort possibility.
Mill Highway: Mill Highway is a vibrant neighborhood close to Cambridge Station. It has loads of Victorian structure with stay music pubs, a craft brewery, and classy 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 an incredible lodging selection close to Mill Highway.
Trumpington: Contemplate staying a bit of additional out of the town the place resorts are sometimes a bit of cheaper. Trumpington is simply over 2 miles away and gives quick access out and in of central Cambridge day by day. The village additionally has loads of its personal quaint outlets, pubs, and eating places to discover. Take a look at this excellent place to remain – it’s a Seventeenth-century pub!
Ideas 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 positioned within the metropolis, issues can get busy! Plan your excursions, journeys, resorts, and even restaurant bookings forward of time to make sure you get to do the whole lot you need to do.
2. Park-and-ride: The Park-and-Journey system has been lively in Cambridge for so long as I can keep in mind. And though you possibly can nonetheless park within the metropolis, it’s costly, and the visitors and one-way system is usually a nightmare. Merely park up without cost at considered one of 5 parking heaps on the outskirts and get the bus in – it’s far more handy.
3. Lower your expenses staying additional afield: A weekend break in Cambridge for two can turn out to be costly, particularly in the event you’re planning on staying centrally. There are numerous nice resorts, B&B, and residence choices obtainable a couple of miles out of city which might be nonetheless inside quick access 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. Beautiful 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 quite a lot of bars with engaging drink specials, together with 2-for-1 cocktails. This provide runs all day, every single day at Las Iguanas.
Moreover, Cambridge is residence to a Wetherspoons pub – The Regal. This well-known UK chain of 800+ pubs is widely known for its intensive menu of inexpensive meals and drinks. They serve the whole lot from breakfast bites to dinner plates and the whole lot in between.
6. Put on snug sneakers: Cambridge is a really walkable metropolis and also you’ll simply rack up the steps simply strolling across the many lovely sights and points of interest. Put on snug strolling sneakers or sneakers to make sure your toes don’t tire out earlier than you’re able to name it a day.
7. Bear 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 principally true. Even in the event you’re touring through 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 nations in Europe, the UK’s prepare community is privatized which implies costs are sometimes fairly excessive. It’s a serious bone of rivalry amongst the British public. One of the best costs are usually obtainable round 12 weeks earlier than, so plan effectively forward if doable. Among the finest choices for reserving rail tickets is trainline.com.
FAQs A few Weekend Getaway in Cambridge
Listed here are some solutions to continuously requested questions on weekend breaks in Cambridge:
You’ll be able to completely do Cambridge in only a weekend. There’s lots to see and do, however with the suitable 2-day itinerary for Cambridge, you possibly can make sure you hit all the important thing sights throughout your keep. Moreover, the town is especially walkable, and getting round could be very straightforward.
Make sure to analysis a weekend itinerary for Cambridge. There are many excursions, museums, and sights to see nevertheless it’s all the time advisable to ebook forward. You can too benefit from the many historic pubs, wonderful 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’ve quick access to the whole lot the town has to supply. Staying a bit of additional afield could also be a extra economical possibility, 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 snug lodging, eating, drinks, and a few excursions. However, given the abundance of excursions, museums, free sightseeing choices, and fulfilling walks obtainable, crafting an itinerary to swimsuit varied funds preferences is solely doable.
One of the 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 significantly nice instances to go to; when the climate is snug, 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 blended in with nice bars and eating places make it a terrific possibility for a getaway. There are such a lot of issues to do, and Cambridge is a well-liked worldwide vacationer vacation spot. So, make sure to plan forward along with your excursions, journeys, and restaurant bookings.
Cambridge Metropolis Middle has a delegated “Pedestrian Zone” in operation 24/7 the place basic 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 way of Saturday. Sometimes, solely buses, bicycles, and a few approved automobiles are allowed inside this zone.
A park-and-ride service permits guests to park at considered one of 5 free parking heaps on the outskirts of the town and take the bus to central locations.
Perhaps 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 stunning metropolis of Oxford quite a few instances, I believe the great 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 consuming you may make a weekend itinerary for many budgets.
It’s all the time advisable to plan forward and do your analysis. In my expertise, Cambridge is cheaper (on the whole) 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 prepare, the journey from Cambridge to London normally takes round 1 hour. In case you’re driving, it may take roughly 1.5 – 2 hours, relying on visitors and the route you select.
Take pleasure in 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 all the time straightforward to take it without any consideration when contemplating a metropolis break free someplace within the UK. However time and time once more, the gorgeous and vibrant metropolis has been my desire for day journeys, nights out, and weekends away with buddies.
So, whether or not you take pleasure in historical past and tradition, having an amazing bar and restaurant scene, or each, Cambridge has the whole lot you want for an incredible weekend metropolis break.
