Listen up, Londoners. I come bearing yet another historic hotspot for you to add to your ever-lengthening list of places to visit when you want to escape the chaos of the capital. And today’s picture-perfect location comes in the form of a medieval market -town-turned-city just an hour outside of London. That’s right, folks. We’re off to Cambridge.
Now, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ve never head of Cambridge. Primarily because it’s home to one of the most famous universities in the world. But it turns out that there’s a whole lot more to this ancient area than big buildings filled with even bigger brains. Cambridge is actually widely considered the birthplace of modern football as a group of students drew up a set of ‘Cambridge Rules’ back in 1863 which went on to influence the Football Associations original rules. A pretty impressive claim to fame, don’t you think?
The city itself dates all the way back to the Roman times when a town was established around a Roman fort built on Castle Hill. It wasn’t until 1207 that Cambridge received its town charter and not until 1951 that it earnt its city status.
Things to do in Cambridge
The beautiful city of Cambridge sits on the River Cam – and every nook, cranny, corner, and cobblestone of the city boasts history, charm, and tradition. It probably goes without saying that one of Cambridge’s biggest attractions is its university. I mean, it is one of the best and oldest in the world, after all. The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges in total – the first of which (Peterhouse) was founded all the way back in 1284.
It’s well worth having nosey around some of the colleges whilst you’re in Cambridge because they can be found inside some pretty impressive buildings. The river runs past some of the most famous colleges, so if you head on one of Cambridge’s legendary punting tours, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with some of the gorgeous grounds as well as some of the city’s historic bridges.
Cambridge is home to a plethora of picturesque streets; each of which is filled to the brim with independent shops, local cafes and eateries, and a whole host of museums, and galleries. And if you’re in need of a nature fix, Cambridge has an abundance to offer in that department, too. There’s parks, commons, and nature reserves aplenty, and there’s also a beautiful botanic garden to add to the must-visit list.
Where to stay in Cambridge
Whilst Cambridge makes for a rather delightful day trip from London, I’d highly recommend you making a weekend of it. And it you’re in need of a comfy Cambridge bed to rest your weary head, look no further than the Varsity Hotel and Spa. Located slap bang in the centre of the city, this warm and welcoming hotel is a bit of a one stop shop, really. Home to 48 stunning rooms and suites, 2 restaurants (SIX Brasserie and the River Bar Steakhouse and Grill), a rooftop bar offering panoramic views across the city, and its very own spa (complete with a steam room, a sauna, and a jacuzzi overlooking the river); the Varsity offers everything you could possibly want or need during your Cambridge staycation. And then some..
Getting to Cambridge from London
Cambridge is within super easy reach of the capital city. Londoners can hop on a direct and oh-so speedy train from King’s Cross and find themselves wandering the cobbled streets of Cambridge less than an hour later. The journey is a fair bit longer by car, taking around two hours in total.
