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Beware the townspeople of Cambridge
If the idea of 500 year-old buildings, cobbled streets, informal markets, and boating on the river appeals to you, you may want to take a day out of your busy city schedule to travel down to Cambridge.
It’s just a short train journey outside of London and you can get there by train, leaving at regular intervals from Kings Cross Station, or by bus from Victoria Bus Station. The bus is slightly cheaper but it will take you twice as long to reach your destination. If you really value the few daylight hours there are to spare this time of year, take the train.
The trains to Cambridge arrive just off the centre of town. You can walk to the city centre if you have a map and a sense of direction but it’s easier to take a taxi. The short journey to King’s Parade, the main thoroughfare in the college area, will only set you back a few pounds. If you’re adventurous and have a good sense of balance, why not try the traditional Cambridge mode of transportation – bicycle. There are shops which rent bikes to the public scattered across town, one of which is situated within site of the train station. This will set you back about £8 for the day. The city is said to have the highest level of cycle use in the United Kingdom, with one in four residents using bicycles for transport. Cycle racks are to be found outside every major shop, church, or office building. Where there are no racks, cycles can be found chained to gates, grills, lampposts and each other. Pedestrians beware. You’re more likely to be run over by an enthusiastic cyclist than a car so as you walk listen out for the short, characteristic tring of the cyclists’ bells.
The earliest recorded settlements in the area date from around 1000BC but the university that defines the city today was founded in 1209, when Oxford students fled from angry mobs of town dwellers in their own city to set up a new university in the safety of Cambridge. Struggles for the best pieces of land led to inevitable strife and clashes between the so-called “Town and Gown” set (the local town population and the students). The Masters of the colleges then chose to have their students stay safely behind the walls of the colleges. And today, a walk down King’s Parade will show you stone walls and tall wooden gates, meant to keep students safe from the townspeople.
Different colleges may be closed to the public, open and free, or open subject to a nominal charge, depending on the time of year. It’s wonderful walking through the old, stone buildings and the courts they surround but to get a true understanding of the world of a Cambridge student, it’s better to take a guided tour. There are a number of options in this department. You can choose to take a guided, walking tour of the major colleges, a cycling tour of the town’s main attractions, or a chauffeured punt tour down the Cam. The trademark open top bus tours also run through the city. The Visit Cambridge website (www.visitcambridge.org), has information on some of the options available or you can enquire at the Tourist Information Office on Wheeler Street.
After learning more about the politics and history of the various colleges, and all the strange quirks and traditions of the students, you can procure an afternoon snack at any one of the many coffee shops and restaurants that line King’s Parade, Trumpington Street and everything in between. Alternatively, you can try the fresh breads and pastries on sale in the informal market next to St Mary’s Church or wander through the crooked streets in the area to find a local alternative, such as the Indigo Coffee House. This small, intimate coffee shop on St Edward’s Passage is set in a small house, nestled between the Cambridge Arts Theatre and a second-hand bookshop that spills out into the alleyway. With its bright, crooked walls, and ageing furniture, it’s got a comfortable atmosphere and good food, and is a popular hangout with the local students.
As afternoon falls, take some time to visit King’s College Chapel, where the world renowned King’s College Choir sings Evensong, each day at 5:30. This experience will leave you in awe of both the medieval architecture of the building itself and of the beauty of the choral voices. It’s a wonderful way to end the day in Cambridge before heading back for the big city.
About the author: Faranaaz is a technical writer from Cape Town who's taken a leave of absence to gallivant around the world with her husband. Her favourite destination is Barcelona.
The free text listings here have been moved to the Travel Directory (above).
If the idea of 500 year-old buildings, cobbled streets, informal markets, and boating on the river appeals to you, you may want to take a day out of your busy city schedule to travel down to Cambridge.
you have a map and a sense of direction but it’s easier to take a taxi. The short journey to King’s Parade, the main thoroughfare in the college area, will only set you back a few pounds. If you’re adventurous and have a good sense of balance, why not try the traditional Cambridge mode of transportation – bicycle. There are shops which rent bikes to the public scattered across town, one of which is situated within site of the train station. This will set you back about £8 for the day. The city is said to have the highest level of cycle use in the United Kingdom, with one in four residents using bicycles for transport. Cycle racks are to be found outside every major shop, church, or office building. Where there are no racks, cycles can be found chained to gates, grills, lampposts and each other. Pedestrians beware. You’re more likely to be run over by an enthusiastic cyclist than a car so as you walk listen out for the short, characteristic tring of the cyclists’ bells.
The earliest recorded settlements in the area date from around 1000BC but the university that defines the city today was founded in 1209, when Oxford students fled from angry mobs of town dwellers in their own city to set up a new university in the safety of Cambridge. Struggles for the best pieces of land led to inevitable strife and clashes between the so-called “Town and Gown” set (the local town population and the students). The Masters of the colleges then chose to have their students stay safely behind the walls of the colleges. And today, a walk down King’s Parade will show you stone walls and tall wooden gates, meant to keep students safe from the townspeople.
nominal charge, depending on the time of year. It’s wonderful walking through the old, stone buildings and the courts they surround but to get a true understanding of the world of a Cambridge student, it’s better to take a guided tour. There are a number of options in this department. You can choose to take a guided, walking tour of the major colleges, a cycling tour of the town’s main attractions, or a chauffeured punt tour down the Cam. The trademark open top bus tours also run through the city. The Visit Cambridge website (www.visitcambridge.org), has information on some of the options available or you can enquire at the Tourist Information Office on Wheeler Street.
strange quirks and traditions of the students, you can procure an afternoon snack at any one of the many coffee shops and restaurants that line King’s Parade, Trumpington Street and everything in between. Alternatively, you can try the fresh breads and pastries on sale in the informal market next to St Mary’s Church or wander through the crooked streets in the area to find a local alternative, such as the Indigo Coffee House. This small, intimate coffee shop on St Edward’s Passage is set in a small house, nestled between the Cambridge Arts Theatre and a second-hand bookshop that spills out into the alleyway. With its bright, crooked walls, and ageing furniture, it’s got a comfortable atmosphere and good food, and is a popular hangout with the local students.
