Cambridge is one of the most popular day trips from London, so if you’re thinking of going from London to Cambridge, this blog post is exactly what you need!
Cambridge was one of our day trips on our visit to London, and it’s clear why this charming town attracts many visitors all throughout the year. From famous colleges to lovely river activities, this lovely town has a lot to offer.
Keep reading to find out how to reach Cambridge and what to do and see in one day!
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WHERE IS CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge is a town in eastern England, you’ll find it about 50 miles (80 km) north of London. The proximity to London makes Cambridge one of the easiest day trips you could take. The town is best known for the University of Cambridge, which is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. There are over 30 colleges in Cambridge, and they’re a must-see!
Additionally, Cambridge sits along the River Cam in the county of Cambridgeshire, a river famous for punting! Along with punting, Cambridge is known for historic university buildings, beautiful riverside scenery, charming streets, and great pubs and restaurants.
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HOW TO REACH CAMBRIDGE
Due to its proximity to London, Cambridge is really easy to reach. There are a few different travel options, so choose the best one for you.
BY TRAIN
Train is the easiest and most comfortable way to reach Cambridge. There are direct trains to Cambridge which run frequently from London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street. The journey typically takes about an hour or a bit longer. Our train was from London Liverpool Street and it was 35 euros per person for a return trip. You can easily book your tickets on Trainline.
Cambridge has two train stations – Cambridge and Cambridge North. Make sure you book a ticket to Cambridge, as the north station is farther from the city center and the colleges. After exiting the train, you’ll have a 30-minute walk to the Cambridge city center.
BY BUS
There’s also a bus option, but it’s not as good an option as the train. National Express provides several services to Cambridge, but there are no direct ones. You have to change buses at Stansted Airport, and the whole journey is almost 3 and a half hours long. The price is not that cheap at around 20£.
There’s Flixbus as well, with a bit better travel time of 2.5-3 hours and prices at around 12£. If you decide to travel by bus, make sure you book a ticket to Cambridge Parkside. That’s the only bus station at the city center, all others are quite far from the city itself.
Overall, while this option exists, I would highly recommend skipping the bus and just going by train.
BY CAR
If you have a car, you can always just drive to Cambridge. Drive via the M11 motorway and it will take you roughly 1.5 hours to reach the city center, depending on traffic. However, you must be aware that parking is scarce and very expensive, so think twice whether it’s worth actually driving, or if you should just book the train.
IS CAMBRIDGE WORTH VISITING?
Cambridge is definitely worth visiting! While this town might be small, it has got a lot to offer from its historical charm and stunning architecture, to the lively cultural scene. It will transport you into a historical setting you won’t want to leave, and you’ll surely have a great time.
Do keep in mind that Cambridge is very loved by tourists and has thousands of students, so don’t hope for an empty town. Crowds are normal in Cambridge, but that doesn’t take away from its charm.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN CAMBRIDGE IN ONE DAY
WALK THROUGH THE TOWN
Cambridge is a university town, but not every building you see belongs to one of the universities. Cambridge has a lot of gorgeous architecture even outside of the famous universities, with many churches, charming streets, and picturesque views. The best thing you can do is to get lost in the charming streets and explore the town on your own.
Due to thousands of students, Cambridge has a very multicultural vibe, which is especially visible on Mill Road. This is a diverse and lively street filled with independent shops, cafes, and international restaurants. You’ll find everything from vintage stores and record shops to bookstores and craft breweries, so you’ll get a great insight into that side of Cambridge. Additionally, Cambridge has a great food scene, with a range of cozy pubs, trendy eateries, and international cuisine options.
Cambridge also has many shopping streets and a shopping center, so if you like to shop or you’re searching for great souvenirs, you’ll find plenty of them!
VISIT THE OPEN MARKET
In the heart of the town, you’ll find a charming and vibrant open market that operates daily. At the market, they sell everything from fresh produce to unique crafts. If you like vintage things, you’ll love this market, so make sure you check it out. The surrounding streets are full of quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, so if you wanted to grab brunch/lunch, this is the perfect place to do so!
GO PUNTING ON THE RIVER
One of the most popular and most unique activities you can do in Cambridge is punting along the River Cam. For this activity you need a punt (a flat-bottomed boat) which you can rent for yourself, or book a tour with a guide who will do the punting for you.
While punting, you’ll go past the scenic gardens behind some of the university colleges. This way, you can see parts of the college campuses which otherwise isn’t possible without booking a guided tour. You’ll enjoy beautiful views and iconic bridges like the Mathematical Bridge and Bridge of Sighs.
This activity is especially charming during spring and summer, but even in autumn you shouldn’t skip it. We visited Cambridge in November and renting our own punt wasn’t possible, but they still had several guided tours on the river.
VISIT THE CAMBRIDGE COLLEGES
University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, and today it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. The city is home to many iconic colleges, each with its own distinctive history and architectural beauty. You can take a tour of most colleges, usually lead by alumni students, which is an amazing opportunity to learn more about each of them. Here’s a short overview of the colleges we visited (from the outside or inside), and additional ones which you can check out!
KING’S COLLEGE
The first option for your visit should definitely be King’s College. This college was founded in 1441 by Henry VI and produced many notable alumni such as Sir Isaac Newton, Alan Turing, John Maynard Keynes, and Chris Martin of Coldplay.
Besides its incredible intellectual importance, King’s College also has impressive architectural gems you need to see. Firstly, there are the College Gardens, which offer views of the River Cam and are perfect for a peaceful stroll in the stunning area.
Secondly, there’s the King’s College Chapel. This chapel is known all over the world for its magnificent Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows. It’s one of the most important and beautiful buildings in the UK, resembling the stunning St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.
TRINITY COLLEGE
Trinity College is one of the most prestigious colleges within Cambridge University and visiting it is a unique experience. This college has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other Oxbridge college, with some of its alumni being Isaac Newton, Lord Byron, and Stephen Hawking! I’m sure you’re eager to walk the grounds these great minds shared.
Trinity College also has various impressive architectural jewels, such as the Great Court, the Wren Library, and the Mathematical Bridge.
The Great Court is one of the largest enclosed courtyards in Europe, surrounded by centuries-old buildings with intricate designs. It takes you into a fairy-tale-like setting, and it’s breathtaking.
The Wren Library is an architectural masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who also designed St. Paul’s Cathedral in London!). It houses rare books and manuscripts, including an original manuscript of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, and handwritten notes by Isaac Newton. Because of all these unique pieces, it is considered one of the finest libraries in the world.
Finally, close to the Trinity College you’ll find the famous Mathematical Bridge. The bridge is famous for using only straight timber beams arranged in a precise pattern to create an arched shape. This unusual design showcases engineering and physics principles, therefore the nickname – The Mathematical Bridge.
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE
Corpus Christi College was founded in 1352 by Cambridge townspeople rather than royalty or nobility, which makes it unique. It is one of the smaller colleges at Cambridge, so it’s more intimate and relaxed than some of the larger colleges.
Some of the best architectural pieces on this college are the Old Court and the Parker Library. The Old Court is one of the best-preserved medieval courtyards in Cambridge, dating back to the 14th century. It’s a beautiful example medieval design and it takes you back in time.
Corpus Christi is also home to the Parker Library, which is one of the most important historical libraries in the world. It houses several original and rare books and manuscripts, just like the Wren Library at Trinity College.
Near the College you can also see the Corpus Clock – a famous timepiece designed by John C. Taylor. This clock is often described as one of the most unusual clocks in the world because it has a mechanical creature that appears to “eat” time!
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE
One of the most exciting experiences will surely be visiting St. John’s College. Thanks to its breathtaking architecture, rich history, and stunning riverside setting, St. John’s College will sweep you off your feet! King’s College was founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII, and it has some incredible alumni, such as William Wordsworth and Douglas Adams.
St. John’s has impressive architectural landmarks, some of them being the New Court, the Great Gate, and the Bridge of Sighs. The New Court a stunning is a gorgeous neo-Gothic building known for its fairytale-like appearance accompanied with a stunning green space in front of it. It’s a sight to behold.
The Great Gate is the college’s main entrance, adorned with the coat of arms of Lady Margaret Beaufort. Finally, the most iconic sight at St. John’s College is the Bridge of Sighs. Inspired by the famous bridge in Venice, this picturesque bridge crosses the River Cam and connects two parts of the college. It’s a must-see landmark and it’s an equally beautiful to see the bridge from a punt on the river, or to see the punts from the bridge!
OTHER COLLEGES
Other Colleges you might want to visit if you’ve got extra time are:
- Queens’ College
- Pembroke College
- Clare College
- Jesus College
I hope this guide to Cambridge gives you the opportunity to have a great day trip, just like the one we had!
