In the event 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 just some miles away from this stunning 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 standard worldwide vacationer vacation spot. House to many glorious bars, eating places, and cafes to get pleasure from, it was at all times a straightforward hop from my hometown for an evening out or a weekend in Cambridge with associates.
Weekend in Cambridge (2-Day Itinerary)
After visiting many instances through the years, with my husband for birthday journeys, with associates, and for work, I’ve tied collectively all my favourite elements of town so you’ll be able to get pleasure from one of the best 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
Ensure you’ve received your most snug strolling footwear on as Cambridge is a good metropolis to stroll round. There are a great deal of picture alternatives at each flip, so be certain 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 provides beautiful views of Kings Faculty Chapel and Nice St Mary’s Church.
After breakfast, take a guided strolling tour of town. It’s a good way to get to know your manner round and to make sure you see all the principle sights. Some guided excursions embody entry to a few faculties such because the world-famous Kings Faculty. Click on right here to seek 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 positioned in Cambridge. Though the story of the apple hitting him on the pinnacle is a fable, 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 one in all my favourite eating places within the metropolis. The fashionable decor, excellent menu, and distinctive wine and cocktail listing make it the proper place to refuel.
Very similar to Venice, Cambridge is known for punting. The River Cam runs by means of town and there are a lot of boats and excursions out there for guests. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient, it’s possible you’ll even cross paths with a cell river bar and be capable to seize your self a cocktail as you benefit from the great 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 possibly can get pleasure from watching some fellow punters trip previous as you sit again and calm down.
Day 1: Night
Cambridge by night time brings with it new delights. The attractive structure is delivered to life by some beautiful 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 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 an incredible bar choice too. They specialise in 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 basic cocktail. Make sure to discover the key library, if you could find 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, when 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, remember 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 glorious breakfasts from 8 a.m. and overlooking the well-known Kings Faculty Chapel, it’s a really perfect 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, images, and collections from many notable scientists, not least Charles Darwin, kind a part of this fascinating exhibition.
Day 2: Afternoon
For lunch, make your manner over to Bread & Meat, the place they serve a concise menu of superior roast-meat sandwiches. The tiled butcher-style setting makes for an incredible informal lunch spot. Their topside British beef sandwich is off the charts, (and for many who don’t eat meat, in addition they supply a tasty veggie sandwich).
Cambridge is full of nice historic pubs, and you’ll go to a few of the finest ones on a heritage pub tour. This distinctive tour, based by two former Cambridge college students gives you an genuine, intimate slice of native pub tradition. It mixes informative enjoyable with a soothing afternoon of ingesting 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 very 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 really horrific occasions which have occurred over the centuries at Cambridge College. It’s an enchanting perception right into a darkish a part of town’s historical past. Click on right here to e book your tour forward of time.
For dinner, deal with your self to the most effective eating places within the metropolis – The Cambridge Chop Home. Serving conventional British classics and unbelievable steaks and chops, this trendy eaterie has sensational views of Kings Faculty Chapel. There’s additionally a very cozy basement eating room. It’s a well-liked place and will get busy, so remember to e book 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 few of the greatest performers and exhibits within the nation; together with productions straight from London’s West Finish. Test the occasions calendar as there’s certain to be one thing nice on throughout your go to.
The right way to 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 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 worth.
In the event 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 children underneath the age of 16 journey without cost with a paying grownup.
In the event 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 a simple drive, and hiring a automotive from the airport is straightforward. 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 each day.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Cambridge
The Metropolis Heart is undoubtedly the principle attraction when planning a visit to Cambridge. However the metropolis additionally has a number of standard 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 training for the annual Boat Race. Historic pubs, tea rooms, motels, and eating places are additionally in abundance right here for guests. Try this nice central lodge choice.
Mill Street: Mill Street is a vibrant neighborhood close to Cambridge Station. It has loads of Victorian structure with stay music pubs, a craft brewery, and classy espresso retailers. You’ll additionally discover Asian and Center Japanese markets for groceries and may get pleasure from eating in Japanese, North African, and Indian eating places. Right here’s a tremendous lodging alternative close to Mill Street.
Trumpington: Take into account staying somewhat additional out of town the place motels are sometimes somewhat cheaper. Trumpington is simply over 2 miles away and provides easy accessibility out and in of central Cambridge each day. The village additionally has loads of its personal quaint retailers, pubs, and eating places to discover. Take a look at this great spot 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 number of of my high suggestions 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, motels, 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-Journey system has been lively in Cambridge for so long as I can keep in mind. And though you’ll be able to nonetheless park within the metropolis, it’s costly, and the visitors and one-way system could be a nightmare. Merely park up without cost at one in all 5 parking tons on the outskirts and get the bus in – it’s way more handy.
3. Lower your expenses staying additional afield: A weekend break in Cambridge for two can develop into costly, particularly when you’re planning on staying centrally. There are numerous nice motels, B&B, and residence choices out there a number of miles out of city which are nonetheless inside easy accessibility of the Metropolis Heart.
4. Benefit from the free stuff: Cambridge is such a ravishing metropolis and simply strolling round may be an exercise in itself. Beautiful structure, spectacular chapels, stunning parks, centuries-old church buildings, and sumptuous museums and theaters are all to be discovered simply strolling the streets.
5. Know your completely happy hours: As a metropolis with a vibrant scholar neighborhood, Cambridge options quite a lot of bars with attractive drink specials, together with 2-for-1 cocktails. This supply runs all day, day-after-day at Las Iguanas.
Moreover, Cambridge is residence to a Wetherspoons pub – The Regal. This well-known UK chain of 800+ pubs is well 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 snug footwear: Cambridge is a really walkable metropolis and also you’ll simply rack up the steps simply strolling across the many stunning sights and points of interest. Put on snug strolling footwear 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 verify the rumors in regards to the climate are principally true. Even when you’re touring through the summer season months, be ready for some moist climate and pack your suitcase accordingly.
8. Practice costs may be steep: In contrast to some neighboring international locations in Europe, the UK’s prepare community is privatized which suggests costs are sometimes fairly excessive. It’s a serious bone of rivalry amongst the British public. The perfect costs are typically out there round 12 weeks earlier than, so plan properly forward if doable. The most effective choices for reserving rail tickets is trainline.com.
FAQs A few Weekend Getaway in Cambridge
Listed here are some solutions to ceaselessly 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 best 2-day itinerary for Cambridge, you’ll be able to make sure you hit all the important thing sights throughout your keep. Moreover, town is especially walkable, and getting round could be very simple.
Make sure to 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 all around the metropolis at your leisure.
There are a variety of nice lodging choices in Central Cambridge. Staying right here will imply you’ve easy accessibility to all the things town has to supply. Staying somewhat additional afield could also be a extra economical choice, and there are good public transport choices that hyperlink town to most of the outer villages and areas.
A determine of round $250 per particular person 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 out there, crafting an itinerary to go well with varied funds preferences is totally doable.
The perfect month to go to Cambridge relies on 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 snug, and there are fewer crowds in comparison with the height summer season season.
Cambridge is a wonderful metropolis break. The abundance of historical past and tradition blended 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, remember to plan forward along with your excursions, journeys, and restaurant bookings.
Cambridge Metropolis Heart has a chosen “Pedestrian Zone” in operation 24/7 the place normal automobile entry is proscribed and managed by bollards. That is additional heightened between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday by means of Saturday. Sometimes, solely buses, bicycles, and a few licensed autos are allowed inside this zone.
A park-and-ride service permits guests to park at one in all 5 free parking tons on the outskirts of town and take the bus to central locations.
Perhaps I’m biased, however Cambridge is prettier than Oxford. I grew up just some miles away from Cambridge and though I’ve visited the beautiful 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 ingesting you may 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 (typically) 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 the event you’re driving, it will probably 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 number 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 gorgeous and vibrant metropolis has been my choice for day journeys, nights out, and weekends away with associates.
So, whether or not you get pleasure from historical past and tradition, having an incredible bar and restaurant scene, or each, Cambridge has all the things you want for a tremendous weekend metropolis break.
