Ancient and modern happily co-exist in Cambridge. Just off the city’s buzzy shopping thoroughfares is an alternative world of ancient learning. College gateways lead to tranquil courtyards, dreamy gardens and spectacular buildings designed by architects like Wren and Gibbs. Outside London, Cambridge has more museums and galleries within a square mile than any British city, many of them part of the University and free of charge. The River Cam plays a central role in the life of the city and encourages towpath strolls to riverside pubs, punt trips to picnic spots and creativity among yarn bombers who occasionally decorate the bridges.
City Centre
Climb 123 narrow steps for a superb view
The University Church of Great St Mary’s has a tower that can be climbed. Part way up, you pass the chamber for the peal of 12 bells (plus a semitone). Gratefully, you emerge at the top to enjoy a 360-degree view. This 114-foot vantage point is a great place to survey the architecture of King’s College across the road, and to spot the thousand year old Saxon tower of St. Bene’t’s Church, the oldest surviving building in Cambridge. Visit https://wikitravel.org/en/Cairo for travsel info about Cairo
Raise your eyes to the roof
King’s College Chapel is the Cambridge building with the biggest wow factor. The glorious Perpendicular Gothic towers create the city’s most recognisable landmark, facing the River Cam in one direction, and King’s Parade in the other. The fan vaulted ceiling seems an impossible achievement for the early 16th century. The carved rood screen, profusion of medieval stained glass and Rubens’ huge Adoration of the Magi are all masterpieces.
Float your boat on the River Cam
As gondolas are to Venice, so punts are to Cambridge. The shallowness of the River Cam makes it possible to pole these square-ended wooden boats along the college Backs at a lazy pace. Chauffeured trips are more relaxing than self hires and also more informative. Features like the Mathematical Bridge (Queens’ College) and the Bridge of Sighs (St John’s) encourage the punt guides to spin elaborate yarns.
Trumpington Street
Sharpen up your knowledge of world art
The imposing Fitzwilliam Museum is one of the nation’s great (underrated) museums. After 200 years of bequests and purchases, almost every big name you can think of is represented, from Titian to Turner, Rembrandt to Renoir. As well as Old Masters, the marvellously varied collection includes Egyptian antiquities, illuminated manuscripts and drawers of miniature Roman intaglios, Korean ceramics and other seldom viewed treasures.
Feast your senses on a wealth of plants year-round
Scores of plant hunters including Charles Darwin have contributed specimens to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, which accounts for its splendid collection of trees including the Dawn Redwood and Handkerchief Tree. Succeeding both as a centre for scientific study and a landscaped garden for leisurely strolls, the diverse habitats afford interest and beauty. The glasshouses contain a wealth of exotica, including in spring the spectacular jade vine whose bright turquoise flowers are designed to attract bats to carry out pollination.
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