For those who’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 probably 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 all the metropolis a sense of grandeur.
It’s the proper backdrop for a romantic weekend in Cambridge and is a common worldwide vacationer vacation spot. Dwelling to many glorious bars, eating places, and cafes to get pleasure from, it was all the time a straightforward hop from my hometown for an evening out or a weekend in Cambridge with mates.
Weekend in Cambridge (2-Day Itinerary)
After visiting many instances through the years, with my husband for birthday journeys, with mates, and for work, I’ve tied collectively all my favourite elements of town so you possibly can get pleasure from the most effective 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
Be sure to’ve bought your most comfy strolling footwear on as Cambridge is a superb metropolis to stroll round. There are a great deal of picture alternatives at each flip, so make certain your telephone is totally charged to seize all of them!
Day 1: Morning
Kick off your weekend away in Cambridge with a hearty breakfast and an excellent dose of caffeine. Benets Cafe serves scrumptious crepes and pancake breakfasts and gives beautiful views of Kings School 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 approach round and to make sure you see all the principle sights. Some guided excursions embody entry to 3 schools such because the world-famous Kings School. Click on right here to seek out out extra and to ebook 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 situated in Cambridge. Though the story of the apple hitting him on the pinnacle is a fantasy, 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 checklist make it the proper place to refuel.
Very like Venice, Cambridge is known for punting. The River Cam runs via town and there are various boats and excursions out there for guests. For those who’re fortunate sufficient, it’s possible you’ll even cross paths with a cell river bar and be capable of seize your self a cocktail as you benefit from the fantastic 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 correct on the banks of the river and has a beautiful terrace overlooking the water. You’ll be able to 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 all the 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 preferred however informal burger and pizza joint. It’s nice for every little thing from mild snacks to full dinners and has a terrific bar choice too. They concentrate on natural farm-to-table beef and serve up some actually 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 traditional cocktail. Make sure to discover the key library, if yow will discover it!
Day 2 in Cambridge
In any case that sightseeing, meals, and cocktails yesterday, I hope you bought an excellent night time’s sleep! So, should you’re prepared and raring to go, let’s get began with day two of your weekend in Cambridge:
Day 2: Morning
Very like yesterday, make sure you begin the day with an excellent 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 School Chapel, it’s a 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 study 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 ebook 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, pictures, and collections from many notable scientists, not least Charles Darwin, kind a part of this fascinating exhibition.
Day 2: Afternoon
For lunch, make your approach over to Bread & Meat, the place they serve a concise menu of superior roast-meat sandwiches. The tiled butcher-style setting makes for a terrific informal lunch spot. Their topside British beef sandwich is off the charts, (and for many who don’t eat meat, in addition they provide a tasty veggie sandwich).
Cambridge is full of nice historic pubs, and you may go to a number 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 calming afternoon of consuming in Cambridge’s most superb pubs. Click on right here to seek out out extra data.
End off the afternoon with a delicate stroll alongside The Backs. That is the picturesque inexperienced area the place a number of schools ‘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 actually horrific occasions which have occurred over the centuries at Cambridge College. It’s a captivating perception right into a darkish a part of town’s historical past. Click on right here to ebook 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 incredible steaks and chops, this fashionable eaterie has sensational views of Kings School Chapel. There’s additionally a very cozy basement eating room. It’s a preferred place and will get busy, so make sure you ebook 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 number of the largest 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.
Easy methods to Get to Cambridge
Cambridge has a good-sized practice 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 differ however be suggested that it’s finest to ebook round 12 weeks forward of time to safe the most effective value.
For those who plan to drive to Cambridge you’ll discover a wonderful park-and-ride scheme that retains the middle as car-free as potential. Merely park up at any of the 5 free automotive parks across the metropolis and common bus providers 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.
For those who’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 an easy drive, and hiring a automotive from the airport is simple. The airport practice 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 providers 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 common 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 schools, museums, and scenic parks. Alongside the River Cam, you’ll spot boaters punting and practising for the annual Boat Race. Historic pubs, tea rooms, lodges, and eating places are additionally in abundance right here for guests. Take a look at this nice central resort choice.
Mill Street: Mill Street is a vibrant neighborhood close to Cambridge Station. It has loads of Victorian structure with dwell music pubs, a craft brewery, and classy espresso retailers. You’ll additionally discover Asian and Center Jap markets for groceries and may get pleasure from eating in Japanese, North African, and Indian eating places. Right here’s a tremendous lodging selection close to Mill Street.
Trumpington: Take into account staying a little bit additional out of town the place lodges are sometimes a little bit cheaper. Trumpington is simply over 2 miles away and gives quick access 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 good spot to remain – it’s a Seventeenth-century pub!
Suggestions 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 situated within the metropolis, issues can get busy! Plan your excursions, journeys, lodges, and even restaurant bookings forward of time to make sure you get to do every little thing you wish to do.
2. Park-and-ride: The Park-and-Trip system has been lively in Cambridge for so long as I can bear in mind. And though you possibly can nonetheless park within the metropolis, it’s costly, and the visitors and one-way system is usually a nightmare. Merely park up without cost at one in all 5 parking heaps on the outskirts and get the bus in – it’s far more handy.
3. Lower your expenses staying additional afield: A weekend break in Cambridge for two can change into costly, particularly should you’re planning on staying centrally. There are numerous nice lodges, B&B, and house choices out there a number of miles out of city which are nonetheless inside quick access of the Metropolis Heart.
4. Benefit from the free stuff: Cambridge is such a good looking metropolis and simply strolling round might be an exercise in itself. Gorgeous 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 satisfied hours: As a metropolis with a vibrant pupil neighborhood, Cambridge options a wide range of bars with engaging drink specials, together with 2-for-1 cocktails. This provide runs all day, on daily basis 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 every little thing from breakfast bites to dinner plates and every little thing in between.
6. Put on comfy footwear: Cambridge is a really walkable metropolis and also you’ll simply rack up the steps simply strolling across the many stunning sights and sights. Put on comfy strolling footwear or sneakers to make sure your ft don’t tire out earlier than you’re able to name it a day.
7. Bear in mind you’re in England: Having lived in England most of my life I can affirm the rumors in regards to the climate are principally true. Even should you’re touring in the course of the summer season months, be ready for some moist climate and pack your suitcase accordingly.
8. Prepare costs might be steep: Not like some neighboring international locations in Europe, the UK’s practice community is privatized which suggests costs are sometimes fairly excessive. It’s a serious bone of competition amongst the British public. The very best costs are typically out there round 12 weeks earlier than, so plan nicely forward if potential. Probably the greatest choices for reserving rail tickets is trainline.com.
FAQs A few Weekend Getaway in Cambridge
Listed below are some solutions to often requested questions on weekend breaks in Cambridge:
You’ll be able to completely do Cambridge in only a weekend. There’s loads to see and do, however with the precise 2-day itinerary for Cambridge, you possibly can make sure you hit all the important thing sights throughout your keep. Moreover, town is especially walkable, and getting round may be very straightforward.
Make sure to analysis a weekend itinerary for Cambridge. There are many excursions, museums, and sights to see but it surely’s all the time advisable to ebook 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 selection of nice lodging choices in Central Cambridge. Staying right here will imply you’ve quick access to every little thing town has to supply. Staying a little bit 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 individual for 48 hours in Cambridge ought to suffice for comfy lodging, eating, drinks, and a few excursions. However, given the abundance of excursions, museums, free sightseeing choices, and satisfying walks out there, crafting an itinerary to swimsuit numerous price range preferences is totally potential.
The very best month to go to Cambridge will depend 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 comfy, and there are fewer crowds in comparison with the height summer season season.
Cambridge is a superb 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, make sure you plan forward along with your excursions, journeys, and restaurant bookings.
Cambridge Metropolis Heart has a chosen “Pedestrian Zone” in operation 24/7 the place common car entry is proscribed and managed by bollards. That is additional heightened between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday via Saturday. Usually, solely buses, bicycles, and a few approved automobiles are allowed inside this zone.
A park-and-ride service permits guests to park at one in all 5 free parking heaps on the outskirts of town and take the bus to central locations.
Possibly I’m biased, however Cambridge is prettier than Oxford. I grew up just some miles away from Cambridge and though I’ve visited the stunning metropolis of Oxford quite a few instances, I feel the great thing about Cambridge has the sting.
Like all metropolis, there are costly choices and there are cheaper choices. Whether or not contemplating lodging, eating, or consuming you may make a weekend itinerary for many budgets.
It’s all the time advisable to plan forward and do your analysis. In my expertise, Cambridge is cheaper (generally) 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 practice, the journey from Cambridge to London often takes round 1 hour. For those who’re driving, it may well take roughly 1.5 – 2 hours, relying on visitors and the route you select.
Get pleasure from 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 all the time straightforward to take it without any consideration when contemplating a metropolis break free someplace within the UK. However time and time once more, the attractive and vibrant metropolis has been my desire for day journeys, nights out, and weekends away with mates.
So, whether or not you get pleasure from historical past and tradition, having a terrific bar and restaurant scene, or each, Cambridge has every little thing you want for a tremendous weekend metropolis break.
