Location: Cambridge
Top Things to do in Cambridge
Top 10 Free Things to do in Cambridge, England
Cambridge might be best known for its university, home to some of the world’s greatest minds (Milton, Darwin, Hawking, etc.). But there’s a vibrant theater and arts scene here as well, and you’ll find fantastic contemporary restaurants mixed in with traditional pubs. Climb the tower of Great St. Mary’s Church for sweeping views of the city.
Restaurants in Cambridge
1. Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,170 reviews
At Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, we commemorate the service, achievements, and sacrifice of 10,000 American military service members and civilian volunteers who fought for freedom during World War II (WWII). This is one of 26 overseas American national shrines managed by American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), which is America's preeminent sentinel of memory. Come visit this pristine memorial near Cambridge, and learn of America's experience in the UK from 1942-1945. The visitor experience will reveal the true depths of our "Special Relationship."
Reviewed By Gary2822013 - Salford, United Kingdom
This is a fitting tribute to all those people who gave their lives and to read some of their stories of heroism and complete disregard for their own lives to save others is beyond words, the cemetery is immaculate and truly spectacular. A fitting tribute to the Americans who came to help us.
2. Peterhouse Cambridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, this is the oldest college in Cambridge, and with under 400 students, one of the smallest.
Reviewed By TERRAvelista - London, United Kingdom
We came across Peterhouse purely by chance as we heading to Fitzwilliam museum, located right near Peterhouse and which I would highly recommend you to visit due to the huge variety of gorgeous items you find here. Peterhouse was free to visit and as we accessed the grounds we were impressed with the gorgeous old buildings, dating back to 1284 and looking just impressive - you are just about to imagine some knights popping out of some corner in their Medieval attire!!! The security staff was very nice and welcoming, just so refreshing compared to the very rude entry staff at King's college (just because they are so busy due to their central location). You have to visit this quieter part of Cambridge, even if you are on a day visit, the way we were.
3. Emmanuel College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Part of the University of Cambridge, this college was founded by Sir Walter Mildmay in 1584 on the site of a former priory of the Dominican Order, known as the Black Friars or Preachers.
Reviewed By 978JohnB - Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Besides visiting for the wonderful architecture and the history of the college, Emmanuel has some wonderful trees in its gardens, these are worth a visit in themselves. Each garden has magnificent trees, to the left of the chapel there is a tunnel which leads under Emmanuel Sreet to a court with yet more. A very useful tree map can be downloaded from the Emmanuel site but I reccomend you also take a tree recognition book.
4. Fitzwilliam Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,499 reviews
Museum houses vast collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, including exhibits of English and European pottery and glass, furniture, clocks, Chinese jades, and ceramics from Japan and Korea.
Reviewed By Sebulus-Palmer - March, United Kingdom
I've been going to 'The Fitz' since I was a kid. My first favourite area, back as a nipper, was the arms and armour area. Then I moved on to the contemporary art galleries, in my teens (around secondary/sixth-form age I used to love to go and sketch there; learning from the masters in an inspiring environment!). More recently my wife and I have been getting more into the medieval, renaissance and suchlike, and enjoying such a temporary exhibitions as appeal to us, and these can be very varied: from medieval illuminated manuscripts to early gold coins, or Dutch paintings of Vermeer's era, etc. There's a nice cafe and shop area as well. And they even put on talks, concerts, and all sorts. We've moved further from Cambridge recently, making trips to The Fitz less frequent, and I/we miss it. It's like having a London style museum out in the 'the sticks'. Highly recommended.
5. Girton College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Opened in 1873 by two leaders of the feminist movement, Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon, to establish a women's college in Cambridge.
Reviewed By Nicholas030601
I travlled there last year with my son who had applied to read Economics there as they have an excellent department and DOS. After spending a few days in cambridge centre it was a welcome relief to get out of the hussle and bussle of the city centre into beautiful grounds and architiecture. It has an amazing formal hall and chapel and the accomadation was very modern and clean. The porters were welcoming and friendly and Im so glad that my son will be studying there rather than some of the smaller colleges in town
6. Christ's College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
It is said that Poet John Milton sat and wrote poetry under a tree on the grounds of this College, whose famous alumni include General Jan Smuts, John Milton, Charles Darwin and CP Snow.
Reviewed By abdulm96 - Chicago, United States
Now I wrote about King's college being costly, this college was FREE. So if you don't want to pay, you can go visit this one and still get a touch of history and walking around, explore... It was a nice walk in a sunny day, the location is great and one can appreciate the architecture. Don't forget to add this activity to your list. Also, if you go just before lunchtime there aren't that many people there or around 4 pm. Enjoy walking!
7. Downing College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Downing College, dating from the early 1800s, has a unique setting amidst 20 acres of lawns and trees. While the college environment itself is quiet and peaceful, the museums, shops and River Cam in the very heart of Cambridge is only a few minutes walk away. Downing College is an ideal location for visitors on a leisure break or in Cambridge on business. Our spacious bedrooms are fully equipped for the modern day traveller, with facilities such as a flat screen television, a spacious desk and free wifi. A telephone, alarm clock, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities are also provided, and bedrooms are cleaned daily by our College Domestic Assistants.We have free carparking available within the grounds, subject to availability; please request when you are making your booking. Please note: We are unable to accept bookings for children of 16 years and under, or for Stag and Hen parties. Guests of 16 - 18 years must be accompanied by an adult (21 or over).
Reviewed By senes - Vancouver, Canada
Unique with a fascinating history of its foundation ,this College is spacious and a bit apart from the others in its design and continued execution. All credit that the development has continued the initial concept.
8. Gonville and Caius College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Commonly referred to as Caius (pronounced Keys,) this college offers graduate and undergraduate studies to approximately 800 students every year, and is part of the University of Cambridge.
Reviewed By kittyginger - Salisbury, United Kingdom
Every time we visit Cambridge it seems to be only King's College that is regularly open and that is because its magnificent chapel is so popular. We were passing Gonville and Caius and a student told us about a lunchtime recital in the auditorium. It seemed an opportunity too good to miss. The two musicians played the piano and clarinet and there were pieces by Mozart and Weber, as well as compositions by three of the students. We felt privileged to be able to listen to such talent - and to be allowed inside the college. We had a look in the chapel before leaving, a beautiful building among so many other beautiful buildings. Perhaps someone can explain why the colleges are so rarely open to the public? I am not expecting to see accommodation or other private areas, just the chapels.
9. Grantchester Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
Located a short distance from the center of Cambridge, this historic and picturesque village features a magnificent medieval church, quaint thatched cottages and a pool where Lord Byron used to swim.
Reviewed By 70ish - Worcester, United Kingdom
A beautiful typical English village on the River Cam just a couple of miles from Cambridge with a perfect church , St Mary & St Andrew parts of which date from the 12th century
10. Jesus College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
One of the colleges of Cambridge University that was built on the site of a 12th-century nunnery, and which today features spacious grounds and a pretty 16th-century cloister court.
Reviewed By Mooners97 - Silchester, United Kingdom
We had been invited back to the College to a luncheon celebrating the 60th Anniversary of my matriculation in 1959. We turned the luncheon into a mini break by spending two nights b&b in West Court, from which we had easy access to the Chapel, the Master’s Lodge, Hall & Upper Hall and most other parts of the College. The room in West Court was most comfortable, well appointed and genuinely outstanding. The receptionist at West Court was friendly and extremely helpful; breakfast was good albeit without my favourite cerial 'All Bran' and the service acceptable (if not over enthusiastic). We thoroughly recommend West Court as the place in stay in Cambridge.
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