Tourist Guide to Cambridge, United Kingdom

The U.K. is full of many fantastic places for tourists to visit. The famous cities of London, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool have plenty of amazing tourist attractions to keep every tourist busy during their visit to the country. 

Among the popular tourist destinations in the U.K., the city of Cambridge is also a very popular place for both foreign and domestic tourists. Exploring Cambridge is one of the best things foreign visitors can do during the validity period of their U.K. ETA.

So, let us look at a tourist guide to Cambridge.

Introduction to Cambridge

Cambridge is a city that is most popular due to it being the home of the Cambridge University, said to have been built in the year 1209. The Cambridge University is a famous complex comprised of several buildings, which also includes the largest legal deposit library of the world.

The city holds significant importance in the U.K., for several of the U.K.’s successful businesses trace their origins to Cambridge University. Its population is also a significant contributor towards the growth of the country, as nearly 40% of the people working in Cambridge possess degrees in higher education. 

This figure is significantly higher than the overall U.K. population’s average.

Is Cambridge Worth Visiting?

It is worth it for foreign tourists to visit Cambridge during their visit to the U.K. due to several reasons. The city is full of several tourist attractions that provide excellent insight into the U.K.’s history, culture, and architecture. The academic-focused environment appeals greatly to students and scholars.

Cambridge is also a very accessible city to visit with easily accessible public transport and close distance to other great tourist destinations like London, 

What to do During a Visit to Cambridge?

Cambridge is mostly known for its amazing colleges, which are made in the classic British architecture of the medieval period. However, there are also museums, gardens, and laboratories that people can visit to enjoy their time in Cambridge.

Among the many places tourists can visit, the following places mentioned are a must-visit for every Cambridge visitor:

King’s College

It is impossible to talk about Cambridge without mentioning its most popular tourist destination, King’s College. The King’s College is a large chapel complex that is a popular tourist destination among those who wish to marvel at the medieval architectural style followed in the U.K.

The architecture of King’s College is comprised of stained glass windows and fan-vaulted ceilings, which are marvelous to look at. King’s College can be visited after the visitors have purchased tickets for the same. These tickets can also be purchased online. If you plan to book a full tour of Cambridge, a visit to King’s College is often included for you.

The Cambridge Gin Laboratory

Gin is a favorite drink among many drink enjoyers across the world. Gin is popular for its use of herbal ingredients and fruit juices to add flavors to the drink, creating a medicinal drink that both smells and tastes nice. In Cambridge, there is an entire laboratory that has dedicated itself to manufacturing the best Gin available in the U.K.

The Cambridge Gin Laboratory is a complex owned and run by the famous Cambridge Distillery itself, where tourists can find classrooms, shops, private rooms, and tasting lounges to learn about the history of Gin and how it is manufactured. All of this is done while you enjoy a nice sip of one of the best quality Gin available across Europe.

Fitzwilliam Museum

A visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum is a great way to explore the many treasures and artifacts discovered by British explorers during their journey across the world. 

Several different artifacts such as Chinese Jades, ceramic items from Japan and Korea, and pottery and glasses from other European nations are proudly displayed to every tourist visiting this museum. 

The museum also houses several paintings, sculptures, medieval knight armor, and several other attractions that you can marvel at during your journey through its halls. As if that was not enough, the Fitzwilliam Museum also has several shops and caffes allow you to purchase memorabilia and keep your energy levels high during your exploration.

Market Square

Exploring the culture of any city is best done by visiting its local markets. Markets present the best way to explore the artistry of a city’s population while also observing locals going through their day. The Cambridge Market Square is the perfect place to visit for people who wish to explore the unique traditions and culture of Cambridge.

The Cambridge Market Square is full of shops that sell many different items such as electronics, clothes, books, food, and beverages. If you visit on a Sunday, you can also witness a local food, arts, and crafts market that contains locally grown vegetables along with arts and crafts made by local artists and craftsmen. 

When you decide to visit Cambridge, it is highly recommended that you explore the Cambridge Market Square at least once during your trip.

Grantchester Village

All visitors to U.K. are advised to visit the village areas during their trips. Villages serve as a great way to learn about the locals of the country as well as a quiet place with fresh air to escape from the cities. The unique experiences of visiting the U.K. are best observed in remote areas.

The Grantchester Village is in a remote location, which is found only a short distance away from Central Cambridge. This village is well known for housing a pool which was frequented by the famous poet Lord Byron. However, it also has several buildings made in historic medieval architectural style, including a church and several cottages.

Great St Mary’s Church

Very few buildings in Cambridge are older than its famous Cambridge University complex. The Great St. Mary’s Church is one of these ancient buildings and is a marvelous structure to visit in Cambridge. Located close to the Cambridge marketplace, one thing that tourists may notice is that despite it’s age, it looks much younger than it should.

The reason for this is that this church was rebuilt several times throughout its history. This church is popular for many significant events in the history of the U.K., which are all proudly shown to the visitors on a large screen inside the building. The towers of this church can be climbed, which provides a great view of the entire city.

Scott Polar Research Institute

Also known as the Polar Museum, this facility is dedicated to exploration and research into the polar regions of the world. This place shows the visitors the fruits of the efforts put in by the researchers for several decades, showing detailed records about the environment of the polar regions.

This place is also known for having the largest Polar library in the world, which documents the history of polar region exploration along with photos taken during such expeditions. You can also find several sculptures being displayed at this institute, showcasing important milestones achieved during polar region exploration.

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial

The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is one of the 26 American shrines around the world. This memorial is dedicated to paying respect to American soldiers who lost their lives in combat during World War II. 

This memorial is meant to showcase the deep ties shared between the U.K. and the U.S. that allowed them to achieve victory during World War II.

If you wish to explore Cambridge, we suggest applying for your U.K. ETA early and booking all your itineraries in advance.