You have arrived at the right article if you wonder what to do in Cambridge for a day. One of the wonderful things for one to do in their life is maybe taking a perfect day trip to Cambridge. It’s a treasurable day trip to Cambridge as it involves a visit to historical places, picturesque streets, and stunning buildings built over the past decades.
As there is the availability of different means of transport from central London, anyone can easily choose to go punting along the River Cam and thereby catch a glimpse of the world-famous Cambridge University colleges within a span of an hour. The Mathematical Bridge is a mesmerizing bridge and the most iconic landmark of the city.
It is a well-known fact that this prominent place was a flourishing trading center since the Roman period. The town gained prominence during the Middle Ages after the foundation of the famous university was laid.
Cambridge University was originated in the year 1209. During that time, some scholars belonging to Oxford had escaped after involving in a dispute with the townspeople.
By punting the Cam River, the view of the famous colleges can also be caught by joining a walking tour guided by some former students.
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What to do on a Cambridge day trip?
1.The King’s College, Cambridge
To answer your question: what to do in Cambridge for a day, the visit to King’s College is the perfect answer. It’s easy to walk around the small city, and by going on a train, the main tourist spots- down the station and Regent Streets can be visited. Buses like Citi 1 or Citi 3 also can be used for shuttling.
2.The Tower at Great St Mary’s
You can visit the 800-year-old Great St Mary’s church right opposite King’s College. This is one of the main things when you have a question on your mind: what to do in Cambridge for a day. Note that there are one hundred and twenty-three steps to climb the tower.
You can see the attention-grabbing view over the King’s College Chapel, which extends over all the colleges and the famous River Cam. It is open from Monday to Saturday and begins at 10 am and 12.15 on Sundays. Ticket cost around £4.
3.King’s College Chapel Cambridge
The huge space at the King’s College Chapel is indeed extraordinary, and the most impressive thing about it is the vaulted ceiling in the world. This is one of the main items on the list of what to do in Cambridge for a day.
The medieval tainted glass windows are special due to the light refracted from them spreading incredible light inside the chapel, also known as a Tudor masterpiece.
The tickets costs around £5.
4.Cambridge punting tours
Come on, and it’s the time to sit and relax when it’s the punting time. If you take up a punting tour, you can not only navigate the River Cam but also listen to the wonderful stories about the city and its famous residents from the guide.
You can stare at the spectacular sight of the Bridge of Sighs and Mathematical bridge.
5.Cambridge Bridge of Sighs
If you want to visit the Quayside Punting Station near Magdalene Bridge, you can enjoy the cozy tour wrapped in a blanket from 09:00 am to dusk (any day). This punting trip is for 45 minutes duration. It only costs £19 per person, and there is a discount if you book online.
6.Cambridge University colleges
Don’t spend much of your time wondering about what to do in Cambridge for a day. You can go past so many world-famous Cambridge colleges established over past centuries and, amazingly, you can find out about their unique histories, architecture, and stories. The visitors are restricted from visiting colleges in May as it may disturb them while preparing for their exams.
7.Cambridge guided tours
When you visit this fantastic place in which every step has a history behind it, there should be the assistance of an expert guide to know and enjoy the beauty of this place fully.
You can get qualified and experienced guides who can enrich your touring experience with an enlightened knowledge about the place in detail.
8.Lunch?? What about a traditional pub lunch?
What to do in Cambridge for a day? – Of course, taste the best food with a great ambiance. Because there are many pubs in Cambridge, you need to know the best one to stop at for lunch. Especially, the pubs like ‘The Anchor’ and ‘The Punter’ provide the best surprises and tasty delicacies. So, I recommend, The Punter – 3 Pound Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AE.
9.Stroll along “the Backs”
There is an area where you can have a wonderful time strolling, known as “the Backs,” along the River Cam watching the ducks. These are the most scenic spots that stretch from Magdalene Bridge to the Silver Street bridge.
10.The Round Church
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, popularly known as ‘The Round Church,’ is a vital landmark in Cambridge because it is one of the four churches which are the only ones still remaining since the medieval age. The symmetry of the building made of limestone is really admirable.
11.Fitzwilliam Museum
Last but not least on the list of what to do in Cambridge for a day is the visit to Fitzwilliam Museum. The visit to the famed Fitzwilliam Museum is a must as it is full of different sorts of antiquity and the art world. You can get a chance to look at the drawings by Da Vinci paintings by Rembrandt and check out the captivating assortment of Ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Some of the incredible Colleges in Cambridge:
1.St John’s College
This is one of the biggest colleges of Cambridge, founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1509. You can see her crown over the main entrance to the college. The spectacular Bridge of Sighs links it is enthralling. Sir George Gilbert Scott was inspired by Sainte Chappelle and designed the St John’s Chapel in Paris.
2.Trinity College
This eminent college (popular for its Great Court) is located between the residences on both sides of the Cam- Wren Library and illustrious alumni. When you ponder what to do in Cambridge for a day, you realize that the visit to Trinity College is the best one. Among the 32 Nobel prize winners who studied at this college were the poet Lord Byron and Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India. The Wren Library hosts a great collection of books, including two of Shakespeare’s first folios.
3.King’s College
The Gothic chapel also gives the visitors a chance to wander the beautiful grounds. Even the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, Robert Walpole, took strolls here. Even literary giants like E. M. Forster and Salman Rushdie and renowned mathematician Alan Turing studied here.
4.Queens’ College
This is one of the oldest colleges in the university where scholar Erasmus of the Dutch Renaissance was a student.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different spectacular sights you can enjoy on a bright sunny morning, why should you wait? Pack your bags and plan a trip to Cambridge so that you can enjoy all the picturesque sceneries and go punting along the River Cam, and take a look at all the gorgeous Cambridge University colleges. You can be assisted by a guide to gain more information during your visit. Hope your visit refreshes your life!