The historical town of Cambridge offers some of the best museums, universities, parks, and theatre. It’s also a friendly place with lots of ambitious students and professors. I was excited to find out that my good friend Tevong decided to get married in Cambridge, which also gave Simon and I a great opportunity to go away for the weekend for a little UK staycation.
Here are some of my favorite things to do in Cambridge, especially if you are short on time with a visit over the weekend.
1. Go on a punting tour
Punting in Cambridge is one of the top things to do and also a traditional Cambridge past time. If you are feeling adventurous and want to try punting down the canal in your own rented boat, just be very confident in your swimming abilities! Crashes do happen and visitors are advised to keep their hands inside of the boat at all times.
The other option is to go on a punting tour, and you’ll get to see famous landmarks, while just sitting back and relaxing in the beautiful surroundings.
2. Visit the university grounds
Did you know that are over 31 colleges within Cambridge? There are a variety of walking tours at various different colleges and it’s a great way to soak in the academic atmosphere. You can also walk into a lecture on campus and it’s worth the experience to feel like a student again!
3. Have a drink in a traditional British pub
There were two pubs that we visited during our time here. The Anchor, which was frequented by Pink Lloyds during their heyday, and also the Eagle pub where Nobelists Crick and Watson sketched the structure of DNA on a napkin.
4. Spend the day at one of the many museums
In the Fitzwilliam Museum, there are over half a millions works of art. There are masterpieces by Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne and Picasso. Best of all, the museum is also free to the public. Or head to the Museum of Cambridge, set in a 17th-century building with interesting history about the city.
5. Visit Great St. Mary’s church
There is a bell tower at this church to take in the great views of Cambridge. It’s also housed in one of the best 15th-century architecture. The entrance to the bell tower is £4 and visit to the church are free.
All in all, Cambridge is a great place to spend a couple of days if you are visiting London or the nearby towns. It’s perfect for a day trip outside of the capital of the UK.
What are some of your favorite UK weekend getaways? Let me know in the comments below!
