Cambridge is one of those cities that is best enjoyed simply by walking around. Its streets are lined with historic buildings, the famous colleges of the University of Cambridge appear at every turn, and the River Cam offers some of the city’s most beautiful views.
We decided to spend a night in Cambridge and, what’s more, to stay at Selwyn College, to experience staying inside a college. If you have time, I think it’s a really interesting option for enjoying the city at a more relaxed pace.
Although it’s possible to visit Cambridge in a day, there’s quite a lot to see. These are the places and experiences we would include on a first visit.
Indice:
What to see in Cambridge
King’s College
If there’s one image that represents Cambridge, it’s probably that of King’s College and its spectacular chapel.
It’s one of the most famous colleges of the University of Cambridge and one of the must-see places in the city. Even if you don’t have much time, I’d try to stop by.
Queens’ College and the Mathematical Bridge
Another of the colleges worth visiting is Queens’ College, especially for the famous Mathematical Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Cambridge.
This is also where you begin to understand the importance of the River Cam to the city, something you appreciate even more during a punting trip.
St John’s College
St John’s College is another of Cambridge’s great colleges and one of the ones we included in our route.
Its buildings, courtyards and gardens are among the prettiest sights in the city, but there’s one thing I especially recommend: try to see it from the river too. The view of the College Backs completely changes the experience.
Trinity College
Another must-see is Trinity College, one of the best-known colleges in Cambridge.
We visited it along with King’s, Queens’, St John’s, Corpus Christi and Pembroke. I wouldn’t try to visit all the colleges in the city: there are loads of them, and I think it’s better to pick a few and leave time to wander around.
Corpus Christi College and the Corpus Clock
At Corpus Christi College we also found one of those little spots worth knowing about: the Corpus Clock.
It’s on one of the outer walls of the college, so you can easily include it while exploring the centre of Cambridge.
Pembroke College
Pembroke College was another one we visited. In our case, we were able to go in and see its courtyards without paying, although it’s a good idea to check the entry conditions before you go, as they may change.
Clare College
Founded in 1326, Clare College is the second-oldest college in Cambridge. It’s especially known for its bridge over the River Cam, one of the most photographed spots in the city, and for its riverside gardens.
Great St Mary’s
Very close to King’s College is Great St Mary’s, another building worth including on a route around Cambridge.
Its location, opposite King’s, makes it easy to combine both places during a walk around the centre. You can climb up for some lovely views.
Round Church
The Round Church, officially the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is easy to recognise thanks to its circular shape.
You don’t need to spend too much time there, but we think it’s an interesting stop if you’re exploring the historic centre.
Market Square
For a break from the colleges, you can head to Market Square, right in the heart of Cambridge.
It’s a good area for a stroll and to discover another side of the city, beyond the university buildings.
St Edward King
During our walk we also passed by St Edward King. It’s another of those places you can discover as you walk around the centre, and they help round off the visit.
Punting on the River Cam
If you ask me what to do in Cambridge and I have to pick just one experience, it’s an easy choice: go punting on the River Cam.
For us, it was without a doubt the best thing about Cambridge.
The boat trip lets you see the famous College Backs from the water, passing the rear grounds of some of the most important colleges. After seeing them on foot, viewing them from the river offers a completely different perspective.
And yes, it’s well worth it.
We booked the trip on the spot; prices vary depending on the time, and you may be able to get a discount. If you’d rather have it all arranged before you go, you can also book the boat trip in advance.
A one-day itinerary for Cambridge
If you only have one day to visit Cambridge, we would organise the visit in a fairly simple way to discover what to see in Cambridge.
I’d start the morning with a free tour, which is exactly what we did. We found it a good way to learn about the city’s history and get our bearings before carrying on by ourselves.
Then you can tour some of the most important colleges, such as King’s, Queens’, St John’s, Trinity, Corpus Christi and Pembroke, combining them with Market Square, Great St Mary’s and the Round Church.
For lunch, we made a quick stop at The Eagle, one of Cambridge’s historic pubs.
In the afternoon I’d leave time for punting on the River Cam. For us it was the highlight of the trip and an experience we wouldn’t miss.
Afterwards you can head back to the centre, look for the Corpus Clock, grab something at Fitzbillies and end the day with dinner. We chose Honest Burgers.
Where to stay in Cambridge
We decided to spend a night in Cambridge, and to do so at Selwyn College. We wanted to experience staying inside a college, and it was a different way to enjoy the city. Bear in mind that rooms are usually only available during the students’ holidays.
If you want to do the same, you can check the accommodation here:
If you’re short on time, Cambridge can easily be visited in a day. But if you can stay a night, we think it’s worth it.
Where to eat in Cambridge
We didn’t do a food tour as such; instead, we stopped wherever it suited us during the day:
- The Eagle: we had a quick lunch.
- Fitzbillies: we stopped for a cup of tea.
- Honest Burgers: our choice for dinner after a whole day of walking.
Tips for visiting Cambridge
- Don’t try to visit every college. Pick the ones that interest you most and also enjoy the streets and atmosphere of the city.
- Go punting. For us it was the best experience and the most beautiful way to see the College Backs.
- A free tour is a good start if it’s your first visit. That’s how we started.
- If you can, stay overnight. We took the opportunity to stay at Selwyn College and really enjoyed the experience.
- Leave time to wander aimlessly. Cambridge is also enjoyable beyond the places that appear on every must-see list.
- And it’s fine if you miss a college or two. We, for example, left without seeing Clare.
In summary: what to see in Cambridge
If you’re planning a route around Cambridge, I’d prioritise King’s College, Queens’, St John’s, Trinity, Corpus Christi and Pembroke, as well as Great St Mary’s, the Round Church, Market Square and the Corpus Clock.
But above all, I’d set aside a few hours to go punting on the River Cam. After our visit, it’s the experience we recommend most and the one we think truly completes a visit to Cambridge.
And if you have the chance to stay overnight, doing so in a college, as we did at Selwyn, can turn a simple day trip into a much more special experience.
How to get to Cambridge from London
The easiest way to get to Cambridge from London is by train. It’s a quick and comfortable option, especially if you want to visit the city in a day.
Trains leave from London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street, depending on the service you choose, and arrive at Cambridge station. From there you can walk to the historic centre in a few minutes.
We went by train and we think it’s the best option if you’re doing a day trip to Cambridge from London. Plus, since you don’t have to worry about parking, you can start exploring the city practically as soon as you arrive.
If you’re going there and back on the same day, I recommend checking the timetables in advance and choosing a train that lets you make the most of the day, especially if you want to do the free tour and set aside time for punting.
You can rent a car with Discovercars; it’s a good option for this visit if you’re going to continue touring the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions about Cambridge
Can you visit Cambridge in a day?
Yes. You can see Cambridge’s main sights in a day if you plan your route well and leave time for punting.
What is most worth seeing in Cambridge?
The colleges are a must, especially King’s College, Queens’, St John’s, Trinity and Corpus Christi. For us, punting on the River Cam was the best experience.
Is punting in Cambridge worth it?
Yes. It’s the best way to admire the College Backs from the river and one of the most characteristic experiences in the city.
How much time do you need to visit Cambridge?
One day lets you see its main attractions, although staying overnight gives you more time to enjoy the city without rushing.
Are you also going to visit Oxford? Here’s my guide What to see in Oxford. And if you want to keep things simple, there’s a day trip from London that visits both. Day trip to Oxford and Cambridge
Map of Cambridge
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience and is completely objective. This article contains affiliate links.
