Cambridge
Cambridge or Oxford - deciding which one to visit first? Both of these university towns are definitely worth a visit in their own right, with Cambridge being handily placed just an hour away from London.
Cambridge is generally considered to be a quieter and more secluded place than Oxford. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the town is "the Backs" - the green fields alongside the River Cam which overlook the backs of the old colleges and provide one of the town's most memorable images.
Cambridge is a very compact place where you can walk around (or cycle, like the majority of students) the pleasant historic centre in an afternoon. However if you explore the architecture and history of the colleges and also go for a 'punt' on the river, your day or even weekend will have been filled very easily.
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Punting is a quintessential Cambridge past-time, and a common sight on the stretch of the Cam running parallel to the Backs are 'punt jams', as these hard to navigate craft collide with each other. The main spots from which to hire a punt (and a 'chauffeur' - normally a student) are Magdalene Bridge and the Rat and Parrot pub on Jesus Green.
Cambridge has been an important town since Roman times, as it is sited at the first navigable point on the River Cam. In the 11th Century, religious orders were established in the town, but it wasn't until the thirteenth century - when a group of religious scholars broke away from Oxford University after academic and religious disputes - that Cambridge was firmly put on the academic map. Rivalry - sometimes friendly, sometimes bitter - has existed between the two university towns ever since. The annual Boat Race on the River Thames provides an opportunity for this rivalry to be played out in a competitive sporting environment.
There are a number of musuems in Cambridge, but the most impressive by far is the Fitzwilliam. Benefiting from a number of private bequests, the Fitzwilliam (on Trumpington St) contains an array of antiquities and artworks that range from ancient Greek vases and Egyptian mummies through to twentieth century pieces by artists such as Moore and Hockney.
The Colleges are what makes Cambridge famous however, and there are fifteen colleges that can be visited. It does pay to choose a handful to concentrate your efforts on though, and three of the more popular and widely visited are:
- Kings College - Most people visit this college to take in the splendour of the King's College Chapel (pictured at top) - a medieval masterpiece which took 70 years to build.
- Trinity College - the largest of the Cambridge colleges, and to make the point clear, it also has the largest courtyard.
- St John's College - leading through three successive courts to the river, the nearby Bridge of Sighs links the old college with the neo-Gothic New Court.
Note that most of the colleges are closed during the exam period (May to early June), and most also charge an admission fee to view the college buildings and grounds.
Getting There
Trains depart from central London every two hours and the journey takes just under one hour. To access timetable and fare information call National Rail Enquiries (08457/484950) or look at their website on www.rail.co.uk.
The train station is about a mile southeast of the city centre, off Hills Road. You can easily walk into the city centre (20 mins) or you can take the shuttle bus #1, which will run you into town (one leaves approx every eight minutes - not Sunday).
If you arrive by car, be aware that most of the city is closed off to traffic and you will have great difficulty finding a park. Park-and-Ride car parks offer a less frustrating alternative.
Tourist Information
The tourist office is located in the ornate, domed former public library on Wheeler Street, off King's Parade. They also offer an accommodation service (call on 01223/457581).
The tourist office also runs walking tours of the centre (these are very popular), which usually last for two hours. These cost £6.25, and include entry to at least one college.
As an alternative to this, there are also Guide Friday buses that allow you to hop on and hop off as and when you please during the day.
Accommodation
There is a shortage of central accommodation in Cambridge, so innercity accommodation may prove to be expensive. There are lots of B&B's on the outskirts of town, and near the train station, as well as the youth hostel. If you get stuck, try using the tourist office's accommodation service - don't waste your precious sightseeing time trying to find somewhere to stay!
More Information
The Cambridge tourism website is worth a look, or try the Visit Britain portal.
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