A Cambridge Student's Guide to the City

As I said, it’s the university’s colleges that make the city what it is. For those unfamiliar with the college system - a feature unique to the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Durham - a college is a semi-independent institution within the University where students eat, live, and socialise, every Cambridge student (and academic) being associated with a college. But not all colleges were created equal. Any visit to the city would be incomplete without a trip to the ‘Big Three’ colleges, all of whom accept (and embrace) tourists, although sometimes to the ire of stress-heavy students. The Big Three are King’s (founded in 1441), St. John’s (founded in 1511), Trinity (founded in 1546) colleges, with the former of of these being perhaps the city's most recognisable. This is thanks to its, well, regal presence along King’s Parade, the city’s main street which will take tourists on a short but unmissable walk from the tradition-steeped Senate House (where students go to receive their diplomas on graduation day) to the serendipitous Corpus Clock. The King’s College Chapel is also probably the most iconic building that Cambridge has to offer, its 94ft tall spires being signatures of the city skyline. For a breathtaking view of the chapel, I recommend a picturesque stroll along The Backs, a gorgeous path that follows the winding River Cam along the backs of several colleges, including all of the Big Three and some underrated gems, like Trinity Hall and Clare. Or, you could take a guided tour down the river, which leads me to my next recommendation…

Punting is the quintessential Cambridge tourist activity, giving visitors privileged access to some of the city’s best (and worst) architecture from a uniquely fluvial perspective. I would getting a narrated tour of the river by an experienced punter to learn more about the history of the city and so you can sit back and enjoy the ride since punting isn’t nearly as easy as it may look (although the challenge is always part of the fun for those who want to give it a go!). Such a tour would take you along The Backs from Magdalene College - founded in 1428 as a Benedectine hostel - and through Trinity, King’s, St. John’s, Queen’s, and Trinity Hall colleges, amongst others. Some highlights of the tour include the Venetian Bridge of Sighs, allegedly named so because students would sigh crossing the bridge to receive their summer exam results, and the Mathematical Bridge which, according to legend, was designed by Sir Isaac Newton with such mathematical precision that it didn’t need nuts or bolts to hold it up (this, however, is false). A lowlight would be St. John’s College’s Cripps Building, whose brutalist stylings are certainly a break from the medieval grandeur of the rest of the college, but which retain, in my opinion, a certain retro charm and 70s saudade.

For an ideal evening activity, I would recommend watching some student theatre, which is undoubtedly among the best in the world. The city is home to several theatres, from the secluded intimacy of the Corpus Christi Playroom to the dazzling lights of the ADC Mainstage, all of which run regular shows throughout the University term. An endless list of world-famous actors and comedians once traipsed those very same stages, from Sacha Baron Cohen to Hugh Laurie to Emma Thompson to Rachel Weisz, so a trip to the theatre means that you’re almost guaranteed to catch a formative glimpse of the big screen’s next big thing. So why not get ahead of the curb and see them up-close and personal while you can? I promise you won’t regret it.

As a city that both appeals to the world’s leading minds and a flourishing student population, Cambridge has eateries suited to everybody’s tastes. For a Michelin-caliber experience there’s the double-starred Midsummer House, idyllically placed along the scenic Midsummer Common to let guests indulge in both visual and gustatory decadence. The Ivy, meanwhile, offers a dining experience that is still chic and upmarket without those bank-busting double Michelin star prices, and Six offers a unique rooftop dining experience, allowing expansive views over the city’s medieval skyline.

For some options that are more affordable but every bit as delectable, I would recommend a trip to Market Square or Mill Road. Market Square is ideally located in the city centre just off King’s Parade and offers a culinary tour around the world in a few footsteps, consisting of grassroots market stands selling everything from dim sum to gyros to mac ‘n’ cheese to pad thai, each retaining an authentic flair. Mill Road, on the other hand, is a bit off the beaten path but is a student favourite, resplendent with another global selection of restaurants with unbeatable flavours and unbeatable prices. Highlights include Little Petra, a family-run Jordanian café that serves traditional Arabic cuisine, coffee, and sweet treats, and Relevant Records, a coffee-shop-cum-vinyl-store with delightful cakes upstairs and an unmatched selection of vinyls for sale, both old and new, in the eclectic basement.

The University Arms is the city’s oldest and probably best-known hotel. Originally built as a coaching inn in 1834, it stands beside Parker’s Piece - one of Cambridge’s many verdant green spaces - and now offers 192 rooms as well as the Parker’s Tavern, an all-day bistro and bar that flows into the establishment’s well-stocked library room for those wanting to indulge in a coffee or cocktail in a quintessentially Canterbridgian setting.