Cambridge is one of the most visited cities in England, and for good reason. With over 800 years of history, a world-famous university, a beautiful river, and streets that reward every turn, there is no shortage of things to do in Cambridge for visitors of every kind.

Whether you are here for a day trip, a romantic weekend, a family holiday, or a graduation celebration, this guide covers the best Cambridge activities and experiences — starting with the ones we know best.

The University Colleges

Cambridge University isn’t a single campus — it’s 31 individual colleges spread across the city, each with its own architecture, traditions, and stories. Walking between them is one of the great pleasures of visiting Cambridge.

Most college facades, gatehouses, and courtyards are visible from public streets and paths. The best views of the college Backs are from the public riverside path along Queen’s Road — no entry ticket needed.

Colleges worth pausing at from the street: King’s College Chapel (King’s Parade), Trinity Great Gate (Trinity Street), St John’s gatehouse (St John’s Street), the Round Church (Bridge Street), Queens’ and the Mathematical Bridge (Silver Street Bridge), Corpus Christi and the Chronophage clock (Trumpington Street/Bene’t Street).

Some colleges are open to individual visitors at certain times for an entry fee (typically £5–£15). Check individual college websites for current opening times. Note that most colleges restrict professional photography equipment and large groups inside their grounds.

Want the stories behind every building you pass? Book a guided walking tour — we cover all the highlights on public routes, with no entry fees.

Cambridge Colleges List

College Name	Address
Christ’s College	St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3BU
Churchill College	Storey’s Way, Cambridge CB3 0DS
Clare College	Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL
Clare Hall	Herschel Road, Cambridge CB3 9AL
Corpus Christi College	Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RH
Darwin College	Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EU
Downing College	Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ
Emmanuel College	St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3AP
Fitzwilliam College	Storey’s Way, Cambridge CB3 0DG
Girton College	Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0JG
Gonville & Caius College	Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TA
Homerton College	Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PH
Hughes Hall	Mortimer Road, Cambridge CB1 2EW
Jesus College	Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BL
King’s College	King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST
Lucy Cavendish College	Lady Margaret Road, Cambridge CB3 0BU
Magdalene College	Magdalene Street, Cambridge CB3 0AG
Murray Edwards College	New Hall Lane, Cambridge CB3 0DF
Newnham College	Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DF
Pembroke College	Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RF
Peterhouse	Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RD
Queens’ College	Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9ET
Robinson College	Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AN
St Catharine’s College	Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RL
St Edmund’s College	Mount Pleasant, Cambridge CB3 0BN
St John’s College	St John’s Street, Cambridge CB2 1TP
Selwyn College	Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9DQ
Sidney Sussex College	Sidney Street, Cambridge CB2 3HU
Trinity College	Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TQ
Trinity Hall	Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TJ
Wolfson College	Barton Road, Cambridge CB3 9BB

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Photography in the Colleges

Most colleges allow personal photography with phones and compact cameras. However, professional equipment such as tripods, DSLRs with large lenses, and lighting gear is typically restricted or requires prior permission. This is one of the reasons our photo tours are so popular — we know exactly which colleges allow what, when the light is best, and how to get the shots without the hassle.

Punting on the River Cam

No visit to Cambridge is complete without seeing the city from the water. Punting — gliding along the Cam in a flat-bottomed boat pushed with a pole — is Cambridge’s most popular activity.

Most punt stations are near Mill Lane, Silver Street, or Jesus Green. You can hire a self-drive punt or book a chauffeured tour. A shared chauffeured tour typically takes 45 minutes and costs around £20–£25 per person.

Our guided walking tours finish near the punt stations, so it’s easy to combine a walking tour with a punt — ask us and we can recommend our preferred local punting partner.

Museums and Galleries

Cambridge has an exceptional collection of museums, and most are completely free.

The Fitzwilliam Museum — One of Europe’s finest small museums. Egyptian antiquities, Renaissance paintings, contemporary art. Free entry. Plan at least 90 minutes.

Museum of Zoology — Giant whale skeletons, a dodo, and Darwin’s specimens. Brilliant for families. Free entry.

The Sedgwick Museum — The oldest Cambridge museum, packed with fossils and geological specimens. Free entry.

Kettle’s Yard — A gallery that feels like a beautifully curated home. 20th-century and contemporary art alongside natural objects. Free entry, booking recommended.

The Polar Museum — Arctic and Antarctic exploration artefacts, including items from Scott’s expeditions. Free entry.

Walking and Sightseeing

Cambridge is compact and largely car-free. You can reach every major attraction within 20 minutes on foot.

The Backs — The stretch of lawns and gardens behind the riverside colleges. Walk along Queen’s Road for the most iconic Cambridge views, especially at sunrise or sunset.

King’s Parade — The postcard street of Cambridge. King’s College Chapel on one side, historic shops and cafes on the other.

Market Square — Cambridge’s open-air market has run since the Middle Ages. Browse artisan food, vintage books, and local produce six days a week.

Great St Mary’s Tower — Climb 123 steps for a panoramic view over the rooftops and spires. The best elevated viewpoint in the city centre.

Castle Mound — A Norman motte with a surprising 360-degree view of Cambridge and the surrounding fenland. Free and usually quiet.

All of these are stops on our Cambridge Highlights Tour — with the stories and history that bring each one to life.

Parks, Green Spaces and the River Cam

For a city of its size, Cambridge is extraordinarily green. The river and its surrounding meadows provide breathing space right in the heart of the city.

Jesus Green and Midsummer Common — Two large open spaces perfect for picnics, ball games, or simply watching the world go by. Jesus Green also has one of the longest outdoor swimming pools in Europe (91 metres), open in summer.

Grantchester Meadows — A beautiful riverside walk or cycle from the city centre to the village of Grantchester. Stop for afternoon tea at The Orchard, where the Bloomsbury Group once gathered under the apple trees.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden — 40 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with glasshouses, a winter garden, and themed trails. A peaceful escape from the busier city streets. Small entry fee (under-16s free).

Food, Pubs and Cafés

Cambridge has a thriving food scene that goes well beyond student canteens. From historic pubs to independent cafés, there is something for every taste and budget.

The Eagle — Cambridge’s most famous pub. Crick and Watson announced the discovery of DNA here in 1953. The RAF bar ceiling still bears WWII airmen’s graffiti. Worth visiting for the history alone — and it’s a stop on our Historic Cambridge tour.

Fitzbillies — A Cambridge institution since 1920. Famous for its sticky Chelsea buns. The Trumpington Street cafe is a lovely spot for brunch.

Mill Road — The most diverse street in Cambridge. Independent restaurants, delis, and shops from around the world. Where locals actually eat.

Check this popular blog post: Cambridge’s pub crawls

Day Trips and Nearby Experiences

Cambridge is perfectly positioned for exploring more of East Anglia. A few ideas if you have extra time:

Ely Cathedral — Just 20 minutes by train, the “Ship of the Fens” is one of the most spectacular cathedrals in England. The Octagon Tower is an engineering marvel.

Imperial War Museum Duxford — One of Europe’s premier aviation museums, housed on a historic Battle of Britain airfield just south of Cambridge. Brilliant for families and history enthusiasts.

Anglesey Abbey — A National Trust property with stunning gardens that change dramatically with the seasons. About 15 minutes by car from the city centre.

Seasonal Events and What’s On

Cambridge has a packed calendar of events throughout the year. Some highlights to plan around:

Cambridge Folk Festival (July) — One of the world’s premier folk music festivals, held at Cherry Hinton Hall.

Midsummer Fair (June) — A traditional fair on Midsummer Common that has been held since 1211.

Graduation Season (May–July) — The city fills with graduates in gowns. A wonderful time to visit and a perfect occasion for our Graduation Photography Tour.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (December) — The world-famous Christmas Eve service at King’s College Chapel, broadcast live by the BBC since 1928. Tickets are allocated by ballot, but the queue for remaining seats forms on Christmas Eve morning.

Cambridge Science Festival (March) — Two weeks of free talks, demonstrations, and hands-on experiments across the city, run by the University.

Start Your Cambridge Experience

The best way to discover Cambridge is with a local by your side. Book a guided walking tour in English or French, or add professional photography for a truly unique souvenir.

Book a Guided Tour | Book a Photo Tour

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Questions about your visit? Get in touch — we’re happy to help with recommendations.